Exercise is a challenging habit. I’ve gone through multiple phases over the decades, and have found myself settled into a home exercise pattern now that I think I can manage for the long haul.

Overall, I really like to exercise, but during COVID lockdown, the gym was just a bummer. The masks, the dirty equipment, distancing, and crowds were nerve racking. I was a member of the YMCA for years, and always enjoyed working out there with the many options they offer: all kinds of machines, a pool, basketball courts, etc. At that time, the childcare was a sweet attraction so we could both workout and the kids would have a blast. Then we moved a few times, the years passed, and we joined a few different local and Snap Fitness locations, which were adequate and convenient. As I aged, I also found the increasing numbers of young dudes with protein drinks, attitude and way too much muscle annoying.

During the pandemic, I found the thought of wearing a mask while exercising was just too much, and I suppose it was the last straw, so went out and bought equipment to build a home gym. I quit my gym membership, and transitioned to workouts at home. It’s been about 5 years now, and I just don’t see myself ever going back. The convenience factor is just too important at this time in my life. It was just a matter of minutes: I saved about 20 minutes per day by not driving back and forth to the gym, and that is a lot when you only have a limited window before work.

One of the key components of my equipment has been my spin bike. I researched a bunch and found that many of the fad bikes were just really expensive and you ended up paying even more for subscriptions that I thought I might not even use. I ended up buying a Schwinn bike, and it has been a great tool. Five years later, and it still works great! Multiple family members use it. The one weak point are the peddles which eventually wear out from all the stress placed on them. Plan on replacing the peddles every few years and I think that this would be true for all bikes. I have been surprised at how great a workout you can have on a spin bike. At first I was skeptical, but now have worked the bike into a rotation of multiple different exercise regimens during the week. I use a phone app, Apple Fitness, that comes with my Apple subscription bundle which has been great! It’s so much more reasonable costwise than many of the other options, and I really like the coaches. My iPhone fits on the bike in a slot made for a phone or tablet, and I can use my Wifi to stream the coached workout any time. There are a variety of time options, and even music content choices. Super convenient. If I don’t use the app, I typically do intervals standing to peddle and then sitting with different tensions on the bike wheel which is what gives you the resistance for the workout. Sometimes I’ll throw in weights in the middle of the workout: I just keeping peddling at a lower rate and do different arms movements with 5-8 pound weights to benefit my arms and shoulders.

Like any exercise, it can be boring, but that is why I mix it up with other workouts during the week. In my 20’s, I totally burned out on just going for a jog and because of too much repetition, the habit lost the fun factor. Now, a few days of spin bike, a few days of HIIT, and a mix of running, outdoor biking, cross training, hiking, long walks, yoga, and kickboxing make it fun, and build up a wide range of muscle groups and endurance.

If you are having trouble making it to the gym, buy a spin bike and set up a workout area at home. It can be a great center piece to a convenient home gym that will allow you to live a more healthy lifestyle and get those exercise minutes in!