Exercise Bike vs. Treadmill

[Icarus]

I'm going to start getting healthier, and want to know the general consensus on which indoor, stationary machine is more effective.

My main goal is to lose weight, & to do so while watching TV.

Is the best choice a treadmill, a stationary bike, or something else entirely?

Thank you!

 

[DEF]

My main goal is to lose weight, & to do so while watching TV.

Awesome. I imagine that's a pretty common goal.

Either one should suit your needs. Personally, I'd go with a treadmill but that's just me.

 

[midlifecrisis]

Whatever you will use consistently is the best. Personally I like the elliptical.

 

[JohnSWA]

one more vote for the treadmill, but why are you so concerned about watching tv? Why not just listen to an ipod or radio for the short time it takes to complete your workout?

 

[bizflawless]

one more vote for the treadmill, but why are you so concerned about watching tv? Why not just listen to an ipod or radio for the short time it takes to complete your workout?

I would think because watching tv, will get your mind more off of running/jogging ...so your not dreading the time you have left.

 

[MrDash]

Go with anything other then a treadmill. Treadmills will destroy your knees. My cousin makes thousands of dollars off people who run on treadmills. (he's a chriopractor)

 

[bizflawless]

one more vote for the treadmill, but why are you so concerned about watching tv? Why not just listen to an ipod or radio for the short time it takes to complete your workout?

I would think because watching tv, will get your mind more off of running/jogging ...so your not dreading the time you have left.

 

[mstehle]

Check out the Schwinn Airdyne Bike. They're old school, but they're low maintanence and a great full body workout. Great for intervals.

 

[Loxley]

Go with anything other then a treadmill. Treadmills will destroy your knees. My cousin makes thousands of dollars off people who run on treadmills. (he's a chriopractor)

Is this true about treadmills? I run about 40 minutes 3 times a week on the treadmill, and so far am o.k (after 6 months). Could I be creating future problems for myself??

 

[midlifecrisis]

Check out the Schwinn Airdyne Bike. They're old school, but they're low maintanence and a great full body workout. Great for intervals.[/url]

I agree 100%. I love my elliptical trainer, but when it comes to doing intervals, nothing tears me up like the AirDyne. I've owned one for over fifteen years, and the only maintenance has been to wipe the sweat off of it once in awhile.

 

[JC316]

Icarus? You wouldn't happen to be the same Icarus that lurks at markviii.org would you?

 

[zeroth]

If you're trying to lose weight and if you enjoy the treadmill as much as the bike, then I think you will probably burn more on it v. the bike.

The downside to a treadmill is that it might be noisy and tends to take up a lot more space; you might be tempted to move it to a different room and then be less likely to use it. Out of sight, out of mind? A bike can be pushed to a corner easily and so it never really leaves your sight.

To me, a big part of planning a fitness program has to include considering what you want to do and can do (v. only considering what will get the quickest results). Then you have to consider whether/not you'll be able (or will want to) sustain that for the long haul (where long haul is not an immediate goal to lose weight, but more of a lifelong commitment to getting and staying healthy).