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I bought a budget stationary bike and have an ant+ cadence and heart rate sensor and use Golden Cheetah to see the data live on my computer. I don't care much f

I bought a budget stationary bike and have an ant+ cadence and heart rate sensor and use Golden Cheetah to see the data live on my computer. I don't care much for power generated as long as I feel like I am exercising but it can be estimated. More accuracy would require an extra sensor. It's the same data Peleton shows and if I wanted I could use Peleton for just the monthly subscription price. I paid USD 600(bike) + 20(cadence sensor) + 90(hr chest strap sensor, polar h10) + 20(ant+ usb dongle). I can log my heart rate and cadence on my phone as well, I can move the sensors to my mountain bike. I have an android and use Jepster and upload to Strava. I love that I am not tied in to Peleton. I chose not to buy clip-on shoes although that's an option and would just require buying the pedals and shoes. My university had les mills classes and I enjoyed them and so I got their subscription for on demand classes. They have this class called The Trip where they have generated a virtual biking track that is in sync to music. I can't imagine a more immersive at home workout. Les Mills also has full body workouts as well as yoga. There are certain historical workouts that they took down because they don't have the rights to the songs anymore but they release new workouts regularly. https://youtu.be/vf11nvNGjuQ https://youtu.be/vf11nvNGjuQ I am looking into Zwift but I can't justify paying the subscription price. If anyone knows any good free virtual biking roads software that interfaces with ant+ sensors please let me know. I don't care as much about the social biking part of zwift. One day I want to see what VR and exercise can bring but I don't imagine sweating in a VR headset is pleasant. I have only heard good things about beat saber though.

cbm-vic-20 5y ago
I got into Zwift right at the beginning of the pandemic- previously, I rode a bike for part of my commute, but I would often lose fitness in the winter, when the roads made it difficult to make that commute. I never went to the gym, or did any other "real" exercise other than a lot of walking. I got a "wheel-off" trainer (Wahoo Kickr) attached to my crappy hybrid commuter bike that I already had, and set up a "pain cave" in the basement with an older TV. It's been great- since the start of the pandemic, I've lost over 20% of my body weight (and am in the "normal" BMI range fwiw), and my resting heart rate is low enough that when I get my blood pressure and pulse checked, they have to double-check the readout. I'm in the best shape of my life since college. I actually like the social aspect of Zoom- I think having other people around me triggers that latent competitiveness, and I ride harder than I would otherwise. There's a good variety of events and workouts, and there's a really supportive community.
collin128 5y ago
I love cycling but struggle with stationary bikes because I get bored easily or end up slowing down my pace because I zone out watching/listening to something. Zwift has pace partners that you can chase (3 different ones depending on pace) that have sucked me into riding harder and longer than I ever have on zwift or a stationary bike. I find it's worth it for that experience. Clips take some getting used to (3-4 rides where it feels a bit odd) but I've learned to love them and it feels odd whenever I ride without. I'd strongly encourage you to try them out if you're riding this much. For context, I used to ride everywhere in sandals and everything changed once I got my clips.
- m4lvin 5y ago
  +1 for clips, and +2 for shimano SPD sandals!!!

cbm-vic-20 5y ago

I got into Zwift right at the beginning of the pandemic- previously, I rode a bike for part of my commute, but I would often lose fitness in the winter, when the roads made it difficult to make that commute. I never went to the gym, or did any other "real" exercise other than a lot of walking. I got a "wheel-off" trainer (Wahoo Kickr) attached to my crappy hybrid commuter bike that I already had, and set up a "pain cave" in the basement with an older TV. It's been great- since the start of the pandemic, I've lost over 20% of my body weight (and am in the "normal" BMI range fwiw), and my resting heart rate is low enough that when I get my blood pressure and pulse checked, they have to double-check the readout. I'm in the best shape of my life since college. I actually like the social aspect of Zoom- I think having other people around me triggers that latent competitiveness, and I ride harder than I would otherwise. There's a good variety of events and workouts, and there's a really supportive community.

collin128 5y ago

I love cycling but struggle with stationary bikes because I get bored easily or end up slowing down my pace because I zone out watching/listening to something. Zwift has pace partners that you can chase (3 different ones depending on pace) that have sucked me into riding harder and longer than I ever have on zwift or a stationary bike. I find it's worth it for that experience. Clips take some getting used to (3-4 rides where it feels a bit odd) but I've learned to love them and it feels odd whenever I ride without. I'd strongly encourage you to try them out if you're riding this much. For context, I used to ride everywhere in sandals and everything changed once I got my clips.

m4lvin 5y ago
+1 for clips, and +2 for shimano SPD sandals!!!