Should You Use an Exercise Bike? Discover These Key Benefits
Have you ever wondered if you should bother using an exercise bike? If you have, you’re not alone. In this age of iPod-compatible treadmills, elliptical trainers outfitted with Internet access, and other space age fitness equipment, the ordinary stationary bike seems to have been all but forgotten.
The truth is, an indoor cycle is a great tool for improving your cardiovascular fitness. You can strengthen key muscles in your legs and boost your aerobic capacity, all while enjoying a workout that will be kind to your back and knees.
You can choose between either a recumbent, or upright bike. Which one you’ll select will depend on your physical condition, and your fitness objective.
The Upright Stationary Bike
An upright has a lot in common with a normal outdoor road bike. There’s the saddle (no back support), and pedals positioned directly below your legs.
Since an upright bike saddle lacks support for the lower back, while you workout, it’s important to use correct form, or else you run the risk of strain or injury. Nevertheless, an upright can provide an outstanding cardio workout and help strengthen and tone your thighs and calves.
The Recumbent Exercise Bicycle
A bucket seat, with plenty of back support, is standard on a recumbent. With the pedals in front of you, and the benefit of a wider seat, keeping correct posture while you pedal is simple.
For these reasons, a recumbent is an excellent choice if you experience chronic lower-back pain, or are overweight and find sitting upright for an extended period to be too difficult.
As an added bonus, recumbent bicycles exercise your hamstrings and hips at a different angle than the upright models. It also can be a good cardio machine to use for a change of pace in your routine, and to enjoy a new style of muscle stimulation.
Features in Both Models of Exercise Bikes
Ergonomic consoles designed to make reading comfortable tend to be found on both types of exercise bikes. This is a great way to catch up on your reading while you’re getting fit. Although elliptical trainers and treadmills offer wonderful benefits as well, the type of movement you experience on those machines makes reading anything pretty much impossible.
If you want an even more thorough workout, look into a dual-action bike. Models vary, but usually include movable handlebars that allow you to increase the resistance. You’ll burn extra calories and tone your upper body, too.
Think these machines are short on technology? Think again. Today’s exercise bikes offer electronic features that rival anything you can find on a treadmill. You can track your calories burned and distance traveled, monitor your heart rate, adjust the resistance and speed, follow pre-programmed workouts, and on some models, even surf the Internet and play video games.
When you decide it’s time to look for a good exercise cycle, you’ll find an impressive range of choices. Consider products from Stamina, Schwinn, Reebok, and Proform; these are popular brands that offer quality models.
When seeking equipment for your home gym, consider the indoor exercise bike. You might be pleasantly surprised.
About the Author
B. Massey is editor of an exercise equipment reviews web site. For exercise bike ratings and consumer reports on other fitness equipment, visit his site today.
Fitting a Bicycle to You : Fitting a Hybrid Bicycle Saddle to You
|
|
New 2012 Cycling Bike Bicycle PRO ROAD SADDLE soft Comfort Black anr $0.99 |
|
|
Comfort Bike Bicycle Seat Cycling Saddle Seat Black/White $14.99 |
|
|
Selle SMP Strike Extra Road Racing 344 gr Blue Saddle Seat Bike Bicycle Worldwid $64.00 |
|
|
Selle SMP Strike Extra Saddle Road Racing 344 gr Yellow Bike Bicycle Worldwide $64.00 |
|
|
Selle SMP Strike Extra Road Racing 344 gr Saddle Seat Red Bike Bicycle Worldwide $64.00 |
|
|
Selle SMP Strike TRK Men’s Trekking Saddle Black 344 gr 280 160 mm Bike Bicycle $52.00 |
|
|
VADER Black MTB Road OffRoad Bike Bicycle Seat Saddle $23.99 |
|
|
NEW Black Bike Bicycle Triangle Nylon Saddle bag frame $8.09 |
|
|
Blue Waterproof Cycling Bicycle Bike outdoor Saddle Seat Rear Pouch Bag NEW $7.45 |
|
|
A NEW ISM ADAMO ROAD TRI TT ERGO GEL Bike Saddle White $117.50 |
|
|
SUPERB SPORTS & EXERCISE BLK MEMORY FOAM BIKE SEAT COVER BICYCLE CUSHION SADDLE $10.99 |
|
|
Road Cycling Bike Bicycle Silicone Saddle Seat Cover Silica Gel Cushion Soft Pad $0.01 |
|
|
RED Waterproof Cycling Bicycle Bike outdoor Saddle Seat Rear Pouch Bag NEW $7.45 |
|
|
Brooks B17 Standard Brown Road Bike Saddle Fixed bike $89.90 |
|
|
Black Waterproof Cycling Bicycle Bike outdoor Saddle Seat Rear Pouch Bag NEW $7.45 |
|
|
Hook Loop Fastener Black Double Saddle Front Bag for Bike Bicycle $10.52 |
|
|
New Supervelos L 280 mm x W 145 mm Road MTB Bike Saddle Seats Black $39.00 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bicycle Bike Saddle Seat tail $0.01 |
|
|
Bike Saddle Cover Soft Gel Cushion Mountain Bicycle Cycling Silicone Seat Cover $0.99 |
|
|
WADER Road MTB Bicycle Saddle Bike Seat Black VD008B $0.99 |
|
|
Seatpost w/ Saddle: NITTO Jaguar NJS 27.2 W30, KASHIMAX FG-8P NJS ( Track Bike ) $44.00 |
|
|
Fizik Pave CX Sport MG Rail Black Bike Bicycle Saddle – NEW – Free Shipping $39.99 |
|
|
Mountain Bike Bicycle Cycling Saddle Cover Soft Gel Cushion Silicone Seat Cover $0.99 |
|
|
WADER Road MTB Bicycle Saddle Bike Seat White VD008W $0.99 |
|
|
Bicycle quick release saddle bag Bike Rear Seat Bag Cycling Saddle Pouch New $0.99 |
|
|
New Edge L 275 mm x W 135mm Road MTB Bike Saddle Seats Black $39.00 |
|
|
Soft Memory Foam GEL Air Ventilaton Bike Bicycle SEAT SADDLE COVER PAD new $4.23 |
|
|
NEW Cycling Bicycle Bike Saddle Outdoor Pouch Seat Bag $0.99 |
|
|
Velo Tempo.S1 Bike Saddle $26.99 |
|
|
SDG bike Saddle I-beam $29.99 |
|
|
NEW FIZIK VITESSE TRI KIUM RAIL WOMENS ROAD BIKE SADDLE Bike Seat $49.99 |
|
|
2011 Cycling Bicycle Bike Saddle Outdoor Pouch Seat Bag $0.01 |
|
|
LEZYNE BIKE BICYCLE MICRO CADDY SEAT SADDLE BAG SMALL $17.95 |
|
|
BAG SEAT M-Wave MEDIUM #360 BIKE SPARES – TOOL BAG – SADDLE-BAG $16.78 |
|
|
Fizik Road Bike Saddle $5.99 |
|
|
NEW Cycling Bicycle Bike Saddle Outdoor Pouch Seat Bag $0.99 |
|
|
OLD SCHOOL VELO GEL TECH BIKE BICYCLE SADDLE NOS NEW FOR FIXIE FIXED ROAD BIKE $14.85 |
|
|
OLD SCHOOL HARD PLASTIC TBG TAIWANESE BMX BIKE BICYCLE SADDLE NOS NEW $14.85 |
|
|
Bicycle Seat/Bike Saddle/Velo Gel-Tech $8.99 |
|
|
Cionlli Bicycle Bike Saddle Seat $12.00 |
|
|
Felt 2.2 Road Bike Saddle $0.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE RETRO STYLE LADIES MENS BIKE BICYCLE SADDLE SEAT LEATHERETTE SPRINGS SYD $14.85 |
|
|
Cycling Bicycle Bike Saddle Bag Outdoor Sport Pouch Seat Bag Free shipping $0.06 |
|
|
Cycling bicycle Bike Saddle Seat Bag Rain and dust cover cushion WATERPROOF Bar $2.77 |
|
|
Cycling Bicycle Bike Saddle Bag Outdoor Sport Pouch Seat Bag Free shipping $5.37 |
|
|
VINTAGE STYLE LEATHERETTE LADIES WOMENS BIKE BICYCLE SADDLE NEW CHROME SPRINGS $19.80 |
|
|
New Schwinn Bicycle Gel Saddle Seat Bike Comfort Padded $30.49 |
|
|
TITEC BERSERKR DH DOWNHILL FREERIDE MOUNTAIN BIKE SADDLE LONG PADDED SOLID LOOK! $9.99 |
|
|
New Pro Mission DDK Bicycle Saddle for Fixie Road Mountain Hybrid Bike $16.99 |
|
|
Fizik GOBI XM Kium Wing.flex MTB bike saddle black 229g Used $15.00 |
|
|
SERFAS CURVA CRO-MO RAILS WOMENS ROAD BIKE MOUNTAIN BIKE SADDLE COMFORT DESIGN $9.99 |
|
|
BONTRAGER SADDLE ROAD BIKE BICYCLE SEAT $19.99 |
|
|
Selle Royal Bike Gel Seat Saddle $10.00 |
|
|
Cycling Bike Bicycle Seat Saddle Cover – 3D Silicone-type $0.99 |
|
|
BMX Bike Dorcy Viscount Seat Saddle Old School – NOS $19.99 |
|
|
NEW SELLE BINGO BLUE with RED BIKE SEAT Racing Fixie Road Saddle Bicycle $16.99 |
|
|
NEW SELLE BINGO WHITE with RED BIKE SEAT Racing Fixie Road Saddle Bicycle $16.99 |
|
|
NEW SELLE BINGO BLACK with RED BIKE SEAT Racing Fixie Road Saddle Bicycle $16.99 |
|
|
NEW DDK M5.0 PRO MISSION WHITE BLACK RED BIKE SEAT Racing Road Saddle Bicycle $17.99 |
|
|
For Bike Bicycle Double Color Faux Leather Saddle Seat $17.14 |
|
|
Zipper Closure Bike Bicycles Rear Saddle Seat Bag Black $8.29 |
|
|
NEW Bontrager Race X Lite Isogel Cycling Bike Saddle elastomer tongue Made Italy $39.99 |
|
|
VELO Mountain Bike Saddle Seat Mtb Black Orange NEW $3.97 |
|
|
Blank pivotal BMX bike seat saddle NEW / RED (with its packaging) $39.00 |
|
|
MESINGER BICYCLE SEAT BIKE BLACK SPRINGS VINTAGE OLD SCHWINN SADDLE VINYL RESTO $24.99 |
|
|
Mongoose XR-75 Mountain Bike Bicycle Seat Saddle and Post $12.00 |
|
|
1980s ~ 26″ Bridgestone MB~2 Mountain Bike With Italian Saddle & Sheep Cover ! $135.00 |
|
|
EXUSTAR Saddle Seat Air Cushion Cover Bicycle Bike NEW $7.97 |
|
|
RARE Old School Vintage Avocet Aero Suede Saddle Seat , vintage road bike BMX $125.00 |
|
|
Selle San Marco Aspide Glamour Saddle // Road Bike Titanium Womens $0.99 |
|
|
NEW Fizik Arione Kium Saddle // NIB 132mm Black Road Mountain Bike MTB Seat $2.25 |
|
|
Selle San Marco Rolls Cycling Saddle // 150mm Steel Road Mountain Bike Seat MTB $19.99 |
|
|
RARE Old School Vintage Avocet Aero Suede Saddle Seat , vintage road bike BMX $125.00 |
|
|
2011 SELLE ITALIA SL FLOW Road Bike Seat Saddle Manganese Black Fiberglass NEW $2.01 |
|
|
SDG BEL-AIR MOUNTAIN CYCLE Mtb Seat Saddle Mountain Bike Titanium Alloy NEW $0.99 |
|
|
Two Road Bike Racing Seats ( Prolite, San Marco Saddle ) $0.99 |
|
|
VauDe Rear Bicycle Pannier Bags Cycling Bike Touring Saddle Bags $9.99 |
|
|
NEW San Marco Aspide Racing Team Xsilite Road Bike MTB Saddle Seat PLEASE READ $99.99 |
|
|
VELO Mountain Bike Saddle Seat Mtb Black Orange NEW $0.99 |
|
|
SELLE BASSANO 369 Mountain Road BMX Bike Saddle NEW $4.97 |
|
|
SDG BEL-AIR MOUNTAIN CYCLE Mtb Seat Saddle Mountain Bike Titanium Alloy NEW $39.97 |
|
|
SELLE ITALIA LADY SLK SE Road Bike Seat Saddle Manganese NEW $45.00 |
|
|
SDG USA Bel-Air Reggae Bike Saddle Bicycle Seat 289g $37.95 |
|
|
SELLE BASSANO Childs Mountain Bike Saddle NEW $2.97 |
|
|
Fizik Gobi Ti Rails Bike Saddle Bicycle Seat 254g $43.95 |
|
|
WTB Silverado Thinline Saddle // 135mm Road Mountain Titanium Bike Seat Black XC $34.99 |
|
|
2010 SELLE ITALIA SLR Kit FLOW CARBONIO Road Bike Seat Saddle Carbon Fiber NEW $179.97 |
|
|
Fizik Gel CP Vitesse Bike Saddle Bicycle Seat 285g $28.95 |
|
|
Viscount Bike Saddle $1.99 |
|
|
SELLE ITALIA X2 PRO Black Road Bike Seat Saddle FEC Alloy NEW $24.97 |
|
|
2011 SELLE ITALIA SL FLOW Road Bike Seat Saddle Manganese Black Fiberglass NEW $49.97 |
|
|
VELO Mountain Road Bike Seat Saddle Black Yellow NEW $0.99 |
|
|
NOS HUFFY STAMPED ROAD BIKE SADDLE WHITE 10 1/2 INCHES IN LENGTH EXCELLENT $14.95 |
|
|
Selle Italia Max Trans Am Bike Saddle Bicycle Seat 297g $47.95 |
|
|
VELO Mountain Bike Saddle Seat Mtb Black Orange NEW $15.97 |
|
|
Fizik Handmade Italian Carbon Reinforced Road Bike Bicycle Seat Saddle Riding $0.99 |
|
|
Specialized Body Geometry BG Bike Saddle Bicycle Seat 322g $21.95 |
|
|
WTB YETI Bike Saddle Bicycle Seat 229g $34.95 |
|
|
VINTAGE 1950s COWBOY MOTIF BICYCLE SADDLE BAGS ORIGINAL WESTERN BIKE BAGS HORSE $19.99 |
|
|
ALLAY RACING 2.1 Sm Road Bike TITANIUM Saddle Seat NEW $34.97 |
|
|
Planet Bike Lunch Box $18.99 Reflective piping…. |
|
|
Circus Acrobat/garnier Photo Mugs A female acrobat balances on the top of a penny farthing – she rests her knee in the saddle, although the rest of the bike is not in the picture….. |
|
|
Harley Davidson Customised Photo Mugs bike, Harley, Davidson, Customised, Police, Special, FLHTP, American, America, US, USA, United, States, multi, classic, tourer, touring, bike, motorbike,…. |
|
|
Kryptonite Kryptoflex 1565 Combo Cable Bicycle Lock (5/8-Inch x 2-Foot 1/2 Inch) $25.95 The Kryptoflex Cables with Lock are available in a series of durable cables with locking capabilities for deterrent security in low crime areas.Integrated, 4-digit resettable combination lock with indexed number dials for error-free combination settingAdjustable spline attachment rotates up to 240 degrees for a greater number of possible lock carrying locations on bike frame or seat postFlexible b… |
|
|
OnGuard Akita 5045 Bicycle Security Cable (Lock Not Included) $4.95 OnGuard Akita Cable 5mm, 21-Inches long .Vinyl covered flex cable loop at both ends…. |
|
|
Pinhead Bicycle Locking Skewer Set, 3 Pack $64.99 3-pack includes 100mm front and 135mm rear locking skewers, plus seatpost lock…. |
|
|
Pipes, Rock Climbing Gear, Leather Bike Saddles, Luxury Sports Cars $1.99 … |
|
|
Back in the Saddle Again Bike DVD $24.99 Well, those ornery varmints at Pist-n-Broke are back again with the follow up to the sleeper hit of 2002. All yer favorite gunslingers will be saddling up for the most fun one can have on 2 wheels without getting tossed in the Hoosegow. Featuring Berreclothe, Lunn, Simmons, Vanderhamm, Leclerc, Spangler, Dyer, Schley, Peters, Roberts, Tippie and Bender, as well as the ace shooting of Deputy Ambros… |
|
|
Pipes, Rock Climbing Gear, Leather Bike Saddles, Luxury Sports Cars [HD] … |
|
|
Blue Steel Sports Anti-Chafe Cream $14.99 Reduces the chafing, blisters and saddle sores that occur with endurance sports. Protects your skin by forming a thin, silky llow-friction layer between skin and clothes as well as an effective moisture barrier to protect against sweat and water. Long lasting so reduces the need for inconvenient re-application. Most effective when used prior to activity, but also soothing to skin when used after e… |
