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

rd350lc

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

littleandy0410

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!

armchair.pimp

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

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

armchair.pimp

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

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

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.

FCE2007

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

Will shift the weight quickly.

tlw1

Go running & spend the cash on your bike!

xgeek

matthew h wrote:

Go running & spend the cash on your bike!

+1

That is what I did

cougie

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

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

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

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.

zero303

Road Bike - they're way more fun than you'd think and you just grab it and ride from your front door!

passout

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.

tonyeynon

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!