To be quite disturbed at seeing a childrens exercise bike in Argos

[ihatecbeebies]

AIBU or is this completely fine? I have images of children glued to the television whilst on their exercise bikes instead of playing outside running around or cycling on real bikes. Shouldn't children be encouraged to do more outdoor activities and team sports rather than solitary indoor exercise?

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3174311/Trail/searchtext%3EEXERCISE+BIKE.htm

I should add that mine get wrapped up and go out in the rain too. We live in Scotland and would never go out if we were scared of a bit of rain.

weeeeird! i saw the kids mini stepper the other day and though it odd. i'm not against indoor exercise options but they really should be more about fun than working out, definitely when some of those things are for 4-8 yr olds. but then if you had a very overweight young child who wouldnt go out and play because they are embarrassed or mocked then you might get them a mini gym. maybe it does just look like a punishment though rather than 'hey kids, being healthy is fun!'

I have to say i agree with ZXeightymum, but then my ds is also autistic amongst other SPLD and he can't ride a bike, nor will he ever be able to but he can ride on my mothers exercise bike. He loves it and if i thought that he would love his own one i would purchase one for him.

I am not so sure if i would be so keen on it for an NT child though as there is so much more available for them.

My son is 5 and has muscular dystrophy. The exercise bike is great for him. Some days we cannot get outside because of the weather but cycling is so beneficial to him. Sometimes its worth looking at these products with an open mind of who they would help, not who they would harm.

Zombie thread everyone.

We bought DD one (aged 13 - an adult one ) as we live in the place in the UK with the shittest weather. We have sunshine today for the first time this year, and that is before tonight's promised storm comes in. We would prefer her to be outside or cycling with friends. She prefers to be warm and dry, and who can blame her.

(Before you say children are waterproof - I should tell you we have 100+ mile an hour winds here fairly regularly and incredibly high rainfall. We are not talking a bit of light rain).

If I lived in the inner city I might get DD one of these, but we have a park and fields on our door step so I'd rather take her outside for a run or on her bike. Fresh air and interaction are a big part of it too, but better to exercise than not to. Not all kids are sporty, or have parents that can take them out all the time, or safe places to go.

If I had mobility problems that meant I couldn't take my son out, or any health issues that meant I wouldn't be able to get to the park, then this could be a godsend for my duracell bunny son to burn off some energy.

When I first saw your thread title I was a bit about the idea, but thinking about it more, it seems like it has lots of potential to help promote a healthy lifestyle!

Yes, I suffer with some health problems and when they flare up sometimes have to stay in for a day and rest. It would be good for DD to have a way of burning off some energy indoors. I used to love my dance mat which I suppose serves a similar purpose in a way. I exercise from home though, and have a Pilates ball and some hand-weights. Not everyone can get to the gym or to a park every day. Much better be on an exercise bike than on the waiting list for a gastric band !

I would rather see an exercise bike than fat children. Not every child actually enjoys playing outside with others. Some are very shy and nervous.

Jesus, the maximum weight on the Kids junior gym equipment is 150lbs but it says for ages 4-8, how bloody fat are kids getting nowadays?!

I anaesthetised a 5 year old a while back who weighed 130lb (60kg). I imagine he'll be over the top limit by the time he's eight.

Isn't that 10 stone 10 lbs? Wow! I could get a child's exercise bike myself then...

I meant 150 lbs lol x