Recumbent Exercise Bike

[sodamo]

I have the Nordic Track GX 4.0 and love it.

Had right knee partial (Oxford) replacement in Jan. in on Tues, up by noon, pt that afternoon, home on Thurs. oh, and I had my surgery in Honolulu and had to fly home to Big Island. Did left knee, also Oxford Aug. operate Mon morning home on Wed, same Dr but used local hospital.

My PT was my bike and treadmill. I'll be 65 come T-Day and too much overweight - enough that my surgeon comments every visit. My left knee was a bit unusual in that I didn't see my Dr for almost 2 months after getting out of hospital, due to fact he lost his local office. Of course we were in touch by phone. When I did see him he checked my flex and extension and was happy enough that in a year send him X-rays. He's another "gray hair" who has done xxxx knees. I have utmost confidence in him.

As for the bike.... Friend had lent knee an older ProForm as soon as I got home from surgery in Jan. very adequate for the task, but i didn't care for it, especially the step over bar. My Nordic Track is comfortable enough that I use it nice wide seat w/ back for my FA, no step over. Like Bird, I don't use the programs or features other than time and distance - 3 miles in 15 minutes. I do play music from my iPhone. I have increased the resistance once I find myself easily making my 3 miles. I prefer 2 sessions of 15 minutes rather than 30 straight.
I bought this machine knowing it was a lifelong thing and 10 months later am happy with it. Like Bird, I bought from Sears. Brought it home about 3 weeks postoperative and put it together myself.

Best of luck. sounds like you are doing really well. Just a note, use your pain meds to get through the PT.

David

 

[EddieWalker]

I don't have any experience in any other models, so my list of complaints with mine is small and trivial.

I have to get my feet in the pedals just right so that the toe holder thingy doesn't make a noise when peddling.

I wish that the monitor/controls where more simplified. I think there are too many options. I just want it to be simple, which it is, but even more so would suit me better

The seat is fine, but not great. I've looked at it and thought about a way to make it more comfortable, but the more regular I am at riding it, the better it feels. I took the summer off from riding it and gained ten pounds. Now that I've been back at it for about a month, I'm starting to get into the groove again, but wish the seat was a bit better.

It's quiet, smooth, responsive and solid. I don't have any real complaints, which is why I'm recomending it. Before buying, I read and read everything that I could find, and it seemed that in this price range, Schwinn came out on top.

Eddie

 

[hawkeye08]

My wife brought home the FreeMotion Xtc recumbent bike from Costco almost two years ago after I mentioned that I needed something, perhaps a recumbent to get some exercise (overweight and out of shape)...

I rode it 5-6 days per week, built up to 60-70 minutes at least 3 times per week, lost around 30lbs, injured my heel last winter and am just now getting so my heel does not hurt and will be returning to the bike for daily exercise.

It has the wider chair seat, I don't care of the narrow bike seats. You should be able to find one that you are happy with, Craigslist is a good place to look (you can sit on them if they are local see what you like).

Back to my recumbent, Costco has a nice return policy so my wife was not worried that I would like it or not. My wife and daughter also use, although we have been off it for a few months..

 

[texbaylea]

I have had a knee replacement too and am now using a Schwinn 240 and like it. I found that I had to change the pedals and run at a fair resistance to be able to keep my feet on the pedals but I do like it. The only complaint is it is not easy for me to change the seat position for my wife to use it.

I have not been able to be consistent in my "ride" times as my other knee can be very painful at times. I hope to have that knee repaired in a few months.

Vernon