Help me make a decision please MN

[Shortysoso]

I am usually a regular gym goer. I spin and do weights three or four times a week.

I can't run under lockdown as I picked up an injury but I've been doing regular weights.

I work out mainly for general health and mental health; life is hard and this is my coping mechanism - so I've really been missing my cardio.
I could cycle with my injury so, ten days ago, in a fit of frustration and enthusiasm, I ordered a spin bike.

It won't be delivered until June and is expensive (not crazy like some of them, it's under a grand but that is pricey enough!).

I won't want it once the gym reopens - I like to go to the gym and like to workout to loud music with company.

I have nowhere to store the bike long-term, for now I'm happy to have it in the living room as I'll be using it and it's lockdown but l don't want to be looking at an exercise bike for ever and there is no space there space in bedroom, really, nor anywhere else.

So do I go for it or do I cancel? If gyms will be closed for anything longer than, say, 12 weeks from delivery, I'll consider it worth it - but if they open late June or early July I'll have horrible regret.

DH is supportive, he knows how much I like my spinning.

I'm not usually so indecisive. I guess bottom line is I want it in the short term but not in the long but have no way of knowing how long I'll need to use it so I'm stuck when it comes to judging if it's worth it.

I've posted this in 'exercise' in the hope of getting opinions from those who understand my dilemma - I know for many people it's an obscene amount of money to spend and seems self-indulgent and wasteful (perhaps that's my view too a bit - hence my wobbling).

So Mumsnet - please be wise and be gentle if you can but help me weigh this up!

Any reason you can't cycle outside? The roads are lovely and quiet and you can get a decent bike for a lot less money.

You can always sell it after lockdown - or even during lockdown. Secondhand exercise equipment is going pretty much the retail price at the moment!

I have a bike but can't get the same sort of workout - although i probably should get out on my bike and try, it may be 'good enough' if not as good from a workout point of view.

I suppose I do enjoy a spin class though - music etc.

If you like having short term goals to push yourself during workouts then using an app like strava on your bike can help. It tells you your times for predefined road 'segments' so you can push yourself to improve your times over those segments. And you can monitor things like average speed as you cycle. The free version does both of these. All you need to buy is a holder for your phone so you can see it as you cycle.

I have done similar! I am like you, OP, and love my gym habit. The week before lockdown I bought a cross-trajner. It arrived a couple of weeks ago and I have used it once - on the rainy day - because I run and walk outside. It is sort of out of the way but we don't really have space for it. But I feel future-proofed - if we go back into tougher lockdown next winter, or similar but with bad weather - I will be able to get my cardio. And that makes me feel good. If we don't, I may keep it just for awful weather days to avoid trekking to the gym, or may sell or donate it. Either way, it is worth it for my peace of mind now as I have worked hard on my fitness and it matters to me.

I would cancel if you haven't got anywhere to store it and it's not coming until June anyway. My DH has a turbo trainer, which cost about £60, so he can use his normal bike in the shed.

Sell it afterwards. You’ll make a loss on the price you pay, but that cost can go towards the benefit it’s had to you in the short term.
Also, even if gyms open in June, would you want to go? I’m not planning on going back for most of the year.
I’ll be looking for a second hand bike soon so I may come back to you if you’re selling to see where you are in the country!

Thanks MsMartini - good to know i'm not the only one! and good point about future waves of lockdown.

and thanks Sarky - i'll check out that app; i could cycle round the park i guess so certainly worth a try.

I'm wondering if I can cram it into DDs room - seems a bit unfair but if she used it . . . and i'll try to persuade DH to use it too. If the whole family used it, I'd feel it was more justified.

@Shortysoso ....

We are in for a big second wave in winter.

Stop feeling guilty you can always sell it on.

Unprecedented times and all that.

Personally I would get it and make the most of it now then sell it on later in the year if your gym reopens. I've been trying to get a particular rowing machine since lockdown there are none left anywhere and on eBay they are selling for a fortune, so you might find your able to sell it for as much as you bought it for.

I’d buy it, then sell if you can afford it. Think about your gym and how easy it would be for them to put in distancing.

I have a feeling gyms will be some of the last to open. Even when the government allows it Gym companies will have to put in extra measures for things like hand washing and distancing and cleaning equipment. Numbers will be limited some may not be viable. I wonder how changing facilities will work.

I bought a treadmill as am shielding and knew I'd need to do something to replace my gym habit. I actually really have used it so if you make sure you still to it the it will be worth it. Must say its kept me going!

Cancel
I've done thus.
Lived to regret
And then lost money on resale.
Not fair to put in dd room.
Use your bike now the good weather is here.
The gyms will be open again - maybe with less people for social distancing but you'll soon be able to go.

Think I'll go for a bike ride now anyways feel better for it

I love spin... in the winter. In the summer far preferable to get outdoors and cycle for real. If you have some hilly trails locally even better.

Thanks all - I think I'm heading towards keep it and resell if possible, although i accept i'll likely lose money as by the time I don't want it, nor will anyone else and the market will be flooded with kit from people like me, lol.
I agree Robin, it's not fair to put it in DD's room so I'll think of something else in the medium term.
short term - in living room and in use
medium term - squeeze it into our bedroom
long term - flog it or donate it to a good cause.

The chances are the gym will be restricted and I'm still working full time so not that flexible and if there are other waves of lockdown it will be worth it.

Maybe I'll prefer it and I'll cancel gym - in which case i'll save money; now that would be a good result, lol.

But everyone who recommended getting out on actual bike is also right and i'll do that tomorrow - today its weights and a food delivery after work.

thanks all for comments. Strength and energy to all you home-gymers out there! stay well and keep on keeping on :-)

In think it depends how much the money and space issues matter to you. If we don't have a second lockdown and gyms are operating relatively normally (which also means it feels relaxed and positive)this winter, I'll be so pleased I won't mind donating or selling at a loss. But think it is unlikely. I mainly go to the gym for other stuff but there are days when I just want mindless cardio - and actually if I can stay at home to do that without getting rained on, maybe I will use it longer term anyway.

Have you googled to see if you can Rent/hire one ? Might work out more expensive in the short term, but you should be able to return it pretty promptly and without the stress of It taking up space and having to sell it.

I'm not the person to ask as I don't like gyms. Too peopley, too expensive and not as good a workout for what I want. DH uses a turbo trainer in v poor weather. Is that not an option? They're not expensive.

Are you completely tied to the use of equipment? Would you consider other (often free) options for maintaining fitness?

We cycle, run (trails mostly) do HIIT, bodyweight exercise and we do have some home workout programmes (Shaun T, P90X, Body Revolution etc) and we have free weights/skipping ropes/pull up bars etc.

But, your money should be used for enjoyment. If spinning makes you happy and keeps you fit, do it. As long as you can afford it, never feel guilty about maintaining your hobbies and health.

If you already have a bike, buy a turbo trainer! You can fold it away when you're not using it. You can buy smart interactive ones now which you can hook up to programs and will automatically make it harder/easier to pedal.

OMG some of those turbo trainers are more expensive than the spin bike! It's a whole new world of research! Much smaller though . . .
Thanks for the tip - I had no idea they were so sophisticated.

If anyone can recommend a good one that would be helpful - although i'm sure availability will be a problem, like with all workout kit at the moment.

I have a non-smart one which is bomb proof - Kurt Kinetic road machine. They do a smart one now but obvs that is pricey. You need to buy a fluid resistance one as they are way less noisy and buzzy but you do pay a bit more for them.

You can do a lot worse than read DC Rainmaker's recommendations for trainers - I recommend his blog to everyone for fitness gear. You'll be able to find something good in whatever your price range is.

We have a spin bike in the utility. I use it every day. You might find you use it more than you expect?

Quick update as I'm here posting on another topic. I bought the bike, managed to set it up and haven't looked back. I use it at least 4 times a week and use various programmes, HiiT, virtual journeys and straight forward spin classes and although I can't honestly say I always hop on with a song in my heart, I always feel better when I climb down than I did when I got on.

I did have a serious spin habit pre-lockdown though so it did feel like getting back in the saddle (!sorry!).
Hope you are all doing well and enjoying your various workouts.