spin bike or trainer for home

[libbygrl109]

DH and I have been trying to compromise on what fitness equipment we want to buy for our home. I want a treadmill, he thinks it's too big and he won't use it. He wants an elliptical, I think it would be even worse size-wise than a treadmill. So, that left us with maybe getting a spin bike. I had thought about getting him a bike trainer, but then I wouldn't be able to use it. Or would I? 

[sadlebred]

If you have a bike then you can use the trainer. If not, you'd have to ride your H's bike on the trainer.

[kams]

As Sadle said, if you have a bike you can use the trainer. You can get two trainers plus a few workout videos for the price of a spin bike.

I had a spin bike years ago, and maybe I just got a lemon or wasn't getting the maintenance right, but it annoyed me and was a huge pain.

[libbygrl109]

I have a bike, but I'm not thrilled about it. Considering selling it, maybe getting a road bike at some point.

[sadlebred]

Plus, the trainers are easy to fold up and put in the garage/storage when you aren't using them. I set up and break mine down all the time since I don't like to keep the bike in the den when I'm not using it. It takes me about 3 minutes to drag the trainer and bike in from the garage and set it up. I can't imagine trying to drag the spin bike into the garage when it's not in use.

See the link in my siggy for some trainer info.

[Susie]

Trainers are the ultimate in compact, easy to move, easy to stash out of the way (once you take the bike off), compared to any of the options you are considering. They're also way, way cheaper IF you already have the bike. If you don't, well, probably one of the more expensive options! You could share one trainer and swap bikes on and off, or spring for two trainers. We have two fluid trainers, both Kurt Kinetic Road Machines. And because triathletes are nothing if not gear hoarders, I also want a treadmill before kids, so I can run/walk while they nap. I don't want being house-bound with a napper to mean I have to miss a workout.

If you are thinking of a road bike in the future, I would not buy a spin bike. I never really like them anyway.

Also, yes, ellipticals are space hogs. My parents have one, they look SO much bigger in a basement than at the gym.

[joenali]

I'm going to go with the short answer here: trainer.

[Brit]

FWIW, my H and I have ridden each other's bikes on our trainer. It isn't perfect, but it is doable. Obviously, it is much more comfortable for us to ride our own bikes.

Our trainer folds up super small, it fits on one of the shelves in our storage room and sets up in less than 5 minutes when we want to use it. (Someone remind me of this when I don't set it up and use it on Sunday morning.)

ETA: I also have a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. I have had it for about 5 years. I love it.

[Brit]

Also, if you get a trainer (or spin bike), go to the Trihardest website and download her (Jamie Morton) spinning podcasts.

[libbygrl109]

So, I think the trainer it is! Thanks for everyone's input. We'll probably pull the trigger once I get my regular paychecks again. Now to clear out the junk in the basement to make room for it :-)

[joenali]

Aug 30, 2014 8:44:31 GMT -5 libbygrl109 said:

So, I think the trainer it is! Thanks for everyone's input. We'll probably pull the trigger once I get my regular paychecks again. Now to clear out the junk in the basement to make room for it :-)

We got ours on Craigslist.

[libbygrl109]

Aug 30, 2014 9:41:26 GMT -5 joenali said:

Aug 30, 2014 8:44:31 GMT -5 libbygrl109 said:

So, I think the trainer it is! Thanks for everyone's input. We'll probably pull the trigger once I get my regular paychecks again. Now to clear out the junk in the basement to make room for it :-)

We got ours on Craigslist.

Thanks! Just looked at mine, and there were a lot of CycleOps, but no Kurt Kinetics, and they were mag trainers.

[Brit]

Aug 30, 2014 12:31:07 GMT -5 libbygrl109 said:

Aug 30, 2014 9:41:26 GMT -5 joenali said:

We got ours on Craigslist.

Thanks! Just looked at mine, and there were a lot of CycleOps, but no Kurt Kinetics, and they were mag trainers.

The Kurt Kinetic people want to keep theirs forever!

[katinthehat]

I have a CycleOps and love it

[chw57]

Aug 31, 2014 18:06:55 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

I have a CycleOps and love it

Me too!

[kams]

Aug 30, 2014 12:31:07 GMT -5 libbygrl109 said:

Aug 30, 2014 9:41:26 GMT -5 joenali said:

We got ours on Craigslist.

Thanks! Just looked at mine, and there were a lot of CycleOps, but no Kurt Kinetics, and they were mag trainers.

CycleOps is a good brand too! I have a mag trainer - it makes noise, but it doesn't bother me, especially if I have ear buds in