Now that I've lost 60 pounds and am feeling better, I was all pumped to start some outdoor exercise this summer. And then I went to the sports store...

I wanted inline skates, but the stupid buckle wouldn't close and the guy helping me at Sports Authority made sure everyone in the vicinity knew that it didn't fit and he never, ever had someone who was to big for it; I was the first person who couldn't fit it, etc.

I was mortified. :blushing:

Now, I am being told that at 258 pounds, I need to get a custom built bike if I want to ride because the ones at department stores won't work. I can't afford $1000+ on a bike.

I am soooo frustrated. Now that I have the energy and drive, I can't find the equipment. :thumbdown:

I bought an elliptical and it served me well all through winter, but I want to be able to exercise outside. I know I can walk, but it doesn't have the same intensity. Running is too bad for my joints and is so not for me.

Any suggestions/advice?

Try a bike store, my husband is over 300 and he bought an off the shelf bike at a local bike shop. It was probably $350, by the way you should try craigslist. They have lots of bikes listed here.

Thanks Leigha! I didn't think of Craigslist.

I call BS on the bike (not on you, but whoever told you that). I've been riding my basic 10 speed ($100 at Toys R us) for several weeks, started riding it at 295, with no problem.

Thanks for the info, Laura. I was looking at something similar, and again, the lovely sales people at Sports Authority said no way. I don't think I will ever be shopping there again.

Thanks for the info, Laura. I was looking at something similar, and again, the lovely sales people at Sports Authority said no way. I don't think I will ever be shopping there again.

That's sales people for you, especially if they work off of comission (which I'm not sure they do at Sports Authority). The only problem I'v had with riding my bike at this heavy a weight is all these hills around here!

The only problem I'v had with riding my bike at this heavy a weight is all these hills around here!

I hear you! I'll probably start out riding flat paths until I am certain I won't go bum over handlebars. It's been decades since I've ridden, but I am excited to try again!

I bought my bike at Wal-Mart, and have had no problems with it. I was around 260 when I got it.

i feel so bad! sales people can be such a$$holes, but they are usually just telling you what the company policy recommends. I got my bike from Bike Works - Building sustainable communities by educating youth and promoting bicycling and it was an awesome experience and they were so nice and it was a great deal my bike was 75 dollars and it helps the community!

I hear you! I'll probably start out riding flat paths until I am certain I won't go bum over handlebars. It's been decades since I've ridden, but I am excited to try again!

There is only one good thing about biking up a hill: being able to coast down the other side!

that really really sucks!!! mmm well my only advice would be to try the bicycles at the gym - like take a spinning class, i know it's not outdoors but you could give it a try. goodluck and please keep us posted.:thumbdown:

There is no way that an ordinary bicycle wont support 258lb! Its not that big a weight, many taller men arent even more than a little overweight at that sort of weight.

Or are you guys inundated by as much Chinese manufactured crap as we are here?

I got my bike from Bike Works - Building sustainable communities by educating youth and promoting bicycling and it was an awesome experience and they were so nice and it was a great deal my bike was 75 dollars and it helps the community!

Thanks so much for the link, Mow! That's something I really want to check out!

At 250 pounds I bought and rode a recumbent bike. I absolutely love that bike. It was not hard on the knees or the back. I wish you the very best.

I just feel so awful that you had to endure that situation. I am about to have my surgery on the 11th of May and I haven't really gotten outside to do any fitness training yet but was thinking of joining a gym. I just hope I don't get the stares that come with it. Ya know... "the stare"

I wanted inline skates, but the stupid buckle wouldn't close and the guy helping me at Sports Authority made sure everyone in the vicinity knew that it didn't fit and he never, ever had someone who was to big for it; I was the first person who couldn't fit it, etc.

You've gotten lots of good advice about the bike, but I thought I'd throw in my two cents worth about the skates. If they fasten/close with velcro straps, just buy some double-sided velcro (they sell it in office supply stores for organizing your electronics' wires--I think I've even seen it being sold at Walgreens now). Cut it to the extra length you need and use it to extend the tabs. It's still very secure and it works! I've done that to get the cross-country ski boots I rented to fit and had no problems at all--even during a full day of skiing. I have short legs and thick ankles--even at a much lower weight, I had trouble closing the straps on ski boots; the porportions are simply designed for a longer leaner leg. Good luck and be safe!