A traditional upright or recumbent exercise has a stationary seat, while a rowing machine's seat travels back and forth on rails; exercise bike pedals also circle, while rowing pedals are stationary. So if you are looking for the typical rowing machine range of leg motion, it might be best to acquire a rowing machine. However, if you want to exercise your arms and upper body through rowing motion, you can convert an exercise bike to a rowing machine. A fair degree of mechanical aptitude and a short list of parts are needed for the conversion.
Step 1
Remove the bike pedals from the crank arms on the exercise bike. Save the attachment bolts, nylon washers and spacers used with each pedal.
Step 2
Cut the existing handlebars at the points where the bars transition from vertical to upright using an electric drill with a cutting wheel attachment. File each end of the vertical section using a round file to remove any burrs.
Step 3
Attach a swivel joint into each end of the vertical section. Depending on the inside diameter of the vertical section, this may be done by threading the larger end of the joint into the end of the section, or by securing the larger end with self-tapping screws.
Step 4
Place the mini-stepper handlebars on a solid surface. Flatten the lower ends of each bar using a steel mallet or smooth-face hammer. Measure the diameter of the saved pedal bolts and drill a hole this diameter in the flattened end of each handlebar.
Attach the min-stepper handlebars to the pedal cranks using the saved bolts, washers and spacers. Tighten the bolts using the metric socket and ratchet.
Step 5
Remove the cushion grips from the upper ends of each mini-stepper handlebar. Slide a lifting-type eye bolt with machine threads on the upper end of each handlebar. Align the machine threads on each eye bolt with the threaded ports on the outer end of each swivel joint. Complete the attachments using an open-end wrench to tighten the couplers on each swivel joint.
Step 6
Cut a length of 1/8-by-2 inch steel plate as a horizontal support bar for stationary foot pedals. Make the cut using the electric drill and cutting wheel. Drill two 3/8-inch diameter holes at each end of the bar for machine bolts that attach kayak foot pedals.
Step 7
Position the kayak foot pedals at each end of the support bar. Drill the foot pedals at the locations that align with the previously drilled holes at the ends of the bar. Attach the foot pedals to the support bar using 3/8-inch machine bolts and nylon lock washers. Tighten the lock nuts using a socket and ratchet.
Step 8
Position the vertical support bar at the outer face of the exercise bike console riser. Mark the bar for holes that will accommodate two U-bolts. Drill the holes in the support bar for the U-bolts.
Step 9
Slide the U-bolts around the back of the console riser. Align the ends of the bolts with the previously drilled holes in the support bar. Complete the attachment using lock washers and machine nuts. Tighten the machine nuts clockwise using a socket and ratchet.
Step 10
Slide the cushion grips on the handlebars. Set the flywheel resistance to medium range. Sit on the seat and grip the handlebars. Push one bar forward while pulling the other back to set the flywheel in motion. Adjust the resistance to your preference.
Tips and Warnings
- Use a rag to prevent scratching the handlebars when flattening the ends. Lubricate the inside of each eye bolt with lithium grease if needed for improved performance.
- Wear safety glasses when cutting steel with an electric cutting tool.
Things You'll Need
- Metric socket and ratchet
- Electric drill
- Cutting wheel attachment
- Round file
- 2 stepper machine handlebars
- Steel mallet or smooth-face hammer
- Assorted drill bits
- 2 swivel joints
- 2 lifting eye bolts with machine threads
- Open-end wrench
- 1/8-by-2 inch steel plate
- 3/8-inch machine bolts with nylon lock nuts
- Kayak foot pedals
- 2 U-bolts with lock washers and nuts
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