If you are looking for an exercise bike have you considered a recumbent exercise bike in preference to the usual upright bike? Recumbent exercise bikes are gaining in popularity as they are more comfortable than upright bikes and give an excellent workout. They are highly recommended by physicians and fitness experts and are suitable for beginners as well as those who demand a more vigorous workout. However there is a great deal of difference between models which vary in both price and features. What are the advantages and what should you look for when you are thinking of purchasing a recumbent exercise bike?
Stability
An exercise bike needs to be stable so it needs to be well constructed and heavy enough to prevent it from moving around as you pedal. A light bike that moves too much will prevent you from pedalling faster and increasing the level of your workout. It will also be more likely to have problems with loose parts and breakages. Cheap exercise bikes are often too light so look for a well made bike that is heavy enough to prevent these problems.
Noise
The magnetic drive used by most recumbent bikes makes them very quiet in use. This is a big advantage as you can read, listen to music or watch TV while exercising which will prevent you getting bored and giving up!
Varied Resistance Levels and Programs
Recumbent exercise bikes are great for those who have not exercised in a while. The resistance is highly variable and can be adjusted from very easy to extremely hard, making them suitable for people of all fitness levels. They also usually come with a range of programs which also help to prevent boredom. Most programs will incorporate hill climbs and sprints and can be challenging enough for athletes at the higher resistance levels. You can also incorporate weights to give an upper body workout. Try to find a bike with a good range of programs as this will make your workouts more interesting and you can vary your exercising depending on your mood.
Warranty
Look for a good warranty with an exercise bike. This is particularly important as most exercise bikes rely heavily on the electronics and if this becomes faulty the bike will be unusable. This is not something that can be easily fixed yourself and although it is rare for this to be a problem if it does happen you will need to return the bike to the manufacturer for repair.
Some Advantages of Recumbent Exercise Bikes
Safety
Upright exercise bikes can be uncomfortable and put strain on the lower back and knee joints. A recumbent bike is safer as you sit in a more comfortable position that is less likely to cause back problems. They also put less strain on the knees so are suitable for anyone with joint problems. You cannot stand up in the pedals as you can on an upright bike which, as well as cheating on your exercising puts too much strain on knee joints.
Great Cardio Exercise
Recumbent bikes offer a great cardio workout in a comfortable position as well as exercising your lower body. With the addition of weights and reps as you pedal you can achieve a whole body workout easily. Boredom is one of the major reasons that people stop exercising but with a good bike with a range of programs this shouldn't be a problem. You can also read or listen to music while you exercise with this type of bike.
Conclusion
Recumbent exercise bikes are becoming increasingly popular but you should take care when purchasing one that it is well made and has the range of features you need. It is false economy to buy a cheap bike that will not encourage a good workout and will probably end up being unused. Recumbent exercise bikes range in price from less than $300 to over $3000 so can be a major investment. Check out the many online reviews by actual owners of any model you are thinking of buying rather than relying on the manufacturers blurbs. In this way you will get a truer picture of the models good and bad features. A good recumbent exercise bike will encourage a sustainable exercise program that will help you to become fitter and lose weight.
Image by Michael @ NW Lens
