Recumbent Bike Chat
I've been too busy to notice people have sporadically been commenting on the original recumbent bike post. As a peace offering for forgiveness, I'm stopping everything to make this new post.
First, an update.
I used the bike faithfully for 6 months straight, 3-5 times a week. It definately helped with joints and reduced inches on my body.
I took a break from the bike (needed to shake up the routine and was going through a sluggish patch) and started using Wii Fit.
Can I just say, Wii Fit is amazing especially for beginners and people with joint problems. You set the standard. You decide how many reps (unlocking more rep sets as you go along). You decide what order/how many different exercises you do. You skip the ones that are too hard.
The simple yoga stretches make such a difference.
I've gone back to the bike now and then, but was feeling too tired to do it. Recently discovered my iron and vitamin D dropped through the floor, which would help explain my energy loss.
Once I'm recharged, I'll be right back at it.
p.s: for the poster who asked, I am using a Eurostar brand bike.
Hi Danielle. Just found your site today. I recently purchased a recumbent bike and rode it faithfully for about a week and a half. I rode it every day at a lesser tension setting, and the last couple of those days I raised the tension. I then found my hips to be very stiff and sore afterwards and haven't been back on it for about 3 days. Still a little sore. It is a cheaper type of bike (bought it at Walmart)and am wondering if it's the bike or just using muscles I'm not used to using. Were you pretty sore after first starting your routine? Thanks and appreciate any advice. Jean
Hmmm. A Couple of questions:
A) Do you find the seat is comfortable when you're just sitting in it?
B) How long are you riding for per session?
My first guess is that you overdid it. When I first started, I never did it 2 days in a row. It was too tough on me and I'd be sore/tired. I whole-heartedly suggest alternating days.
I also started out low and slow - low tension and slow rpm (rotations per minute), just to get my body used to the exercise from constant movement, never mind a "workout challenge" with lots of tension.
The other thing to consider is placement of the seat. Have you played with the distance the seat is to the pedals? Depending on how far/close you are, it will effect different parts of your body (hip vs calf) - at least that was my experience.
About 2 years ago I started to seriously look at losing weight.
Topping out at about 275 6"4.
My motiviation:
Several competitive wagers with a co-worker... Money!!! I lost the first one and then won second on a double or nothing bet.
How:
Diet changes and a True series recumbent bike in my apartment complex.
My favorite work outs were on that bike. Better then lifting weights, or the dreaded elliptical machine and boring ass tread treadmill.
I lost about 40 pounds.
Then I moved :( no more bike. A couple years go by, I changed jobs stress gets to me and I ballooned back up to 265.
We started looking for a recumbent bike. We started looking at true but the low end of those bikes start at 1600 for the plug in version. *ouch*
Looked in various stores, most of the low end. The new balance/reebok/schwinn. Wow the rebook and schwin I could actually bend the frame by just peddling.
The new balance wasn't bad, but I didn't want a plastic frame.
What I found peculiar is the price of recumbent bikes jump from the intro 300-700 range.
To gym quality 1600+ Nothing in between those ranges when I was looking last year.
We settled on the True 900 series. Expensive. yep. but it worked.
Stimulus check sealed the deal. Bought a floor model ps900 for 2,00 *sigh* Light commercial bike. The thing is heavy as hell, but is built like tank.
It gives me a hell of a work out i've lost from 265 last july to 219 currently. I'm planning on losing another 20 pounds.
The bike sits of to the side of the tv. I grab what I want to watch and go out it for a couple hours.
From what I've experienced with this bike it was worth every penny.
If you buy a bike that is flimsy or the seat doesn't adjust well or if there's any problem. It will in the long run deter you from using it.
I'm pretty lazy guy.
Buy a gym quality bike. You can't go wrong.
Post new comment