Has anyone ever done C25k but on an exercise bike?

[Denise82]

As the title says really, has anyone ever done C25k but on an exercise bike. I'd been doing home workouts and kettlebell workouts to try and get more exercise in my week but ive hit a lull and want to get back into it and thought about mixing it up with some cycles on my exercise bike.
I'm a few stone overweight, so I don't feel comfortable running outside. So I've downloaded the app and thought I could do it on the exercise bike, set a good pace for the walking bit, then a faster pace for the runs. Has anyone tried this before?

I'm not sure cycling and running are comparable. I do both, indoors and out, and always estimate that cycling is about a third the effort of running ie: a half hour run is about the amount of exercise as a 1.5 hr cycle ride.

I think it depends on what you want to achieve. If it's simply to get fitter and mix up your exercise, it will work. If you want to be able to run 5k, it won't work.

If you're thinking of running 5k at some point, then you'd be better off going outside and walking briskly several times a week until you feel more comfortable about running.

It might work with British Cycling's sofa to 50k training plan? Though obviously thats designed for an outside bike.

Thanks for your replies, I want to use it to add some cycling to my week, also getting it to be routine with app alerts and a friendly voice giving motivation really. So i guess im just wanting to use those particular perks to the app really if that makes sense. I just wondered if anyone had done the same and found it useful to stay on track . I'm definitely not a runner, so I doubt I'll start running but never say never 🙂

Thanks I'll look at this

Can u run on the spot indoors?
I know there are a lot of indoor walking videos on YouTube, Mayb there are running ones too.

Yeah I've tried this during lockdown, I actually did it to the c25k app, but I got shin pain, which is another reason I don't feel comfortable running at my current weight. thanks for the suggestion 🙂

I have a exercise bike and have an interval timer app on my phone that I use with it. C25K is interval training really, up until about week 5 when you have to run for 20 minutes straight!

The app I have was free to download (it's literally just called "interval timer"), and it lets you set and save routines yourself. The first one I did was based on week 1 of C2K:

Warm up for 5 minutes, then low interval for 90 seconds, high interval for 60 seconds, repeat 10 times, then cool down for 5 minutes. 35 minutes in total. I leave the app open on my phone so I can see the timer, but it makes a noise when it's time to speed up or slow down, so you don't have to look at it.

I've got a few different variations now. I find that if I don't use the interval timer then I don't push myself.

I've used C25k podcasts on the exercise bike. It's fine for giving a bit more structure and mental focus to a workout. Better for the early weeks of short intervals than when the longer runs build up.