Last week I was staying in a hotel that offered a "gym" that consisted of a few machines. I rode the LifeCycle each morning for about an hour. It was the recumbent style. Now my left hip is bothering me. Has anyone had a similar experience? Maybe next time I'll try a running machine or stair-stepper. There's no way I'll try riding my bike around McLean, VA...too crazy!

Yes, I prefer the recumbent over the regular. However, like you, I have a sore (right hip) once in awhile. I haven't ridden one in quite awhile. Better to ride my trainer. I don't travel any longer so I don't have to worry about it any longer.

I use an upright Lifecycle often. It is very convenient when I can't get outside. When I have used recumbent lifecycles at hotels, they seem bother my knees much more than the upright

The YMCA I go to has upright and recumbent LifeFitness exercise bikes. I imagine they are the same thing as LifeCycles. I have ridden both kinds, and without question they are the most uncomfortable things in the universe.

You have to be careful with the exercise bikes. They are very ridig and don't have any "give" at all, like a regular bike would. I started a spinning class about 2 months ago. After the first 2 weeks fo spinning, I had pain in places (joints) that I never had before.

I started noticing that I was careless with my form because I didn't have to do anything be pedal hard. I'm watch my form closely now and it's all good; no more pain. Just remember that you need the machine is properly set up for you and watch your form closely and you should be fine. Also, you won't be able to pedal the same way you do on a real bike, because the set up is totally different. So you may not want to go as hard until your muscles adapts to the new settings.

RobRyb, you can also bike on the W&OD trail and not have to worry about cars in McLean or the Lifecycle.