Cardio in a flat - noise

[upstairsstomper]

I’m wondering about buying a cardio machine of some type, but live in a flat and my downstairs neighbour has assured me that footsteps come through noisy.

So I presume a treadmill is out. Can I get away with a bike, rowing machine, or climber and if so which would be best?

I was jogging a bit til the rain kicked in, can’t afford a gym with a pool and sauna and can’t motivate myself to go to one without. Can barely motivate myself out of just going to bed as soon as it gets dark at the moment, so maybe a sitting down option might be best to start with!
Something compatible with sulking.

Feel free to vent all your terrible experiences with noisy upstairs exercisers, it will give me a reason to just sulk in bed. If you have magical tips for motivation and just getting over myself these are also welcome. I know darn well I can still jog outside in the dark and the rain but am failing even to go for a walk even though my clothes are getting tight and I can’t afford new ones. Pitiful.

To be honest, I am nor sure if any exercise equipment is compatible with UK flats .

Not a flat but my husband used to have a rowing machine in an upstairs bedroom and it sounded like the ceiling was about to blow off. This was an air rower though, a magnetic one would be quieter.

A spin bike would be quieter and one with magnetic resistance and a belt drive wouldn't make much noise at all. Pelotons use magnetic resistance, so do Keiser bikes. My old Startrac one uses friction and a chain and is a lot noisier, but still nowhere near as bad as an air rower. I have it in my office under my daughter's bedroom and it doesn't bother her when she's in bed.

A spin bike with magnetic resistance is your best bet and bluetooth headphones for loud music/tv whilst you're working out.

Running outdoors would be so much better for your mental and physical health, and better for neighbourly relations too. Are you able to run at lunchtime when it’s light? Your neighbours will not thank you for any sort of cardio machine if they can hear footsteps.
What about a council gym if you don’t fancy running? They will be cheaper than any machine you need to buy.

Machines are noisy and they vibrate. I honestly think anything like this in a flat (unless ground floor) are rather antisocial.

The non-motorised treadmills would be pretty quiet but they cost way more than a walking pad. I have a very fancy water rowing machine and it does make noise, like the swishing of a washing machine but I think other types are worse as they have a vibration which would travel.

If you search 'quiet cardio' on YouTube loads of videos come up. If you bought some interlocking foam pads (the kind that you can get for kids to play on) to do work outs on then there would be very little sound leakage. If you're mostly going to be running when it isn't raining then it's not worth shelling out loads of money for equipment, but perhaps resistance bands and a wobble board would be useful.

Rubber noise reduction mat under bike might work?

I have a Peloton bike and it’s very quiet.

(Not suggesting you get that brand as it’s very expensive but a similar style of bike might be as quiet)

A vertical climber or a stepper might work, your feet don't hit the floor at all. Although it would probably be worth trying one in person to see whether the mechanism makes noise.

Thanks everyone, apologies for radio silence as I completely forgot I posted this.
Sounds like a magnabike or climber may be worth investigating then.

I can theoretically manage a lunchtime walk if it’s not chucking it down, but only have half an hour and difficult hair so not enough time to jog, shower and become presentable again unfortunately.

Council gyms round here have at best sauna or pool but not both, and aren’t close which makes motivation harder, and I need to check prices but I think I could get a second hand machine from marketplace for the price of a month or two.

i know there are quiet workout videos but i think I need the simplicity of just getting on a machine and keeping going not too many things to think about and stop/start.

I will be jogging when it’s light and not rainy and I’m not working or childcaring and I have the energy, but I do not anticipate these factors coinciding more than three times in the next six months. Wales.

Have you thought instead about resistance bands, and or weights.

im likely a lot older than you (70’s) and I started weights in my very late 60’s.

Eighteen months later, I’ve got (but you can’t see) a six pack, arms and shoulders that can easily lift (correctly) heavy weights such a a 40 litre sack of compost.
The bingo wings I had, are MUCH less flappy as I try to follow fascia (YouTube) routines, personally I like the Dr Berg one.
My leg muscles right up to and (including) my bum cheeks are strong and firm, my partner noticed the improvement without me telling him what I was routinely doing, he’s always complimented my body, but now he is amazed.

If you decide you want to try this route, start as small as you think is not enough, then work reps up as little as one extra rep per routine.

I never would’ve believed what a difference it’s made to my strength, my body shape, and lovely bit of confidence it instilled in me.

The ever increasing benefits are my motivation.

Should be a winner for you OP, as weights (unless you plonk them down, or unfortunately drop them), are a noiseless alternative.

PS, also, if you’re a beginner as I was, I began by sitting on the side of my bed coz I found that standing was quite intimidating when holding a 6k weight, but that also might be coz I’m old 🤦‍♀️

Good luck 🤞

We have a cheap Reebok bike (the FR30) which is very quiet although I can't vouch for sound from underneath.

I don't like running on the road and finding it perfect for home cardio

Thank you. I have some unused weights sitting there already. I used to like bodypump but haven’t shelled out for the full subscription. Tried Caroline girvan but couldn’t get on with her. Lifting is too stop start for what I need, so many opportunities to just not start again. I appreciate theoretically it’s a good idea but it’s not worked for me. I think a bike is probably the way to go so I can do something else at the same time and not need to think.

Can you do your exercise when your neighbour is our or when something like the washing machine is also running to get the noise out of the way?

Not really, I’d like the option to do it after DC is in bed. Neighbour is pretty much always in. Washing machine goes on while I’m working from home. It’s either before 7.30am or after 6pm at best and often later on weekdays.

I have an eliptical machine that's quiet.

Hey, I thought I should update that I bought a good second hand magnetic spin bike and it is quieter than my fridge. I don’t know how it sounds from downstairs but they’ve not complained and I’ve done it before 7am, not over their bedroom. The impact on me and my mood is quite fantastic, it’s taken away all my excuses for not exercising and made it so quick and do-able any time, while child in bed etc. I’m following videos with Bluetooth headphones and keep waking up with the music in my head feeling ready to go! Quite miraculous.

thats really good!