One of my resolutions for this New Year was to exercise more. I actually started exercising seriously 6 years ago (I had started when I was 45 but decided a knee injury was interesting and took time to tear my ACL and go through a surgery).
But during the winter months the days are short and my commute is long, so as I came in to 2012, I decided that if I was going to exercise more than 3 times a week, I needed a way to do so indoors. To make that possible I ordered this recumbent exercise cycle.
The model is Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle
When it arrived I put it together, and placed it in a spare room we weren’t using. I made use of it several times, and it met a need I had to get a few extra workouts in during the week.
A few weeks after Christmas we had to move the exercise bike when our niece moved in with us and occupied the room where we had the bike. For lack of another place to put it, we left the exercise bike in the living room. It wasn’t a plan; it just happened.
What is funny is what happened soon after we put it in the living room. First our nephew sat on the bike and rode a few minutes. A few minutes later our daughter sat down and rode awhile.
The next day I decided that since it wasn’t one of the days I run (I run 3 to 5 miles 3 days a week), that I would ride the exercise bike. That’s why I bought it in the first place.
What was different this time? I was riding with the family while we watched a basketball game on the television. I could actually enjoy a conversation and not be closed off from my wife and daughter.
I loved it.
So what are the advantages and disadvantages of an exercise bike in the living room? Well, obviously aesthetics isn’t on this list.
Advantages
- The ability to exercise with my wife and other family close enough to talk with.
- Opportunity for others in the family to exercise easily.
- Impromptu exercise…off a schedule.
- This particular bike is quiet. I am not sure others would be so quiet, and I know for a fact that a treadmill just wouldn’t work.
Disadvantages
- You will have to move it when you entertain.
- You have to fight over who gets to use it (or is than an advantage?)
What about you? Do you exercise in the home? If so, where? Why not comment below?
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Thad recently posted..How to Share That Free Rx Card and Get a $1 When People Sign Up
I find the recumbent bike doesn’t give me enough of a calorie burn, I have to go with the upright model. All the same, congrats on taking solid steps to pursue your fitness goals.
My University Money recently posted..What Percentage of the Population Should Have a University/College Education?
Thanks for stopping by. Calorie burn is good…that’s what my runs do for me.
I think you have a cool idea! We have an exercise game for the Kinect and will often play it in the living room with the kids. I also have my treadmill sitting right in front of my desk so it can “beckon” me in the mornings!
Pam at MoneyTrail recently posted..Toys Sales and the Recession
While it wasn’t planned, it sure has been a blessing (having it in the living room).
Glad you stopped by!
I think having your exercise bike in your living room is a great idea.
We live in a very small apartment, but I can’t give up my exercise equipment. I have an exercise bike in our bedroom/office and a ginormous elliptical in our living room. It works out great and I never can use forgetting as an excuse not to exercise.
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That’s true! When it is staring you in the face you can’t really say you forgot!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Thad,
We either work out at the gym or do P90x in the basement. No equipment for us other than some bands and a few weights in the house. I don’t want to store the equipment, so we use the stuff at my wife’s school gym.
Tim @ Faith and Finance recently posted..20 Bible Verses About Love
The exercise cycle was the first piece of equipment I purchased other than running shoes (twice a year). I prefer to exercise in the neighborhood.
How has P90 helped you? I have heard people say how difficult it is.
I put my exercise bike in the living room when I first got it (many years ago). After awhile the family got tired of seeing it there so it moved to the master sitting room.
I prefer exercising to DVD’s now and do that in the living room each morning. I also try to walk our paths at least 3-4 times a week @ 3miles per.
Good luck exercising!
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Thanks for stopping by. I just want to continue to stay active.
I find I feel so much better as long as I keep up the exercising.
Definitely an advantage – watch TV and work out at the same time? It’s like a gym without the sweaty gym smell. Win-win.
PK recently posted..Predicting the S&P 500 – January 2012 Edition
Absolutely! Of course, around my house I am usually the one who stinks (after I come in from a run).
Win-win-win!
I think this is great. The more accessible you can make exercising the more prone you are to do it. We work out at home too and love it. Hope it works out for you how you plan.
I live too far away from a gym, and I honestly don’t think I would use a membership. But I love running in the hills in my neighborhood. The exercise cycle helps me be able to get in some extra workouts.
Glad you stopped by!
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