Exercise bike or join a gym? And if bike which one?

[Used2bthin]

I have been given a bit of cash to improve my health or wellbeing and am wanting to lose a stone .
Diet wise I'm getting there but am really bad at exercise and have a tendency to get a bit down over the winter which is always worse when I don't exercise but also makes me a bit reluctant to leave the house at times -hate the cold in particular so running is out for now.
A bike at home would be great and a quick easy option .
A gym in theory would be great too though perhaps less appealing when I'm feeling anti social .
Anyone similar? Any recommendations for exercise bikes or tips for buying if I go down that route?

[OneHandFlapping]

No recommendations on bikes - sorry, but have you thought of exercise DVDs/Youtubes?

I do The Shred occasionally - a very intense 20 minutes of cardio and strength training, but there's also a great website called Fitness Blender where you can pull together your own (free) exercise program. SO if you want to do 10 minutes of abs, 20 minutes of cardio and some yoga, you can. It might help when you don't feel like going out.

[Used2bthin]

Thank you , I hadn't heard of that so will have a look (and ask DH if we can get online on the tv or sync it to phones -suspect we can) .
I'm a bit rubbish with DVDs too and tend to get fed up or not push myself enough so am thinking if I can mindlessly cycle while watching tv or listening to music or something it could help . Or a running machine ? Always a worry it would just sit unused in the garage !

[DickDewy]

I think I would only use a bike or treadmill at home if they were in a nice home gym within the house, with a big tv to watch. If I had to go to the garage, I wouldn't bother.

I would go with the gym membership.

[Used2bthin]

Thanks yes that's my worry . I think with the bike I would get a gold down one and bring it in to use in front of the tv.
Will look at gyms -it sounds ridiculous but we live somewhere a bit cut off but with nothing much here and I'm often put off going anywhere due to the thought of sitting in the inevitable traffic. I should really get out for walks or maybe I could cycle to a gym (there's one about half an hours bike ride away ) .
I've recently stopped working though so would probably find I can get out at better times now for that (youngest child has pre school)

[antimatter]

You need to be honest when can you get to the gym.
How big pain wold that be to change your current routine?
30 min kn the bike home after a work out on a cold day.
Can you do it?

[CalmYoBadSelf]

I bought an exercise bike off a friend and have been planning to cycle a bit every day since I got it. I still haven't done that but have wasted less money than if I had paid for a gym and not gone

[knaffedoff]

I go to the gym because its easy and once there I am not distracted, put a DVD on and I am forever pressing pause to reload the washing machine, see to children, get a drink.... Any reason really stop me !!!!!

[ivykaty44]

indoorsportservices.co.uk/hire/hire_scheme_wattbike?gclid=CjwKEAiAgvyxBRDmuviAj67g-XQSJABTLMcHo1DOh_ssGliD2Ko2DRqSXjC7FbCu4qTrYnRk-fTFJRoCQITw_wcB

This is an excellent bike, it also shows you how to pedal correctly and is what the British cycling team use.

Renting for three months is comparable with gym membership prices but you are not tied in for twelve months

You can also see your progress

[Used2bthin]

Ooh thanks for the replies!
Antimatter -totally and probably the answer is I wouldnt do it. Routine is new as been working a v full on job till very recently and have a disabled child plus a non sleeping three year old so life has been quite full on . I love the idea of a gym and especially a nice one but there isn't a lot of choice locally. Maybe I need to go and look around some.
Knaffedoff that's my problem with dvds! Suspect I might be similar with the bike but it does appeal to watch something on tv (would I be able to hear?!)
Thanks ivykaty I will check that out and renting isn't something I had thought of-may be better as then if I don't like it theres less clutter !

[antimatter]

I changed job recently and can only fit in gym at lunchtime. 40 min at least 3x a week is more than I've done for ages :)

Is that a possibility?

[Used2bthin]

That sounds great and in theory i could but it wouldn't leave any time for much else within dd2 's pre school hours as I would need to factor in getting there etc too . Possible though so I wonder it's my mind set that's the issue here! But that's made me think I need to re think it perhaps . Yesterday I felt like death after being up seven times in the night with children and was tempted to just go to bed but forced myself out for a walk and really did feel better for it so it shows me how important exercise is and perhaps getting outdoors is important just as much ?

[antimatter]

I think with lack of sleep you shouldn't overdoo.
Maybe just make sure you every day.
Get yourself fitbit.
You can add friends who have it and follow each other progress.
It really motivated me to up my walking.
You can add me

[Used2bthin]

Thanks! Yes I think it is part of the cause of my indecision this sleep deprivation thing.
Fitbits look great but I am actually a bit scared-don't they measure your sleep too? I worry I'd be properly knackered if I had a clear record of how many times I was up ! That said I am tempted as it could well help with motivation . I was on my fitness pal for a bit which helped and slimming world but have fallen off the wagon!

[antimatter]

You fon't have to use it for sleep tracking.
I don't. I know ppl who got rash on their wrists when trying to do that.
I have one which is around 50 pounds. Itcwas strange to wear it at first but now I don't notice it. Needs charging ever 4-5 days or so.
You can see active minutes and steps per day.
The most expensive one also tracks heartbeat I believe.
Walking is good. It clears your mind.

[Used2bthin]

Ooh ok thank you I will have a look. Thought they were way more than that so am very interested!

[nbee84]

My fitbit was the best money I ever spent on fitness equipment (bike, stepper, sit up bar etc)

I started walking more to hit my daily target of 10k steps. Baby in buggy and walk to toddler groups, park, shops etc (I'm a nanny rather than a Mum) I soon found I was walking the long way round to get the extra steps in I really enjoyed the walking and within a month or so I was up to walking 4 miles or so at a time. This was giving me upper back pain as I'm very round shouldered so I googled a solution and came up with pilates - which definitely helped. The pilates were at the local (council run) gym and after a few weeks I started trying out other classes like body conditioning and body pump. I now do 5 or 6 classes a week and schedule my time around the gym rather than trying to find a time in my schedule for the gym. At 46 I'm fitter than I was in my 20's. Who would've thought it from a little ban that you wear around your wrist???

[Doughnutsandflapjacks33]

I have tried many things including buying a exercise bike, a couple months ago I joined the gym and have lost weight ( gone down a dress size ), I go 4 times a week and do a few weights and stretches at home, I am careful what I eat but I don't starve myself ( have the odd takeaway and few cakes ). I would join the gym rather than buy a exercise bike, my bike hardly got used but I find the gym addictive and enjoyable, it also gets me out of the house.

[carrie74]

I think I would hesitate from buying some expensive equipment until you settle on something you like and are routinely doing.

The best investment for sport for me has always been paying to see a PT. I did it with a council gym when my eldest was about 6m-12m, seeing once every 3-4 weeks, which was enough to keep me going in the meantime.

That was 10 years ago! I've been seeing a local PT (different) now for 2 years, but that's more about making sure I get out of the house and knowing if I don't do things in between, my next session will be murder.

You have to ask yourself what will an exercise bike change for you in terms of why you've not done DVDs or running or whatever. It could be an expensive mistake.

[nbee84]

Another thought is that if you buy an exercise bike and find you don't use it after the 1st month or so then you can sell it. If you join a gym where you have to sign up for a certain length of time and find you don't use it then you've just lost your money.

[Breadandwine]

Check out our very own Mumsnet exercise guru!

She's happy to give advice on all aspects of exercise - home-based exercises (keep your money in the bank or save it for a celebration when you reach one of your goals!), classes, running, weights, bikes, etc. You name it, and she'll have some advice for you.

She got me from being unable to do one single press-up, to doing 4 sets of 20 with an 8kg weight on my back, in 18 months.

The amount of info in the OP on that thread is formidable. There's something for everyone!

She's also a fount of wisdom on the 5:2 main threads - she truly is an inspiration!

[MrsMook]

I pay for classes at the council gym, generally a weekly class most weeks. I wouldn't get enough out of paying a regular membership.

I've got a bike. I got it when I was pregnant and knew I'd end up struggling to walk. I didn't delude myself that it would be heavily used so got a simple one that's fairly sturdy (Decathlon). There are times when it's useful and I've no regrets. It's cheaper than a gym subscription being neglected!

Where it is makes a difference. Having it in a scruffy, cold spare room has not been tempting!