Unless you plan to exercise in your closet, have the bike out where you can use it. I like to watch TV while I exercise, so I'd recommend option 2.

My husband exercises in the bonus room while watching TV. When we had the Walk-Fit in our Master, it was used for nothing but a clothes hanger.

We keep our exercise bike in the family room where we can use it while watching TV. We have an L-shaped room, with one portion being an office area, so we can slide it out of sight. Put it where you'll use it, either a family room or your bedroom. It's a great way to workout and if you see it you'll use it.

When our children were younger we had a Spacesaver treadmill and the exercise bike in the FR. That was the only way I got any exercise!

I would recommend selecting a dedicated exercise "area" that is pleasant to be in. Of the options you mentioned, I like #2 for a few reasons. It puts the bike in a place you won't feel like you need to cover it. Having it near a window (or sliding glass doors in your case) gives the exercise place a positive pleasant feeling. I find myself much more motivated to exercise when I get natural light. I often get very warm while exercising and nothing is more pleasant than being able to open up a window (or a sliding glass door) and bring in a nice cross breeze.

What I'm doing while exercising all depends on the exercise. But if I'm running on a treadmill or elliptical machine or on a bike, I enjoy watching TV. It helps distract me from the exercise and allows me to do an otherwise very unproductive thing (TV) while doing something productive. I love the idea of reading while exercising, but I tend to exercise too vigorously to be able to read (might fall off treadmill or bike or make myself very motion sick). If you hate to exercise, choose an activity that you truly do enjoy (maybe it's TV, or movies, or reading, or knitting, or talking on the phone) to help pass the time and make the activity more pleasant.

I'd put it where it would be most convenient to hang my clothes at the end of the day since in MY world that's the use it would get!!! But seriously, as others have said, do not tuck it into a closet or a space where you have to move it to use it. Make it as accessible as possible.

BTW- studies have shown that you don't utilize your muscles in the same way when exercising (treadmill, bike, eliptical etc) and watching TV. It's a much more productive workout when your brain is fully engaged in what your body is doing. Music can enhance your effort if you're not concentrating on singing along so crank up the tunes that inspire you!

dlm2000, I firmly believe the thoughts expressed in your second paragraph. I can tell a significant difference in my cardio workout when I'm at the gym with my iPod cranked as opposed to when I'm on my elliptical at home, either reading or watching tv. Without the reading or tv distractions, I'm much more focused on my level of exertion and therefore much more likely to give it all I've got. Plus, the music revs me up and acts as a sort of soundtrack to sweat by! ;-)

Just wanted to say I agree to keep it out so it's ready to go when you want to hop on.

I couldn't workout without my iPod. I actually have arrived at the gym, my iPod battery was dead, left and called it a night. Good music is the way to go.

Thanks so much for all the feedback...will go with option #2. I previously removed the TV from my bedroom since I didn't use it, but will put it back as it might help me be compliant...can watch it or listen to a music channel. I have an iPod I haven't even used, so can load that baby up too.

My bedroom is done in a Egyptian decor, this bike certainly won't match, but I am going to bite the bullet and think of all the benefits...LOL.

Absolutely! Put it where you'll use it, where it's convenient and where you want to be, doing what YOU want to do, whether it's watching tv or listening to music on your iPod.

Pic please ;)

I have an area in my basement with a large rug, my treadmill a radio on a shelf and before I was smart enough to know better a tanning bed. ;) I used to run and then tan sometimes the other way around. Only tan once a week though. I ran more often than that. I also had a TV with a DVD player and exercise videos down there and some free weights. My children have taken over the area recently with some toys and I moved my videos upstairs now. I need to reclaim it as it is MUCH cooler down there in the summer. Even with the air on up here you want it super cool when you are exercising. You have to be one that will go down there to do it. Laying out exercise cothing the night before always helps for me.

We have a (big) elliptical and have it placed in our study in front of the picture window and with it facing the tv. We love it in there because it gives us the option to either look at the view or watch tv as we run . . . or both. Putting it in a closet would definitely turn into one of those "out of sight; out of mind" things for us. One more suggestion for you: if you can place it so that you can open the door and catch a breeze if needed.
Lynn