Stationary exercise bikes provide all the benefits of riding a bicycle.
They provide good cardio workouts, have much less impact on knees,
hips and other joints than walking or running.
Most stationary bikes have manual or computerized controls to allow you
to adjust resistance and speed. Most of them come with heart monitors
and cardio workouts already programmed in. There is a huge selection
of price and style and stationary bikes tend to be the most affordable
cardio exercise machine.
Types of Stationary Bikes:
Standard, upright stationary bikes come in single or dual action models.
Dual action bikes have handles or levers to work the upper body
and have been shown to provide more effective cardio workouts, burn
more calories and also improve overall body tone more efficiently
than single action bikes.
Dual action bikes work well for those with hip or leg injuries,
who need to exercise but also need to go easy on their legs.
The dual action allows the arms to work harder to operate the machine,
thus requiring less work from the legs.
A recumbent bicycle, sometimes called a “bent” is a type of stationary bike
that is more laid back…literally. It places the body in a semi or fully reclining
position, taking pressure off the back area.
Because of the reclining position, a recumbent bike works the abdominal
muscles more and also creates more hamstring action. The lower center
of gravity makes for better balance as well.
The recumbent bikes also bring your feet more closely in line with your heart,
keeping blood pressure low and providing for a safer overall workout.
Standard models usually come with more features such as a programmable
console that calculates heart rate or allows you to pick a heart rate
and then adjust the resistance accordingly. These bikes may use flywheels,
fan blades, or magnetic resistance, depending on the quality.
Magnetic
resistance is usually the best method as it operates more smoothly
and is
quieter. Some popular models include Tunturi F520 (recumbent),
Vision Fitness R2000, and several models from Schwinn.
For more info, download Stationary Bikes, a free ebook.
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