Exercise bikes ?

[chippy1970]

Thinking of getting swimbo an exercise bike for her 50th birthday. Anyone here got any advice , oh and don't bother saying get a real bike because she has one and never uses it :lol:

I've had a quick look and so far the Reebok zr8 bike looks good and with codes I can get it with a free mat for £200.

 

[Racers]

Hi,

The trouble with home exercise is its east to put off if she doesn't use her bike she probably wont use the exercise bike, spend the money on gym membership instead, and she will be able to use a much better bike.

Pete

 

[Jacob]

A turbo trainer is better IMHO. Use the existing bike so takes up no extra space, and a lot cheaper. I got one of these for my wife.. You can usually get them cheaper if you look around. There are expensive alternatives but I wouldn't bother unless you are going in for it seriously.
You can leave the bike permanently mounted in the trainer and just hop on for a 10 minute blast every now and then. Only a couple of minutes to take it out if you want to go on the road.
It's helped a lot since I did my leg in, last April. I might never have bothered but somebody lent me one and I liked it.
I also signed on with a gym, but cancelled - never got around to it, like 99% of gym members!

 

[Steve Blackdog]

We have a very low mileage exercise bike which sits there making us feel guilty. Not sure I'd get another one. I guess it would be ok if you have somewhere to watch a tv or something whilst you exercise - otherwise it is pretty boring unless you are into fitness.

I just asked my wife about this and she said "only if she wants one" is it a good idea. I don't know you or your wife, but be careful not to buy a gift which says "I think you are unfit/overweight" as that might not go down as well as you hoped.

For what it's worth - ours was a Kettler one, which was quite expensive at the time. It is very solid and heavy, which means that it is hard to move about and store without dismantling it, which is something I would take into account in choosing one.

Good luck with your purchase and Happy Birthday to SWIMBO

Steve

 

[thomvic]

Jacob said:
"I got one of these for my wife.."

Sounds like a good swap to me!

Richard

 

[xraymtb]

A turbo trainer is better IMHO.

+1

As a fairly serious cyclist I can assure you that a turbo trainer is a far better choice. Mainly down to rider position - you retain the correct position which very few exercise bikes replicate.

I won't give a specific recommendation as I use a high end trainer that is likely more than you want to spend.

 

[Steve Blackdog]

Jacob said:
"I got one of these for my wife.."

Sounds like a good swap to me!

Richard

=D> =D> =D>

 

[chippy1970]

Cheers guys , turbo trainer is out as her bike is a rubbish fold up cheapie she bought from Tesco :lol:

She doesn't use it mainly as its a lot of fuss for her to get it out of the shed etc. If you knew her you would understand everything is a fuss :lol:

We have 8 and 12 yr old boys so that keeps her busy . Yes she is over weight by quite a bit but she has always wanted an exercise bike. Obviously its easier to get out of bed and get on the exercise bike than go out on her real bike.

I have a really decent mountain bike I bought 2 years ago for my 40th and do prefer to go out and cycle for real but there's sadly no way she would come out with me and the boys.

 

[chippy1970]

I might use it too when the weather is crap like now.

I need to get fit too after my slipped disc I'm trying to get fit hoping cycling is ok

 

[Jacob]

A turbo trainer is better IMHO.

+1

As a fairly serious cyclist I can assure you that a turbo trainer is a far better choice. Mainly down to rider position - you retain the correct position which very few exercise bikes replicate. ......

Or you can sit up straight and read a book. I do this for 5 minutes or so then when I'm warmed up a bit I go down on the bars and pretend I'm going over the Galibier with Lance Armstrong breathing down my neck.

 

[Racers]

Hi,

A rowing machine will exercise more muscles than a bike, the Concept 2 are very good, but very expensive, I sometimes use one at the Gym.
Bot can't get anywhere near the times I used to do, getting old I guess.

Pete

 

[Jacob]

.......
I have a really decent mountain bike I bought 2 years ago for my 40th and do prefer to go out and cycle for real but there's sadly no way she would come out with me and the boys.

She might if you did a bit of research and sorted out a nice route. Easy to do around here (Peak District) - the newish Monsal trail* being everybody's favourite, including fat old persons on shopping bikes.

*Horribly over-produced video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPPSzw-gYrg

 

[chippy1970]

Hi,

A rowing machine will exercise more muscles than a bike, the Concept 2 are very good, but very expensive, I sometimes use one at the Gym.
Bot can't get anywhere near the times I used to do, getting old I guess.

Pete

I used concept rowing machines around 17 years ago when I was last a member of a gym.

 

[chippy1970]

Jacob, she wouldn't I've got lots of good places near me im right near the Thames which has the Thames path. She just never wants to do anything, maybe if she lost weight and got fitter then she might change.

If its ever anything physical then me and the boys have to go on our own. Seems quite sad really now I come to think of it but I've got used to it.

 

[andersonec]

Jacob, she wouldn't I've got lots of good places near me im right near the Thames which has the Thames path. She just never wants to do anything, maybe if she lost weight and got fitter then she might change.

If its ever anything physical then me and the boys have to go on our own. Seems quite sad really now I come to think of it but I've got used to it.

If it's too much trouble to get the bike out the shed and ride it (free exercise) then I doubt very much if she will use an exercise bike, there must be thousands of these exercise machines sitting in peoples houses which are never ever used, seemed like a good idea at the time, if people are trying to make exercise easy then it is of no benefit.

Weight watchers, where she can meet like-minded people and free exercise (walking or climbing the stairs one step at a time for 15 minutes) if she is unfit then she won't last five minutes on the bike and it will soon be forgotten.

She must be praised or rewarded (clothes or some such treat) for every few pounds she loses, make her feel good about herself, make her feel proud of herself, weekend away, hair do, whatever.

You have to help too, don't take no for an answer when you go out on your own with the boys, embarrass her into coming out, tell her the boys are sad she wont come with you, and when you get her out, have some fun and make her want to do it again, tell her how much you liked her being out with you.

The bike on it's own won't work.

Best of luck.
Andy

 

[llangatwgnedd]

Wifey nagged me for months to get her one, used it a few times.

But now eighteen months on, doesn't use it at all, total waste of £250.

 

[chippy1970]

Don't think I will bother getting her one. Saves me moaning at her because shes not using it.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Wifey nagged me for months to get her one, used it a few times.

But now eighteen months on, doesn't use it at all, total waste of £250.

Yes, I know the feeling well. An exercise bike, a rowing machine, a cross trainer, dumbbells........

 

[Racers]

Hi,

Its why I suggested gym membership.
I an lucky to have a gym at work so 3 lunchtimes a week I go, its sometimes packed, but they are building an even bigger one that will be open next year. And its only £100 a year.

Pete

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Gym membership for my wife usually works out about £30 a visit.