Recumbent vs. Upright.... help me choose!!

devan33
devan33 Posts: 177 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So, we have decided to get a bike... Hubby has a personal trainer and full gym access at his job...I, the stay at home momma am working out to Jillian's 30 day shred currently and using MFP....but I need something else. We love to get out and walk..but this Ohio weather is too sucky for that right now! I HATE WINTER ;) So... when you use an exercise bike...what do you find you like more...upright or recumbent?
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Replies

  • smittyrocks2
    smittyrocks2 Posts: 1
    Uoright seems more natural to me
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    I have back and knee issues, so the recumbent is definitely the right one for me. I have noticed after using it for several months that the recumbent works my hamstrings and glutes as well as my quads, so I am getting a more balanced leg workout than with an upright. Also because of my bad knees, I can't do squats or lunges, so I am happy to have something to lift the butt some!
  • tuckerrj
    tuckerrj Posts: 1,453 Member
    Upright will irritate my "undercarriage", after a time. A recumbent irritates my tailbone after a while (usually an hour). If you don't experience either of these, pick the one that helps you work harder. For me, that's the upright. For my money, I'd get a treadmill. Had one, and switched to an elliptical when it burned out. Now I wish I had my treadmill back.
  • Keiko385
    Keiko385 Posts: 514 Member
    I bought a semi-recumbent bike on Black Friday and love it, IMHO I got the best of both styles
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    save your self some money and buy a jump rope. its a much better and much more fun workout.

    jumprope.gif
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I don't own either, but the upright kills my *kitten*. I'm more comfortable on a recumbent, so I'd be more likely to use it, and use it for longer stretches, while watching tv or even reading. And for those scoffing at those reading on a bike, I was still averaging 15-20mph. :wink:

    But I think if I were going to buy SOMETHING, I'd rather get a real bike, and a stand to make it stationary during the yucky weather months.
  • devan33
    devan33 Posts: 177 Member
    I was leaning upright..but I feel I could have longer workouts on recumbent... Husband said he feels wobbly on a recumbent..but again, he does his workouts at his job, so his is only weekend use.. We had a very nice treadmill for a few years. It took up so much space, even though it folded up. I was always afraid of falling on it! A good friend of mine, who is actually a distance runner, fell on hers last year and had to get staples in her head!! I know I will probably just have to go somewhere and try them out...
  • devan33
    devan33 Posts: 177 Member
    These are indoor workouts...so a jumprope it out...lol
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    I switch off. The recumbent is a little easier on the knees and easy enough t to sit and read. The traditional requires a little more effort, and I prefer it for a real work out.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Really don't like recumbent bikes! Your body weight isn't over the pedals which really seems to restrict the amount of resistance you can add. It seems rare for anyone to really work hard on a recumbent and when they do their knees are splaying all over the place.

    If you can find a Spinning style bike you can add in standing pedalling elements and do a much more challenging workout. It also prepares you much better for outdoors cycling when the weather improves.
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    These are indoor workouts...so a jumprope it out...lol

    do you live in an igloo? :) or are you 7 feet tall? most homes should be able to accommodate a jump rope. :)
  • Roboartist
    Roboartist Posts: 99
    I have a bike trainer I can use my road bike on. If your road bike is comfy this might be a great option for you. When the weather is nice you just store the trainer in the garage or closet and when the weather is bad you just need enough space to fit your bicycle indoors.
  • Tw1zzler
    Tw1zzler Posts: 583
    I like upright so much better. It's much more like riding a real bike and the recumbent ones feel awkward to me. You can mimic cycling outside and 'climb' or 'sprint' more fun.
  • luckyclover78
    luckyclover78 Posts: 115 Member
    I really loved my recumbent. I bought it after an ankle injury and havent regretted it. I like the wider seat.
  • Roboartist
    Roboartist Posts: 99
    do you live in an igloo? :) or are you 7 feet tall? most homes should be able to accommodate a jump rope. :)

    Lol....not if you have ceiling fans.
  • MomiTia
    MomiTia Posts: 94 Member
    These are indoor workouts...so a jumprope it out...lol

    do you live in an igloo? :) or are you 7 feet tall? most homes should be able to accommodate a jump rope. :)
    [/


    Lol
  • devan33
    devan33 Posts: 177 Member
    do you live in an igloo? :) or are you 7 feet tall? most homes should be able to accommodate a jump rope. :)

    Lol....not if you have ceiling fans.

    LOL..thanks! YES, in every room...
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    So, we have decided to get a bike... Hubby has a personal trainer and full gym access at his job...I, the stay at home momma am working out to Jillian's 30 day shred currently and using MFP....but I need something else. We love to get out and walk..but this Ohio weather is too sucky for that right now! I HATE WINTER ;) So... when you use an exercise bike...what do you find you like more...upright or recumbent?

    what about a membership to the local Y? The ones in my local area have free child care...and it includes pool access :D
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    You should try them out. I've had back surgery and recumbent models have caused me terrible problems. Do a session, and see how you feel a couple of days later.
  • kelliehansen1
    kelliehansen1 Posts: 2 Member
    Id say upright too. Less stress on the back and I find it more comfortable
  • devan33
    devan33 Posts: 177 Member
    We live in a small rural town..no Y's around :(

    Thanks everyone for the feedback!
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    do you live in an igloo? :) or are you 7 feet tall? most homes should be able to accommodate a jump rope. :)

    Lol....not if you have ceiling fans.

    i only have 1 ceiling fan per room so i just move to the side of it and skip while watching tv. but yeah if you dont have the room to the side of it i can see how they could get in the way.
  • ModoVincere
    ModoVincere Posts: 530 Member
    I suggest going to a bike store and test out one or more of each type.

    Recumbents are great for all day cruising. Less stress on tender parts. However, hills are kind of the bane of recumbents....you can't really put your body weight into the pedal stroke on a recumbent like you can with an upright bike.
  • Tonigirl519
    Tonigirl519 Posts: 39 Member
    it's a personal choice....I've done both at the gym..but bought a recumbent bike for my personal home use...it was easier on my knees and I can read and use weights to work my arms.
  • scrapscot
    scrapscot Posts: 123 Member
    Whichever one you decide...I'd recommend getting some virtual travel dvds from vitadvds.com They make it much more interesting..riding through Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy, etc.
  • kbeech06
    kbeech06 Posts: 328 Member
    For me its recumbent. The uprights hurt my bottom which is weird as I have PLENTY of padding there! I'd try them both out first and see which you prefer.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    save your self some money and buy a jump rope. its a much better and much more fun workout.

    jumprope.gif

    Doubling down on this. But if the money is just burning a hole in your pocket get a SPIN bike, not recumbent or upright
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    We live in a small rural town..no Y's around :(

    Thanks everyone for the feedback!

    That bites! I live in central ohio, and I have TWO within a 15 minute drive--one North and one South.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    Recumbent becomes uncomfortable for me very quickly.
  • giggitygoo
    giggitygoo Posts: 1,978 Member
    Agree on the spin bike. They take up less room, and are more versatile. I like to do drills that alternate standing/sitting, and the spin bike is perfect for that. Plus, they're more compact.

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