What are the best types of home exercise equipment?

best spinning bikes for home use image

Luke F

I do not have any rooms in my house large enough to have a full gym and I don't have enough time to go to a professional gym, so I want two or three bits of equipment I was thinking a multi-gym compact, a spin bike and a punching ball and bag.
But what bits of equipment will I need to get the best workout at home possible?

Answer
1.dumbells are always good.. u can work your full body with them
2. a bowflex is great.. u can get solid workouts from them.
3. a piece of cardio equipment is always good.... so u can burn fat, bike, eliptical, or treadmill

look to something in this list...

What are some ways to change bad habits?

Olive Cray

I just purchased a New in home Spin bike and I dont want it to become a new piece of furniture....I want to use it and continue to use it, but I am a serious couch potatoe...DVD's and the remote is what I'm used to....How can I get up?
Is it possible to gain new habits...purposly?

Answer
Yes, I too was and am secretly a couch tater. I get up with a good DVD workout, keep a diary of my good and bad habits- for accountablity, and have a secret body fantasy in mind while I workout.
If you dream it, you can acheive it- corny... hell yes, but it works. Get a picture of someone whose body you admire, and look at it everyday to keep sight of your goals. You can be just as hot with time and determination. It's going to be hard, but that is okay. It really is.

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How to ride my bike comfortably?

best spin bike for women image

Q. I just got a new bike and im super excited! I rode it all over the neighborhood. When I got back my inner thighs hurt from where the seat was and my legs felt stiff. Am I riding wrong?

Answer
Several problems & possible answers. Get ready for a lengthy answer...

First, you haven't ridden a bicycle in a while. You're leg & butt muscles are not used to it or trained for it. Would be like asking me to walk into a gym & dead-lift 400 lbs. without training. Can't be done. Saddles (seats) being too wide will rub or chafe the inner thighs. Most "newbies" think a wide saddle is the answer. It's not! A saddle should support your 'sit bones' only. Anything more than that is a waste. Also...what type or style of bike is it? Road bikes are designed for the rider to cover a distance comfortably. Comfort, hybrid & cruiser bikes are designed to cover short distances only. How far did you ride?

Back to the proper saddle... Is it a women's specific saddle? Or is it a generic saddle on a discount store bicycle? I would HIGHLY suggest the saddle on 1st link below for any hybrid, comfort or mountain bike.

Legs hurting? Was the saddle at the proper height? 2nd link. A saddle that is too low will cramp up leg muscles. Here's another key word to remember..."cadence". That's the rpm at which you pedal using only moderate pedal pressure. Learn how & when to shift gears to reach & maintain a cadence of at least 70-90 rpm in gears that are easy to "spin" vs. "push" or mashing down on the pedals. Links 3 & 4. Pros often hit 100-125 rpm when accelerating or climbing a hill.

In short...ride more often but go for shorter rides to start. Then build your way up to longer rides. You're using muscles & parts of your body that may not have been used in years. Last thought...read the on-line pamphlet Bicycling Street Smarts from cover to cover. Last link below.

I want to get pregnant but want to loose weight before that. Is spinning exercise safe?

Nafeesa

Will doing spinning exercise affect me getting pregnant? Two years of marriage and want to start a family.

Answer
It's fine, just monitor your heart rate.

I know it's safe because I'm working on a research study that is putting pregnant women on those bikes (the research isn't about the safety, the midwife and exercise physiologists already know it's safe)

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What does it mean when ppl say that a motorcycle is too big for you?

best spin bike for tall people image

gloriousga

I've just asked a question about a motorcycle and all the responders said that it was too big for a beginner. Are they talking about the weight or the power of the engine? What's a good beginner bike and what should I look for?

Answer
To me, there are 3 types of "too big." One is weight, namely the bike being too heavy for you to balance or to pick up should you drop it. Another is physical size, as in the seat being too tall for your feet to touch the ground. The last isn't necessarily engine size, but rather horsepower and in how it's delivered.

A big twin cruiser of any number of makes may have a large displacement engine, but still not have uncontrollable horsepower. If anything, such an engine is actually easier to operate because with loads of low rpm power, they are hard to stall and you can twist the throttle and accellerate away quickly in an emergency situation rather than having to downshift 3 or 4 gears to get any kind of accelleration. On the down side, cruisers tend to be somewhat heavy, especially considering their rather low power output. Drop one and a small person or woman could require help to get it back upright. But on the plus side, cruisers usually have a low seat height, making that weight easy to handle at stops and slow speeds. Think of a gentle but powerful work horse.

True sport bikes tend to be really light in weight, especially considering their high horsepower output. This makes for extreme accelleration, but it also makes for unplanned wheelies and spin outs. They also usually lack low rpm power, meaning you have to keep the rpms up. Especially for a beginner, such a bike can be very difficult to learn to ride on. Think of a high strung race horse that's good for one thing only, going fast.

That said, a hyper, lightweight tall seated 600cc sport bike could be way too much bike for a new rider to handle while a heavier, low seat and lower powered 800cc cruiser could be really easy to learn on. A lot of people suggest starting out with a 250cc Ninja but I don't necessarily agree. For some people, that neat little bike is all the bike they will ever want and will never want anything different. And while it's lightweight and easy to handle, the small engine must really be wrung out to get any kind of horsepower. That means it won't tolerate abrupt clutch engagements (you'll stall the engine) or short shifting (shifting to the next higher gear at low rpms) and while it'll keep up with interstate traffic, that's just about it. Something like a 700-800cc cruiser will be much more forgiving and will have enough power to keep you entertained for several years rather than you being ready to trade up in 6 months. If you're a 5' 90 lb woman, then they would probably be too much bike, but my 5'2" 125 lb ex rode a 700cc cruiser and never had any problems.

How many calories should u burn in 45 min spin (bike) class?

muskettcat

Im 170 cm tall 65kg female
I burned 430 calories yesterday but have no idea if this is good or not!
I worked pretty hard

Answer
my aunt is addicted to the gym.
she said she burns 800 per hour.
so 600 :)

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what spinning bike should i get?

best spinning bike under 500 image

Rachel W

I have been toying with the idea of getting a spinning bike and now im sure i want one, but i totally lost as to what i should get. Im trying to stay under $500-$600 but im really stumped. The schwinn 140 upright bike from bowflex seems like a good bike with a ok price tag but im still not sure. Also the nordic track c2 si is a top runner in my mind. any help?

Answer
go to an equimen store and look at the benefits on each one..

Equipment and how much money to start biking on road?

tpsullie

Hi, I'm 54, used to be an avid runner but had hip replacement 2 years ago. Have gotten into spinning and would like to start cycling on the road . How much money should I expect to pay for carbon frame bike? What brands do you recommend? What other equipment do I need? Any safety tips?
thanks!

Answer
So why do you need a bike with a carbon fiber frame? R U racing? Didn't think so. A bike with an all aluminum frame or steel frame or maybe aluminum with carbon fiber forks would suit you just as well. Why spend $3,000 to $4,000 when can spend around $700 to $1,500 for a good "entry level" road bike?

There are NO "best" brands. They are all going to use similar & sometimes the EXACT same components anyway. If you're looking for opinions on the best "bang for the buck" - I'd suggest a Giant or Raleigh or Fuji.
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/road/endurance/revenio-1-0-13/ - $700 even
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/defy.5/11498/55823/
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/defy.3/11498/55822/
http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/sportif_15_c

Equipment? A good, well ventilated helmet with a mirror. http://safezonemirror.com/ An under-the-seat bag storing a spare tube, tire levers, folding hex-head tool kit and a good frame pump. http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/RoadMorphG And naturally a water bottle cage & bottle. Camelbak Podium Big Chill.

Safety tips?
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/
http://cyclingsavvy.org/ If any classes in your area - take them all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFjCza5e1kw - see also parts 2 & 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU

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My rear rim wont spin at all on my fixie?

best spinning bike 2012 image

Andy Thamm

I took off my rear rim to change the tube and when i put it back on and tighten the screw the rim wont spin at all, its also rubbing against the frame and the bolts keep getting loose what do i do?

Answer
What screw? Rear wheels on fixed gear bikes are held in place by nuts tightened against the dropouts on the frame - not screws. Is it aligned evenly in the dropouts? Evidently not.

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Quella-Fixed-Gear-Track-Dropouts.jpg

Typical clueless fixie rider...

Why do I always have a camel toe?

samantha

I always get a camel toe with anything I wear (leggings, jeggings, pants, shorts, yoga pants, underwear, bathing suit) I've tried panty liners, putting a tissue in between my underwear and pants and wearing a bigger size bc I thought they were probably too small for me. But I'm not even fat I'm actually really skinny size 00 I also don't like wearing long tops/shirts bc they make me look funny! Someone help please!

Answer
Sounds like you're wearing ultra-high-waisted jeans/ leggings/ jeggings/ tights/ tube trousers that are too tight in the crotch. ..and/ or you are wearing underwear that isn't very supportive. ... and/ or you are wearing flimsy and/ or poorly manufactured garments that are constructed of extremely thin material.

Search for compression-style leggings. They are made of a thicker, denser fabric that contains a high Lycra-Spandex %, and serves to smooth the bulges, shape the bum, flatten the abdomen, and support the thighs/ keep everything contained and ward-off jiggling..

You may be slim but garments like that really have to be better quality and thicker/ denser (whether one is ultra-slim, or "fluffy", curvy.. or anything in-between). It isn't just about a larger size. Supportive bikini or boy-short underwear, made of high-quality cotton (preferably with Lycra-Spandex for stretch and to smooth) is necessary under body-con garments. The body-con garments should fit properly and support the body/ smooth curves.


As far as "..looking funny".. when you wear a tunic-length top, extra-long tanks, longer over-sized bf shirts, etc. (that cover the bum sufficiently). It can't possibly look as funny as revealing too much of your body. Only underdeveloped children should be wearing leggings, jeggings or tights as pants. Leggings aren't pants.
http://storminakcup.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/american-apparel-warning-these-tights-are-not-pants-300x216.jpg?w=470


Working-out at the gym, cycling, training for a 10k, lounging around the house, taking a yoga, spinning or Pilates class.. those are all fine. But wearing form-fitting garments with no long top, or even an extra-long tank, to cover the bum and upper thighs
=
too revealing for being out in public.

What would you think if you saw a guy walking around like this all of the time..?
http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/1128422524_1/Compression-Under-font-b-Pant-b-font-Shirt-font-b-Tights-b-font-Base-Layers-Rash.jpg

It's inappropriate. Men and women, teen/ tween boys, as well as girls, should abide by the unofficial (but still widely recognised) "no crotch rule" re: wearing athletic wear, cycling-bike shorts, running pants, tube trousers, leggings, jeggings, and tights. Long tops are necessary when/ if one opts to be in public wearing body-con bottoms.


https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZZih9PhmiNl8n3bsOz9Z9oiZloBZMT5LqeNmhGZuzBO3Lry_MdAm8X7Nd4e0fL66HEoJE56W69ivfXXoSwLXYbjxr4DUF1g2POpxwLnvypWQA04HNdDA-Nd41sjrY8287PO2sEh2NeUA/s1600/60035740e.jpg

Pinterest Told Me To- Leggings Are NOT Pants:
http://pinteresttoldmeto.blogspot.com/2013/10/leggings-101-leggings-are-not-pants.html

Your leggings are NOT pants-tumblr:
listen. those leggings? they arenât pants, ok?
http://yourleggingsarenotpants.tumblr.com/

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My spinning bike makes a loud clicking sound when I pedal it. How do I fix this -- or who can I get to fix it?

the best spinning bike image

zorzo z

Three months ago I bought a Schwinn Spinner Pro spinning bike on Craiglist. I enjoyed it for about 2 months before it started making very loud clicking sounds when I pedal it.

Does anyone know what the problem could be -- and how I can fix it?

If not, who would be able to fix it? Since I bought it used, I don't have any repair or service information. (I live in the Chicago area now.)

Answer
Any bike shop should be able to fix it for you. The other guy that posted does not realize this is an exercise bike and not a normal bike so it doesn't have derailleurs . If i had to guess id say the problem is with the crank.

Get a Grip Cycles
4359 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL
773-427-4747
GetAGripCycles.com


Johnny sprockets
3001 N.Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657
773-244-1079

1052 W. Bryn Mawr
Chicago, IL 60660
773-293-1697

johnnysprockets.com


There are a couple of good shops for you to go to in chicago.

What's best: An elliptical, spin bike, or a recumbent bike?

That New G

Generally speaking, what makes for the best workout, an elliptical, spin bike, or a recumbent bike? Why?

What are the pros and cons for each?

Answer
Spin bikes burn a lot, Especially if you go to spin class.
However, I prefer the elliptical. That's just me.
Oh and recumbent bike, not so much as the other two.

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Can you recommend a make/model of a good indoor spinning bike?

best spinning bike with power meter image

mrmagoo

Any advice on a good make/model for an indoor spinning bike? thanks

Answer
Hands down the best indoor bike is the CycleOps with a PowerTap for $1900:
http://www.rei.com/product/736225

Without the power meter you can get it for $1100:
http://www.rei.com/product/736222

Another one that's good is the Lemond RevMaster, also $1000 and up:
http://www.lemondfitness.com/products_info.php?id=5

I would recommend a trainer or rollers though, to use with a regular outdoor bike. Much cheaper!
http://coachlevi.com/cycling/pros-cons-stationary-trainers-and-rollers/

How do I know what length my crank arm should be on a new Dura Ace double

jacob m

I am in the market to buy a new crank for my road bike but i am not sure on what size to get. Can anyone give me some tips?

Answer
Hmmm....... I was under the impression that Dura ace was available in sizes from 165 - 180mm in 2.5mm increments. (But I've been wrong before.)
http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/catalog/cycl...

Assuming you are talking road bikes (Dura Ace cranks) Here is a rough guide.

Most road bikes sized up to 54 cm use 170 mm cranks
54 - 58 cm use 172.5 mm 58 cm or greater use 175 mm. This is usually close enough for most people.

Getting the BEST size for you is a bit trickier. The best way is to measure your output with a power meter. (power v heart rate)

If you aren't prepared to go to that trouble. Here is a formula that is somewhere in between.

Start with 10% of your height. (round down, this assumes stocky build, a touch long)

Then make adjustments for the style and type of riding that you are doing.

subtract 2.5mm for lean build. or if you prefer to spin

subtract 2.5mm to 5mm
if you are female (longer thigh to shin ratio)
for track racing (better acceleration)
if you have frequent knee problems (less knee bend)

add 2.5mm
for time trials
hilly rides
if you prefer to mash

add 2.5 to 5mm
pure hill climbs
(and MTB races)
(Out of the saddle you can get away with a much longer cranks since body movement reduces knee bend)

P.s. Looks like MR has the downthumb troll. Where's mine?

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Is spinning a good exercise to loose weight after having a baby?

best spinning bike for short people image

wonder

Actually Iwonder which exercise works for entire bady weight loose. i heard Spinning works most on the legs and not an entire body, esp, not at all on abs? is it true? I am trying to loose my baby fat and wonder which cardio exercise is the best?

Answer
Any sort of aerobic exercise is good. Even walking with the baby in the stroller. As far as the uncomfortable seat, it depends on the manufacturer of the bike on the comfort factor. You can also buy padded bicycle shorts which help quite a bit also.

How do you survive biking 30 miles a day to get to school and back?

Kendall

My school is about 25 minutes away from my apartment by car, and I thought that it would be a good idea to bike that distance instead.

Through Google maps, I found that the distance from my home to the school is about 15 miles. Therefore, the distance back would also be about 15 miles. In total I would have to ride about 30 miles every weekday to get to school and back.

The 15 miles to get to the school is of moderate difficulty. I'd say I had to stop about 5 times to catch my breath and take a sip of water. Those 5 stops also include having to stop because I often find it way too hard to traverse over hills.

The 15 miles to get back is a different story. I have to take about 10 stops to catch my breath, and I have yet to complete it without a 30 minute stop at a convenience store to rest.

How should I go about my days so that I can progressively take less breaks on my way to and back from work? Are there exercises I should do in my downtime? Is there a particular interval I should be drinking my water? Is there a certain diet I should be following? Should I be eating snacks while cycling?

Answer
15 miles may seem like a long distance now. With TRAINING - 15 miles is nothing. My "short" exercise ride runs from my apartment to the St. Louis Riverfront Trail (south end) and partially up the trail - then back home. 18 miles. Long ride? All the way up & back...31 miles round trip. And I'm OLD with a gimpy back & arthritic knees. You gonna let an old man beat you?

Have your saddle at the proper height for optimal leg extension & power. Learn how & when to shifts gears. Learn "spinning" and "cadence". See links...
http://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html#height
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears.html
http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zam74qlzGtQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY9dVZW9qGo
http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/core

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What can I do to lose my gut & gain mor muscle mass through out my whole body?

top rated exercise bikes 2013 image

Darryl

I am 168 pounds of mostly fat and bone. I have very little muscle in my upper arms and forearms, I dont have much mucsle in my legs and I also have a huge gut. This is a terrible way for a 18 year old to look. I want my stomach to be a sixpack and to gain more muscle mass throughout my body. I would run but my lungs are bad and on top of that I have bad stamina. So can someone give me a good diet and some good workout routines that I can do at home to get in shape? I cant go to the gym because I cant afford that right now, & I also cant go to college in Jan. 2013 looking the way I do. I would be embarassed. Please help.

Answer
Cardiovascular training is the best way to go to increase your stamina and lose weight. You should probably be using a bike or an elliptical rather than running or the treadmill (high impact). Work in the heartrate range of 65% to 85% of (220-age). If you do not have a heart rate monitor, you should buy one. Polar is the best brand. Start of with about 20 min toward the low end of the range and gradually increase until you can do 90 minutes.

Do it as often as you can, every day would be great. Do not plan on off days because those will come up anyway.

There is no such thing as spot reduction. You can exercise other areas to tone them if you want but weight loss is all over. We have a genetic tendency to gain weight in certain areas but losing it is everywhere and involves all tissue types, not just fat. Bummer but the world is not fair.

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What would be a good bicycle for fast street riding or freeriding?

spinning bikes reviews best image

Jimi

Max price at around $600 please. Height 5'11" ish, 170 lbs skinny if those make any significant difference. Thanks :D

Answer
I am not up on free riding, so I may not be right on the mark. I am not to sure based on your question that you would ride on the street more than free riding. Which leads me to Specialized Crosstail consider the comments below on the type of riding, does this match what you are looking for in a bike?

This bike can do it all.
[4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]
âââââ 5.0
PROS
Durable
Multi-purpose
CONS

BEST USES
Off-road
Pavement

"I bought this bike after a trip to my local bike shop. I told them I was looking for something good for all around but nothing race oriented that would be good to get back into biking and get me out for some exercise.


So far this bike has made me want to get out and bike more. I've done anywhere from 5 to 45 miles per outing and have been on pavement, dirt and gravel, cinder paths and all out mud and muck. I'm just starting out but can easily spin the bike 15-18mph up moderate hills and it felt solid on a 38+ mph descent down the back half of a rather steep hill climb.


The last ride that sold me was a 40 mile trip around a lake in the thousand islands that was 30 miles on-road and then 10 miles of absolutely, what was I thinking off-roading. This thing pulled me through some good 8-10" of standing water and was still decent enough at pulling me up over some decent sized rock inclines with wet and muddy tires (semi-slick) tires.


The stock seat was good for me until about 20 miles round trips and then I swapped out for something a bit more comfortable.


As my legs feel stronger and my distances increase I am wondering if I could also use a road bike but I wouldn't get rid of this one either way."



Read more: http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/men-specialized-crosstrail-reviews#ixzz1KVEtfGZP

Best.

How big of an effect does wheel diameter have on bicycle performance?

John P

Answer
Surprisingly not as much as a lot of people would have you believe.Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

The big advantages are; A smaller wheel can be made much lighter and therefore will accelerate quicker. A smaller wheel will be much more resilient to sideways forces.

The disadvantages are that they need to be geared much higher and spin faster (higher frictional losses) for any given speed.

There are few really low rolling resistance tyres available for small wheels. The best that I 'm aware of is Greenspeed's Scorcher here is a review
http://www.bentrideronline.com/reviews/scorchers/scorchers.htm

My conclusion is that on a shorter or winding courses the smaller wheels will be much better. As the riding surface becomes rougher, or softer the advantage shifts towards larger wheels. For sustained higher speeds (ie road cycling) the larger wheels win, but not by a huge margin.

Here is an article that covers the subject well. (and a reliable institution.)
http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opinions/wheelsize.html

I'll throw in this review of a small wheeled road bike for good measure
http://www.alexmoulton.co.uk/reviews/cycling_plus_bs.html

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How hard is it to complete 75 mile bike ride?

best position on a spinning bike image

JRSmith

My friends ask me to ride 75 mile bike ride and I haven't rode a bike any significant distance in years. Is this something I should even attempt or do you have to work yourself up to something like this. I'm 41 years old so I'm not a spring chicken but I'm not a coach potato. My friend is like 58 years old in great shape and he does this every year. Just wondering if I have what it takes to finish.

Answer
When is this 75 mile ride coming up? If it's within the next month or two...forget it. Try again next year. You're going to need some serious training. So much to learn. Two biggest problems most newbies have is saddle height & cadence.

Your legs should extend to the point where there is a slight bend in the knee at the 6 o'clock position. The ball of the foot should be on the center of the pedal. If anything more than a slight bend...raise the saddle.

A good pair of toe-clip pedals or Shimano SPD pedals with those special shoes would be extremely helpful. This will give you power on the up-stroke & the down-stroke. Beware...you'll be using muscle groups rarely used & may wind up getting a 'Charley Horse' or two, or three.

Read up on 'spinning' vs. 'pushing' or mashing on the pedals in too high of a gear. Shoot for a cadence between 70 to 90 rpm at all times. Raise the cadence level even more for hill climbing, but probably in a lower gear or gears. The faster you can 'spin', the easier it is to pedal.

Good stuff from the late Sheldon Brown & Bicycling.com on the links.

How to make a shit bike worth riding?

The Bees K

I'm 17, 5'2" and I wanted to have a bike to ride around town, less than 10 miles at a time at the very most. My boyfriend gave me this old Huffy Stone Mountain bike somebody gave him and he had to fix the back tire. I know the bike is probably shit, especially for road rides, but how can I make my ride better? I took it out for a short ride yesterday and the bottom of my butt took a beating, right on the bone. I have no idea how big the frame is buy the way. How can I make this little-bike-that-could better suited for a road ride? Also, I have to do this as cheaply as humanly possible. Help!

Answer
The

make sure the seat s at a correct height. When seated, your legs should almost be straight when your pedals are in the six o'clock position. Second, realize that you are out of shape. Just like in a gym, when you first start out you are toning to,get sore. So DON'T over do it! It is easy to ver do it on a bike.

Lastly, get a good pair of padded s cycling shorts, either road or mtn bike shorts. There is a reason that they have been around for over one hundred years virtually unchanged.

Do not pedal,at a slow rate WITH high (hard) pedal pressure. You should spin the pedals at about 70 rpm with a MODERATE pedal pressure. Read up.... Or ask here about "spinning".

Soccerref

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What is the best indoor group spin bike for the price? And also if money were no object?

best indoor spinning bike image

shanana

Hoping to hear from group fitness directors, spin class teachers, and any salepeople who can give an unbiased opinion. Looking to buy 20-30 new spin bikes within the next 2 months.

Answer
I'm a customer not an instructor, but I've been to a lot of clubs and rode a lot of spin bikes. The best one I've been on was a Lemond Revmaster. There have been other good ones, but the little design details of the Lemond made it really good for a hard-core roadie like me.

If money were no object, I'd get the CycleOps - link below

How is a regular exercise bike different than a spinning bike?

Kimmy

The buzz lately is that you can burn about 500 calories, tone up and lose weight quickly by exercising for only 30 minutes on a spinning bike.

I have a regular exercise bike and cannot afford a spinning bike or classes. Would I be able to achieve the same results by exercising for 30 minutes a day on my exercise bike?

Please explain to me the difference between the two bikes and how they work differently to give different results?

Answer
The primary difference is the adjustability and the quality that goes into the drive mechanism. Spinning bikes, as the name implies, spin a weighted flywheel using the power of your legs. The tension you set, in conjunction with the weight of the flywheel, determine the resistance you feel. This provides a much more realistic effect in terms of how it uses your muscles. A old school excercise bike isnt as good at effectively targeting the muscle used and doesnt provide as much of a realistic cycling feel.

That said, if your goal is just to get a workout in you arent going to miss much. A competitive cyclist would notice the difference but a casual rider just looking to burn some calories probably will notice only the terribly uncomfortable saddle of an old excercise bike.

Think of it as the diffference between running wind sprints vs. running parachute assisted acceleration sprints.... Unless you're a pro athlete working on dropping your 40yd times, wind sprints is just fine. Similar situation here. If you're gonna be heading to the races, start spining.. If you just want a workout save the money.

PS- If you get serious about riding and you really want the best set-up, IMO its using your road bike on resistance trainer like the cycleops fluid2 or something similar. It lets you keep your cockpit setup (duh, its your bike) but gives you the indoor training option for those shoddy days when you dont want to go outside and ride.

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What's the best way to tone your bum without joining a gym or buying expensive gear?

best bikes for spinning at home image

Lithocardi

my experience of home excercises from magazines are very painful/hard and leave little result. Step machines are out because I have calf muscle issues and shouldn't be building those. Steppers seem to work my calves.

Answer
The right cardio exercise and weight training activities (like squats
and deadlifts) can make a difference in your backside and help you get
those buns of steel. Find out the best cardio and strength training
exercises for strengthening and firming up your rear.
1. Squats.
Squats are one of the best exercises you can do for your hips, butt
and thighs. Stand with feet hip-width apart and squat, keeping back
straight, abs in and knees behind your toes. Let your butt lightly
touch chair and squeeze butt to stand up. Repeat for 2-3 sets of 8-12
reps and add weights for more intensity.
2. Lunges. Stand in a split
stance, with feet about 3 feet apart. You want both knees to be at
about 90-degree angles at the bottom of the movement, so adjust
accordingly. Hold weights in each hand (or place a barbell behind the
neck) for added intensity. Bend the knees and lower the back knee
toward the floor, keeping the front heel down and the knee directly
over the centre of the foot. Keep the torso straight and abs in as you
push through the front heel and back to starting position. Don't lock
the knees at the top of the movement. Perform 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 16
reps according to your fitness level and goals.
3. Step Ups. For step
ups, you simply place one foot on a step or platform and push through
the heel onto the step. This is an excellent exercise for the glutes.
4. Hip Extensions. Lie on the floor with feet propped on the ball,
legs straight. Keeping abs tight, slowly lift your hips off the floor
(squeezing the buttocks) until body is in a straight line. Hold for a
few seconds and lower, repeating 10 to 15 times.
5. One-Legged Deadlifts. You should skip this exercise if you
have any back problems. To do this move, take the left leg back just a bit, lightly
resting on the toe. With the weights in front of the thighs, tip from
the hips and lower the weights as low as your flexibility allows. Keep
your back flat or with a natural arch and make sure you keep the abs
contracted to protect the back. Squeeze the glutes of the working leg
to raise back up. Do 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps.
6. Hiking. Now the
exercises listed above aren't the only strength moves for the glutes,
but we often forget that there are cardio activities that will also
engage the backside. Hiking is one of those activities and it also
burns tons of calories. Also, walking up an incline automatically gets
your glutes more involved and, if you're wearing a backpack, you're
really getting a workout. A 140-lb person burns about 390 calories in
about an hour!
7. Biking. Riding a bike is great for your heart and it
also targets almost every muscle in your hips, thighs and butt. On a
stationary bike, alternate 3 minutes at 70-80 RPM with 2 minutes at
100-110 RPM for a calorie-blasting 30 minute workout. You can also try
Spinning at the gym or riding outside. Gear up to really work your
glutes! A 140-lb person burns 335 calories in 45 minutes.
8. Running. Running, like walking, is accessible, easy to learn, reduces stress,
helps in weight loss, and it makes you feel good. Plus, it really
works your butt, especially when you add a few hills to your regular
running route. A 140-lb person burns 475 calories during a 45 minute
jog.
9. Kickboxing. Kickboxing was a hot item back in the day, but it's
still a great workout. Controlled kicks work your hips, thighs and
butt while complex combinations that include punches will target your
abs to make them stronger. A 140-lb woman will burn up to 500 calories
with 45 minutes of kickboxing.
10. Walking. Walking is easy: you can do
it anywhere, anytime with no special equipment. There's no learning
curve and it's something you can incorporate all day long. If you walk
up hills, you can really target your glutes and, if you pick up the
intensity, you'll burn some of that extra flab off your buns! A 140-lb
person burns about 300 calories an hour during a brisk walk.

How to make a friction generator to power your bike light?

Johnson

What materials do i need to build it at home (homemade)?
Thank you a lit 'MarkG' :D
If there are no better answers, then you got the full points
Thank you a lot*

Answer
A permanent magnet hobby motor from Radio Shack, some rubber tubing and hose clamps.

The motor will generate a voltage when its shaft is spun. You need to attach a small diameter pulley or wheel to the shaft of the motor. You may also try slipping a piece of small diameter rubber tubing over the motor shaft. Either way the bike wheel will rub against the pulley or tubing covered shaft to cause the motor shaft to rotate. You can attach the motor to a frame or bracket using hose clamps and wire ties..


You may find it easier to wind a coil of magnet wire and mount that coil to the bike frame near the rim. Then crazy glue pairs of magnets to the rim (alternating the pole orientation).

THis will generate AC power as the magnets travel past the coil. Use a pair of white LED's connected in parallel but in opposite polarities to the coil. Each LED will light on part of the AC volatge.

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What are some ways to change bad habits?

best spinning bikes for home use image

Olive Cray

I just purchased a New in home Spin bike and I dont want it to become a new piece of furniture....I want to use it and continue to use it, but I am a serious couch potatoe...DVD's and the remote is what I'm used to....How can I get up?
Is it possible to gain new habits...purposly?

Answer
Yes, I too was and am secretly a couch tater. I get up with a good DVD workout, keep a diary of my good and bad habits- for accountablity, and have a secret body fantasy in mind while I workout.
If you dream it, you can acheive it- corny... hell yes, but it works. Get a picture of someone whose body you admire, and look at it everyday to keep sight of your goals. You can be just as hot with time and determination. It's going to be hard, but that is okay. It really is.

What are some good exercises to do at home to burn fat & gain muscle?

mariahscoo

I have one of those spinning bikes or stationary bike, I'm not sure which on it is. But i go on that for at least 30mins & it says I'm burning 300 calories, what other exercises are there to burn fat fast & gain muscle. Especially belly fat

Answer
Drink lot of water 6 - 7 litres daily.
Try hoola hooping, it helps a lot.
These are certain yoga postures, try them.
Check out this link :

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTJHsQWNRrg

Good luck!

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Starting to work out - recumbent style stationary bike?

best fitness spin style bike image

xo379

I haven't worked out in years (though I'm relatively thin) and am starting to get back into it. I went on the stationary bike (recumbent style - pedaling from a reclined position) for about 50 minutes yesterday with a good resistance and I felt it was a decent workout...today my legs weren't sore at ALL and I'm wondering - did I do something wrong? Is it even worth it to go on a bike like that if my muscles aren't even sore?

Answer
My wife lost almost a hundred pounds on stationary recumbent.

Here's the thing... You are not striving for muscle soreness... That just means you're overtraining. Any stationary machine like this is an "aerobic" activity. It's working your cardiovascular system; heart, lungs, circulatory system. It's burning calories.
The idea is to get your heart rate up into your "training zone"... 65-75% of your maximum heart rate, and to do that for at least 20 minutes.
Are you monitoring your heart rate during your sessions? If not, you need to . If you're not getting into the training zone:

http://www.topendsports.com/fitness/heartrate-range.htm

then you're not working hard enough. Strive for more rpm rather than more resistance... "Spinning" rather than "mashing" as we say. You recover better.

Remember as well that this isn't doing much at all for your upper body.... You may consider throwing some upper-body work into your workout mix.

Lose 45 pounds in 7 months how can i make this possible plz help:)?

kayimani

Hi im 21 im 192 pounds id like to be 145-150 by the time my husband comes home from Afghanistan. I just started going to the gym im been there every day this week did 1-2 miles onon the tread mill and eating 1400 cal a day plus small wrkouts what else can i add to reach my goal thanks in advance.

Answer
Well, you'll have some harder work to do but its possible... Go get a quick check-up with your doctor first to see if that could cause any damage to you (that's a lot of weight for 7 months) just check and make sure that you're ok to start with this workout plan cus I'm gonna give you an idea of one.

1-2 miles on a treadmill honestly won't do to much for you right now if you're going for more of a speedy loss. I suggest that you start using a spin bike at first to prevent any injuries until you get back into the groove of things seeing as you just started mild injuries like shin splints, rolled/twisted ankles, pulled muscles or other strains. Just until you get back up with your endurance.

There are tons of different exercises and different styles of exercising that you could try. For me personally I do about 40-60min on my spin bike, then 20+min of weights and some core and balance exercises so it's between an hour to two hours.
For you since you're beginning I'd start with an easy stretch, probably about 10min worth of yoga exercises, here's a couple pages of exercises:
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/yoga/poses/
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/yogapractice/postures.asp
Then move on to about 30min of walking on the treadmill, you could go for 3-5min intervals of running every 8-10min, or you could try 30min on a spin bike switching between higher and low resistance OR you could try a rowing machine like this: http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/images/layout/custom/rowing/WaterRower.gif that would work your whole body, legs for pushing across the rail, arms for pulling, lats for pulling, abs for leaning back and around, overall body cus its cardio
The best thing to do would be to switch around your exercises every day, but still with a base of cardio. Ex. you could do the yoga warm up, then one of the 3 cardio options, then try working on your legs for one day, then the next will be arms to give your legs a bit of a rest, then core for another day, then take a relax day of 30min of yoga (15min before and after) and 30min of one of the cardio options.
Here's a list of basic weight machines that gyms have: http://www.fitnessbliss.com/en/screenshots/images/equipment.gif they usually have directions on the side, if you don't know exactly how to use it, make a list of machines at your gym, then look up how to use them properly so you won't risk injury. Just make sure you stretch after, the same yoga poses for about 10min will do fine.

Other things I'd try would be to cut gluten (no wheat) and dairy from your diet even if you're not gluten intolerant or lactose intolerant. Gluten can actually cause the layer of fat in your body to retain more water. The more water you drink, the better it'll be to flush your system. Try to cut down on sugar and high fat foods. Introduce lean protein into your diet, it'll help build up your muscle cus more muscle helps burn fat!

Good for you for getting back out there and setting goals for yourself! Oh and congratulations on your husband coming home :)

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Why do I always have a camel toe?

best spinning bikes 2013 image

Q. I always get a camel toe with anything I wear (leggings, jeggings, pants, shorts, yoga pants, underwear, bathing suit) I've tried panty liners, putting a tissue in between my underwear and pants and wearing a bigger size bc I thought they were probably too small for me. But I'm not even fat I'm actually really skinny size 00 I also don't like wearing long tops/shirts bc they make me look funny! Someone help please!

Answer
Sounds like you're wearing ultra-high-waisted jeans/ leggings/ jeggings/ tights/ tube trousers that are too tight in the crotch. ..and/ or you are wearing underwear that isn't very supportive. ... and/ or you are wearing flimsy and/ or poorly manufactured garments that are constructed of extremely thin material.

Search for compression-style leggings. They are made of a thicker, denser fabric that contains a high Lycra-Spandex %, and serves to smooth the bulges, shape the bum, flatten the abdomen, and support the thighs/ keep everything contained and ward-off jiggling..

You may be slim but garments like that really have to be better quality and thicker/ denser (whether one is ultra-slim, or "fluffy", curvy.. or anything in-between). It isn't just about a larger size. Supportive bikini or boy-short underwear, made of high-quality cotton (preferably with Lycra-Spandex for stretch and to smooth) is necessary under body-con garments. The body-con garments should fit properly and support the body/ smooth curves.


As far as "..looking funny".. when you wear a tunic-length top, extra-long tanks, longer over-sized bf shirts, etc. (that cover the bum sufficiently). It can't possibly look as funny as revealing too much of your body. Only underdeveloped children should be wearing leggings, jeggings or tights as pants. Leggings aren't pants.
http://storminakcup.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/american-apparel-warning-these-tights-are-not-pants-300x216.jpg?w=470


Working-out at the gym, cycling, training for a 10k, lounging around the house, taking a yoga, spinning or Pilates class.. those are all fine. But wearing form-fitting garments with no long top, or even an extra-long tank, to cover the bum and upper thighs
=
too revealing for being out in public.

What would you think if you saw a guy walking around like this all of the time..?
http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/1128422524_1/Compression-Under-font-b-Pant-b-font-Shirt-font-b-Tights-b-font-Base-Layers-Rash.jpg

It's inappropriate. Men and women, teen/ tween boys, as well as girls, should abide by the unofficial (but still widely recognised) "no crotch rule" re: wearing athletic wear, cycling-bike shorts, running pants, tube trousers, leggings, jeggings, and tights. Long tops are necessary when/ if one opts to be in public wearing body-con bottoms.


https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZZih9PhmiNl8n3bsOz9Z9oiZloBZMT5LqeNmhGZuzBO3Lry_MdAm8X7Nd4e0fL66HEoJE56W69ivfXXoSwLXYbjxr4DUF1g2POpxwLnvypWQA04HNdDA-Nd41sjrY8287PO2sEh2NeUA/s1600/60035740e.jpg

Pinterest Told Me To- Leggings Are NOT Pants:
http://pinteresttoldmeto.blogspot.com/2013/10/leggings-101-leggings-are-not-pants.html

Your leggings are NOT pants-tumblr:
listen. those leggings? they arenât pants, ok?
http://yourleggingsarenotpants.tumblr.com/

Is my hybrid bike climbing hills properly?

Q. I recently purchased a hybrid bicycle. A 2013 GIANT Cypress DX.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/cypress.dx/9019/48868/

I took it out and realized that I seem to go a bit slower than most cyclists I come across that aren't on road bikes. This could just be due to my lack of skill or something.

But when I try to go up hill I notice that it is incredibly difficult, and I think I'm using gears properly, but it's just so painfully slow. I don't know how normal it is or at what speed I should expect to be able to climb hills - I'm sure it depends on how steep the hill in question is -- but is there any way to know how fast I should be going up certain kinds of hills?

Are there certain problems with the bike that could account for this?

Answer
Hiram

You have just begun your cycling journey. Consider that you do not really know how to ride yet. You are not in cycling shape. It can't ate you a long time to understand just how to ride. Months to get into shape, and years to understand how to handle your bike.

Start by reading up on "spinning". You can ask here too. Spinning allows the modern cyclist to ride both distance with speed, and have little fatigue. That will help you understand why you are slow on the road, and even slower on the climb. There are many people ho never learn.

Enjoy the knowledge. It will get you to where you wan to go. The other part is training!

Soccerref

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At the Gym... Good or bad workouts?

livestrong spin bike image

Sugar mami

Good morning!

I have recently signed up to the gym. I wanted to go and just loose a little bit of weight... So... On Saturday and sunday I went to see how it was... I did >>>>

30 minutes on the bicycle which burned 180 Calories
10 on Walking machine (VERY BORING) which burnt 50 Calories
5 minutes just doing 100 of the Hip adduction (when your push in) and 100 of where you push out lol. (Sorry if I am not making any sense lol)
Then Another
15 minutes on the Bicycle (which burnt another 100 calories)

DAY 2 (Sunday)
1 hour on the Bicycle which I burnt 300 Calories
10 mins on Cross Trainer (lol too hard so 10 minutes was all I could do) but burnt 100 calories in those 10 minutes... which is amazing lol! Considering it took me 1 hour to burn 300 on the bicycle!!

I don't want to gain muscle though... :( what do I do? someone told me if i use the bicycle I will just gain muscle and not loose the weight? :( is this true?
also with the exercise I was doing do you think that it was ok for first time? and do you think If i done that 3 or 4 times a week that i would start to loose some weight??

THANKS X X

Answer
If you want to lose weight the first thing you need to do before you even think about going to the gym is start tracking your calories. Weight loss is at its most basic is about eating less calories then the body requires, but you all have to ensure you get enough calories. Ideally you should aim for between 1000 and 1500, but certaintly no lower than 1000 calories. This should be food eaten minus exercise.

If you don't want to build muscle there's no point doing exercises using weight machines, as their entire point is to build muscle. You can't spot reduce fat, so if you are using them thinking they'll reduce your hip fat then it's a waste of time.

You need to focus on using cardio exercise machines, like the bike, cross trainer, and running machines. Cross training machines are very good, as they require more effort, which burns more calories. Don't think you can just sit on an exercise bike and spin your legs around at the lowest setting and burn a decent amount of calories, you need to do exercise that makes your heart beat faster and makes you sweat, otherwise you might as well just go for a long walk.

Whether or not doing it 3 or 4 times a week will help you lose weight depends entirely on your calorie intake, so again, you need to start tracking your calories, something you can do on one of the following sites:
http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/
http://www.sparkpeople.com/
http://www.calorieking.com.au/

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16 years old, looking to start doing triathlons (probably sprint) this summer (I'm a runner)?

spin bike workouts reviews image

Someone

How do I train for a triathlon, especially the swimming and biking parts? I've never been a competitive swimmer or biker before. If I'm gonna be doing a sprint triathlon this summer, what should I do for the swimming? and biking, what kind of bike will I need to get (I don't have one I can really use, and not looking to spend a stupid amount of money on a bike...) and what kind of workouts should I do for that? Thanks

Answer
You'll want to start with a novice or sprint triathlon - and maybe think about investing in some swimming lessons as this is often quite an overlooked discipline in triathlons. A good swimming technique will save you a lot of energy and help you to increase your speed and endurance.

I've linked you a site below with lots of reviews on biking equipment etc. that you can get set up with - if you're really serious about triathlons a good bike will make all the difference, but if you're just starting out it's probably not worth breaking the bank until you're sure you want to commit yourself to triathlon training.

Spinning classes will get your endurance for biking up - but always make sure you know how to stretch properly and warm up and warm down, otherwise you could be looking at some serious strains and injuries. Hillwalking is also a great way to build up muscle tone and endurance too. There are tonnes of tutorials out there in books and on the web to help you out.

Is Winsor Pilates really effective? Especially if you're quite overweight?

Kelli

I'm sitting at home sick w/ a cold watching a Winsor Pilates infommercial. I keep seeing them referencing women going from size 12 down to small sizes. Do you think a curvier woman could really get in shape with this? I'd consider it if I knew it would really be effective.

Thanks!!

Answer
Make sure you read the fine print on the infomercial. The women who dropped down multiple sizes watched what they ate and added cardio activity. I've talked to a few people who were part of groups for infomercials, and it's quite common for them to be on regimented diets and to supplement the exercise video or equipment sold with additional exercise. That said, someone who is diligent about nutrition, cardio, and the exercise in question could have similar results, but remember that consistency is key.

Winsor Pilates is not significantly different from the other Pilates programs out there. All derive from the exercise system devised by Joseph Pilates. The benefits of Winsor Pilates are its availability and accessibility. Mari Winsor has her own sequence of exercises, tweaks the form, and uses a different form of breathing in comparison to more traditional Pilates, but that's not that big of a deal for most people. I've read about a few people who do find her manner of presenting the exercises helpful to them. (Personally I prefer other instructors and find that I tighten up during the handful of Winsor workouts I have, since I don't think she includes enough of the more flexibility-oriented exercises, but I've tried a ton of Pilates videos.)

Pilates is a great system of exercises that can work for any body type or size. (Good instructors will provide modifications for people with limits in flexibility, range of motion, or strength, by the way, so don't feel intimidated or discouraged.) Most people find that they don't get "bulk" while doing these strength- and flexibility-oriented exercises, but you can't completely change the body type that has been genetically pre-determined for you. Since Pilates focuses primarily on strength / toning and flexibility, you will need to supplement with cardiovascular activity (walking, running, aerobics, bike rides or spinning, kickboxing, etc.) in order to get into shape. Pilates primarily works your core, or abs and back, so make sure you get enough work in for your upper and lower body. There are Pilates videos out there, including a couple good ones offered by Winsor, that will help you there. Or you can supplement Pilates with other exercises. (I use traditional weights, too, in addition to Pilates, but that's my choice.)

I see no reason not to give Winsor Pilates a try. It may work for you. If it doesn't, know that there are so many other varieties of Pilates out there. I personally like to use a mix of Classical Pilates, Stott Pilates, other personal takes on Pilates, and even some fusion workouts.

If you're looking for more information on Winsor Pilates and other Pilates workouts, I highly recommend CollageVideo.com, where you can see previews of the videos they have in stock and read customer reviews; VideoFitness.com, where you can read consumer reviews of a ton of videos and ask questions on their forum; and YourExerciseDVDs.com, where you can read professional reviews of a number of videos.

P.S. Hope you feel better soon!

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