Exercise bike?

[EmmieB1025]

DH and I are craigslist shopping for a treadmill, elliptical, or bike for our basement. I get bored on a treadmill and prefer using the elliptical. DH thinks our ceiling is too low for an elliptical and thinks a bike is a good idea.

Can someone talk to me about which type of bike - regular or recumbent - offers the best workout. Recumbent bikes feel lazy to me, but honestly I never feel like it's been a good workout when I use the bike at the gym (as compared to the treadmill or elliptical). I don't want to waste our money on something that isn't a good workout, and I don't want to waste my time riding a bike every night and see no results.

TIA

[dixeedeluxe]

I've never known anyone that had a bike at home that they actually used.

[AndyCohen]

I feel the same as you, whenever I've used the bike on my own I've never felt much if a workout. I did do a spin class once and WHOA! It was crazy. Do they have spin DVDs that you could follow while on the bike? I personally would get an elliptical if it fits.

[EmmieB1025]

My thinking is, I'll use whatever we decide on while watching TV after the baby is in bed for the night.

[dixeedeluxe]

Jan 4, 2013 10:01:59 GMT -5 AndyCohen said:

I feel the same as you, whenever I've used the bike on my own I've never felt much if a workout. I did do a spin class once and WHOA! It was crazy. Do they have spin DVDs that you could follow while on the bike? I personally would get an elliptical if it fits.

You can buy those spinning bikes and I DO know people who use those in-home!

I think unless you are old or have a physical impairment, a regular bike will go to waste.

[silverjm]

I'd go for the elliptical. We have one in the basement and while there's not a ton of clearance, I don't feel like I need to duck or anything. Unless your DH is super tall I guess, I'm only 5'5".

[EmmieB1025]

I am not sold on the bike either.

[laurack]

The only bike I can conceive actually using and getting a good workout from is a spinning bike with clip in shoes and some kind of video of someone screaming at you to turn it up.

The regular bikes at the gym are lame, for some reason I can never get my HR up on them. Yet spinning is like an hour of hell for me where I feel like I am dying. I'm not sure why.

Also if you have loadsa money, Concept 2 rowers are AWESOMe and a very tough workout. And low to the ground. But they cost a lot.

[EmmieB1025]

We don't have lots of money, hence the Craigslist shopping.

I did find a spin bike for $100. I emailed for more info on it.

[laurack]

Spinning bikes are great. My gym got some ones that weren't in the spin studio, when I was pregnant and didn't feel I could make it through an hour long class I'd bring my shoes and clip in for just 20-30 minutes and it was a great workout.

I really like spinning so much more with the shoes on.

[rxbeth]

I think raynes has one. Maybe try and page her. I know she's back online but I haven't seen her post back here a lot.

[raynes]

We have a bike, but I have rarely used it. Whomp whomp. I'm agree with dixee that a spin bike would be better than just a normal exercise bike. However, I know nothing about whether recumbent or upright is a better workout, though I'll agree with the feeling that recumbent is being lazy.