in thinking this product is so incredibly depressing?

[Nixea]

www.amazon.co.uk/Kid-E-Fit-Cycle/dp/B001935RTG/ref=sr_1_8?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1318416936&sr=1-8

What ever happened to just going outside for a ride?

"but what's wrong with dancing around the room to 'expel energy' for those times when you can't get out?"

nothing, why is dancing round a room indoors preferable to cycling indoors? if a parent wants to spend money on helping their child excerise indoors that is up to them. at least they are making sure the child gets excercise. it's not for anyone else to judge how they get that excercise.

morethanyoubargainfor: I consider myself humbled. Your situation didn't even occur to me, which is shameful.

I apologise wholeheartedly to anyone who might find my initial post in any way offensive.

I am sure for a small number of people this product will be useful from a physiotherapy type point of view.
But I don't think it ought to be marketed as a fun toy really. As with anything else on sale though, if people want to buy it, that's entirely their business. There are worse things in toy shops, for sure!

I love the max capacities on the Amazon stuff that Evenstar linked to

Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Maximum User Weight: 68 kg (150lb)

That is one Mahoosive 8 yr old

I don't understand the response from Chandon. I haven't been a member long, so I'm probably missing something.

I thought Bolter's reply to What ever happened to just going outside for a ride? was reasonable. Some people can't just go outside for a ride.

And as already mentioned, it's also another way for children to mimic the parents. If the parents have an exercise bike/treadmill the DC can go on theirs at the same time.

Oh Nixea, i don't find your post offensive in any way. I was simply telling you my point of view having thought about getting one for my DS. Life is good for us! .

morethanyoubargainfor, your situation hadn't occured to me either. But won't you be buying a real exercise bike rather than a colourful plastic one? If it's going to be used every day then it probably needs to be more sturdy & last longer than the one in the OP.

I just think the whole obsession with junk cardio is depressing (for adults and kids alike). Cardio machines are just one big soul suck. One is not, after all, a hamster, so why act like one?*

Yes it's a dreadful waste of money and very sad that it's being marketed to able-bodied children with no health conditions that would prevent them riding a bike, open space nearby, somewhere to store a bike, no major hills/main roads/live railways to cross before getting to wherever a child can safely ride their bike,

Have I missed anything?

YABU - my friend's dd has a muscular disability and dyspraxia. She has an exercise bike like this at home that really helps her.

OK just seen your last post OP - didn't find it offensive but did think 'hmm she hasn't really given this much thought'.

TotemPole, I will yes, but we did look into that one as it marketed for children up to 8 and my ds is tiny. It is hard to find one that is small enough yet robust enough for a child to use.

I would happily buy mine an eliplitical what-ever-they-are-called if I thought it would keep off my very exepnisve and very high one. But I doubt it would work, they'd still want to hang off mine like little, bald chimpanzees.

I think they're meant for mimicking adults rather than an alertanive to proper play.

morethan, Oh I see. Then yes it would do him for a while.

My DD2 (disabled with special needs) would love that.

She can't ride a normal bike as she hasn't the muscle tone to pedal and can't balance. Even with stabilisers she hasn't got the strength to propel herself.

I imagine with an exercise bike like that you could adjust the resistance, so she might be able to pedal it. Whether she'd want to or not is a different matter - exercise bikes are so boring you have to watch TV or something whilst you pedal

I think it's great

It doesn't have to replace going out on a bike does it?

Actually, it's no different to a child having a rocking horse indoors and burning some energy rocking to and fro on it.

DD's pre school had one of these plus a mini elliptical trainer and treadmill from the same range. Never really saw the problem with them. They weren't used instead of running around/playing outside/riding a real bike they were used as well as all that. The children really enjoyed playing on them and didn't see it as a chore at all. It opened up conversations about exercise and being healthy which can't be a bad thing.

All the 'what is the world coming to' is a bit hysterical.

Would be good if it could be used to power the TV.

It is different in the school with many children and friends though. I imagine at home it will be another 'lonely' activity for many. I also imagine that some mums of girls might put pressure on young girls to use it.

I still cant imagine children doing this after a week or so, i'm nearly 50 and i find it very boring.

If you kept your kids on these gadgets long enough you could make money off them by selling the energy back to the national grid. Much cheaper than solar panels...

Exactly sidge, it's boring. Mind you, if they pedalled to work the telly or something, there could be some mileage in it

Maybe you could get them doing a relay to power the cooker? Don't pedal hard enough = no dinner! Motivational exercising?

If it's the only access a child has to exercise then it's not ideal, but at least it's better than nothing. They had them at my DD's nursery school and the kids loved them, but they still spent plenty of time outdoors in the park and woods that the nursery was next to.

This sounds like an excellent way to have a carbon neutral household!

there is a similar one linked to a game

Have to say i wouldn't want that in my living room!