Gaming on an Exercise Bike

samred · Sep 10, 2018

Right after the Switch came out, I wrote this up at Ars: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017...nintendos-new-console-to-the-gym-and-love-it/

I've always been more interested in the stories of gamers who attach traditional games to their fitness regimens, like World of Warcraft rigs slapped onto treadmills. Yet these have also seemed less than ideal. How are you supposed to walk even slightly fast—let alone jog—while managing a mouse and keyboard rig?

Now, I don't own a treadmill, nor do I have any interest in cracking open that old EA Sports Active box. But I do have a gym membership, and when I went there on Monday, I already had my Switch with me. What started as "I'm not leaving this thing in the car" turned into something surprising: a mighty good fitness accessory.

Having one Joy-Con in each hand really helps for fitness's sake, in terms of enabling general arm sway, and this makes 30-90 minute treadmill and elliptical runs just whizzzz by. My advice, if you can get to a treadmill: pick out chunky, pixelated fare (Mega Man collections, Shovel Knight), unless you for any reason can rig up a Switch dock to a TV (highly unlikely). Constant movement makes tracking a small screen's 3D movement really tricky. But the Joy-Cons are resilient in terms of sweat (definitely take the straps) and I absolutely use my Switch a few times a year this way. (Most of my workouts are weights-based, but when I wanna switch to endurance/cardio, I Switch it up.)

Zonic · Sep 10, 2018

It's a very tricky balancing act. I remember doing it with Persona 4 Golden because it was a game that I could just grind or read dialogue without thinking about it too much. It's all about finding a game where you're not going to be too distracted because you'll end up focusing more on the game than the exercise. JRPGs are pretty much one of your best bets as you can either grind or just watch the cutscenes, just as long as you don't get into a fight that requires more strategy.

Try to play a "zone-out" game where you're able to turn your brain off while still being able to exercise. I actually played some Picross (just the easier puzzles, no way I could've done the harder 15x15 stuff while exercising) because I was able to easily solve the puzzles while exercising at the same time.

Bosh · Sep 10, 2018

ShapeGSX said:
I have a very expensive bicycle gaming setup. I use Zwift and my road bike on a trainer that can simulate the load of a slope or wind resistance, etc... Zwift, essentially, is a bicycle MMO game. Usually there are at least a thousand players on at one time (I haven't checked the numbers in a while). There are instanced races. You can draft off of other players. There are training plans. There are in-game powerups that you can get for good laps or sprints. It has achievements and unlockable equipment for your player. The graphics are decent. It runs on PCs, iOS (including Apple TV), and Android. You don't need much of a laptop to run it.

It connects to my trainer using either Bluetooth or ANT+. It can also connect to power meters and heart rate monitors.

They have added a number of worlds or courses to Zwift since its introduction, as well as new roads on existing courses.

I still hate biking indoors, though. :-P Get me out on the open road any day. But at least it makes it a little more interesting. Yesterday I punished myself by finishing a 104mi bike ride in a 5 hours and 18 minutes. I was dead tired after and sore, and I'm really feeling it today. But I'd rather do that than even just a half hour of biking indoors.

Never seen that before, that is an awesome setup/product. Checked it out and it is a pricey initial fee although if you where an enthusiast I can easily see it worth the money.

sora87 · Sep 10, 2018

I tried it once playing freedom wars on my vita and fell off after like 10 minutes

ShapeGSX · Sep 10, 2018

Bosh said:
Never seen that before, that is an awesome setup/product. Checked it out and it is a pricey initial fee although if you where an enthusiast I can easily see it worth the money.

You can get trainers that simulate load for pretty "cheap" these days. Probably around $300? These trainers use a roller that your wheel presses against. They tend to eat up tires.

I have a TacX Flux, which is around $800. The rear "gear" cassette of a bicycle gets mounted right on the trainer. Then you take your bicycle wheel off and attach the bike to the trainer as it if is the wheel.

So, $3200 bicycle attached to $800 trainer and a $something laptop, and there's my setup. Don't forget tons of fans. You can never have enough air movement. I'm getting depressed just thinking about biking on this thing through the winter! :-(

The trouble is that a bicycle on the road moves around under you. A stationary bike is rigid and the seat hurts a lot more. Air movement doesn't keep you cool enough, either. Ugh. But I'm not going to give up the gains I made this year, so I gotta do it.

Yas · Sep 10, 2018

I have my exercise bike in front of my TV. Some games work better with excercising. I finished FFXII, FFXV, Horizon Zero Dawn while on a bike.

Bosh · Sep 10, 2018

ShapeGSX said:
You can get trainers that simulate load for pretty "cheap" these days. Probably around $300? These trainers use a roller that your wheel presses against. They tend to eat up tires.

I have a TacX Flux, which is around $800. The rear "gear" cassette of a bicycle gets mounted right on the trainer. Then you take your bicycle wheel off and attach the bike to the trainer as it if is the wheel.

So, $3200 bicycle attached to $800 trainer and a $something laptop, and there's my setup. Don't forget tons of fans. You can never have enough air movement. I'm getting depressed just thinking about biking on this thing through the winter! :-(

The trouble is that a bicycle on the road moves around under you. A stationary bike is rigid and the seat hurts a lot more. Air movement doesn't keep you cool enough, either. Ugh. But I'm not going to give up the gains I made this year, so I gotta do it.

Yah if I ever got that setup it would be with the FluX, cheaper in the long run versus tire replacements. I got a stationary bike mostly because my road bike kept getting random parts stolen around town (Had on different occasions, Bike Seat Post (Left the bike seat), A Pedal, and few other random parts. Then It got time where the bike wheel frame started to crack, some other parts need replacing I decided time to retire the bike as the cost to replace everything would of been a good amount to put on a new bike. I had my more expensive bike and a dirt cheap old 70's Seiko Bike I found at a garage sale for $5. The cables for the brakes needed to be replaced (So the brakes didn't work) but I normally road it only in low speed areas and would brake with shoes and it kinda added to the charm of a fun bike to use around town. Anyways one day I had it locked up on a steep hill and someone cut the lock and rode off with it. Jokes on them when they got to the bottom of the hill! On my other bike I normally hit about 40mph going down that thing, on my cheap bike I walked it down haha.

Edit: Going downhill on the Bike Game thingy does it count you not moving towards miles rode? That's the one thing about stationary bikes is you normally have to pedal for every mile.

MysteryQuesadilla · Sep 10, 2018

Hell nah. I can listen to podcasts during exercise passively but otherwise my time spent exercising is expressly for that.

ShapeGSX · Sep 10, 2018

Bosh said:
Edit: Going downhill on the Bike Game thingy does it count you not moving towards miles rode? That's the one thing about stationary bikes is you normally have to pedal for every mile.

That's another thing about biking indoors that sucks. There's no coasting downhill! There is only one trainer that has a motor in it for coasting, and that is the Tacx Neo ($1500). Trainers have what is called a wattage floor. This is the least resistance that a trainer can produce. So you are always pedaling against resistance, even "downhill."

LinkStrikesBack · Sep 10, 2018

I find it a good motivator to stave off the boredom of being on a exercise machine for anything more than a few minutes, so in that sense, it's totally feasible. I prefer to use my phone for videos or something though, I don't focus well enough while on the bike to play anything that requires skill like splatoon. Do occasionally do Fir eemblem awakening on my phone at the same time though.

Heromanz · Sep 10, 2018

Don't do this, when you workout workout. You're not going to be able to do your all if don't focus

Bosh · Sep 10, 2018

ShapeGSX said:
That's another thing about biking indoors that sucks. There's no coasting downhill! There is only one trainer that has a motor in it for coasting, and that is the Tacx Neo ($1500). Trainers have what is called a wattage floor. This is the least resistance that a trainer can produce. So you are always pedaling against resistance, even "downhill."

Good to know, thanks! I agree it does suck, coasting is such a nice reward after a hill. That's the biggest thing I notice between outside/indoor biking

TailorDKS · Sep 10, 2018

Yeah it is possible I just bought one 2-3 months ago. Depending on the game its faster or slower because its hard sometimes to concentrate on both at the same time. JRPGs and similar games (i played Persona 5) was great, Rocket League is too much and either I dont really use or or stand and play (probably better then sitting anyway).

But the great thing is the one I own have a big table like thing on top. So I can place my controller/laptop/remote on it, which is great.
But it isnt really that hard to use (the modes are weak). But its still an nice addition while gaming then just sitting.

lt519 · Sep 10, 2018

I used to run outside and play Pokemon GO, was a good way to hatch eggs and collect some poke stops.

I've considered putting my bike on a trainer in my condo and giving this a try. It isn't the best workout but it beats the mentality of "there's six inches of snow outside and I'm not dragging my ass to the gym" which results in me just drinking beer and playing games on the couch. samred suggestion of split joy-cons friendly games seems like this could make it work. Not sure I'd want to play a thinking game like an RPG or strategy game like Into the Breach, but more like some casual Mario Kart or platformer.

Anthony Hopkins · Sep 10, 2018

Its a good thing.
Get to exercise doing somthing u enjoy.

storaføtter · Sep 10, 2018

Depends on the game. I cannot do action games well while using a exercise bike. However for years I used to play/grind pokemon and play Fire Emblem at the gym on the bikes there and time would slip by and before I know it I would burn 700 calories like nothing.

However I suggest doing more than just a bike. It can be a good motivator to get more in shape but do not leave your activity with that alone. The bike can be used as a warm up for other things.

elektrixx · Sep 10, 2018

No, because it will make you worse at the game and you will exercise slower.

martinstraka8282 · Sep 10, 2018

I've done it off and on and depending on the game it's fine. It can definitely hamper me on games that require precision.

Deleted member 7092 · Sep 10, 2018

There are a lot of great responses here - I think the positive answers are pushing me over the edge!

Though after reading a couple of replies, I'm now more open to an elliptical. How much better of a workout is doing an elliptical for 30 minutes vs a stationary bike (assuming the intensity is the same across both?). I seem to remember reading a while back that ellipticals give you the most bang for your buck in terms of cardio exercise machines, so maybe that would be a smarter investment.

Also, how many of you who have done this have the foldable exercise bikes? My apartment is cramped enough as it is, so having equipment that's easy to store away sounds very nice, but at the same time all of the foldable ones look way less comfortable (and none of them have a back cushion like the recumbent bikes do).

samred · Sep 10, 2018

lt519 said:
Not sure I'd want to play a thinking game like an RPG or strategy game like Into the Breach, but more like some casual Mario Kart or platformer.

DO NOT DO THIS WITH RACING GAMES. You'll inadvertently steer your body around to simulate the racing action, it's just human nature. Into The Breach might actually be perfect in terms of letting you take your sweet time and get into the zone w/ the strategic thinking.

Bosh · Sep 10, 2018

Rhennik said:
There are a lot of great responses here - I think the positive answers are pushing me over the edge!

Though after reading a couple of replies, I'm now more open to an elliptical. How much better of a workout is doing an elliptical for 30 minutes vs a stationary bike (assuming the intensity is the same across both?). I seem to remember reading a while back that ellipticals give you the most bang for your buck in terms of cardio exercise machines, so maybe that would be a smarter investment.

Also, how many of you who have done this have the foldable exercise bikes? My apartment is cramped enough as it is, so having equipment that's easy to store away sounds very nice, but at the same time all of the foldable ones look way less comfortable (and none of them have a back cushion like the recumbent bikes do).

Elliptical's can be a pretty good workout and its low impact on your body compared to running. I am coordinated on a bike sitting upright so I don't have an issue playing games on it while still maintaining a good speed/resistance, it would definitely take me a little while to get used to holding a controller and working an elliptical. Whatever you are better at balancing at and don't have to focus on using/maintain a good speed. Time will fly by while you are playing.

I put it on my post but I use Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike NS-652 ($130 Amazon) its under 2 feet wide folded up (wanna say the dimensions are 21x18? Says on the Amazon page from a customer answer). Seat is hard as hell and you should use cushion. I got the following (Bikeroo Large Exercise Bike Seat Cushion $20) and just did 21 miles / 92 minute ride on it while playing Yakuza 2 and starting to get a tad numb back there the last few minutes but no pain. Bike has straps for your feet. Has 8 resistances 1-3 are easy/quick warm up, 4 is that easy going into medium, 5-6 are what I normally use, 7-8 is a climb for sure.

I would suggest getting whatever you feel more comfortable using. Most gyms offer a week free trial. If there is one in your area signup for the week trial, use some machines and see which one you like using. If you are playing games you need a machine you feel comfortable balancing on (Maybe pretend you are holding a controller!). If you are watching TV/Movies either will work fine.

VinFTW · Sep 10, 2018

If you can play games while exercising, you're not exercising hard enough :P

I mean, its better than nothing I suppose.

30 mins 5 days a weeks of moderate intensity exercise isn't too much of a hassle though. Why not just do the 30 and get it over with? Feel like gaming is relaxation time.

Bosh · Sep 10, 2018

samred said:
DO NOT DO THIS WITH RACING GAMES. You'll inadvertently steer your body around to simulate the racing action, it's just human nature. Into The Breach might actually be perfect in terms of letting you take your sweet time and get into the zone w/ the strategic thinking.

I have biked while playing a racing game but I always lean forward over the handle bars because you will lean to the side hahaha. That being said I bike way faster when next to cars. I have not found a game I can't bike to yet, but if I notice I am starting to bike slower/focusing a ton on a game I will just crank the resistance to max and keep it there. Then my legs can still bike slower but its still challenging and when you get around an hour mark you will felt like you biked up a hill for an hour.

Played Into the Breach while biking. That game works really well while working out because of how methodical each move is!

noffles · Sep 10, 2018

wow i never thought i'd be able to actually contribute properly to a thread before, but this is right up my street

3 years ago I bought a small exercise bike for around £80 and wanted to use it to finally hit my goal of losing weight and slimming down. Around the same time, Smash was my main thing to play on the Wii U, so I merged my time on the bike with my time playing Smash. I managed to log around 30-60 minutes a day on it, eventually working my way to all of the 'achievement' style accolades in the game. After 6 months of that and very little in terms of dietary change, I managed to drop around 42lbs. If you have something casual and not very engaging, you won't keep yourself going with the bike and the game. I learned this when I swapped games and ended up playing something that had a lot more downtime and cutscenes. After that, I got Hyrule Warriors and used that instead.

If this is something you're thinking of doing, the best piece of advice I can give you is that you need something that keeps your adrenaline going as you're playing. Anything story heavy or with a fair bit of downtime where you're not playing will slow your legs down. Do not play an RPG. Fighting games or anything along the lines of Bayonetta are really good for this, so are racers.

If this is something you actually go ahead and do, good luck to you. Losing the weight in the way I did helped me out a lot both mentally and physically. I've been considering doing it again as of late, if only to keep myself in shape while I'm working a full time job and I can't afford to join a gym.

Filipus · Sep 10, 2018

Buy a wheel, mod it to make the accelerator actually you pedaling the bike. Change brake to hands.

Play racing games where you have to pedal to accelerate. You can thank me later.

zeitgeist · Sep 10, 2018

I loved playing Mario Kart DS on my stationary bike.

I would also grind in FFXI while biking. Lost a lot of weight doing this but I wouldn't do it at a gym.

Ex Lion Tamer · Sep 10, 2018

ShapeGSX said:
I have a very expensive bicycle gaming setup. I use Zwift and my road bike on a trainer that can simulate the load of a slope or wind resistance, etc... Zwift, essentially, is a bicycle MMO game. Usually there are at least a thousand players on at one time (I haven't checked the numbers in a while). There are instanced races. You can draft off of other players. There are training plans. There are in-game powerups that you can get for good laps or sprints. It has achievements and unlockable equipment for your player. The graphics are decent. It runs on PCs, iOS (including Apple TV), and Android. You don't need much of a laptop to run it.

It connects to my trainer using either Bluetooth or ANT+. It can also connect to power meters and heart rate monitors.

They have added a number of worlds or courses to Zwift since its introduction, as well as new roads on existing courses.

I still hate biking indoors, though. :-P Get me out on the open road any day. But at least it makes it a little more interesting. Yesterday I punished myself by finishing a 104mi bike ride in a 5 hours and 18 minutes and burning (apparently) 3,063 calories in the process. I was dead tired after and sore, and I'm really feeling it today. But I'd rather do that than even just a half hour of biking indoors.

Came here to see if anyone mentioned Zwift. Seems like a pretty cool idea but yeah I don't know how much I'd like to invest to set it up.

Deleted member 27938 · Sep 10, 2018

I've thought of doing this but I just watch TV shows while indoor biking instead. I think using a controller while biking would be too much of a rub belly, pat head, kind of mixup.

skeezx · Sep 10, 2018

i would absolutely hate to do cardio while gaming but everybody's different. some simply need an hour of "activity" to shed pounds, others need to put in pain to get that gain

not an approach i'd make a cornerstone to overall fitness but it certainly wouldn't hurt either

Z-Beat · Sep 10, 2018

Best way to exercise is running on a treadmill with Sonic R playing on a screen in front of you

TransEuropaExpress · Sep 10, 2018

I'll be that guy, sorry:

If you're serious about improving your physical state, be serious about working out. Half-assed workout = half-assed to no results.

Powerofthecloud · Sep 10, 2018

Have a gaming desktop hardwired to wireless router. Put moonlight on an old laptop for streaming. Works great, makes the time go by much more quickly. You get use to riding on higher levels while playing. You don't need to ride you are going up a mountain in the tour de france. As long as you have consistent resistance and with a quick paced motion you will get a decent work out on a stationary bike. It's no different than the 20 people lined up at the gym on stationary bikes watching CNN.

Alvis · Sep 10, 2018

Yes, but with split joycons

Deleted member 364 · Sep 10, 2018

Not a fan, gaming is too engaging to be doing something else at the same time. Something more passive like music/tv shows is better for cardio.

Remember · Sep 10, 2018

angelgrievous said:
Get yourself one of these bad boys OP:

Just kidding.

I've never done it myself but I'm considering getting an indoor trainer for my bike so I can do this, although I feel like I wouldn't be able to concentrate on one thing or the other.

The Virtuix Omni is kind of like this but a bit better, more meant for walking/running though.

djshauny1 · Sep 10, 2018

Its better than nothing OP. But honestly you will just lose focus on both lol. Id watch tv or listen to music instead. Crank up the tension on the bike and pedal till you cant anymore lol.

But diet is also a thing you must concentrate on. Make sure you are no more than 1300 kcals a day. If you drink soda, drink water instead. If you like to snack on chips etc then snack on rice cakes instead.

Good luck :)

phaeb · Sep 10, 2018

I'd say casually sure, otherwise you'll lose focus.

Shy · Sep 10, 2018

Op. You need to invest in getting the arcade game, Prop Cycle. :Phttps://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9139

Here's a pic of the cabinet.

CannonFodder52 · Sep 10, 2018

noffles said:
wow i never thought i'd be able to actually contribute properly to a thread before, but this is right up my street

3 years ago I bought a small exercise bike for around £80 and wanted to use it to finally hit my goal of losing weight and slimming down. Around the same time, Smash was my main thing to play on the Wii U, so I merged my time on the bike with my time playing Smash. I managed to log around 30-60 minutes a day on it, eventually working my way to all of the 'achievement' style accolades in the game. After 6 months of that and very little in terms of dietary change, I managed to drop around 42lbs. If you have something casual and not very engaging, you won't keep yourself going with the bike and the game. I learned this when I swapped games and ended up playing something that had a lot more downtime and cutscenes. After that, I got Hyrule Warriors and used that instead.

If this is something you're thinking of doing, the best piece of advice I can give you is that you need something that keeps your adrenaline going as you're playing. Anything story heavy or with a fair bit of downtime where you're not playing will slow your legs down. Do not play an RPG. Fighting games or anything along the lines of Bayonetta are really good for this, so are racers.

If this is something you actually go ahead and do, good luck to you. Losing the weight in the way I did helped me out a lot both mentally and physically. I've been considering doing it again as of late, if only to keep myself in shape while I'm working a full time job and I can't afford to join a gym.

Hey, relatable post. I see so many people citing that they play JRPGs or visual novels while biking and I felt like the odd one out.

Yeah, I find those high octane games get my legs moving at a pace that's at or above what I'd be able to maintain without a game. Pretty much only play action games where I can skip cutscenes. I also played Bayonetta a lot.

SolVanderlyn · Sep 10, 2018

When I first started using the bike, I was a total sedentary piece of lard who couldn't possibly imagine five consecutive minutes of exercise, so I took my GBA SP with me and tried to play Pokemon Ruby while I worked out. It was ok. Better than sitting there with nothing else. But I find it distracts you from actually working out, makes you go slower, makes the game you play not as fun as it would be otherwise, and is kind of hard to focus on anyway. Music - or movies, if you can watch them - work much better because they are passive entertainment. Doing two things at once takes your focus away and ends up being counterproductive to your workout, in my experience.

Deleted member 2802 · Sep 10, 2018

Goodacre0081 said:
https://www.giantbomb.com/infinite/

odd coincidence?

(dan on a exercise bike/game)

It's hilarious to see all the people asking about a product they saw being shilled on youtube or podcasts. It's honestly the new door-to-door salesman or junkmail.

Jobbs · Sep 10, 2018

I play For Honor on my bike almost every day. Makes the time fly.

It's a recumbent style stationary bike so my hands are totally free.

Deleted member 7092 · Sep 11, 2018

Bosh said:
Elliptical's can be a pretty good workout and its low impact on your body compared to running. I am coordinated on a bike sitting upright so I don't have an issue playing games on it while still maintaining a good speed/resistance, it would definitely take me a little while to get used to holding a controller and working an elliptical. Whatever you are better at balancing at and don't have to focus on using/maintain a good speed. Time will fly by while you are playing.

I put it on my post but I use Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike NS-652 ($130 Amazon) its under 2 feet wide folded up (wanna say the dimensions are 21x18? Says on the Amazon page from a customer answer). Seat is hard as hell and you should use cushion. I got the following (Bikeroo Large Exercise Bike Seat Cushion $20) and just did 21 miles / 92 minute ride on it while playing Yakuza 2 and starting to get a tad numb back there the last few minutes but no pain. Bike has straps for your feet. Has 8 resistances 1-3 are easy/quick warm up, 4 is that easy going into medium, 5-6 are what I normally use, 7-8 is a climb for sure.

I would suggest getting whatever you feel more comfortable using. Most gyms offer a week free trial. If there is one in your area signup for the week trial, use some machines and see which one you like using. If you are playing games you need a machine you feel comfortable balancing on (Maybe pretend you are holding a controller!). If you are watching TV/Movies either will work fine.

You've been very helpful in this thread - thank you for all the information!

After considering it, I've decided against the elliptical. I think you're right about being less coordinated while using one.

I'm really just down to trying to figure out whether or not I want the bike you've recommended + cushion due to the easier portability, or the recumbent due to a back cushion (as I rarely sit without back support). I just had the chance to try a recumbent bike yesterday, and I thought it worked well, but it will be trickier for me to find a test bike like the one you've recommended. I'll have to think on it some more!

Also funny enough, the first new game I'll be christening my exercise bike with will be Yakuza 2. Good to know the gameplay fits well with this type of exercise!

noffles said:
wow i never thought i'd be able to actually contribute properly to a thread before, but this is right up my street

3 years ago I bought a small exercise bike for around £80 and wanted to use it to finally hit my goal of losing weight and slimming down. Around the same time, Smash was my main thing to play on the Wii U, so I merged my time on the bike with my time playing Smash. I managed to log around 30-60 minutes a day on it, eventually working my way to all of the 'achievement' style accolades in the game. After 6 months of that and very little in terms of dietary change, I managed to drop around 42lbs. If you have something casual and not very engaging, you won't keep yourself going with the bike and the game. I learned this when I swapped games and ended up playing something that had a lot more downtime and cutscenes. After that, I got Hyrule Warriors and used that instead.

If this is something you're thinking of doing, the best piece of advice I can give you is that you need something that keeps your adrenaline going as you're playing. Anything story heavy or with a fair bit of downtime where you're not playing will slow your legs down. Do not play an RPG. Fighting games or anything along the lines of Bayonetta are really good for this, so are racers.

If this is something you actually go ahead and do, good luck to you. Losing the weight in the way I did helped me out a lot both mentally and physically. I've been considering doing it again as of late, if only to keep myself in shape while I'm working a full time job and I can't afford to join a gym.

shira said:
It's hilarious to see all the people asking about a product they saw being shilled on youtube or podcasts. It's honestly the new door-to-door salesman or junkmail.

This is awesome - I love the idea of having a grindy action game to zone out too while riding. Seems like the perfect amount of balance between concentration required for the game vs concentration required for the bike. Smash Ultimate should be the perfect fit for this!

By the way, do you all wear shoes while you're riding your exercise bike? Does that make much of a difference?

ghostcrew · Sep 11, 2018

Yes it's rad. I played through the entirety of FFX on Vita while on an exercise bike (not in one go!) before my wedding. It was amazing. Turn based RPGs are good because the movement in the game is low and it's a lot of reading and clicking x. I tried some faster games and had nowhere near as good a time.

I've been playing Root Letter (visual novel) while on my treadmill too. I've got a gym in the house and I Remote Play my PS4 or Xbox One through to it. It's mint.

Do it!

TechnicPuppet · Sep 11, 2018

I've tried it but the pain. It killed my back as well for a week. I stick to HIIT and im fine cause its 15 minutes odds.

If I could do it comfortably I think it is great idea.

Mullet2000 · Sep 11, 2018

Note that trying this can ruin your posture while on the bike. If you can't do it with a proper posture, then don't do it at all.

Deleted member 7092 · Sep 11, 2018

Mullet2000 said:
Note that trying this can ruin your posture while on the bike. If you can't do it with aproper posture, then don't do it at all.

Do you think having a recumbent bike with a back support cushion would help with this, as you'd have a reference point for how your back should be aligned while peddling?

Luchashaq · Sep 11, 2018

I play a fuck ton of PS4 on my treadmill (I built a desk for it so I do a shit ton of work there too).

Hieroph · Sep 11, 2018

This thread is giving me the weirdest craving to play Wii Fit.

Mostly from the game point of view, not as exercise really. Most of the games are actually fun and there's something about the setting of Wuhu Island and the presentation that makes it really enjoyable.

PixelParty · Sep 11, 2018

The secret is to get a recumbent bike and a stationary bike stand that will convert it into an exercise bike.

You want to look for one that has a back tire that's fairly similar in size to a normal bike tire so it will fit on the stand.

You will still be able to easily take it off the stand for actual rides around your neighborhood too.

One a recumbent bike you can ride like you are being chased by a pack of demons and still manage a controller.

I got my recumbent bike for $17 from Goodwill.

Rhennik said:
By the way, do you all wear shoes while you're riding your exercise bike? Does that make much of a difference?

Yes you will need to wear shoes.

EDIT: My recumbent bike is set up in such a way that it's like I am constantly riding uphill. Easy to do with an actual bike and the stand. I don't think you could do that with an actual exercise bike setup.

Gaming on an Exercise Bike

Is gaming on an exercise bike a totally rad way to exercise?

Yes

No

All of our days are numbered, but I still think voting in this poll is a valuable use of my time

Amico fun conversationalist

One Winged Slayer

Amico fun conversationalist

Prophet of Regret

One Winged Slayer

Saw the truth behind the copied door

Alt Account

I love pineapple on pizza!

Community Resetter

The Shrouded Ghost

User requested permanent ban