There are about a million and one different gadgets and gizmos out there on how to lose weight. Some of them of course will and can work for you, and others are more of joke. Few of them have stood the test of time like exercise bikes have. Often times called stationary bikes or exercise bicycles; this piece of exercise equipment was designed with a few ideas in mind. These bikes are often used by racing cyclists or people who perform triathlons in order to practice bike riding while not having to leave the comfort of their own home or gym. This would also allow a trainer to stand side by side with them to critique their form and performance. Just as common, however, are those who use exercise bikes simply for exercise or for weight loss.

The Exercise Bike versus Treadmill Debate

Trying to decide which is ‘better’ between an exercise bike or a treadmill (or elliptical machine or any other cardio exercise machine) is a tough debate. You have to ask the question, what are you looking for in a piece of exercise equipment?  Anything that is going to allow you to work your muscles is going to serve its purpose, but of course some might be better than others depending on your situation. Personally, I have always felt that if I use an exercise bike, I am going to have to give it a little bit more, be it stay on for a longer period of time or go at a faster pace, if I want to get the same workout that I might get from running on a treadmill. Although that might be the case for me, it is commonly accepted that working out on an exercise back at a ‘vigorous’ pace for one hour is the equivalent of running for an hour at a speed of 7 miles per hour. Either one of those would be quite a workout, as at my current weight I would likely burn 1200 calories doing so!

Care of Your Body and Joints

One of the best parts of using an exercise bike over a treadmill is how much easier it is on your joints. Many athletes or would-be dieters have joint problems, commonly in their knees, that prevent them from running long distances outdoors, or even on a treadmill. Exercise bikes can prevent this problem by allowing the same person who might not be able to run for even more than 10 minutes, to be able to ride a stationary bike for 20 minutes, 30 minutes or virtually as long as they need to get a good workout.

If that wasn’t enough, exercise bikes are a common staple of the physical therapists office for this exact reason. A person has the ability to ride a bike for much longer than they could run, allowing them to work the muscles around an injury without doing further damage to any joints they might have previously hurt. Whether recumbent exercise bikes or regular is your choice, there are handfuls of brands of great bikes for you to choose from to accomplish your fitness goals, whatever they may be.

There are two main types of exercise bikes: the upright and the recumbent. Upright exercise bikes allow for a more flexible workout. The user can stand on the pedals while riding, can sit comfortably while pedaling, or can assume a racing position for a more strenuous workout. Recumbent exercise bikes, on the other hand, with the rider seated against a backrest with legs out front, offer a more comfortable workout and less strain on the back. Ultimately, the choice between an upright or a recumbent one is dictated more by personal choice than health benefits.

To get maximum results from workouts using exercise bikes, it is important to remember that posture is vital. Proper riding form helps prevent injuries and reduce unnecessary stress on the joints. The seat height should be adjusted so that the knee is not too bent or too extended. Abdominal muscles should be slightly contracted and the back should be kept straight. Avoid leaning on the handlebars.

Exercise bikes may be used while recovering from illness or an injury. When recovering from back pain, keep the tension light and pedal at a comfortable speed. Some therapists may advice riding on exercise bikes 2 to 3x a week for patients recovering from hip and knee joint pains. Exercise bikes may also be used to strengthen the heart and lungs by riding at a steady speed for 20 to 30 minutes at least 5 days of the week. Regular workouts with exercise bikes may help prevent coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. Interval training with exercise bikes can also be used for weight loss. Interval training means riding at different intensity levels at various intervals.

Indeed, exercise bikes offer a lot of health benefits. The different types and models of exercise bikes available in the market today ensure that there is one to fit each individual’s needs. And since exercise bikes are cheaper than treadmills, this is indeed a great deal.

Acquiring a treadmill, an exercise bike or any kind of exercise equipment is said to be a very good investment. You will not only save yourself from paying monthly dues in gyms, but you will also save the time and energy that you would put in driving to the gym or your dance class. Getting exercise equipments also give you the liberty of exercising at your most convenient time.

Why exercise bikes? Although you can easily choose the more popular treadmill over an exercise bike, you might find that the latter is actually more practical, efficient and over all useful than the treadmill. First of all, this kind of exercise equipment is safer than treadmills. You can easily fall, slip or slide when using treadmills. On the other hand, exercise bikes would unlikely make you fall or slip. In fact, it would take a huge amount of take effort to actually fall off one. Use of an exercise bike is also less of a hazard to your joints. A stair master or a treadmill can put so much pressure on your ankles and knees. This pressure can result to injury to your joints. With a bike, the joints of your ankles and knees are not as stressed and are better supported.

Another important thing to consider is that this equipment is more fun and enjoyable to use. This is a crucial factor as your commitment to your fitness program could dictate the efficiency of your exercise and how long you would be able to stick to your exercise regimen. Walking or even running for most people is boring that is why people easily give up on treadmills. On the contrary, average exercise bikes have added features such as programs that let you pedal uphill, sprint, etc. There are even “bike routes” that you can choose to give you the feeling that you are really biking somewhere. Moreover, there are exercise bikes that can be plugged into your DVD player or TV screen so that you can pedal through exciting visual courses. This would definitely let you burn fat the fun way.

What benefits would you get from such equipment? Your posture can be improved. Recumbent bikes promote a straighter back, therefore relieving existing backaches and pains. Some of the more current exercise bikes also come in foldable and portable designs, making them handy and not take too much space. This kind of exercise equipment is perfect for those who do not have the time to go to the gym, who are overweight or those who are not used to exercising. It can also serve as a fun activity that you and your family can enjoy without leaving the comforts of your home.

If you want a healthier lifestyle, a higher fitness level, a better physique and an interesting activity, exercise bikes are definitely the way to go.