Stationary Bike, good or worthless?

[Soybomb]

So I'm trying to loose some weight, and have a question. I've been eating right for a few months and have lost some, but I still don't do much more than go to work and sit behind my desk and go to school and sit behind my desk. I need to move around some and am trying to come up with what to do. I've tried jogging for a while but I don't particularly care for it. When I come home its dark, and I don't really want to jog on my road after dark for fear of getting run over. As it gets hotter and more humid out I know I'll be less likely to do it too. I think I'd like to come up with something I can do in my apartment at night while I listen to the radio or watch tv. I'd consider a treadmill but they seem kind of expensive, not to mention the people below me would probably not apprecaite it I'm thinking of getting something like a stationary bike to use. Would this be a good method to get quality cardio or does it not even compare to something like jogging? If it is good, are there any models or features in particular to look for? Budget is a large concern so if I get one I'd look at walmart or something most likely. How does the "Weslo Pursuit 622 Magnetic-Resistance Bike " from http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product_listing.gsp?cat=5149&path=0%3A4125%3A4134%3A5149 look?

So in short, I need some cardio, is a stationary bike going to be good?

 

[yobarman]

Why don't you buy a mountain bike. Fresh air and scenery is a lot better than sitting in a stanky room smelling your sweat

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Soybomb
So I'm trying to loose some weight, and have a question. I've been eating right for a few months and have lost some, but I still don't do much more than go to work and sit behind my desk and go to school and sit behind my desk. I need to move around some and am trying to come up with what to do. I've tried jogging for a while but I don't particularly care for it. When I come home its dark, and I don't really want to jog on my road after dark for fear of getting run over. As it gets hotter and more humid out I know I'll be less likely to do it too. I think I'd like to come up with something I can do in my apartment at night while I listen to the radio or watch tv. I'd consider a treadmill but they seem kind of expensive, not to mention the people below me would probably not apprecaite it I'm thinking of getting something like a stationary bike to use. Would this be a good method to get quality cardio or does it not even compare to something like jogging? If it is good, are there any models or features in particular to look for? Budget is a large concern so if I get one I'd look at walmart or something most likely. How does the "Weslo Pursuit 622 Magnetic-Resistance Bike " from http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product_listing.gsp?cat=5149&path=0%3A4125%3A4134%3A5149 look?

So in short, I need some cardio, is a stationary bike going to be good?

No it's too boring. Get your fat ass up earlier and go running!

 

[Soybomb]

I don't want to be on a bike at night on the roads any more than I want to be jogging on them Besides if I can watch some tv or something I think I'd be alot more likely to do it. I don't find being outdoors all that exciting

 

[yobarman]

Where the hell do you live where you're such a pussy you won't go outside?

 

[Pastore]

What about a gym membership.

 

[Soybomb]

On a highway with narrow roads and lots hills. People have been hit on it before and I'm in no particular hurry to be run over.

Other than a gym membership costing money, I am already out of the house from 8am-9pm between work and class. I can pretty much guarentee I wouldn't want to go to a gym before or after that. Maybe eventually if I get really into it, but honestly I just wouldn't want to go.

 

[Looney]

Yeah, stationary bikes are great... even though i just bought a new mountain bike just for exercise, i might buy a stationary bike as well. Just sometimes you can't go riding, or prefer to do it at home.

Personally, i'll rather have an ellipitical machine, but for the higher end ones, they go for around $1k or more.... which is a little out of my league atm.

 

[billandopus]

A piece of equipment is only as useful as you make of it. Having said that - a stationary bike can be a great workout in the safe confines of your own home as long as you decide to push yourself through a good workout and if your bike is of alright quality. There's almost nothing worse than using a crappy stationary bike which makes your workout much more of a chore than it should be.

If you ever go to a decent spin class at a gym you'll find out quickly that a spin workout isn't anything to laugh at. Try replicating something like that at home and you'll get results in no time flat.

This is assuming that you have your diet, sleep and stress levels under control and in order. There's nothing like working out and eating 4 hamburgers right after to ruin the whole thing.

 

[KenGr]

My opinion - Stationary bikes basically suck. They work a limited set of muscles and are really boring. You have to overwork the thigh muscles to get a good arobic workout. An Air-Dyne or similar is better since it works the arms also, but I find either a treadmill or a Nordic Trak much better for indoor exercise. I do Nordic Trak inside and run or bike outside.

 

[PTCvette]

Personally, I think it's a good investment, IF you plan to use it! My parents have spent a lot of money on different pieces of exercise equipment, only to have them used once or twice and end up as clothes racks! The big problem with it is that if you try to sell the stuff, you will NEVER get anywhere near what you paid for it, so if you buy one, you had better plan on geting your moneys worth out of use on it.

About that particular bike, I don't know much about it. I personally prefer the recumbant style bike, where you sit more like you would on a chair and it's no so upright. Those get a little more expensive, but if you look in the newspaper or if you have Play it Again Sports near you, they have used ones, usually pretty cheap. I don't know about the quality of that bike either, but I imagine it can't be that bad, it's a bike and it's not like you're actaully riding it around town or anything so it should be ok.

That's my only advice... If you really wanna get one, make sure it's something you will use and stick to using regularly!

Jeff

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: KenGr
My opinion - Stationary bikes basically suck. They work a limited set of muscles and are really boring. You have to overwork the thigh muscles to get a good arobic workout. An Air-Dyne or similar is better since it works the arms also, but I find either a treadmill or a Nordic Trak much better for indoor exercise. I do Nordic Trak inside and run or bike outside.

what the hell do you expect a stationary bike to do ? give you upper body excercise ?
it's suppose to be for cardio.

 

[Eug]

Yep, they can be good if used... which means that for 98% of the population they're useless. I hate treadmills even more though.

I personally do a lot better with outdoor sports myself. Much more interesting.

 

[McCarthy]

Hook up a generator and power the TV with it. That way you'll actually use it...or watch a lot less TV

 

[Soybomb]

Afternoon bump for any other opinions.

 

[sciencetoy]

I use my stationary bike nearly every day - with my crazy schedule I can't always get out into the "great outdoors". It's part of the routine, every morning.

Ditto on the comments, you can get a great used one for very little money. See, when you buy a new one, you're buying the hype, the promise: fitness is worth a lot. When you buy used, you're buying an old piece of equipment that gathered dust. Don't pay for the hype.

Get the bike and use it.

 

[cyclistca]

Don't waste your money. Go to any garage sale and guess what your most likely to see? Yes that?s right exercise equipment. It's proven that most people that buy this stuff only use it a few times. At least if you?re going to exercise indoors join a gym. I find that I'm much more motivated when there. If getting in shape is important you can find the time.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: cyclistca
Don't waste your money. Go to any garage sale and guess what your most likely to see? Yes that?s right exercise equipment. It's proven that most people that buy this stuff only use it a few times. At least if you?re going to exercise indoors join a gym. I find that I'm much more motivated when there. If getting in shape is important you can find the time.

It's also a fact that with gym memberships, they make most of their money from those who aren't committed... so your point is moot. If he's going to be lazy to jump on a bike at home, what makes you think he's going to be more motivated to dress up, and head out to a gym?

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

For me, I would certainly get a treadmill...no doubt about it!

 

[FrustratedUser]

IMHO stationary bikes are boring. Nothing beats some fresh air + MTB.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
IMHO stationary bikes are boring. Nothing beats some fresh air + MTB.

Yeah, but sometimes the weather doesn't permit that.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: Moralpanic

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
IMHO stationary bikes are boring. Nothing beats some fresh air + MTB.

Yeah, but sometimes the weather doesn't permit that.

As a MTB friend always says:
'It's nothing wrong with the weather, only your clothing'

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: Moralpanic

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
IMHO stationary bikes are boring. Nothing beats some fresh air + MTB.

Yeah, but sometimes the weather doesn't permit that.

As a MTB friend always says:
'It's nothing wrong with the weather, only your clothing'

That's because you live in Arizona. Try some Canadian winters.

 

[brtspears2]

Get a real bike. Nothing like riding on a quick ride to work, no traffic problems.

 

[draggoon01]

generally there's 2 things about stationary bikes you should keep in mind. first, people usually find the recumbent bikes more comfortable, especially when used a lot. second, bikes with magnetic resistance last longer.

the third is that it's only good if you actually use it consistently. but that's true of anything dealing with exercise. and on account of this people have provided advice to hopefully keep you at it. but personally i prefer the stationary bike because it's more convenient and comfortable. i used to bike around the city, but that got boring for me and i couldn't always do it when i wanted to because of weather. the other thing i like about a stationary bike is that my exercises can be more precise, meaning i can go a level X for Y minutes, and tailor my exercises how i like.

a fourth thing i suppose is to not invest so much money in this unless you know you'll get good use out it. which is mostly true for all other things exercise too.