This may be very n=1, but I didn't like that I could do too much of the work with my upper body and allow my legs to coast essentially. I also never found that it got more comfortable. With the treadmill I get an adaptation to not hate it even if I am pushing hard HIIT or even just running on it, the bike is probably a little less effective but I feel like I can distract myself and the time goes by, the Echo was just annoying and I didn't notice it being any more effective than the treadmill. I could push fairly hard on it and try to trash myself but hated every second on the thing.
That Nov Decision that Every American Must Make
- Hardartery
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Re: That Nov Decision that Every American Must Make
- Hanley
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Re: That Nov Decision that Every American Must Make
Well, yeah, that sounds about right.Hardartery wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 5:28 amI could push fairly hard on it and try to trash myself but hated every second on the thing.
It's better suited to 15-20 mins or less sessions for sure.
Though, I like throwing it into the mix for a 4-5 movement quasi-LISS session (45-60 mins low-intensity circuit)
- mgil
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Re: That Nov Decision that Every American Must Make
With the echo bike, I was just doing rounds of those 4 or so minute sprint/coast intervals at like 10:20. A few rounds of that done in 20 minutes or so is quite effective HIIT cardio.
The main drawback for me was it’s a bit more competitive for recovery resources with leg day stuff. Makes sense.
The main drawback for me was it’s a bit more competitive for recovery resources with leg day stuff. Makes sense.
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Re: That Nov Decision that Every American Must Make
I guess it depends upon the type. I have this Yes4All jack. It takes up no space at all.

Only disadvantage to this kind of jack is everything can be a mite unstable after you've unloaded one side and you're unloading the other side.
Better for you, perhaps. For me? Best cardio machine I've ever used, hands down. Only thing that came close was my C2 rower. After having both for a while I sold the rower.Hardartery wrote: ↑Tue Nov 12, 2024 9:26 am I had an Echo bike, it felt great to sell it. I never liked the thing, I think a treadmill is a million times better and a stationary bike is better as well, ...
They don't call it "The Devil's Tricycle" (be careful searching on that term - you will get some very unsavory results) for nothingHardartery wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 5:28 amI didn't notice it being any more effective than the treadmill. I could push fairly hard on it and try to trash myself but hated every second on the thing.

As for "effectiveness": Multiple people have done time/expenditure studies on cardio equipment. There've been some variances in results, but assault bikes generally rate at the top for energy-expended-per-unit-time.
That's Tabata. Can be either 20:10 or 10:20 effort:recovery intervals. Eight of those, two sets, with a one-minute rest between sets, does wonders in a nine-minute timeframe.
I love Tabata HIIT

Back to the original subject...
I now find myself thinking more strongly about acquiring that SSB. One thing that's giving me pause is storage. I'd need to find some way to store that thing on the wall.
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Re: That Nov Decision that Every American Must Make
I ended-up pulling the trigger on a REP SSB, after all.
Thinking about it: My back, chest, arms, and calves have progressed nicely. My slow progress has been legs and shoulders. So those two are what I need to work on most.
Added a pair of 45 lb. plates because I'd maxed-out the weight horns on my leg sled doing calves, a pair of 3-position barbell "gun rack" storage hooks, and a pair of sandwich J-hooks for my squat rack to accommodate the SSB a bit better than the stock J-hooks.
After Christmas I'll start alternating between DLs and TBDLs and swap-out front squats for squats with the SSB or alternate between the two.
Then, after I make room, someday, perhaps I'll add a Titan Plate-Loaded Deltoid and Shoulder Press machine.
Thinking about it: My back, chest, arms, and calves have progressed nicely. My slow progress has been legs and shoulders. So those two are what I need to work on most.
Added a pair of 45 lb. plates because I'd maxed-out the weight horns on my leg sled doing calves, a pair of 3-position barbell "gun rack" storage hooks, and a pair of sandwich J-hooks for my squat rack to accommodate the SSB a bit better than the stock J-hooks.
After Christmas I'll start alternating between DLs and TBDLs and swap-out front squats for squats with the SSB or alternate between the two.
Then, after I make room, someday, perhaps I'll add a Titan Plate-Loaded Deltoid and Shoulder Press machine.
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Re: That Nov Decision that Every American Must Make
Not strictly fitness equipment.
But Amazon has a neon Japanese devil that would look great in my garage gym wall. $27. 10% off now.
https://a.co/d/25VafeV
But Amazon has a neon Japanese devil that would look great in my garage gym wall. $27. 10% off now.
https://a.co/d/25VafeV
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Re: That Nov Decision that Every American Must Make
I didn't end up getting any work out stuff but I did get a 16gal vac to replace the one I accidently pinched swinging a counter weight squishing it.