Excercise bike recommendations

[Fieldhouse]

Hello, I am walking up to 2 miles a day following my HA in March. Now that the dark nights are approaching I am thinking about a bike to go in the garage so I can keep my excercises going. Anyone using the same what you can suggest. Thanks

[Hidden]

Hello

I do not have any suggestions but look forward to seeing your replies to your post as I was thinking the same to day and have been looking

I am just getting over a Bypass doing some walking but thinking about when the winter comes

I just want something small and simple as I don't have a lot of room , nothing to fancy just so I can exercise indoors

Hope you get some good suggestions x

[Fieldhouse in reply to Hidden]

Hello, I think it’s going to be a must. I live in a very rural area and gyms are out of the question. I just thought someone might be already using one. I need something comfortable. Keep watching someone might have the answer😉

[Hidden in reply to Fieldhouse]

Yes I need something comfortable and maybe that folds up as I do not have much space Will keep watching your post we might get some good suggestions x

[Hidden]

Not personal experience but have a look at these, they range from £120 - £3k, cheaper one's available on Amazon so you can check the reviews there too :-

expertreviews.co.uk/health-...

[Fieldhouse in reply to Hidden]

Good idea forgot about reviews Thanks

[flyingvicar]

Try a TACX exercise bike the software is cheap and I love my bike , nothing does you more good in winter than peddling round an island while it's pouring out side

[Fieldhouse in reply to flyingvicar]

That sounds like my sort of thing I will look them up. Cheers

[Sprinst]

I use an exercise bike most of the time up to 20k a day it has a heart monitor and I use this to take up my heart rate and then drop it back down. I have had a physio for many years to advice me. It also helps my arthritis. You can pace yourself to what you want and when I had my 1st stent I now have 2. The exercise bike was used as part of the rehab. Good luck .

[Fieldhouse in reply to Sprinst]

That’s me May need another stent. So at the moment it’s baby steps.

[fixedrider]

There are so many options that it's difficult to know where to start. A possible first question is whether you're looking for something basic, where you just pedal, or something that, like the higher-end machines in the Expert Reviews link, comes with a screen and some kind of "virtual reality" (VR) where you can have the effect of riding in real countryside with other people. Although the ER reviews piece mentions Wattbike and Peloton, Zwift is probably the pre-eminent option for that, and can be used with (nearly) anything, including of course the last bike reviewed, but also much cheaper set-ups.

One other approach not mentioned in Expert Reviews is to put your own bike (if you have one) on a static trainer. Obviously that saves buying a dedicated machine. However, the more basic trainers tend to run your back wheel on a roller, which wears your tyre, and fitting a dedicated trainer tyre is recommended. To do Zwift or similar on this set-up, you do need some sensors (heart-rate monitor etc.) so that the game has something from which to estimate your simulated speed. You also (obviously) need a tablet or computer screen.

It's probably best to start pretty basic, whether or not you choose the VR option. As a result of my own double-bypass and Covid, I've found myself doing Zwift regularly, on a basic set-up using an old bike as above with my rather low-end Android tablet. I've never seen the need to go high end or use any of the formal-training-programme features, but the screen and simulated rides really help to encourage me. But I'm a club cyclist.

One last remark. Covid caused a huge surge in demand for bikes of all kinds, including indoor exercise bikes. As a result, many people have discovered cycling. However, there should be a flood of second-hand, little-used machines on the market any time now from those who didn't take to it!

[Fieldhouse in reply to fixedrider]

Oh good tips thank you.

[Gfern]

It’s a great idea I have mine for the last twelve years and use it every day. Originally bought to rehab knees but since cardiac problems now use as part of my cardiac excercise regime. below is a link to my machine which has performed well without any issues.yorkfitness.com/a/s/product...

[Fieldhouse in reply to Gfern]

I will look them up thanks

[Circular]

Hello, I'm nine months post bypass and have been exercising daily to try and get my aerobic capacity back up. I had the same concern as you with the days getting shorter and less clement. I got an exercise bike a month ago and have been using it twice a day for about 20 minutes each session. I find it really good. Its a Rotocycle Hybrid. No gimmicky electronics and a small footprint. It is very sturdy and seems well built. I looked at a lot of alternatives but this seemed the best option at €300.The exact brand may not be available where you are but here's a link to it : elverys.ie/elverys/en/Elver...

Keep those legs moving!

[Fieldhouse in reply to Circular]

That sounds like what I am after . Thanks

[Hidden]

HiI've just put the road bike on a fairly basic set of resistant rollers, works for me.

I use a basic smart watch to monitor heart rate, job done. I would prefer to be out on the road but unfortunate post surgery complications have left that option currently a no no. Next year hopefully.

[Fieldhouse in reply to Hidden]

That sounds interesting but a bit too technical for me. However from all the positive comments I have received I am going to spend the afternoon shopping ( on line ) Thanks

[Qualipop]

With spinal problems I'm not able to stand and walk more than a couple of minutes but I used to love cycling. I've lost a huge amount of weight, mostly muscle but I have nerve damage which means I can't sit on a bike saddle so all I could think of was one of the very simple things you just pedal from a normal chair. IT doesn't help much except to improve circulation and ankle swelling. So if anyone has any bright ideas about a proper exercise bike that doesn't mean sitting on a bike saddle, I'd love to know. Right now the only exercise I can get is pottering about the house and being outside in really cold weather is a complete no no.

[fixedrider in reply to Qualipop]

The Expert Reviews link above included a couple of recumbent exercise bikes. I can't say whether that style of machine would suit you, but it seems to be your best option? No doubt there are loads more available.

[Qualipop in reply to fixedrider]

Thank you. I hadn't come across recumbent bikes; not sure my spine would take it but I will have a look.

[Qualipop in reply to fixedrider]

Many thanks for that; can't afford anything like the one on there but there are dozens of recumbent bikes on ebay but how to work out which is best is impossible for a beginner. Are there shops that sell them where I could try one out? IT's a lot of money to lay out online then find out it hurts.

[fixedrider in reply to Qualipop]

I'm sorry, I don't think I can help you there. I hadn't even considered recumbents until I saw the review link above. I'd Google and see what you find.

[Qualipop in reply to fixedrider]

I did LOL. That's when I got lost. EBay has everything from delivered from China for £200 or fancy one s here for £2000 + and a few second hand ones but all talking about spinning, cadence, wattage, rpe- none of which I have a clue about. I definitely need to find a shop. A simple beginner bike with adjustable resistance and ideally an app with easy rides so I'm not just staring into space. A lot of them seem to need monthly payments to get a trainer. I wouldn't need anything like that. Like they said " I could be away for some time"

[fixedrider in reply to Qualipop]

Most of those things imply that the bike is measuring them, and so has sensors and is fancier than you're saying you need. Sensors to measure things are used on bikes that either do virtual reality or at least do some kind of guided training. Cadence is, in itself, just the rate at which you pedal. It's generally considered in cycling that you should aim for 90-120 RPM, but you don't need to measure it on a basic bike. Watts produced are a measure of your effort and capacity. Same applies. Spinning is a form of training, usually done in groups, often online groups. RPE is explained here: britishcycling.org.uk/knowl...

[Qualipop in reply to fixedrider]

QUite simply, damage to my spine prevents me from standing/walking.so I can't get any exercise and muscles are wasting but my legs work fine.

. I thought a simple bike would help with circulation, leg muscles and heart whilst sitting but at a very simple level. I know I wouldn't persevere if it was just sitting pedalling just for excercise sake

[isobelhannah18]

I use a rowing machine. It's very basic but I imagine you can get more sophisticated ones.

[Fieldhouse in reply to isobelhannah18]

Oh never thought about rowing, thanks I will look into that one.

[Hearty21]

After reading many posts on here about how to keep affective exercising at home. I recently invested in a rowing machine and also an exercise bike. Both are brilliant for cardio

I also bought a stepper from Amazon, if you fancy a dance 🕺. Good luck and keep moving

[Fieldhouse in reply to Hearty21]

I’m convinced it’s got to be an excercise bike. I need to try them out first at a sports shop to get the right one for me.

[Barb6374]

Hi. I'm short , 5ft so I needed an exercise bike that would suit my height.I ended up getting a slim cycle.

It's lovely and comfortable . I will try and post a pic

[Hidden]

Well done! Great question on a subject close to my heart ❤️ pardon the pun! 😂I was thinking along the same lines. I had my OHS AVR in January so as yet not had to do my daily exercise in the middle of Winter.

What a smart idea. Like you I haven’t much room and live rurally so I’m genuinely interested in the post and will be taking notes 📝

Let us know what you get and enjoy 😊

❤️Maisie❤️

[Fieldhouse in reply to Hidden]

Morning Maisie, I find it really comforting to know there ARE others like me. Still on the hunt for the right one. It’s going to be a trip to the sports shop I think !!