Fatty needs a stationary bike...

Hello, I have been wondering this myself recently and looking into available models. As it is an extremely difficult item to return, I am hoping that others will be able to weigh in with experience with such products.

Hey Fatty,

The best advice I can give you is to keep it simple and avoid the fancy electronics.

If you are serious about fitness, then what ever machine you buy should last you a lifetime. Buy the strongest, heaviest piece of equipment you can afford, avoiding anything that has a motor (treadmills and the like) and anything that relies on overly complicated electronics.
Also, if it folds up for easy storage, forget it. Once stored, it ain't ever coming out.

If you visit a Gym, you will notice that most of their machines have very simple operations and single push button start. That is what you should be aiming for in your home. As little resistance as possible to getting moving, and then a whole heap of resistance applied directly to your quads, glutes and other words I've heard on the Biggest Loser.

But how, I hear your fatty voice warble, am I going to track my workout? Just leave that to the Apple Watch. It has settings that will give you a good indication of your performance without needing to sync to anything. Tell it you're on a stationary bike and it will do the rest. Well, you still have to peddle, but it will calculate your average heart rate, calories burned etc.

If you want motivation, or to set fantastic courses etc. then I suggest that you sort that external to your exercise equipment. Music playlists, workout tracks are easily found and played through existing equipment.
From time to time, I use recordings of Cycle races as motivation. SBS, an Australian National Broadcaster, has archived copies of all the big cycle races available for streaming. Working out to the commentary of the Tour de France is a great motivator. When they race uphill, I increase the resistance on my machine. When they sprint, I sprint. When they stop for a Natural Break, well let's just say I won't make that mistake again...

Hope that helps,

@SeaNoEvil00

I completely disagree with the previous fatso's comment about the evils of folding bikes. man up and resist the temptation not to unfold it! Folding bikes are superb and necessary. What if you're entertaining? You don't want your guests to see you have a huge great bike parked up in the middle of your lounge or behind the dining table, do you?

However, based on my own experience, I completely agree about the Apple Watch. it's a very good tracker for this sort of thing. it won't tell you how many miles or kilometres you've cycled, but it does the rest.

As a fellow fat b*****d, the advice I received in terms of indoor cycles is that an even-paced, longer cycle is going to be more effective than anything with fluctuating intensity as described in the previous post. The Apple Watch calory count would seem to bear this out in my case. My calories burned has increased dramatically since I switched to even-paced cycles, altering the level of resistance on the bike every ten minutes or so. Having said that, it's got to be one of those things that is very personal to the user, I think.

Hello Oliver. I thought that I'd add my thoughts on this post. I realize that you are looking for a bike. However, the Bowflex Max Trainers give you more bang for your buck. Not only do you get the desired cardio workout, but you also work the entire body, which means, the more muscle you build, the more fat you burn, the more healthier you become. Also, the workout only lasts 14 minutes in total. I have had mine for a year now and couldn't be happier. Admitedly, when I'm done, I'm really toasted but it's just 14 minutes so I give it my all.

Following is a copy of a post that I also contributed to here in another forum. I have copied it here for your review, while you are in search of a new piece of exercise equipment. I hope it helps.

Bowflex Max Trainer M7 and M8 Experiences Updated

I realize this thread is related to treadmills, but I thought I'd post my experiences with the Bowflex Max Trainer, in case someone is interested.

I own the Bowflex Max Trainer M7 model. When I was making my purchase, there were the M3, M5, and M7 models, with the M7 being the top of the line at the
time.

The bowflex Max Trainer app for iOS works very well with the unit. The trainer's display has tactile buttons on it that can sort of be used by the blind
to control some things. I had sighted assistance in setting up the display for the first time, but upon reflection, I don't think it would have been necessary.

there are several programs in the display that can be used. With some counting, you can get to the desired program. Personally, I just use the Max button,
located in the top row of buttons, middle button, to start the typical 14 minute workout, which has 8 intervals. When the button is first pressed, this
is your first interval. What I do is warm up on the floor first, then mount the unit and take several steps on the trainer, without starting the Max Trainer
session. When I'm ready, I hit the Max Trainer button and begin my first sprint interval.

Note: since I can't see the display, what I have done is to use thick elastic hair bands on the top portion of the arm. Since there are 8 intervals, I
added 8 hair ties. when an interval is complete, which is indicated by a bell, then I slide a hair band to the bottof of the bar to keep track of where
I am. The rocker handle bars on the unit pivot at the mid point. When sliding the hair band downward, it will only go so far so it will not fall off.

I use my apple watch workout app to track my heart rate. I start an Other workout for a Max Trainer session.

The unit comes with a Bluetooth heart rate chest strap. I don't use this as I feel it wouldn't be very effective on me as a woman. Instead, I use the cardio
grips on the unit after each sprint interval is complete so that the app has heart rate data to show. Ultimately, however, I use the highest heart rate
data from my Apple watch to plug into my Excel spread sheet that I created to keep track of my stats. You can track your stats in the Journal tab of the
app but I prefer a spread sheet view instead.

Since purchasing the M7 model, they have released the M8 now. This unit has a redesigned display that will now talk to you and works with Bluetooth headsets
during a workout. This display requires an annual subscription to maximize the learning of the computer as you go; however, there are some programs within
the unit that can be used without the subscription. Your purchase of the M8 comes with a one year subscription included. The annual subscription is $149.99.
If you own the M7 model, the display can be upgraded for $299.99, which includes the first year subscription in the purchase.

I have watched a Youtube demo of the M8 display in action and the voice included is very good. I haven't upgraded but if finances allow, I will be doing
so.

If you made it this far, I commend you for reading my long post. I can tell you that, despite the limitations of the M7 model, I believe that it is still
completely useable for a totally blind person. If you want a copy of my Excel spreadsheet for your own use, I'd be happy to share. If you have more questions,
I'll help the best I am able.

Update: 08/29/2019.

Bowflex has now released the Bowflex Max Trainer Total. This unit is an improvement over the M8 model, in that, two roller wheels are used on each side
for movement of the pedals. They also use a Samsung Tablet for consoul interactions. I spoke with a rep, who was kind enough to open up her version of
the tablet. She checked the accessibility features and confirmed that there are voice and low vision features available. My thoughts are that, thisd would
be the best of both worlds, for two reasons. First, you have the most stats being tracked, including cardio and strength. Previous models didn't track
strength, just cardio. But with the new addition of another location to place your hands, they now track how hard you push/pull with your arms, which turns
into greater caloric burn metrics. Finally, because they are using a Samsung tablet with voice features, we should be able to interact with the programs,
as well as receive the verbal feedback of the Max Intelligence voice, to know just how hard we are working. Currently, on my M7 model, all I have is the
bell to work for. All other metrics are tracked by my watch and the Max Trainer app, which has no voice.

I so want to upgrade my unit.