Recumbant Bikes?

[Winsor_Pilates]

Anyone have or use one?

I need something in my condo for cardio on days when I can't go to the gym, or outside. I don't have space for a treadmill, so I'm thinking an upright or recumbant bike.

I keep seeing good deals on recumbant bikes, but am worried they seem to casual to get a real workout. Do they work as well as a regular exercise bike?

[Azure]

I've had both kinds.

Upright, and Recumbant.

Liked the upright one WAY better.

Just my humble opinion.

[burnin_vernon]

I have a recumbant and I really like it. I find the workouts can be intense as you want them to be , and they are easier on your back. Whichever one you go with, make sure you get a decent computer on it. A good one will add variety, keeping it more interesting.

[Dion]

I find the upright better.

[Shin Pad]

I have a recumbant bike and a tread mill. I alternate between the two each day. I have had an upright bike, but I prefer the recumbant - again, just my opinion.

My tread mill is a bit wider than the bike, but they are almost the same length, so I think that if you can get a recumbant bike in your apartment, you should be able to get a tread mill in there. As far as workout, you burn off almost twice as many calories with the tread mill in the same amount of time as you would on a bike. The calorie counters on the machines aren't 100% accurate, but they do give you an idea. For example, on my treadmill, in a 1/2 hour at 6.1 mph, I burn off approximately 700 calories. On the recumbant bike, in the same time period, at 80 rpm, I burn off about 400 calories.

[MacDougalbry]

Originally Posted by Shin Pad

I have a recumbant bike and a tread mill. I alternate between the two each day. I have had an upright bike, but I prefer the recumbant - again, just my opinion.

My tread mill is a bit wider than the bike, but they are almost the same length, so I think that if you can get a recumbant bike in your apartment, you should be able to get a tread mill in there. As far as workout, you burn off almost twice as many calories with the tread mill in the same amount of time as you would on a bike. The calorie counters on the machines aren't 100% accurate, but they do give you an idea. For example, on my treadmill, in a 1/2 hour at 6.1 mph, I burn off approximately 700 calories. On the recumbant bike, in the same time period, at 80 rpm, I burn off about 400 calories.

If you live in an apartment, you probably want to stick with a bike. Treadmills can be very noisy, and if you are a heavy footed guy like me, all the worse.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Shin Pad

I have a recumbant bike and a tread mill. I alternate between the two each day. I have had an upright bike, but I prefer the recumbant - again, just my opinion.

My tread mill is a bit wider than the bike, but they are almost the same length, so I think that if you can get a recumbant bike in your apartment, you should be able to get a tread mill in there.

I could fit a treadmill, but I want to move it in and out of my storage room when I'm using it. I find treadmills are usually too heavy to move every day.

calorie wise, I agree with you, running is better. But biking may be my best option right now. In the summer, I can go running by the ocean anyway, which is great.

[Shin Pad]

Originally Posted by MacDougalbry

If you live in an apartment, you probably want to stick with a bike. Treadmills can be very noisy, and if you are a heavy footed guy like me, all the worse.

You're right, I forgot about the noise. I have my tread mill in the basement.

Also, a tread mill is heavy, so it would be hard to move around. A bike would be the best option for you then. As far as what type - you should go work out on each type at a gym or somewhere like the YMCA and see which one you like the best. As you can see from the opinions here, some people like uprights - some like recumbant. They both give you a good workout, so I don't think you can go wrong with either type.

[Buff]

The guy wants a good workout but he's too lazy to move a treadmill... sheesh!

I've tried a recumbant bike, and it wasn't too bad. Easier on the butt than your standard upright. I'm a bit too traditional though, I'd rather suffer through the bike butt and get an upright instead of a recumbant.