Exercise bikes at the gym
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Salem Oregon
Posts: 1,030
Bikes: 2019 Trek Stash 7, 1994 Specialized Epic 1986 Diamondback Ascent 1996 Klein Pulse Comp, 2006 Specialized Sequoia Elite
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 418 Post(s)
Liked 523 Times
in
291 Posts
Exercise bikes at the gym
My gym has one upright exercise bike. It's a Stairmaster brand. The seat is so freaking wide. I don't understand how anyone could sit on the thing. I usually avoid it by getting the cardio portion of my workout other ways. I really don't like riding in the rain. I find cars don't see you as well and the rain adds a lot of bike maintenance.
I have to sit on the very tip of the saddle or lean unnaturally back to tolerate the seat. Are there narrower seats available that use the proprietary exercise bike attachment system?
I have to sit on the very tip of the saddle or lean unnaturally back to tolerate the seat. Are there narrower seats available that use the proprietary exercise bike attachment system?
Likes For mtnbud:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,624
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2975 Post(s)
Liked 1,182 Times
in
771 Posts
Gym bike seats are made to please the masses. I'm on the gym bike seat a few times a week (Life Fitness is the brand) I don't find it to be all that bad. It's the one bike seat I sit on that I don't have to wear bike shorts.
#3
Pennylane Splitter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,879
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1802 Post(s)
Liked 1,439 Times
in
989 Posts
Gym bikes seats are similar to beach cruiser seats, not made for cranking along at 15-20mph. I'll find something else to do besides going to a gym on a rainy day; I can't stand the indoor environment, especially the loud music.
1) Find a hill and do some repeats up-and-down it - either a paved street or even a dirt rise, and run it or briskly walk up and down it.
2) Find a parking garage and use the stairs - 'repeats' up and down a stairwell, skipping a step as you go up, or go from one stairwell to another. Stairs are kind of boring, but I'd rather do that than use a gym.
3) Just go out for a jog in the rain. Always fun. IF you're not cold it won't make you sick.
But if you do have to go to a gym try using the stairmaster of equivalent device instead of a bicycle. Great cross-training.
1) Find a hill and do some repeats up-and-down it - either a paved street or even a dirt rise, and run it or briskly walk up and down it.
2) Find a parking garage and use the stairs - 'repeats' up and down a stairwell, skipping a step as you go up, or go from one stairwell to another. Stairs are kind of boring, but I'd rather do that than use a gym.
3) Just go out for a jog in the rain. Always fun. IF you're not cold it won't make you sick.
But if you do have to go to a gym try using the stairmaster of equivalent device instead of a bicycle. Great cross-training.
Likes For skidder:
#5
Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Salem Oregon
Posts: 1,030
Bikes: 2019 Trek Stash 7, 1994 Specialized Epic 1986 Diamondback Ascent 1996 Klein Pulse Comp, 2006 Specialized Sequoia Elite
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 418 Post(s)
Liked 523 Times
in
291 Posts
I may have some influence with the owner. He bought the gym a couple of years ago and is a willing to listen to suggestions. He's been slowly updating the equipment since he bought the gym. The bike isn't much of a priority since most members go there for the free weights downstairs. I've been avoiding the bike for years, but decided to get on it today since it focuses on the specific muscle groups used in cycling. I quickly remembered how annoying the seat was as soon as I got on it, but toughed it out for 45 minutes. It'd be great with a cycling specific seat. Although hardly anyone ever uses the bike, the few that do might squawk if it was changed.
From what I remember there used to be a few spin classes offered in the long past. I might have a better chance seeing if he still has those spin bikes around. I believe those spin bikes have decent seats. I just wouldn't have access to the different programs options.
From what I remember there used to be a few spin classes offered in the long past. I might have a better chance seeing if he still has those spin bikes around. I believe those spin bikes have decent seats. I just wouldn't have access to the different programs options.
Likes For prj71:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,760
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,200 Times
in
760 Posts
The stationary bike at the place I work out at is very similar to a road bike in function. The saddle is definitely a regular bike saddle. Maybe not the exact one I would use, but it's a bike saddle, not a cushy wide one. The saddle can be adjusted back and forth, up and down as can the handlebars. With just a minute of adjusting I can get it to fit very similar to my own road bikes. The handlebars are drop bar with "TT" extensions. I can't remember the brand name but it works very well. Could be because the proprietor is a cyclist among other things.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,434
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4409 Post(s)
Liked 4,861 Times
in
3,007 Posts
That's great, but gym bikes rarely give you a realistic road speed. They are nearly always miles faster than you could ride on an actual road with the same power.
Likes For PeteHski:
#10
Cheerfully low end
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,978
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 646 Post(s)
Liked 1,044 Times
in
667 Posts
Our rec center has a room of spin bikes that have standard bike saddles (and a really wide Q or tread factor). Also dozens of various stationary exercise machines in a larger, open space on the upper level. Most of those have some kind of really wide seat if they are for seated exercise.
Last winter when I wasn’t in the habit of running, I preferred the stair climber, partly because it was in the weight area which has good air circulation. Also in part because I didn’t have to deal with some weird, generic seating apparatus. The rowing machines I can only tolerate for about ten minutes before the seat feels uncomfortable.
However, the rec center also has a 1/6 mile indoor track around the perimeter on the upper level, so now I just run there three times a week instead of using those stationary machines. Having a safe, well-lit, conditioned indoor track is quite the luxury. Lots of folks use it for walking and some of us also run there regularly, especially this time of year.
It’s a lot cooler moving through the air. I don’t get nearly as sweaty and hot at a given level of effort. Plus I stay in practice at actually running even when it’s dark, cold and nasty out.
Otto
Last winter when I wasn’t in the habit of running, I preferred the stair climber, partly because it was in the weight area which has good air circulation. Also in part because I didn’t have to deal with some weird, generic seating apparatus. The rowing machines I can only tolerate for about ten minutes before the seat feels uncomfortable.
However, the rec center also has a 1/6 mile indoor track around the perimeter on the upper level, so now I just run there three times a week instead of using those stationary machines. Having a safe, well-lit, conditioned indoor track is quite the luxury. Lots of folks use it for walking and some of us also run there regularly, especially this time of year.
It’s a lot cooler moving through the air. I don’t get nearly as sweaty and hot at a given level of effort. Plus I stay in practice at actually running even when it’s dark, cold and nasty out.
Otto
Last edited by ofajen; 01-18-23 at 08:17 AM.
Likes For ofajen:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,624
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2975 Post(s)
Liked 1,182 Times
in
771 Posts
Agree. No wind resistance and no pedaling my 185 lb body up a a steep hill. But when it's raining in January (should be snowing) I take what I can get. The bike has different modes and I always do the "hill intervals" mode to try and simulate my outside rides. The other perks of the gym that I have are elliptical machine, treadmill and various pieces of nautilus equipment that target specific muscles. The best part though is the sauna!!
Likes For prj71:
#12
Pennylane Splitter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,879
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1802 Post(s)
Liked 1,439 Times
in
989 Posts
I'll go with that for your local gym. The two closest to me both have bicycles with 'comfort' saddles typically found on cruiser bicycles in the visible areas. One of the gyms is a larger chain store gym (24-Hr Fitness IIRC) and has a dedicated spin classroom with stationary bicycles that DO have saddles that look more like road bike seats, but the general workout area only has bikes with 'comfort' saddles that can be seen from the front windows. The other is a smaller YMCA gym with just comfort saddles (about 10 bikes).
Likes For skidder:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,760
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,200 Times
in
760 Posts
The stationary bike at the place I work out at is very similar to a road bike in function. The saddle is definitely a regular bike saddle. Maybe not the exact one I would use, but it's a bike saddle, not a cushy wide one. The saddle can be adjusted back and forth, up and down as can the handlebars. With just a minute of adjusting I can get it to fit very similar to my own road bikes. The handlebars are drop bar with "TT" extensions. I can't remember the brand name but it works very well. Could be because the proprietor is a cyclist among other things.
#14
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,218
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2582 Post(s)
Liked 5,639 Times
in
2,921 Posts
I assume you own a bicycle. You can buy a bike trainer on Amazon for $100, place your bike on it, stay home and be completely comfortable.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Likes For rsbob:
#15
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,522
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4356 Post(s)
Liked 3,994 Times
in
2,665 Posts
A bike that doesn't go anywhere...not for me thanks. I mean granted I do have a trainer but it is my regular road bike and I do it at home where I can be in just bib shorts and shoes...grrrrrrrrr! Even that I don't love but it is good to do when I can.
I guess if i had to use a gym spinning machine I would just have to suck it up and accept it or find a gym where I can use my own saddle like my home gym which is just a trainer in my basement it has a massage chair and bike parts.
I guess if i had to use a gym spinning machine I would just have to suck it up and accept it or find a gym where I can use my own saddle like my home gym which is just a trainer in my basement it has a massage chair and bike parts.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,624
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2975 Post(s)
Liked 1,182 Times
in
771 Posts
A bike that doesn't go anywhere...not for me thanks. I mean granted I do have a trainer but it is my regular road bike and I do it at home where I can be in just bib shorts and shoes...grrrrrrrrr! Even that I don't love but it is good to do when I can.
I guess if i had to use a gym spinning machine I would just have to suck it up and accept it or find a gym where I can use my own saddle like my home gym which is just a trainer in my basement it has a massage chair and bike parts.
I guess if i had to use a gym spinning machine I would just have to suck it up and accept it or find a gym where I can use my own saddle like my home gym which is just a trainer in my basement it has a massage chair and bike parts.
My gym also has other amenities...such as a pool, hot tub and sauna. Plus treadmill, elliptical machine that I use often, free weights and various other exercise machines. I use the sauna there a lot. I'll often spend an hour in there after spinning on the bike for 30-40 minutes.
Likes For prj71:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
yeah gym bikes can be pretty crummy
my last gym had pretty good ones
my current gym has a spin class room but haven't seen any spin classes & I believe I can use one of those cool bikes w/ my own cleated shoes whenever I want but I haven't investigated
my last gym had many stationary bikes, including many recumbent bikes, which I prefer at the gym
my current gym has a single stationary recumbent bike, which I only used once
when it's rainy & I don't want to ride outside I sometimes go to the gym & use the treadmill & watch a movie on on my phone
my last gym had pretty good ones
my current gym has a spin class room but haven't seen any spin classes & I believe I can use one of those cool bikes w/ my own cleated shoes whenever I want but I haven't investigated
my last gym had many stationary bikes, including many recumbent bikes, which I prefer at the gym
my current gym has a single stationary recumbent bike, which I only used once
when it's rainy & I don't want to ride outside I sometimes go to the gym & use the treadmill & watch a movie on on my phone
Likes For rumrunn6:
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,434
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4409 Post(s)
Liked 4,861 Times
in
3,007 Posts
Likes For PeteHski:
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,624
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2975 Post(s)
Liked 1,182 Times
in
771 Posts
yeah gym bikes can be pretty crummy
my last gym had pretty good ones
my current gym has a spin class room but haven't seen any spin classes & I believe I can use one of those cool bikes w/ my own cleated shoes whenever I want but I haven't investigated
my last gym had many stationary bikes, including many recumbent bikes, which I prefer at the gym
my current gym has a single stationary recumbent bike, which I only used once
when it's rainy & I don't want to ride outside I sometimes go to the gym & use the treadmill & watch a movie on on my phone
my last gym had pretty good ones
my current gym has a spin class room but haven't seen any spin classes & I believe I can use one of those cool bikes w/ my own cleated shoes whenever I want but I haven't investigated
my last gym had many stationary bikes, including many recumbent bikes, which I prefer at the gym
my current gym has a single stationary recumbent bike, which I only used once
when it's rainy & I don't want to ride outside I sometimes go to the gym & use the treadmill & watch a movie on on my phone
https://www.lifefitness.com/en-us
I do see a lot of people there with phones or tablets watching a movie. I haven't tried that yet, but probably will someday.
Likes For prj71:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
was next to a young lady on a cpl stair masters one time. 3 giant TVs in front of us w/ no audio & she was reading a hardcover book, sobbing every now & then . I don't know man, it's a gym, stuff happens, eh?
Likes For rumrunn6:
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
checked my gym spin bike pedals today. 1 side SPD & the other side w/ toe clips/straps. so I can bring my shoes. wonder how they have the tension set
#22
Just Pedaling
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: US West Coast
Posts: 1,013
Bikes: YEP!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 334 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times
in
348 Posts
I set my favorite bike up on a trainer and adapted a Ram mount for my Kindle reader. I still use ear buds for background sound while reading and the time really flies by. I had to get out of the gym. Of course, the DW started complaining when I steamed up the windows in the living room so I had to relocate to the (unheated) shed. Now referred to as the man cave. Whatever works for you, right? Now if it's even marginal outside, I'm on it.
#23
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,534
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3889 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
Try a different gym. I live in a city of about 100k inhabitants. We have several gyms and except the one heavy iron place full of large tattooed males, they have many stationary bikes with reasonable seats. The suggestion of a used trainer is a good one. I have also used gym bikes successfully, but that all depends on the bike and the saddle. Other than a gym bike, some gyms have Stepmills, which also give a very good workout. Some riders prefer that to gym bikes. Speaking personally, I can sit on a gym bike for an hour easy if the saddle works for me. It's just a matter of mental control and level of desire for fitness.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#24
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,522
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4356 Post(s)
Liked 3,994 Times
in
2,665 Posts
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,389
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,971 Times
in
1,918 Posts
Are the gym's bikes now equipped with the same attachments as a regular personal recreational bicycle? Last time I was on a gym bike, it didn't have the same seat post config.
It's been a minute since I hopped on a gym bike, & as time went on, people wanted to do that whole small talk thing. Unless the conversation really is meaningful, I can see how a paying membership patron would be annoyed by the short chit chats when someone is in the groove. It would always happen to me when I am using a machine/weights, never at the water fountain or during checking in/out time. If being social is the thing, those chatter boxers might have better chances at the Y or going out in the public for a stranger encounter.
It's been a minute since I hopped on a gym bike, & as time went on, people wanted to do that whole small talk thing. Unless the conversation really is meaningful, I can see how a paying membership patron would be annoyed by the short chit chats when someone is in the groove. It would always happen to me when I am using a machine/weights, never at the water fountain or during checking in/out time. If being social is the thing, those chatter boxers might have better chances at the Y or going out in the public for a stranger encounter.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
Likes For Troul: