Exercise bike or treadmill-home use

Jammie01

Just wondering which would you recommend buying for use at home? I've started the primal way of life recently and wanted something to use to do the "sprint" part on rainy days. Would an exercise bike be ok for this or would I be better off with a treadmill? I have read that treadmills can be really expensive tho for anything half decent so was hoping a decent bike for a decent price would be able to produce the same results?

dkmedia

I think a Cross Trainer is the best thing to get. I had a treadmill, and got rid of it fairly quickly because I found it boring to use and generally didn't like it.

At the moment I have a Cross Trainer and an exercise bike. I find the Cross Trainer much better, its less boring to use and I actually enjoy using it, I throw on a pair of earphones and the time flies when using it. I used my Cross Trainer most days from September 2010 to April 2011 and now use it infrequently. The bike on the other hand hasn't been used nearly as much, I found it handy if I wanted to watch a TV show and exercise at the same time (not very often).

The Guvnor

I think you have answered the question yourself.

You will get a much better quality bike for the money than you would if it were a treadmill you were after.

Others may advise better but perhaps a good second hand spin bike would do the trick.

Lots of brands out there on spin bikes so do shop around for a good one.

Forest Master

I'd get a cross trainer.

I had a treadmill (was around €1000) and the pounding on my knees after a few weeks wasn't worth it - sold it immediately. You need something very expensive to regular use. Gyms can afford this - I can't justify €3-5k on a treadmill.

I have a regular bike for cycling, so was never interested in an exercise bike.

Now I just use a cross trainer at home (Arnotts, €600 - although that was with our wedding vouchers - Arnotts are generally very expensive). It's a great workout. 1hr on it watching a few episodes of Seinfeld = 1000 calories. No pounding on the knees. Lots of pushing and/or pulling motion if you lean forward or back on it, or you can just use legs. I find it great for a home workout - versatile, and quiet too.

SanoVitae

I recommend neither.

Do metcons instead.

Much more variety and you'll save lots of money, which you can spend instead on good quality food.

Forest Master

SanoVitae wrote: »

I recommend neither.

Do metcons instead.

Much more variety and you'll save lots of money, which you can spend instead on good quality food.

Typical elitist response, all too common in this forum. "I recommend doing what I do - it's the only thing that works, idiot!"

And when did he say buying a treadmill would mean he could no longer afford good food?

Saying "neither" isn't helpful. It's not what he asked. Sometimes people want to just burn some fat or do some cardio at home while watching TV or not having to kill themselves with an intense workout. I do a metcon cardio-weight circuit, and it's not relaxing at all (and it's only a 3 x 10min circuit). 1hr on the cross trainer is completely different, and I'd be more likely to do that over metcons if I'm not in the mood for a workout.

robinph

I would also say niether. The cheapest option is to buy your self some rain gear.

SanoVitae

Forest Master wrote: »

Typical elitist response, all too common in this forum. "I recommend doing what I do - it's the only thing that works, idiot!".

Em, it was actually you who recommended the OP do what you do.......

Forest Master wrote: »

I'd get a cross trainer.

Now I just use a cross trainer at home .

Neither is it what I do myself. When I want to do cardio indoors, I use a gym.

Forest Master

robinph wrote: »

I would also say niether. The cheapest option is to buy your self some rain gear.

OP: "I want an alternative to running in the rain"
robinph: "Run in the rain".

Forest Master

SanoVitae wrote: »

Em, it was actually you who recommended the OP do what you do.......



Neither is it what I do myself. When I want to do cardio indoors, I use a gym.

The OP asked what piece of home equipment he should get for cardio - I suggested a cross trainer, you suggested nothing.

I didn't recommend the OP do "what I do" - I answered his question & based on my experience. You didn't answer his question - you just said "neither".
If I asked you what movie I should go & see, and gave 2 options: it'd be like you suggesting going bowling instead. It's not an answer to the question.

robinph

Forest Master wrote: »

OP: "I want an alternative to running in the rain"
robinph: "Run in the rain".

Running in the rain is great, don't fear a bit of water falling out of the sky. It doesn't rain that much anyway, certainly not enough to justify spending hundreds or thousands on indoor exercise gear.

Could do with a bit of rain right now for running as it's been far too hot and sweaty out there lately.

SanoVitae

Jammie01 wrote: »

I've started the primal way of life recently and wanted something to use to do the "sprint" part on rainy days.

Forest Master wrote:

Sometimes people want to just burn some fat or do some cardio at home while watching TV or not having to kill themselves with an intense workout. I do a metcon cardio-weight circuit, and it's not relaxing at all (and it's only a 3 x 10min circuit).

The OP was specifically looking for a means of exercise to replicate the sprints advocated by Mark Sisson. It's not exactly meant to be relaxing....

SanoVitae

Forest Master wrote: »

I didn't recommend the OP do "what I do"

Forest Master wrote: »

I'd get a cross trainer.

Em.........

robinph

Forest Master wrote: »

The OP asked what piece of home equipment he should get for cardio - I suggested a cross trainer, you suggested nothing.

I didn't recommend the OP do "what I do" - I answered his question & based on my experience. You didn't answer his question - you just said "neither".
If I asked you what movie I should go & see, and gave 2 options: it'd be like you suggesting going bowling instead. It's not an answer to the question.

I saw three options in the OP. 1) Run in the rain, 2) get a treadmill, 3) get a bike.

They had discounted running in the rain, due to the getting wet presumably, I suggested a solution to the getting wet.