Exercise bikes are popular pieces of equipment for people to use at home and are third in popularity after elliptical trainers and treadmills. Many people prefer a form of exercise where they are sitting down and they are also great for exercising while reading to stave off boredom! They give a good cardio workout while also toning the lower body without putting strain on the knee or ankle joints. Exercise bikes come in four different types including upright bikes, recumbent bikes, dual action bikes and spin bikes. We've described them here so that you can decide which type would be best for you.

Upright Exercise Bikes

These are stationary bikes that look very similar to a regular road bike with a control console in the area between the handlebars. Sitting on the bike the angle of your hips will be about 45 degrees with the pedals slightly forward of the seat. While pedalling the core muscles are exercised very effectively but they can put strain on the back and knees so may not be suitable for anyone with back or joint problems. The seats also tend to be somewhat uncomfortable.

Recumbent Exercise Bikes

This type of stationary bike is becoming increasingly popular as it offers many of the advantages of an upright stationary bike but is much more comfortable and puts less strain on the joints. The seat is comfortable with a back rest and the recumbent position is preferred by many people. The pedals are located to the front of the user and the hip angle is close to 90 degrees. However if you are tall, with long legs, it might be wise to try out the model you are thinking of buying to ensure there is sufficient clearance between your knees and the console.

Dual Action Exercise Bikes

These are modifications of upright stationary bikes with movable handlebars that exercise your upper body int he same way as an elliptical trainer. They do not offer many options and are the least popular of the exercise bikes. They are good for a beginner but do not give a vigorous enough exercise for a more advanced user.

Spin Exercise Bikes

Spin bikes are usually high quality and similar to road bikes in design. They have few features found in the other types of bike but give a vigorous workout. if you are not looking for fancy features but a basic exercise bike for a good, intense workout this may be the type to choose.

Some Things to Consider When Buying an Exercise Bike

Whichever type of exercise bike you decide to buy there are some common things to look out for. Stability of the bike is important and some cheap bikes are too light to be stable especially when you progress to more vigorous workouts. Choose a bike with a good range of resistances and programmes so that it will adapt to your needs as your fitness improves. You should also make sure you are within the recommended weight limit of the bike and that it can be adjusted to fit your height. A good warranty is also important.

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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