Exercise bike problems....

stv1520
stv1520 Posts: 199 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So-- I've tried the exercise bike in the gym a few times. However, about 15 minutes in, a really strange and alarming problem takes place. I get completely numb "down there". It's quite scary actually. And when I say numb, I mean it. I don't feel anything in that region for quite awhile. So-I've been staying off the bike. Anyone have any clue what the heck is going on? Too bad, because I like the bike. My knees feel ok on it.

Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    edited August 2016
    Maybe your seat needs to be adjusted down, it could be too high. You could also bring in a padded seat cover or wear padded shorts.
    What type of bike is it? Reclining or upright?
  • stv1520
    stv1520 Posts: 199 Member
    It's a regular upright. The seat is not real comfy obviously. I've tried to adjust the height as well. Don't want to cause permanent damage!
  • MsAmandaNJ
    MsAmandaNJ Posts: 1,248 Member
    You're cutting off circulation. When you notice the numbness, adjust how you're sitting, lowering the seat could prevent it. I'm okay on my personal bike, but stationary ones make me go numb as well. Are recumbent bikes available at your gym? You may find them more comfortable - they have flatter seats. You'll sit back more, taking the pressure off your groin.
  • CincyNeid
    CincyNeid Posts: 1,249 Member
    MsAmandaNJ wrote: »
    You're cutting off circulation. When you notice the numbness, adjust how you're sitting, lowering the seat could prevent it. I'm okay on my personal bike, but stationary ones make me go numb as well. Are recumbent bikes available at your gym? You may find them more comfortable - they have flatter seats. You'll sit back more, taking the pressure off your groin.

    Quoted for truth. IF you're going numb in the nether regions it's due to a bike fit problem more that a padded short problem. Chamois pads to help, but numbness is due to a fit problem.
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
    Bike seat is too high. You can always stand and pedal for 10 seconds or so for relief but yes lower that bike seat.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Many exercise bikes have horrific seats not really suitable for use by humans and problems are exacerbated by improper fit.

    here's a link to a video covering the basics of bike fit.

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=1VYhyppWTDc

    If you can, have a friend observe you pedaling to see how the angles look (yes, I would take a plumb line if you have one) and see if you can adjust the seat fore & aft if needed (does your gym have spinning bikes? Many of them are more adjustable than regular exercise bikes and you may be able to get a better fit. The bonus is that with the flywheel you can more closely mimic riding a real bike)
  • kcjchang
    kcjchang Posts: 709 Member
    Check all three dimensions of the seat adjustment - fore, height, and tilt.
    1. Fore: check how your weight is distributed on the bike (e.g. too much weight in the front/back). You center of gravity should be just in front of the bottom bracket.
    2. Height: your leg should be near or fully extended when the heel sits on the pedal spindle and the crank is at the six o'clock position.
    3. Tilt: flat, or 1 degree (or so) nose up or down. Down is not generally recommended except for special events such as time trials.
    Avoid platform (wide, motorcycle) saddles.
    BrianSharpe wrote: »
    yes, I would take a plumb line if you have one
    Knee over the pedal spindle is one of those myth, like tonsillectomy, derived from a limited samples without looking at underlining physiology. See http://www.sheldonbrown.com/kops.html. Other popular myths include "peddling in circles" and "lactic acid burn".

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