Trying to get fit ..........advice needed pls

rd350lc
rd350lc Posts: 84
edited October 2008 in MTB general
Hi Guys,

I am trying to get myself fitter and also loose a bit of weight. As I am not able to go out on my bike as often as id like and often enough to do the above I want to buy either a cross trainer or a exercise bike which I will be able to use more often.

My question is which is better to improve my fitness and also burn calories a cross trainer or exercise bike ??????????.

any input appreciated
Rich

Comments

  • I think Cross Trainers burn more calories per hour, but have you considered a turbo trainer for your bike? The cost of a turbo trainer plus spare wheel with slick/trainer specific tyre will be less than a decent cross trainer, and they take up FAR less space!
    Boardman Road Comp '08
    Spesh FSR XC Expert '08
  • Cross trainer will give more of a full body whereas the bike will be great for your legs but not a lot else (unlike actually being out there riding a real one).. the bike won't shift much weight from your gut (if you're carrying too much there)..

    It's always good to mix the exercise you do anyway to avoid ending up with a sports specific fitness rather than an all-round fitness..
  • pittpony
    pittpony Posts: 1,057
    Maybe spend the money on a gym membership and work on your all round fitness? If you're intent on one of those two i'd go for the cross trainer as you'll already be pedalling plenty when you get out and ride
  • pittpony wrote:
    Maybe spend the money on a gym membership and work on your all round fitness? If you're intent on one of those two i'd go for the cross trainer as you'll already be pedalling plenty when you get out and ride

    that's a good shout.. you'll get to use far better equipment as well.. pick the right gym and it can be pretty social as well..
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    It's nice to have the kit in the house though... I know for a fact that I wouldn't bother going to the gym often, but having my weights and rowing machine nearby means there's no excuse :lol:

    I'm no fitness expert but it might be worth considering a rower, too... They're obviously good for upper body and legs, and the knee strength should apply to biking well. Also, the upper body pulls work muscles that weights etc tend not to. After a couple of months of using mine I had to replace my motorbike leathers because I developed shoulder muscles for the first time in my life... And it's just a cheap nasty Carl Lewis hydraulic one from Sainsburys, one of the best £50s I've spent.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • FCE2007
    FCE2007 Posts: 962
    Cross trainer, without a doubt.
    I bought the Reebok 5 Series Elliptical Cross Trainer and it hasn't dropped to bits in over a year of very hard use.

    Fav workout nowadays is legs only/heavy resistance 'simulating' an out of the saddle attack up the Ventoux :lol:

    Will shift the weight quickly.
    Powered by Haribo.
  • tlw1
    tlw1 Posts: 22,202
    Go running & spend the cash on your bike!
  • xgeek
    xgeek Posts: 117
    matthew h wrote:
    Go running & spend the cash on your bike!


    +1

    That is what I did :D
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Would you use the trainer at home though ? Most get used as eleborate clothes hangers.

    Get some decent lights and ride off road at night ?
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Honestly save your money - home gym kit costs a fortune and usually gets forgotten after a month or so. Unless you want proper commercial kit (many £1000s) then home kit will fall to bits too.

    If you struggle to get out (so running might be tricky too) then I recommend:

    A skipping rope - brilliant cardio exercise. £10
    Some small home weights - all sorts you can do with them. £20
    An exercise mat - for ab work. £5
    A Powerbar pull up bar. £30 Hang a heavy punch bag off it (yep - it's strong enough) £50.

    This will all give you a great workout whenever you want in very little time.

    Trust me - a cross trainer or exercise bike will be money down the drain within months.
  • rd350lc
    rd350lc Posts: 84
    Thanks for all the replies guys .....

    I have tried the gym membership thing but because im self employed im coming home all hours etc and just dont have time to go.

    Ive just got a set of Hope Vision 4's so have been night riding but after years of smoking and eating lard im keen to do more cardio work so i can at least keep up with my riding buddy!!!.

    Having the room isnt a problem as i have a double garage so im pretty sure im gonna buy a cross Trainer,I have seen a few for £400 with 2 year warranty's etc so its worth a try.

    Thanks
    Rich
  • FSR_XC
    FSR_XC Posts: 2,258
      Running is great for weight loss. Circuit training is great for all round fitness. and/or just get out on your bike more
    Both can be done without any real costs. A pair of trainers, set of dumbells and an excercise mat. You can do your our circuit at home.

    If you want to spend money on equipment, I would get a decent rowing machine.
    Stumpjumper FSR 09/10 Pro Carbon, Genesis Vapour CX20 ('17)Carbon, Rose Xeon CW3000 '14, Raleigh R50

    http://www.visiontrack.com
  • zero303
    zero303 Posts: 1,162
    Road Bike - they're way more fun than you'd think and you just grab it and ride from your front door!
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Road bike and turb triner (with turbo trainer specific back wheel). 20-30mins on the turbo trainer first thing in the morning every day and take the road bike out for a long (70miles plus) ride on the weekend. Maybe a couple of short MTB rides or jogs in the evenings too. Sorted.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • tonyeynon
    tonyeynon Posts: 114
    Hey mate,

    Just my 2 pence worth, In my gym noone breaks a sweat on the cross trainers, but a fair few do on the bikes!

    Good luck either way!
    There is nothing more unequal, than the equal treatment of unequals!