zacster

Let's just put some numbers to this: a ride at 100 watts average, for one hour, will burn .1lbs of fat. This assumes a 24% efficiency factor, which is regarded as a reasonable estimate. It doesn't matter what kind of bike you have. So if your stationary bike can read watts accurately, you can basically use this to lose weight at that rate, all other intake remaining constant.

Let's say that you can actually push 200 watts, which can be difficult for someone out of shape, and do that 5 days in a week. Do the math, but that will have burned one pound of fat from your body. Do that for a few months and you will see your weight go down, and you'll be in better shape than when you started.

And if you can't measure power, get a HR monitor, speed and cadence sensor for cheap, and use one of the free apps on your phone. Average HR is a decent proxy for watts and can be converted to calories. It isn't precise but studies have shown that the correlation is strong. And you don't need to convert these numbers, the apps will do it for you.

As for spin classes, I watched one from Peloton and was totally turned off. I felt much better off using workouts on Zwift or The Sufferfest. I don't care about looking good on the bike, I just care about getting in shape and losing weight. 25 pounds since September, and my numbers all match up. 95000 calories, divided by 3700 calories per pound of fat = 25.xxx My calories are all based on HR since I don't have a power meter yet (on order!!!). And with that I didn't stop eating, just watched what I did in excess. I still drink beer, wine and liquor, but don't have ice cream or eat other sweets, not that I ate much to being with.

Bottom line is that it doesn't matter how you do the exercise, but you have to do something, and it needs to be more than you may think. And in the end it will work.

Edit: One thing I've noted during my rides is that until HR goes up, the calories on my bike computer don't go anywhere, which is consistent with what I said above, except that I'm riding at about 100 watts. I can ride at that estimated 100 watts all day and barely feel it, nor get my HR up. One metric or the other is not correct. At 200 watts estimated (based on the trainer type) my HR starts going up, and at 250 watts, it gets up to around 150. All I'm really saying here is that the correlation between watts displayed and HR doesn't seem quite right in MY setup. At the end of the ride, the averages all work out.

Machka 

IMO


Riding outside > Rollers (if you can do them) > Trainers > Spin Bikes (different from stationary bikes) > Good quality stationary bikes > Poor quality stationary bikes > Sitting on the couch.

chaadster

Have you made a mistake there? I can't figure what kind of distinction you're making between spin and stationary bikes which makes either less beneficial than turbo trainers...or maybe you mean that's your ranking of how they appeal to you? Even still, why do you feel a spin bike is better than a stationary, and what's the distinction you're making between the two?

Machka 

Have you ridden a spin bike? It's completely different from a stationary bike.

chaadster

I have. Can you address the questions I raised to you?

Machka 

If you have, then you fully understand the difference between the two.

chaadster

I do, but that wasn’t my question to you. Can you address my questions, or do you not understand what I’m asking?

tigat

Over the past week, I've ridden 80 road miles, enjoying the muted colors and contrast of a sun that barey rises and then disappears too soon, done three rides on the smart trainer feeding video of routes that I have actually ridden in real life, and spent an hour on the stationary recumbant that I bought to rehab from a broken hip four years ago.

All good in their own way.

Machka 

I did answer your questions.

So glad we cleared that up.

chaadster

That’s a silly thing to say, but I see you don’t want to explain or examine your posted opinions, which while a strange position to take on a discussion board, is your prerogative.

Duo

maybe you mean that a stationary bike is this...



and you probably mean a 'spin bike' machine is this???.....

Machka 

No. Absolutely not.

I'm talking about a Spin Bike.

Machka 

Rollers



Trainers



Spin Bike



Good Quality Stationary Bike ... and the site linked below actually shows several stationary bikes (upright exercise bikes) and several spin bikes. Click the photo to access the site I'm referring to.



Lesser Quality Stationary Bike



Sofa

Duo

the sofa looks nice. the stationary and spin bike look about like the same thing, both would seem to do the job, however i am not up to date on what all the differences are.

Trakhak

From what I read after doing a quick search, stationary bikes allow you to coast between efforts whereas spin bikes don't allow coasting---i.e., if the flywheel is moving, the pedals are moving. Some people might prefer the feel of one of the two types, but it's unlikely that there's a significant benefit for either.

Machka 

The stationary bike and spin bike are quite different. It's hard to explain. Go to a spinning class and you'll see. Basically the spin bike has a flywheel and is, essentially, a fixed gear. It also has a set up much more like a real bicycle. Just generally, it is so much more realistic.

If you get into a good spinning class, you'll have a great workout! We go to one about once a week in the winter. Of course, it does depend what you put into it.

Having used both ... the spin bike is just so much better.

chaadster

As a cyclist, it’s much smarter to simply understand that “spin bikes” are exactly as they appear, namely that they are stationary bikes.

For what we call “spinning,” stationary bikes with heavy flywheels, brake pad resistance, and fixed gearing are preferred.

Some other stationary bikes have lighter flywheels and freewheel (i.e. allow coasting), or different resistance methods, such as air (fan units).

Additionally, stationary bikes vary in terms of setups (e.g. bar shapes) and features (e.g. infinite resistance adjustment, power).

For road cycling training, I think the ideal stationary bikes have the following:

— micro-adjust set up like a road bike for rider position (drop bars with hoods)
— freewheel for realistic feel, feedback, speed adjustment, and true-to-life workouts
— offer resistance fine tuning across an infinite range for optimizing output for workouts
— have an accurate power meter
— accommodate sensors for cadence and speed, or have them integrated with a head unit for display and recording ride data
— are electronically controllable for resistance (FE-C enabled)

Despite upthread assertions to the contrary, there is not necesarilly any functional difference between equivalently capable stationary bikes and trainers/“turbos”. All of the features I just described for an ideal stationary bike can be had using a trainer (specifically a “smart” trainer). Stationaries offer the advantages of being a dedicated piece of equipment, but are not functionally any different, nor more or less suited in terms of training capability, than trainers.

Of course, not everyone needs real cycling-specific indoor cycling, and for those just looking for general aerobic workouts can take advantage of any type of stationary bike (incl. “exercise bikes”), trainer, or rollers.

For reference-grade stationary bikes for cycling-specific training, see CycleOps Phantom and Stages SC series. Reference grade trainers for cycling specific training include Wahoo Kickr and Tacx Neos.

Athens80

^ see also the Wattbike Atom stationary bike / smart indoor bike trainer

83cannondale

FWIW - I've put maybe 1500 miles on my rollers the last 2 winters and say I think they give a pretty good workout. Using a heart monitor I can watch my zone training while watching my fav show - One "danger" to look out for though, just today I was on rollers in the spare room and I was watching a YouTube vid of "not lost in Africa" Mountain biking in Kenya. GoPro footage made me the 3rd guy back on single track. It was so realistic that I swerved to avoid a boulder and..... rode ride off the rollers. no harm done but I was startled.


I like the YMCA spin machines that have class with HR and power. Don't care much care for my my older MAG magnetic resistance trainer.

My 2 cents anyway -
t

Duo

my ancient Schwinn Air Dyne allows coasting. above the fan wheel are bars to rest your feet, and then you can do the upper body rowing workout instead.

the 'ideal stationary' bike gives me an upper body workout; again the Schwinn Air Dyne has that firmly in place.

'looking for general aerobic workouts' that would be us, we didn't care much about all the high tech stuff: just basic upper/lower workout. yesterday i looked at the bicycle ads on craigslist and facebook, lots of old machines under 100 bucks and some were free.

realistic? could be, but these machines are lackluster, better off watching some video, reading or listening to music. can't wait till spring when Reality hits and the Real Bicycle hits the road.

Machka 

Take a spinning class at your local gym. A good spinning class is anything but lackluster. Put some effort into it, and you'll see some good results come spring.

Then whilst you are at the gym, pay the rowing machine a visit. Maybe the weights too.

kbarch

The last three posts just reminded me why I got into cycling in the first place: I hadn't had a bike in decades, and while at the gym one day, to warm up had taken a seat at one of the stationary bikes that showed videos of simulated rides in France. As I sat there watching the scenery go by on the little screen, I couldn't help but think: this is most unsatisfactory, I must have a real bike. I've tried it a couple of times since, but watching scenes go by while pedaling a stationary bike drives me nuts - I keep finding things wrong with the view - the worst is how the bike position is all wrong on corners and hills, and I can't swerve. If I ride a stationary bike to warm up at the gym these days, I just take one where I can watch the news instead.

janejskelton

as far as I know, exercise bike have lots of advantages, just little bit disadvantages.here is some advantages of exercise bike

1.A stationary bike is good for your heart.
2.good for lungs and breathing capacity
3.the stationary bike to gain muscles and strengthen your legs
4.the stationary bike to lose weight
5.the stationary bike reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes
6.the stationary bike can make you feel good with the secretion of endorphins
7.the stationary bike :a gentle sport for your joints.
8.cycling on your stationary bike can lower your cholesterol.
9.the stationary bike : an effective prevention against degenerative diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons
10. the exercise bike is good for your health and to live longer

there are just little disadvantages of exercise bike.its not effect on your body.

Machka 

How many more posts do you need before you can post your links?

paulmalva

This bike is the reason I am still sane after all this lock down. It has tons of features and is really stable.
Maybe the looks are not for everyone but it works for me.