I Would like to get a recumbant bicycle but I am well over the weight limit of 250 lbs. Are there any bikes out there that would support my weight or will I have to explore other options? I'm asking because I have considered getting a treadmill, but have a lot of pain when walking and biking would be easier for now. Any ideas on which excercises will be good for me?
Are you looking for an exercise bike or a 'real' bike? I know when I was shopping a recumbent exercise bike at about your weight a 5-6 years ago, it really wasn't an issue. But then there weren't many options for recumbents so they were are pretty much high end, none under $300. My biggest issue was finding one that was comfortable for my knees- I have a lot of problems with my kneecaps not tracking correctly, multiple surgeries, and having had a torn muscle in the one for over 10 years that really screwed it up. I tried each one for several minutes to make sure it felt right- some put more strain on my knee with the angle between my hip & knee, others you had to practically stand on your head to change the seat position (not good since I was going to be recovering from yet another surgery), and you want to make sure the movement feels smooth- some of the cheaper types of resistance can feel choppy. I ended up with a pretty expensive Schwinn that I was told 18 months later I can only use for light warm up & cool down- no real work outs on any types of bikes for me because of my knee...just my luck...and I can't even sell it because my Mom likes to use it better then the other exercise bike I'd given her.
Are you looking for an exercise bike or a 'real' bike?
Hi there,
I'm looking for an exercise bike. I saw one with a weight limit of 300 in the $350+ range. I don't have any problems with my knees so that won't be an issue, I just need something that will be comfortable for my back.
Michelle: I think as long as you do not go for one of the more obviously flimsy models you will be fine. My exercise bike has a limit .. I weigh about 100 pounds more than that limit and I have had no problems at all with it .. its going strong.
As with everything if you possibly can its best to look them over and perhaps even try them out if you can before you buy.
I would still 'test drive' one if you can, even if you don't have knee problems. Women are much more prone to kneecap tracking problems because of our wider child-bearing hips and the angle between them & the knees. Its not just the knees either, but where the peddles are in relation to your body- there is a lot more variance then with upright exercise bikes. Some I tried felt like I was having to hold myself in the seat or else I might just keep sliding closer to the peddles; others felt like I was sitting on the floor & peddling above the level of the seat. Honestly, out of all of the cardio equipment, I'd say a recumbent exercise bike is probably the one I would worry the least about the weight limit on- its not like a treadmill or elliptical where its actually taking a pounding from your weight and there is not as much danger of tipping over, like with regular upright exercise bike.
I just checked WalMart's web site- they have one called Marcy Magnetic Resistance Recumbent Bike for $150 that goes up to 300 pounds. It looks like its pretty easy to get on & off, though its definitely one of those stand-on-your-head-type to adjust the seat position- but that shouldn't too much of problem for most people, like it was for me with using it for knee rehab. There are several Schwinn models that all go up to 300 pounds in the $300-$400 range. From what I've seen, it looks like ProForm & Fitness Quest only go up to 250- at least on all the ones I saw.
Thanks for the help everyone. Christineu, I looked on the Walmart site on totally missed that, thanks for pointing it out. I may end up with one that has the 250lb limit, they look more sturdy.
Recumbant Bikes
