I need to lose weight and get in shape. I'm still not totally comfortable doing any prolonged outdoor stuff. I was thinking of getting an indoor bike. Not really $Texas level like Peloton, but maybe something like a Bowflex.
I have lost about 20 lbs since COVID-19 began, thanks to dietary changes (less sugar, no milk or creamer, less snacking, and far less alcohol). But I need to go the extra mile and start really committing to exercising. I like the idea of indoor biking and I have the room for it now.
Anyone have any opinions on this, either on what product to get or on my idea in general? This is my current exercise routine:
So, there you go. Is it moving too fast to jump to cycling? I like running, but I just am not feeling that now and a bike is more compact than a treadmill. I like biking in general.
I'll share more details about my weight and whatnot if you need for recommendations. I'm not what I would personally call corpulent, but my weight is unattractive and unhealthy, plus I believe I have high blood pressure. It's hard to tell because I tend to suffer from white coat syndrome so I rarely get accurate readings at the doctor's office. When I got my COVID-19 test, my BP was like 200 over 150. About 5 minutes later it was still high but lower, like 180 over 140. If I had stayed later I'm sure it would have been closer to "normal" which has happened before, but that was a quick in and out visit. Actually...yeah, I should get a blood pressure monitor too. Anyway, I feel like biking can help with that too.
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The advantage is that the bike you use can be taken from indoor to outdoor with minimal fuss (there's always going to be fuss, but this setup is minimal).
The disadvantage is the wear and tear on the bike chain, so if you're not used to doing maintenance on the bike this option will be less good than one of the Bowflex like options that are enclosed and likely use belts.
You said you're not looking to spend Peloton money, how much cash are you looking to drop?
You might want to check your local Craigslist or Facebook market to see if you can get a second hand bike for a few bucks plus picking it up.
Bowflex is around 1 grand. I’m comfortable with that, but I really just started looking into this and literally the only two brands I know of are Peloton and Bowflex.
I’m in an apartment so I don’t have tooooo much space but the Bowflex looks like it would fit comfortable. Any other brands I should look at? Any other concerns I should consider before going with an indoor bike for exercise?
Should I be adding other stuff to my routine or is it sufficient to start with the cycling exclusively for now?
edit: One of the differences between Bowflex and Peloton is that Peloton comes with a screen built in, for Bowflex you need to supply the screen. But I actually have a Surface Pro that I barely use anymore so I’m hoping that will work.
Last February I picked up a Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1423C Chain Drive Indoor Cycling Bike through Amazon, as well as a universal tablet holder for the bike. The total cost was about $300 CDN. The electronic monitor is pretty minimal, with just pace/time/distance/calories burned, and no way to connect it to anything to export the data. Sunny is a pretty popular entry level brand for exercise bikes, as they make reasonably high quality stuff without any bells and whistles.
Here's an up to date article on Tom's Guide suggesting exercise bikes.
All things considered, I'm happy with my Sunny bike, and if I was getting a second bike I'd get another Sunny.
Very much this. Very easy to store with the right model and it's going to give you a better workout than just a bike.
That said if you go that route take it easy and slowly ramp up the resistance. Don't do what I did by messing up my wrist and shoulder by trying to get to the max resistance too soon :P
My wife really enjoys the on-demand classes but be warned that there's a subscription involved.
The Airdyne is more expensive new but I've seen both listed on Craigslist pretty regularly at varying prices. I have an Airdyne but have tried an Assault Bike and would say I'd be plenty happy with one if I had it. AFAIK they sell the parts for repair and such in a way that even fixing one when something wears out isn't that bad. Unlike most one time purchase and throw away when it breaks exercise equipment.
If you do go the rowing machine path, do not get the cheap Sunny one, or any other 'piston' style rower. The pistons get heated within a few minutes of use and as they heat up, it lowers the resistance and also gets pretty dang hot to the touch
It will be cheaper. There may be free classes you can join. There will probably be cycling/spin classes. The act of going to a gym commits you to actually exercising.
Hell with the money you save on a exercise machine, you can get a few sessions with a personal trainer and work on some resistance training.
I started going to a local YMCA several years back instead of running by myself and working out at home and it made a world of difference.
Also, I dumped literally years' worth of money into NYSC a couple of years ago without ever using it so I'm very leery about paying any establishment right now. Maybe later, once I kickstart my push toward personal fitness, but not yet.
I'm actually psyched to get some gear in my home where I can modulate the climate/temperature myself and not have to deal with anyone. I feel motivated. My only concern is:
a) If I do go with Bowflex, there's a 45 day delay in delivery
b) I don't even know how I would receive it - my building has some strict rules about accepting packages. Basically, for anything over 40 pounds it would require actual movers, just to take the box(es) up to my apartment
So the bowflex C6 spin bike is a re-colored Schwinn IC4 which is a bike I just accepted delivery a week ago. Here are my thoughts:
@SatanIsMyMotor
Which of the models of the Echelon did you go with?
Image of the sit bones and the nerves that run between them.
Also, I'll echo the recommendation above to get a bike and hook it up to a fly wheel trainer.
But I don’t really know much about this technology. Can you point me in the right direction so I can read more about this fly wheel trainer stuff?
We have this one: https://echelonfit.com/products/echelon-smart-connect-bike-ex5
Even with the correct seat you will be a little sore initially so don't overdo it. After a week or two at 20min a day the soreness should be gone. Don't assume it's your seat.