Once upon a time many years ago, we belonged to the YMCA, and we found we liked using the recumbent bikes. Unfortunately, where we live, there is no Y, and frankly, I don’t think we’re very likely to go out to work out anyway. So we’re thinking about getting our own recumbent exercycle.
I’ve googled and I’m looking at the available information, but I’d love to supplement that with personal experiences, if anyone has some to share. Recommendations of both good and bad brands/features would be appreciated. What should we look for? What should we avoid?
I mean, apart from avoiding its inevitable use as a clothes rack…
I know the practical benefits are immense, but cycling has turned into such an effete fetish as is without the added “Aren’t I eccentric?” bonus of recumbancy. Thumbs down.
My gym has both. I warm up before every workout with 10 minutes of cycling before I stretch and I very much prefer the recumbent cycle. It’s a lot more comfortable.
I’m not sure I could ride one on the road, or a bike path but in the gym, yep.
I had one, but had to get rid of it when I moved. I really wish I still had it.
I LOVED my recumbent exercycle. I had it in the basement, and could watch TV while I used it. It was much more comfortable than a regular one, where you’re all hunched over on the handle bars.
I also used one over the summer at physical therapy after I hurt my back. They had me warm up each time with 10 minutes on the bike. I took a book and read while I biked.
I don’t remember the brand name or anything, but it calculated miles and calories burned. I loved it - it was so easy to go and pop in a DVD of some TV show and ride for nearly an hour.
I don’t want one to ride on the road - I want one to ride in front of the TV! Around here, biking on the road is hazardous - all them Amish buggies on the shoulders leave, um, residuals that I wouldn’t fancy biking through. Plus biking in front of the TV has the advantage of always being within walking distance of the bathroom.
**BibKitty ** - I found a couple for sale on a local classified site - one does all those calculations, and it supposedly monitors heart rate. I sent an email inquiry, hoping I can see it this week. I figure it’ll be easier on the knees than a treadmill.
I had physical therapy for several knee surgeries and they always put me on the recumbent style exercycle. They are much more comfortable. You can sit back, watch TV and get a workout too.
I bought mine used, also. IIRC, it was $50. I certainly got good use out of it.
It’s so easy to ride and watch TV; you can sit back and not have to lean over. Watching TV or reading while you ride is just the icing on the cake. You don’t feel like you’re exercising at all.
We have a Schwinn, and it has been used daily for over a decade. Had to replace the pedals once, because the bearings blew out. The new Schwinns have more bells and whistles than this one has.
Generally speaking, exercise equipment is available in garage sales and the classifieds for much less than original price.
I was amazed at the many different home gym items going for cheap on the local classified site! We’re going to go see one tomorrow evening - it’s offered for about a third of the price of a new one. It’s a Proform 955R Recumbent Exercise Bike w/ Heartrate - anyone got good or bad experience with that kind?
Yes, but only if you use it correctly. On a recumbent bike there is a strong temptation to use a high resistance, and pedal slow and strong. This is very bad for your knees. You have to get into the habit of using a very light resistance, light enough that you can spin the cranks at over 1 rotation per second. Preferably 1.5 rotations.
[Disclaimer: I don’t actually have experience with recumbent exercise bikes, I’m extrapolating from my experience with regular recumbent bicycles.]
Out of curiosity, are there bike trainers for recumbents? (a bike trainer is a device that elevates the drive wheel and provides resistance so you can use your regular bike as a stationary bike)
Most modern recumbent bikes use standard size (700c or 26") rear wheels. Those you can use on any standard trainer.
Some recumbent bikes have small rear wheels (20" or 16"). Kurt Kinetic and CycleOps (and possibly some others) sell adapters to use their trainers on small wheels. And I know of at least one trainer (the 1UP USA CPR-A 2000) that works on small wheels without an adapter.
