Exercise bike v cross trainer - home use

ringo747 · 13 Jul 2010 at 09:35

As per title really... can't be bothered with running out to the gym anymore so was thinking of getting either of the above to help do a little exercise at home.

I always liked the bike but some of the other family members will use this machine too so something like a cross trainer is probably a better allrounder.

I have been looking at some x-trainers on the Jungle for around £300. Would these be decent at that price? York is the make that I recognise as being well known. Are they a good bet?

Morba · 13 Jul 2010 at 09:39

York is well known as it is sold in Argos.
It's a budget range.

Think about how much it will be used, the more use the more you should spend really.

ringo747 · 13 Jul 2010 at 10:33

Ah that explains why it's a household name then. It will probably be used for a few hours every week.

Any other brand names I should be looking at?

Morba · 13 Jul 2010 at 10:38

Most machines should be ok for a few hours a week, it's whe you start getting 3-4 hours a day that you need to consider something more robust.

ringo747 · 13 Jul 2010 at 10:53

I'd have good intentions to do a few hours every other day maybe but I know it won't happen!

ringo747 · 26 Oct 2010 at 21:40

Bit of a thread revival as I'm now sure about quitting the gym.

Anyone willing to comment on this machine?
http://www.yorkfitness.com/Cross-Trainers-item-229/York-XC530-2-in-1-Cross-Trainer/Cycle.html

I intend just using it for maybe an hour once every few days so probably 4 hours a week in all.

The reviews read very well on amazon.

Any other brands to consider? It is £250 on the aforementioned jungle.

Begbie · 26 Oct 2010 at 22:53

Got to ask yourself, if you can't be bothered going to the gym. Can you be bothered doing anything in the house?

ringo747 · 26 Oct 2010 at 23:12

Begbie said:
Got to ask yourself, if you can't be bothered going to the gym. Can you be bothered doing anything in the house?

Yes it is the time taken to get to the gym that puts me off. I never have the motivation to leave the house and go.

And this machine is cheaper than 12 months gym membership so it wouldn't be a major financial loss either.

kefkef · 27 Oct 2010 at 13:28

Cross trainers - Cant comment on the one you are looking at, but if you get the chance i'd nip down to a local fitness place like powerhouse and try a few out. they have a decent range at my local place and i tried them all going from £200 to £1500, the lower end stuff felt very shaky, as soon as you got over £5-600 the machines themselves got a bit more sturdy and it was the functions that changed. There is also a difference for the footplates and how your feet 'sit' on them. I ended up with a Vision Fitness one for around the £700 mark (was up for a couple of hundred quid more), it gets about 1hrs use 5 times a week and is now two years old, hasnt missed a beat yet.

kefkef · 27 Oct 2010 at 13:31

Here's one, not sure on the transport costs, but this would have been around £1k a couple of eyars ago.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vision-Fitnes...ossTrainersEllipticals_JN&hash=item1c16990685