Treadmill
07-24-20, 08:49 AM
#1
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Treadmill
The summer heat has put a dent in my riding and going to the gym is not likely till a vaccine comes about for COVID(I am over 65). So, I would like to supplement my riding by using an indoor treadmill. Not really into an indoor bicycle trainer as I would like to have the impact of walking/running. Any recommendation for a treadmill in the $1500 and lower price range?
07-24-20, 11:41 AM
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The summer heat has put a dent in my riding and going to the gym is not likely till a vaccine comes about for COVID(I am over 65). So, I would like to supplement my riding by using an indoor treadmill. Not really into an indoor bicycle trainer as I would like to have the impact of walking/running. Any recommendation for a treadmill in the $1500 and lower price range?
07-24-20, 03:47 PM
#3
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Treadmills are a waste of time and money for a cyclist …You should buy some weights and start doing strength training to supplement your cycling
07-26-20, 07:27 AM
#4
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Cycling is Non-Weight Bearing.
The primary reason for cyclists having low bone density is that it is a non-weight bearing activity. High level cycling in particular has been shown to have negative effects on bone strength because of the amount of time cyclists spend training and riding.
Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are the best for your bones. Weight-bearing exercises force you to work against gravity. They include walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing. Resistance exercises – such as lifting weights – can also strengthen bones.
Treadmills are not a waste of time. You might also consider resistance bands instead of free weights, less chance of injury, inexpensive, store anywhere, workout anywhere, and take them with you when you travel.
The primary reason for cyclists having low bone density is that it is a non-weight bearing activity. High level cycling in particular has been shown to have negative effects on bone strength because of the amount of time cyclists spend training and riding.
Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are the best for your bones. Weight-bearing exercises force you to work against gravity. They include walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing. Resistance exercises – such as lifting weights – can also strengthen bones.
Treadmills are not a waste of time. You might also consider resistance bands instead of free weights, less chance of injury, inexpensive, store anywhere, workout anywhere, and take them with you when you travel.
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07-26-20, 08:18 AM
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I once used a Pro-form treadmill for about 10 years. Thought I was in pretty good shape until I took up hiking in the hills/mountains. Treadmills give you the illusion of fitness IMHO. Hiking and trail jogging was much more difficult and got me in far better cardiovascular shape.
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07-26-20, 12:18 PM
#7
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Treadmill and weights (or resistance bands). Don’t agree that treadmills are a waste - in addition to the bone strengthening aspects of running, there are aerobic and anaerobic benefits.
07-26-20, 12:47 PM
#8
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Get a good spin bike. For 1500.00 you can get a decent one. Those things give you a great workout. We put a stereo and tv in the garage and do Les mills on demand.
07-26-20, 08:28 PM
#9
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I just ordered a Sole F80. The wait is currently listed as 45 days, but I want it for when the weather turns bad. It seems to get great reviews.
07-26-20, 08:44 PM
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Walk-Run outside. It's free, and more interesting.
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07-26-20, 10:30 PM
#11
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That is the problem. I am at an age that running/cycling outside in anything greater than 90 degrees is not fun and my body does not respond well or recover well. The gym was good in that I could run on a treadmill for 40 minutes and then lift weights using their various machines. The running on the treadmill in an air conditioned environment allowed me to get my heart rate up to a good level for that period of time. I got hot but not a heat exhaustion feeling from running outside in 90+ temperatures. And when winter comes I tend to stop cycling and just do the gym. But that is not going to happen for a while, thus the treadmill. Spin bike is out because their is no impact happening for your bones. Thanks for the responses that Sole F80 looks nice.
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07-27-20, 02:29 AM
#12
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If you want to stress the legs a bit more, try a stepper at a gym and see if it suits you. Or with a spin bike or regular bike on a trainer, stand to pedal as long as you can as many times as you can. It's harder than it looks, much harder than seated pedaling.
That's my indoor trainer routine in bad weather, and I do the same stuff outdoors including on Sunday's ride. I was on my 30 lb hybrid with albatross swept bars (all of my road bikes are disassembled for repairs) and planned on an easy spin, but I noticed a new housing development with several climbs up to 1/2 mile each, so I did several standing climb repeats. Mostly low cadence, high gear, since I wasn't planning on a hard workout and was still about 20 miles from home on a 90F day. But it was a good workout.
If you decide to try more standing pedaling routines on a trainer, be sure the trainer and bike are suited for that. I use an old steel road bike on a basic Cycleops trainer, no problems. But no feedback either, other than my heart rate monitor. Yeah, there's a speed and cadence meter, but I don't pay much attention to that unless I'm doing high cadence drills. The speedometer on that type of trainer setup is meaningless -- the same perceived effort outdoors never translates to the same speed. I'm too cheap to buy a power meter so I just use the heart rate monitor as a guide.
That's my indoor trainer routine in bad weather, and I do the same stuff outdoors including on Sunday's ride. I was on my 30 lb hybrid with albatross swept bars (all of my road bikes are disassembled for repairs) and planned on an easy spin, but I noticed a new housing development with several climbs up to 1/2 mile each, so I did several standing climb repeats. Mostly low cadence, high gear, since I wasn't planning on a hard workout and was still about 20 miles from home on a 90F day. But it was a good workout.
If you decide to try more standing pedaling routines on a trainer, be sure the trainer and bike are suited for that. I use an old steel road bike on a basic Cycleops trainer, no problems. But no feedback either, other than my heart rate monitor. Yeah, there's a speed and cadence meter, but I don't pay much attention to that unless I'm doing high cadence drills. The speedometer on that type of trainer setup is meaningless -- the same perceived effort outdoors never translates to the same speed. I'm too cheap to buy a power meter so I just use the heart rate monitor as a guide.
07-27-20, 05:46 AM
#13
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A bit off the topic if you're looking for impact exercise, but a worthwhile reference/guide for core exercises to add to your regimen.
https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Danielson...s%2C265&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Danielson...s%2C265&sr=8-1
07-27-20, 07:46 AM
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Cycling is Non-Weight Bearing.
The primary reason for cyclists having low bone density is that it is a non-weight bearing activity. High level cycling in particular has been shown to have negative effects on bone strength because of the amount of time cyclists spend training and riding.
Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are the best for your bones. Weight-bearing exercises force you to work against gravity. They include walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing. Resistance exercises – such as lifting weights – can also strengthen bones.
Treadmills are not a waste of time. You might also consider resistance bands instead of free weights, less chance of injury, inexpensive, store anywhere, workout anywhere, and take them with you when you travel.
The primary reason for cyclists having low bone density is that it is a non-weight bearing activity. High level cycling in particular has been shown to have negative effects on bone strength because of the amount of time cyclists spend training and riding.
Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are the best for your bones. Weight-bearing exercises force you to work against gravity. They include walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing. Resistance exercises – such as lifting weights – can also strengthen bones.
Treadmills are not a waste of time. You might also consider resistance bands instead of free weights, less chance of injury, inexpensive, store anywhere, workout anywhere, and take them with you when you travel.
07-27-20, 07:51 AM
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That is the problem. I am at an age that running/cycling outside in anything greater than 90 degrees is not fun and my body does not respond well or recover well. The gym was good in that I could run on a treadmill for 40 minutes and then lift weights using their various machines. The running on the treadmill in an air conditioned environment allowed me to get my heart rate up to a good level for that period of time. I got hot but not a heat exhaustion feeling from running outside in 90+ temperatures. And when winter comes I tend to stop cycling and just do the gym. But that is not going to happen for a while, thus the treadmill. Spin bike is out because their is no impact happening for your bones. Thanks for the responses that Sole F80 looks nice.
If you think you will use it, get it.
We got an F80 about 10 years ago, It has been rock solid. I hate using treadmills (I wish I did not) but my wife likes it uses it a bit when the weather is unfavorable.
Last edited by Kapusta; 07-27-20 at 07:57 AM.
07-27-20, 08:34 AM
#16
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I've owned 2 treadmills and didn't spend more than 1500 bucks and they were satisfactory. The higher quality ones at the gym I'm sure cost more than 1500 though.
But the main thing to focus on is motor horsepower. You'll need a minimum of 3hp. Also (like a bike) regular maintenance will keep it going for years.
Bottom line, look for 3hp models and then the most bells and whistles (fan, monitor, elevation, etc..) you can get for under 1500.
Happy hunting.
But the main thing to focus on is motor horsepower. You'll need a minimum of 3hp. Also (like a bike) regular maintenance will keep it going for years.
Bottom line, look for 3hp models and then the most bells and whistles (fan, monitor, elevation, etc..) you can get for under 1500.
Happy hunting.
07-27-20, 09:22 AM
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I get the weight-bearing/non-weight-bearing thing, but would not mind if someone with real knowledge explained the 'impact' part of the equation. I have arthritis, and took up walking in order to get fit for cycling. The cycling is to lose weight and improve cardiovascular function (I have a couple of mild heart issues).
Am I ... supposed to be seeking 'impact' to help bone density?
Am I ... supposed to be seeking 'impact' to help bone density?
