Is anyone else using strickly a stationary bike for exercise

[debi1746]

I am using my stationary bike each day for my exercise routine, I started out at 30 minutes a day and could not do a programed routine because it was to hard..I would just peddle at my own rate for 30 minutes..Just the other day I was able to go through an entire 30 minute routine...Now I am increasing to 30 minutes at night also..I can feel my legs are tighter, that is where my pants have become looser..And believe it or not I didn't think it was possible but my butt has lifted to a position I didn't think it would ever find again..
Have you found that this exercise has increased your weight or after a certain time period the pounds melted, or say the inches as the fat went to muscle..I may just be impatient I figured dieting and exercising that the pounds would come off as easy as I put them on..It sure didn't take long to put them on.. :icondance

[not2late]

Originally Posted by debi1746

I am using my stationary bike each day for my exercise routine, I started out at 30 minutes a day and could not do a programed routine because it was to hard..I would just peddle at my own rate for 30 minutes..Just the other day I was able to go through an entire 30 minute routine...Now I am increasing to 30 minutes at night also..I can feel my legs are tighter, that is where my pants have become looser..And believe it or not I didn't think it was possible but my butt has lifted to a position I didn't think it would ever find again..
Have you found that this exercise has increased your weight or after a certain time period the pounds melted, or say the inches as the fat went to muscle..I may just be impatient I figured dieting and exercising that the pounds would come off as easy as I put them on..It sure didn't take long to put them on.. :icondance

I'm debating whether I should invest in a stationary bike or a real bike...

Anyhow, when you begin a new exercise routine you might "gain weight" because your muscles sort of hold onto water because they aren't used to the amount of work you're putting them through. Eventually, they will release that water and you'll lose that water weight.

It is easier to put on pounds than it is to take them off. That's why I have no intention of falling off my program or regaining my weight once I reach goal---I'm working too hard right now: invested alot of time and some money and I don't want to undo what I've done.

[Isabeau]

I cycle 3-4 times per week indoors, and this may be a great option for you, not2late. I have my road bike set up on a magnetic trainer inside my house. Basically, it makes your outdoor bike into a stationary bike. It uses magnetics to provide resistance to the rear tire. There are also 'wind trainers' that use air for resistance. There are lots on ebay. I love it.

[mere150]

Originally Posted by debi1746

I am using my stationary bike each day for my exercise routine, I started out at 30 minutes a day and could not do a programed routine because it was to hard..I would just peddle at my own rate for 30 minutes..Just the other day I was able to go through an entire 30 minute routine...Now I am increasing to 30 minutes at night also..I can feel my legs are tighter, that is where my pants have become looser..And believe it or not I didn't think it was possible but my butt has lifted to a position I didn't think it would ever find again..
Have you found that this exercise has increased your weight or after a certain time period the pounds melted, or say the inches as the fat went to muscle..I may just be impatient I figured dieting and exercising that the pounds would come off as easy as I put them on..It sure didn't take long to put them on.. :icondance

Have you considered trying a programmed routine now? If you can change the tension on the wheel (I am assuming you can) then make up your own routine. Incorporate sprints, short hills, long hills, really steep hills, anything you might find outside. It will really change which muscles you use and the variety is great. Get some really good music, I suggest dance mixes of songs you like. Remember you can stay on the seat, come up out of the saddle (standing), or hover (your back is flat and your butt is barely off the seat. Be careful if you try to hover for a few seconds, you don't want to hurt yourself. One thing I have learned is that you shouldn't have the tension too lose (don't let your hips bounce too much). This can damage your knees. The class I attend works on a scale of 1 -10 for tension. Where a 1 is too loose and a ten is barely movable. I prefer doing my sprints at about a 5. That way it's not too loose and it's hard for those 10-30 seconds. We also do something called pyramids. This is where we choose a tension (a 7 for example) and we work in 10-15 second increments of time and increase our work by 10%. For example, we start pedaling at 50% of what we think is our best, then 60% (just a little faster), 70%, etc. to 100% and then we come down to 90%, 80%, etc until we are back at 50%.
I hope this gives you some ideas on making your routine better and more effective. I guess I've learned more than I though in all those spin classes. If you have any questions about what I was trying to explain feel free to ask.

[not2late]

Originally Posted by Isabeau

I cycle 3-4 times per week indoors, and this may be a great option for you, not2late. I have my road bike set up on a magnetic trainer inside my house. Basically, it makes your outdoor bike into a stationary bike. It uses magnetics to provide resistance to the rear tire. There are also 'wind trainers' that use air for resistance. There are lots on ebay. I love it.

Yeah, I'm still debating what I should buy. I definitely want a bike...

[fancgrl]

I recently got a stationary bike from a friend and I've been using it for about a week and a half and I must say, before, I was losing about .75 lbs. a week, but since starting the bike, I have lost 2 lbs! I generally just ride it at 20 mph with not much resistance for 30 minutes a day. This has worked wonders for my legs and fanny! :icondance

[penelope]

I prefer the real bike Not2late. I like to be outdoors and feel like I am going somewhere. The weather here in California is great most of the time so I am lucky. Biking is my favorite exercise!

[lakegoddess]

I just got an older bike from my friend and I'm so excited. I put it up by the tv and I put on the captions....and 30 min just goes by. My foot is sprained so this is the only exercise I'm doing right now. It's so easy and it feels like I'm at the gym. I'm not noticing any change in my body yet...but it's only been a couple days...I just know that cardio is very important.
Cheers, Danielle