What kind of bike? Spin, recumbent, or upright?

angie_nrs

angie_nrs

Cathlete
So I'm thinking I need a new piece of exercise equipment. I have an elliptical, which I love, but I would also like to try something else, espeically with CC workouts.

I went to MC Sports the other day and was overwhelmed with the choices available. They had a spin bike for $500 (half off) along with a few recumbent and regular upright bikes with several hundred dollars off as well. Tis the season for deals on exercise equipment I guess.

Does anyone have any suggestions on which kind of bike to get or which brand would be the best? I want to get something that will last and that I will use long term.

TIA for your suggestions.

Angie
 
I have an older model spinning bike. I've had it for about 12 years, and it's still "spinning" strong! I would recommend a spinning bike over a regular exercise cycle or recumbant bike. If you have an outside-type bike you can also buy indoor trainers that you mount your bike on. These are supposed to give a decent indoor workout as well.
 
I have a Schwinn recumbent that I bought a few years ago to rehab a knee injury. I opted for a recumbent over the spin or upright because I planned to use it daily and the others leave me a little too saddle sore the next day.

I like mine a lot and use it with Cardio Coach and iTrain.
 
Gayle - do you think a recumbent is any easier than an upright? I mean, do you get the same calorie burn? Also, do you feel it more in your hams than the quads or are you pretty much hitting the same muscles as you would in an an upright position? I have never been on a recumbent bike for longer than a few minutes at the store but it seems comfortable. Are there any downsides to a recumbent over the others??

Thanks so much for the replies.

Angie
 
My personal 2 cents is that you should consider a spinning bike. They are easy to maintain and you can get a HECK of a workout on them. I got mine on Craigslist about 2 years ago, and it's a Lemond Spinning Bike, which is good quality. A new one will run you about $1200, but they're practically indestructible.

I use Cardio Coaches on mine, along with cycling DVDs on spinning.com.

MC
 
Angie- I have been to spin classes and I own a semi-recumbent stationary bike. Both types of bike give a great workout if you push yourself. Guided workouts like, Cardio coach or iTreads are great for this purpose. Saturday was Press Play Cardio Coach Saturday, and I used my bike at home . my HR was up there during the challenges. I do pay close attention to the rpm and the resistance to get my HR is the desired zones. Also for some reason my inner thighs get a good WO on this bike and I never have a sore fanny afterwords. (even after an 80 minute session)
 
My thoughts...a spin bike is horribly uncomfortable, a recumbant completely takes upper body out of the equation and works legs differently, plus you can't stand up and grind on the hills AND they can make your backside go to sleep. Do you already have a regular bike? If so, (and this is what I use), you can get a bike trainer - Kurt Kinetic, Cycleops and a few others make very good ones. You place your back tire in the trainer and only the back tire spins, letting you have the comfort of your regular bike inside. If you already have an speedometer, etc for the front tire, you will have to get another for the rear but that is about it. I get an awesome workout on mine (you cycle through the gears on the bike once you set resistance on the trainer). If you've never checked out Spinervals, you should do that if you enjoy biking. They are DVDs that will give you an amazing workout - they use spin bikes and the trainers on the DVDs. The trainer I have is the Cycleops Fluid 2 but I am considering the Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll Trainer. You would definitely want a fluid trainer if noise is an issue - the others are quite noisy.
 
I use a recumbant bike every Sunday at the gym. I LOVE it. I couldn't use the regular bikes--those seats are murder on the tush! :eek: I tried the regular bikes a few times & ended up in errrrrrr ummmmmm quite a bit of discomfort. And I don't like those icky looking padded bike shorts. :p

Anyway, I feel like the recumbant bike works my quads & glutes more. Not much in the hams, but def. the quads & glutes.
 
I have to agree with Shana Banana!

I also use a trainer on my bike. It is an old trainer, yet I get an awesome workout (with Coach Sean of course ;)) and my bum never feels bad afterwards! (unless I go several months w/out a bike workout)! Bike shorts are the way to go and are not bad looking (especially when working out at home - who sees you!)

I don't have much experience with recumbent bikes, but I just have a hard time imagining them feel comfortable after 30 minutes of intense biking! Just my humble opinion! :p I need to get up off my seat once in a while and get going!

Good luck!
 
Thanks so much for the suggestions all.

I'm still torn, but you have brought up some issues that I haven't even considered. I guess I will need to go to the store and try them out the best that I can. I like the idea of a recumbent not making my bum sore, b/c I do get that soreness with my regular bike...but in all honesty, I don't use it all that much and it's not a good, quality bike - so it may have a little something to do with the seat as well as being out of practice.

On the other hand, I can't get up and really "huff it" on a recumbent either.....although I'm sure you can still get an awesome workout. I like the idea of being able to shift positions when need be. I also like the idea of getting some upper body work as well. Just holding the body up can give the arms a decent workout I'm sure, especially when doing a CardioCoach workout.

I'm just looking for another cardio option that I haven't tried......something different, something new for the New Year. I just hope it's not a piece of equipment that I buy and use as a clothes hanger.:confused:
 
I just wanted to add that although spin bikes can be uncomfy the first time or 2, that will go away with use. In fact, I got a very sore tush the first time I took a spin class but I took my 2nd class a week later and I was fine! In addition, they DO sell pads for the spin bikes that you can put on your seat to make them cushier. The ugly padded shorts are not the only option. :p

Good luck with your decision! :)
 
angie_nrs said:
Gayle - do you think a recumbent is any easier than an upright? I mean, do you get the same calorie burn? Also, do you feel it more in your hams than the quads or are you pretty much hitting the same muscles as you would in an an upright position? I have never been on a recumbent bike for longer than a few minutes at the store but it seems comfortable. Are there any downsides to a recumbent over the others??

Thanks so much for the replies.

Angie
Click to expand...

Hi Angie - I don't think it's easier, just a little different. I feel it more in the glutes and hamstrings, but my heart rate still gets as high as it does on a spin bike. I do agree that the only downside is that you can't stand up and pedal like you can on a spin.
 
I'm a cyclist, so my views may be a bit skewed. I would not get a standard upright bike as it has all of the problems of both the recumbent and the spin bike, but none of the advantages.

With that said, my question to you is: What do you want to get out of the bike?

If you are looking for another thing to do to give you a break from high impact, then the recumbent would be a good option.

If you are looking to get the most from the iCycles, Spinervals, Cardio Coach (yes, I know you can do CC on a recumbent, but it's not quite the same - I've done both), I would recommend going with a spin bike.

I, too, ride with a bike on a trainer, and for me that's the best option because it's truest to my outdoor cycling, but if I were looking for something just to ride indoors, I'd go for a spin bike. Just make sure it's sturdy enough to stand up on and really spin out, otherwise you won't use it much.
 
Quick related question--how about someone with wonky knees? Are all types of bikes ok with bad knees or would recumbent be better? I've been thinking recumbent because of knee issues. I have the idea that spinning in particular might hurt them. Any thoughts?
 
lainiefig said:
Quick related question--how about someone with wonky knees? Are all types of bikes ok with bad knees or would recumbent be better? I've been thinking recumbent because of knee issues. I have the idea that spinning in particular might hurt them. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...


Lainie..we ended up getting a recumbent b/c DH has knee issues. He blew out his knee in his early 20's and has always had a hard time riding a bike or using an upright stationary bike. He feels okay using the recumbent. I actually prefer it as well. I feel it it my quads and glutes more than on an upright. HTH :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top