Battle of the Exercise Bikes

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There are many advantages of recumbent exercise bikes, which explains why they are becoming increasingly popular in health clubs and with personal trainers. These exercise bikes are perfect for anyone who is keen to burn fat and calories, improve their aerobic fitness, and would like to be comfortable while doing so. Gone are the days of having to suffer to lose a few pounds.

How do recumbent exercise bikes differ from an upright, stationary bike? Recumbent bikes have bucket-type seats positioned lower to the ground.

Here are a few benefits of the recumbent bike for you to consider:

Better Support for Lower Back

Recumbent bikes are easier on the lower back (lumbar spine) due to the way that you are seated. While an upright exercise bike has you hunched over the handle bars, a recumbent bike encourages better spinal posture.

Easy on Joints

Your lower back is being supported by the bucket seat. Your knees and ankles are more protected from painful and injurious impact. It is also impossible for you to stand on the pedals on a recumbent bike, which lowers the impact on your knees and ankles.

Bigger Seat

The bigger seat has to be one of the biggest advantages of the recumbent stationary bike. Upright exercise bikes have tiny seats, which can be uncomfortable for all of us with a few pounds to shed in the butt area. The bucket seat of the recumbent bike allows you to be seated in comfort while you burn off the fat.

Suits all Fitness Levels

No matter whether you have competed in the Tour de France, or haven't been inside a gym for years, a recumbent bike is appropriate for all fitness levels. This is fantastic because as your fitness levels improve you can alter the programs on the bike. Very fit people will love the challenging programs built into the bike. Those just starting out can begin with the easier programs until their fitness starts to improve.

Better Workout

A recumbent stationary bike allows you to add upper body weights to your routine if you want to increase your exercise. These bikes offer a range of routines form easy workouts on a flat slope to the more challenging and grueling uphill marathons.

Multi-task

The bucket seat of a recumbent bike allows you to have your hands free. This allows you to read your paper or book, text your friends, or play with your organizer.

Safety

Recumbent exercise bikes are safer because they are lower to the ground and result in less impact on the knees and lower back. No matter how challenging the program, you will not be able to stand up on the pedals. This eliminates many of the injuries that can occur on an upright exercise bike. The position of the recumbent seat ensures that you are exercising while maintaining good spinal posture.

For the Gals

Recumbent bikes will give you a fat burning cardio workout, which is great for the legs and butt. Adjust the programs so that you can work out the various muscle groups in your legs, thighs and butt. You can have the same results as you would from a Stairmaster without the impact on your knees.

For the Guys

The added comfort of the bucket seat will have you wondering why you endured all those years of discomfort on a standard bike. By setting the recumbent stationary bike to high resistance you can get a really good cardio workout while building up the muscles in your legs.

Cost

The more you pay for your recumbent bike the happier you will be. The bike will also last longer. More costly recumbent stationary bikes will offer you greater variety in programs and workouts. This is vital to maintain your long-term interest. Once you become bored with a piece of exercise equipment it is very hard to motivate yourself to keep using it. Many of the best recumbent exercise bikes have virtual scenery built in so that you can picture yourself riding up a scenic mountain or through France.

Tips for Physical Fitness

If you suffer from any pre-existing conditions, or haven't exercised in a while we recommend that you check in with your medical practitioner prior to embarking on your fitness campaign. Build you routines up slowly when just starting out. Try a session for 20 minutes three times a week and go from there. Work your way up through the pre-programmed workouts.

There are many advantages of recumbent exercise bikes. The main ones are added comfort, increased safety, and an excellent workout for people of all standards with low impact on the knees and lower back. The recumbent stationary bike is a great way to increase your cardio fitness and burn a few pounds without aggravating any pre-existing conditions.