Mr. C finds himself in a state of physical disrepair which he would like to rectify. He would like to begin this rectification with the purchase of a spinning bike. I think this is a gross waste of Carter resources which will end up masquerading as a coat rack before the year is out, quite apart from the wastage of space we don't have for it.

I want to know if anybody's got one, and if so, have you had it longer than a year, were you fit before you started, and how much do you really use it? Surprise me pleasantly by reassuring me I'll wake up with a Brad-a-like in under a fortnight

Cheers,

Mrs. C

depends on the person but wouldn't a real bike be better? Spinning at home is really dull. I do it in the winter to keep some cycling fitness but wouldn't recommend it.

Perhaps the Forum is the wrong place to find a second-hand one - but I bet there are literally thousands of Spinning bikes all over Switzerland, being misused, as you said, as coat-racks.
We have a Roller in our work-room. Look at the Detailinfos to see whole picture. The Roller 'folds in half', so that it slides under our spare bed when not in use. My husband uses his own (road) bike on it; I use his old one. (The tread on the tyres of my own city-bike makes it heavy going and noisier). Riding on the Roller is SUPER for training the sense of balance as we literally ride on the rollers - we use no support for the wheels. And if you stop pedalling you fall off! How's that for motivation to keep going?
As it needs less 'will power' to jump on the bike for 3/4 of an hour than to go out biking in the rain, I would say it was a great investment for the two of us. Whether it would work for Mr C or not... who knows.

spinning is great, but at home it sucks. Advise Herr Carter joins a spin class at a gym instead, thus saving space & getting him out from under your feet at least twice a week.

Hi Carter,

I think spinning is the best form of gym/cardio excercise. I've been spinning for 10 years now. At first i used to go to spinning classes then i bought my own bike as i couldn't always get to a gym.

I agree with Polorise lessons are good and the best way to start. Then if you really like it and want to save time buy your own as i did. I have a heavy duty spinning bike as they have in the gym. You need a bit of trance music to get you motivated then theres no stopping you! Its great for your body and your mind. If every i'm feeling stressed its best to take a spin. Once you get going i find 3 times a week for 45 minutes suits me fine.

I agree with Cosmic girl, Spinning is fantastic and with the right level of motivation and lots of good music it can easily be done at home but I would suggest starting in a gym. You need the class environment to get addicted, then it's easier to maintain the addiction!!!!

We stuck ours in front of a television and watched a DVD if there was nothing else worth watching. Helps to reduce the feeling of being a hamster in a wheel.

Most spinning bikes are very boring but I recently tried one that was great. Go to www.youtube.com and search under realryder. My old stationary bike is under about 100 pounds of clothing so i can't even see it, but everyday i go down to Venice Beach (1/2 mile from my home) and ride for an hour and a half on the bike path. I use a hand cycle and its fun to dodge around the tourists who don't realize they take their life in their hands when they walk on the bike path. Lots of pretty girls to keep my mind off of exercise.

Thank you everyone for your replies. The problem is, Mr. C is already experienced in the ways of the spinning bike, having been vaguely fit and a regular gym goer in a previous life. His argument is that he will save on gym fees / time spent out of the house commuting, etc if he buys his own product in. I, the woman of little faith if you will, feel this plan will work for a couple of months, but ultimately end up more pear-shaped than Mr. C

We are thinking to get one of these, since we have two kids we can hardly afford time to go to a gym. Anyone know where I can either rent or pay in rates? I only found this store but they only have 4 models and the prices are a little high

Thanks!

Interesting you should post today - I was finally overruled and Mr. C took delivery of his precious spinning bike just yesterday. I believe he ordered it from Germany in the end and it was expensive because they are expensive - which is why I didn't want one in the first place!! You could wait 6 months for ours to become a coat rack, and then I'll sell you it for a very reasonable barely used price!! Seriously though, my email's down with the details in it; when gmail resumes normal service, I'll post again and let you know.

Okay its: http://www.sport-tiedje.com/indoorcycles.htm You never know, they might do installments as opposed to the one off bankruptcy payment we opted for..

I have a spinning bicycle at home, in fact just got the latest sipnning bike, the kettler Ergometer (bought it from Sport Tiedje as supplied above in a link). must say, love it. I also have the normal home bicycle, but (we are all different) have tried reading a book on it, watching tv while exercising on it...well, tried everything and I am simply bored. So, got the spinning bike that I have always wanted, and LOVE IT LOVE IT!
It has many many programs on that you can do, you set the bike on what you wish to achieve eg, you want to maintain a heart rate of xxx, and it will keep the program, but make sure that you train on the best fat-burning scale etc etc. it can also be used for VERY super duper bikers, in winter - but that is not me.
Its costly, but definately worth it. You put in yr details (kindof load a user) with weight, height etc and it gives you yr BMI, and then will make sure when you start on yr user, that it takes all the stats, you see yr progress and keeps yr heart rate etc in line/exercise.
If you want to, one can purchase for CHF300 +- an additional set to link up to yr TV, to race against others...but well, I guess that is if you are ONE DAY bored with the many other programs that is allready loaded onto the spinning bike.
I feel its money worth spending, and since I have kids....I also felt that the normal cheaper versions, the pedals keep on going with the weight in the front, whereas the latest spinning bikes, the pedals does not circle with a weight factor - what I am trying to say is that if my kids do funny things on the bike (which they are not ALLOWED TO, but they DO!) they will not get hurt or thrown with the weight over the handle bars!

Thanks, I checked this website already (and called them too!) unfortunately they don't rent or accept payment in rates

Hi,

Does anyone know a gym where I can take spinning class during lunch time near pelikanstrasse ?

Thanks
glin

did you try the Holmes place on the fifth floor of the Jelmoli ? A quick look on their website showed spinning classes on monday, wednesday and thursday from 1210 to 1310.....

hello,

Txs for your response. I went to check it out today but it is a little expensive...
although the gym looks very nice! Something like max 1000 Sfr is more in my budget!

Best
glin

A rowing machine is better than spinning. Rowing activates both the upper and lower body. Spinning is mostly below the waist. For those interested in rowing machines, there is another thread where it was intensively discussed.

A week later, and Mr. C and I have used the bike every day - must admit it's great so far. For others considering taking the plunge and buying one too, I shall endeavour to update this thread in six months and let you know if we've developed a coat rack!

If ever someone is interested, I saw that there is a used one for sale on Glocals (Oct. 3rd). The person is in Geneva.

Details and phone number:

Asking price CHF 600 and phone 079 8183488

"Exercise Bikes are mostly preferred by the UK people for convenient work outs. It offers effective body movements through smooth workouts. Kettler Racer is a well known manufacturing company which has produced a new model of exercise bike with essential features in the name Kettler Racer GT Exercise Bike. The unit looks smart and compact and you can also fold it when not in use.

Kettler Racer GT Exercise Bike has intellectually equipped with Jumbo LCD display screen which has the stuff to display information’s like:

• Time
• Speed
• Pedalling speed
• Distance covered per session
• Total distance covered
• Energy consumption
• Ambient temperature
• Pulse rate
• Recovery pulse rate
• Fitness mark 1-6
• Automatic display switch (can be turned off)
• Average pulse rate
• Optimum exercising pulse range, age input
• Percentage display of upper pulse limit etc

You can make use of this equipment for comfortable workouts. You can easily measure the pulse rate with this unit. It has also come equipped with magnetic brake system which responses as soon as you hold it. This type of break system uses power magnets to get high level of resistance. The unit has been designed with corrosion resistant zinc coating both inside as well as outside the unit. You can put groove belt as a safety measure which does not produce more noise.

Kettler Racer GT Exercise Bike has a flywheel for smooth running and it weighs 18 kilo grams approximately. It has also come equipped with triathlon handlebars which have been designed in such a manner to adjust vertically as well as horizontally. Like the same way, the user can adjust the racing saddle vertically and horizontally. It uses pedal and transport castors. The maximum user weight capacity of the unit is 130 kilo grams. The dimensions of the unit are 120 cm length, 53 cm width and 120 cm height."