spinning bike vs stationary bike

I think the concensus is it's better than nothing, but not as good as the real thing.  If it's stationary bike or stationary on the couch, it can't hurt.

After getting tired of my lower body becoming numb after 20 minutes on the stationary bike, I started using the spin bikes for my timed rides when there was no class in the room.  It was better in that the bikes were fully adjustable, I could maintain somewhat of an aero position, and the seat didn't make me numb.  The only problem was that the seat angle is not adjustable (on this model bike)  and is angled slightly upward.  After 35-40 minutes the pressure from the nose of the seat starts to become tough to bear.  I finally gave up messing around with it and bought a fluid trainer.

Hi Heather,

I am with you on this, totally. I find that I much prefer the spinning bikes to the regular stationary ones. Like STAKE recommended, I like to go into the spinning room when there are no classes and use the bikes, but when there is no option, the stationary is better than nothing.

I am seriously considering the fluid trainer, and Nashbar is having a great deal on one for $159 (with a free HRM). Hmmm..... Food for thought. ;-)

I do the same thing. I used to ride the stationary bike but started ridingthe spin bike when their was no class because it hurt my butt....

I like using a spinning bike. I spinned more than a few times when an aerobics class was going on in the room... I just needed to put in my 2 hours, so I asked the instructor if it was ok to continue for a while. People watching helps when your butt starts hurting

sitting in the back also provides you with outstanding scenery if you are lucky!

Maybe that's why I keep going back.,.. there's this one girl who... never mind

My gym locks the spin room and won't let anyone on the spin bikes outside of a class - WTF is up with that?!