Exercise Bikes - Uprights Versus Recumbent

So which is best, there is a great deal of debate as to which of the two styles of exercise bike is best, the upright bike or the recumbent bike. It is true that both have their advantages. Which to choice when buying one? well that is down to your personally preference.

The Upright Bike.

The upright is of course the traditional style of bike modelled on the conventional road bike. If you are used to riding on the road on a normal road bike then the upright exercise bike would feel the more natural of the two styles.

Another advantage that the upright offers is the space saving over a recumbent. By its nature a recumbent is a laid back style and the body is stretched out, as a result the is longer. So the upright takes up less floor space.

It is widely regarded, by most fitness professionals, that the upright bike gives a more intense workout as the body is more upright, it is easier to put more effort into the ride.

Recumbent exercise bike.

The recumbent exercise bike is without doubt the more comfortable of the two styles. One of the down side of an upright is they can leave you a little saddle sore, no matter how padded the seat is. The recumbent is like sitting in armchair, no risk of a numb bum.

People with back trouble may find the posture of the recumbent more supportive than an upright, enabling them to cycle longer getting a better workout. A similar thing applies to overweight people; the more comfortable posture of the recumbent may suit them better.

The differing posture of the recumbent also puts more load on the legs and buttocks, so if reshaping your behind is one of your concerns then this a better choice.

Cycling in an upright position also puts a lot of pressure on the hands and wrists and can leave your fingers numb after a while. Using a recumbent eliminates this as your hands no longer support your body weight. Because you are not hunched over on a recumbent your lungs are more open thus you are able too breathe better making for a better workout.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both style of bike, in the end it comes down to personal preference and how fit you are too start with. It is definitely worth testing both style in the store, before you buy.


By Dave R Jones

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Exercise Bikes and Working Out

The exercise bikes are an excellent way of working out. They are high impact cardio vascular workout machines. They help in losing weight by shedding the calories and also help in toning up the muscles of the lower body especially the lower limb and the calf muscles. It's very convenient for people to listen to music or read a book while they are on the exercise bikes. It's convenient as exercise bikes can be installed at home. Unlike treadmills and fitness rowers, which take a huge amount of pace. Therefore even in a small area, you can have a great workout. The popularity of the exercise bikes is second to that of treadmills.

The exercise bikes are available for as little as $200 for the stationary exercise bikes and go up to $3000 for an exercise bike with all the frills added. Exercise bikes work on the principle of resistance to magnetic, air or a flywheel. All have their own advantages, therefore before you make purchases, read the these reviews of exercise bikes available on the Internet as well as in many magazines. Almost all exercise bikes will also have some sort of a control panel. This control panel gives the display of the heart rate, the calories burnt, the distance covered etc.

Before you buy a exercise bike, look for the reviews in various magazines as well as websites. See whether you require a simple exercise bike or a more advanced exercise bike. You can also opt for an used exercise bike. You can also ask your personal trainer for giving you the reviews of the exercise bike will be beneficial as they will give you an impartial advice, versus the salespeople of the exercise bike company. Also ask the advice of those who have already used or are currently using an exercise bike.


By Lyle Stim

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Exercise Bikes For A Heart-Pounding Workout

Exercising bike is not just about keeping you fit and building muscles, it is also about working up a sweat and losing weight. That's why many exercise machine manufacturers have made a killing with so many gyms popping up all over the country. One exercise machine that is very affordable, compact enough to fit in a moderately sized house, and delivers great fitness results is the exercise bike, otherwise known as the stationary bike.

Many people choose to buy an exercise bike because it is not big and very easy to store. Exercise bikes take up very little space, unlike other types of exercise such as jogging and dancing which need much more space. Exercise bikes are handy especially when it is inconvenient for you to go the gym.

Exercise bikes help improve fitness and stamina, and allow you to vigorously exercise both your lower body and upper body at the same time. The health benefits of exercise bikes are numerous. Aside from burning calories and losing weight, you can also improve your heart rate, strengthen your leg muscles and maintain your agility.

There are several types of exercise bikes available on the market today designed to meet different fitness and exercise needs. Some models are designed for fitness and stamina training, while other models are designed for stretching out and strengthening muscles.

So before you purchase an exercise bike, you need to first decide on your fitness and training goals.

There are three major types of exercise bikes available: the recumbent, upright, and the indoor cycling bikes.

The seat on a recumbent bike allows riders to recline against a backrest and to extend their legs forward for pedaling. It is great for people suffering from back pain as this sitting posture lessens the stress on the spine. Recumbent bikes provide a great workout to the lower body, and also provide an excellent cardiovascular workout. They are very useful when it comes to physical therapy and endurance training.

The seat on an upright bike allows riders to sit astride the saddle. It is so designed to lessen the effort to pedal as riders can use their body weight when pedalling. Cyclists often use upright bikes as a warm up equipment.

Indoor bikes, also called the spinning machine, are the most common exercise bikes offered. Riders can also pedal backwards, allowing them to exercise the back part of the leg muscles that are not exercised during forward pedaling.

Exercise bikes offer a heart pounding yet low-impact workout, while maintaining the ability to go at your own pace. They help you lose the extra pounds and help you get slimmer. They are also very affordable compared to other exercise machines.


By Susan Jan

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What is Great about an Exercise Bike?

Exercise bike, With everyone concentrating on their physical fitness programs, there are exercise facilities that offer 24 hour access to fitness equipment for a relatively low cost, and normally you will be charged by the month for the use of these fine facilities. These workout facilities feature state-of the-art equipment and shower facilities. The facilities features exercise mats, stair climbing machines, weights and a tremendous variety of exercise bikes to work out on.

The flywheel exercise bike is a featured with a wind resistance wheel that gives you a tremendous amount of pressure as the speed of your pedaling increases. The exercise bike flywheel is mounted on a stationary bike and is equipped with handle bars that contain heart rate sensors to guide you during your cardiovascular workout.

Most exercise bike reviews state that you should be in good physical health before you start an exercise program. The least taxing of all of the exercise bikes is the manual exercise bike. It simply offers low impact leg and foot action on a bicycle styled bike that is setup on a metal stand.

Most of these exercise bikes feature a control panels with an LCD display, with the exception of the manual exercise bike, that has no displays at all to offer. Some use an electrical cord to provide power to maintain the LCD display, with pedal action to generate the statistics during the exercise program that you have chosen.

With an electric generating exercise bike, you do not have to worry about the location of an electrical plug because they operate on a two-stage drive train that creates self-generating resistance through an electromagnetic factor. An internal computer will keep the statistics of your progress through a alpha-numeric display screen. The electric generating exercise bike is well liked because the equipment can be used in location.

Ease of use makes the versatility of folding exercise bikes very popular. With limited exercise spaces available in most workout building, the folding capability makes them easy to store. The folding exercise bikes are very useful at home gyms as well, where a bedroom may be used for exercise. After a workout is finished, they can be folded small enough to fit in a home closet or underneath the bed.

With a Schwinn exercise bike cycle, you get an athletic workout that is suitable for a novice or well seasoned professional athlete. The Schwinn exercise bike cycle features a chain drive that will give adequate exertion to the upper and lower parts of the body at the same time.

With the Kettler exercise bike you get a training program that uses a personal computer interface to aid you in your training regimen. The Kettler exercise bike offers state-of-the-art animated training styles to aid you in achieving the maximum output in your workout.

The exercise bike reviews give top ratings to the flywheel exercise bike. With the exercise bike flywheel feature, this exercise bike offers the greatest resistance at a more affordable pricing level than some name brand competitors.


By Samantha Clark'

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What to Look For in an Exercise Bike

There are many different ways to gain access to an exercise bike, and not all of them include actually purchasing the bike. But for some people, purchasing a bike can be a very good investment, especially if they are committed to using it every single day. That might include people who are in training for some sort of athletic event, people who are going through physical therapy, people who are seeking a low impact aerobic, or people who have begun a daily exercise regiment to go along with their diet.

The most important feature when looking for a stationary bike is comfort. If you cannot tolerate sitting on the seat for longer than a few moments, you won't exercise. If you find it difficult to move the pedals, or you don't like the angle of the handlebars, you won't exercise. The exercise bike should never be an obstacle between you and your ultimate goal of fitness. To this end, you should be prepared to put the exercise bike to the test before you purchase it. Shop for exercise bikes at retail stores, not online, in catalogues, or from the television, unless you are familiar with the brand and model of bike and know it is a good fit for you.

The exercise bike only needs to do one thing-simulate the experience of riding a bike. Don't be suckered into a high-cost exercise bike by lots of additional bells and whistles. The more trendy an item is, the more expensive it will be, and you're ultimately paying for something frivolous. Make a list of the additional features you want, such as an odometer, a speedometer, and a pulse monitor, and then shop for bikes that have those specific features.

By Alexander Sutton


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Exercise Bikes Vs Normal Cycles

One of the most controversial subjects of fitness equipment is whether exercise bikes have the same effect compared to a normal cycle. Put simply the answer is no, you never get the exact same workout compared to the real thing.

So why would you ever consider purchasing an exercise bike for your home, well as you are well aware in the United Kingdom we get cold wet winters, and finding the time to go out to cycle when its light in the winter is almost impossible, in fact the only time you can really cycle is when you have time off work.

So why do exercise bikes give a different workout

You have to factor in the differences of the two workouts, for example on a cycle you will feel bumps on the road, the wind direction, the mental concentration needed. With an exercise bike you site and pedal, yes you have various programs to simulate hills but the concentration needed is not the same and if you normally use exercise bikes in the gym you may be distracted by the music or the television. Although the calories burned wont be the same they won’t be far apart, I would say that the difference is about 15%



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Recumbent Exercise Bike Benefits

There are many different kinds of aerobic exercise equipment out there and it can get confusing to decide which one may work best for you. The best exercise equipment is the one you will actually use regularly because that is how you will get results. If you are looking for an aerobic exercise equipment then the recumbent exercise bike may be one of your best options.

There are many advantages to owning a recumbent exercise bike versus other types of exercise equipment that are on the market today. These kinds of bikes are ideal for people at every level of fitness especially for those that have some physical problems as the recumbent exercise bike offers a way to exercise fairly safely. They have bucket seats which are generally very comfortable to sit in and support the back very well.

Even if you are already at a high level of fitness you can still get an effective workout by adjusting the level of resistance. You can simulate doing an uphill climb as that will give you a much more challenging workout.

Safety is perhaps the biggest factor to getting the recumbent exercise bike as the bucket seats and the lower seating position create less pressure on the back and knees. Since it is safer and simpler to use than other types of exercise equipment it means that you are more likely to use it more often which of course means you will get better health benefits.

Recumbent bikes come in many different price ranges and models. Of course the more you can pay the better quality the bike will be and the longer it will last. You can certainly look for bargains by searching for used ones but be careful and make sure that you still get some sort of guarantee in case something is wrong with the used bike.

Many recumbent bikes come with built in exercise programs that can show you the number of calories burnt, your pulse and the speed you are currently at. Also remember that by owning a good aerobic exercise equipment you will not have to pay for gym membership fees and this saves you money in the long term so it may be worth paying a little extra to get a quality recumbent bike.

The bottom line is that you must use the bike in order to get results so be sure to make a commitment to using it regularly. If you are suffering from an injury then using a recumbent bike may be a safe way for you to get a good workout but be sure to consult with a qualified health professional to make sure it is safe to use based on your current injury.

Many physicians and trainers recommend the recumbent exercise bike since they are considered to be one of the safest ways to get aerobic exercise. If you are overweight then you will find the larger bucket seats much more comfortable than other seats and this will encourage you to use the bike more often which means a greater chance of losing weight and keeping it off.

If you do want a more challenging workout you can always add weights while you are seated back and get a great upper body workout too. These bikes are also great a giving you a great cardio workout without putting too much pressure on your knees as most other form of aerobic exercise require you to be more upright which places more pressure on the knees. Consider the recumbent exercise bike as your top choice for aerobic exercise equipment.

By Kelvin Gilberte


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Exercise Bikes - An Overview

Exercise bikes are alternately called stationary bikes, spinner bikes, and recumbent bikes. All exercise bikes have a saddle, or a seat, peddles, and some form of handlebar, so they resemble regular bikes; however, the style, structure, and size of stationary bikes can vary greatly. Exercise bikes also range in price. The most basic, simple exercise bike can be no more than fifty dollars. Other stationary bikes have a built in video game console, which displays the "rider" and the terrain the rider is going over or the race the rider is in, as well as distance traveled, pulse rate, and calories burned.

Exercise bikes are popular for exercise at the gym or at home. People who use their bikes at home find them convenient because they can be placed in front of the television to help pass the time. They also only need a small amount of space. People are attracted to this type of exercise because it low impact but highly effective. Due to the fact that it is low impact, stationary bikes are also used in physical therapy. They are also good for warming up or cooling down before and after strength exercises-that is, exercises that are designed to build muscle. A good five or ten minute ride on the stationary bike will increase your pulse rate and get your muscles limber prior to lifting weights. Warming up and cooling down when doing any sort of strength training or even aerobic exercise will minimize the chance for injury and help you have a better workout.


By Alexander Sutton


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How to Make the Best Exercise Bike Choice

If you're looking for an exercise machine that will give you a good cardio workout without stressing your joints, then maybe an exercise bike is just what you need. Treadmills are still the most popular exercise machine out there, but not everyone can use a treadmill safely, because of the high impact exercise that it asks you to do. If you have very sensitive joints for any reason, you'll have to try a different means of getting a daily workout.

Elliptical trainers can work well for this purpose, but an exercise bike is also a very fine choice. A lot of people seem to gravitate to exercise bikes, probably because they are familiar with the overall design. And everyone knows that riding a bicycle is good exercise, so it only makes sense that if you can perform the same motions indoors you should be able to get similar health benefits.

So what should you look for when you are shopping for exercise bikes? The first thing to decide is whether you wish to have an upright bike or a recumbent bike. The upright exercise bike looks very similar to a real bicycle, with handlebars, a seat, and pedals underneath. The recumbent exercise bike on the other hand, can be a sort of strange looking contraption, that you actually lay in and pedal with your feet straight out in front of you. Most fitness experts seem to agree that either type of exercise bike will work well for you, it just depends on your personal preference and comfort level as to which bike you should buy. For instance, those with chronic back problems may find the recumbent exercise bike much easier to work with.

When looking over the exercise bike candidates, the same general rule of thumb applies here as it does in other exercise machines. You generally get what you pay for. In other words, most of the really cheap exercise bikes will not hold up well over the long haul. So expect to pay at least $600 to $1000 for a good piece of equipment, and $1500 or more for a really heavy-duty gym quality machine.

It's always a good idea to try out any exercise bike model that interests you in advance in person. See how comfortable it is for you to use as you exercise. Does this seat fit you as it should? Can you adjust the seat level to give you a comfortable travel distance to the pedals?

Other considerations include whether or not that particular model has a heart rate monitor. This is a good piece of equipment to have for almost any exercise machine that you want to use. In fact, some machines are even coming with interactive heart rate monitors that keep an eye on your heart rate level and adjust your workout automatically to help you burn the most calories per session. If you can get an exercise bike with this feature, it can be well worth it.

Also make sure that the display on each model gives you the information that you would really like to have as you workout. Does it keep track of the time that you have been on the machine? Does it show the calories you have burned? Does it display your heart rate level? Does it allow you to adjust the resistance of the machine as you workout?

As you test out each machine, take notes on each model, both its strengths and its weaknesses, and then compile the information after you have looked at a good representation of all exercise bike models available. By keeping the suggestions listed above in mind and doing your homework you should be able to make the best exercise bike choice possible for your needs.


By Thad Pickering


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The Benefits of an Exercise Bike

If you are looking for a piece of home gym equipment then look no further than an exercise bike. They are really popular both at home and in the gym. They provide all you need to stay in shape.

You may be amongst the many people that just don't get enough exercise in their daily lives. We are increasingly spending more and more time sat in front of computers both at home and in the work place.

The common excuse for not getting enough exercise is lack of time, well when was the last time you sat in front of the TV and watched a 30min soap. Quite often I would have thought. Having your own exercise bike allows you not only to enjoy your favourite soap but get a healthy workout. The modern exercise bike is smooth and quiet; you won't disturb the neighbours with a modern bike. Doing this will go a long way to getting your recommended exercise everyday.

Those that suffer with back problems or knee and joint problems will have no trouble with an exercise bike, especially if you choose a recumbent exercise bike. There is no impact on your joints with an exercise bike, there is enough load to provide a good strengthening workout to your lower body. The recumbent bike is probably easier on the back because of it riding position; the soft padded seat will also prevent saddle soreness.

If you are a fair weather friend, or live in a cold wet climate then the exercise bike will allow you to workout indoors where it is dry and warm. No more battling the elements and getting wet to stay in shape, great during the winter months.

Regular aerobic exercise is excellent for your heart; a regular exercise routine will reduce the risk of heart problems. As more and more people are leading sedentary lives this has to be a good thing.

You cannot go far wrong with choosing an exercise bike for your daily fitness needs; there are bikes available to suit just about all budgets.



By Dave R Jones

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How to Find the Best Exercise Bike for You

Exercise bikes have been some of the most popular fitness machines for many years, found in many gyms and homes alike. The health benefits of riding a bike are well-known, and no doubt this has contributed to the popularity of the exercise bike as well. But before you buy an exercise bike for your home workouts, there are a few things that you should know in order to make the right decision.

First of all, exercise bikes come in two different varieties. The first is what you are probably most familiar with, as it resembles a normal bicycle with the wheels removed. The second type is called a recumbent bike, and rather than sit on it as you would a normal bicycle, you actually said in it instead. Some are not sure which type of exercise bike would be best for them, but generally speaking, either one will do a fine job of giving you a cardio workout at home. The biggest advantage of the recumbent exercise bike is that it could be a more comfortable fit for those who have back problems.

Other than that, it's probably best to visit a local sporting goods store and try out she type of exercise bike to see which style works best for you. Is the upright bike more comfortable for you, or the recumbent bike? The answer to that question is entirely up to you and your preference.

Now that you have settled on whether your exercise bike will be either upright or recumbent, it's time to start looking for the most important features to buy. Perhaps one of the single most important considerations is whether an exercise bike can be adjusted to fit you comfortably. Believe it or not, there are models on the market that fit the average person very well, but do not adjust well to someone who does not fall in that average category. So make sure that the exercise bike you buy has plenty of adjustment room for you.

Also be sure to actually test drive any exercise bike that you are serious about purchasing in person before you actually buy it. This is the best course to take with many consumer items, and exercise bikes are no exception. There are wide differences in exercise bike designs, and that means what fits one person very easily and well, may not work at all for someone else, and the only way you will know that a model will work for you for sure, is to actually use it yourself and give it a test drive.

While you test it out, ask yourself if you feel comfortable using it. Does the see fit you well? If not, can you replace it out with a different one until you find one that will work well for you? Can you read the display comfortably? Does it give you all the information that you would like to have while you are exercising? How solid and stable does the bike feel? Does it seem to run smoothly, and quietly?

It's not a bad idea to try out several exercise bike models, and get your own personal impressions from using them. After collecting all that information, you can decide whether to purchase it locally, or perhaps save money by simply ordering it online. But by that time he will have plenty of information that will help you find the best exercise bike for you.


By Thad Pickering


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Exercise Bikes and Their Benefits

The recumbent exercise bike has been around for a long time, and comes in a great variety of forms and models. These stationary exercise and fitness bikes allow users to recline while exercising, thus reducing strain on the back and greatly improving endurance.

First and foremost, the reclined position of recumbent exercise and fitness bikes offers users many benefits. Being unable to sit upright while using a recumbent exercise bike helps prevent the strains in the lower back area. Also, when reclined in the seat, your legs are at the same level as your heart, improving the blood flow to and from your legs. This helps improve your endurance levels while exercising.

Other health benefits that can be gained through exercising on a recumbent bike include burning excess body fat and strengthening the leg muscles. Burning body fat is a process that aids in the formation of muscle mass, thus this will speed up the strengthening of your muscles. Not only do you gain endurance through exercising on a recumbent bike, you lose excess weight as well.

There are many different models of recumbent bike available in the market today. Your choice will largely be based on your budget, however. The Stex 8020R recumbent exercise bike is one the best exercise bikes that money can buy. The bike checks your heart rate and measures your body fat as you exercise, helping to create a more personalized workout for you. The bike's computer comes pre-programmed with thirteen exercise routines as well as twenty-five different levels of resistance. This model of bike is very expensive, however, and you may wish to consider a cheaper alternative.

The Star Trac 4410HR recumbent exercise bike costs approximately a thousand dollars less than a Stex 8020R recumbent exercise bike. It has fifteen different levels of resistance and four pre-programmed exercise routines. The Schwinn 213 recumbent exercise bike incorporates sixteen levels of resistance and eleven exercise routines. A computer screen is also included that displays your progress in terms of speed, pulse, and number of calories burned during each workout.

For those who have never used a recumbent exercise bike before, the Phoenix Magnetic bike is a good choice. Although this model of exercise and fitness bike only offers eight levels of resistance, the workout you will get from this bike is very similar to those from other more expensive bikes. This will help you determine whether or not workouts using a recumbent exercise bike are effective for you. You will also avoid spending a large amount only to find that it is not suitable for you.

All in all, recumbent exercise and fitness bikes offer a great number of health benefits, not the least of which are improved cardiovascular flow and increase endurance levels. Recumbent exercise bikes come in many different models and types to suit all tastes and budgets. If you have yet to try a recumbent exercise and fitness bike, you should do so, as you may find that it suits your workout regimen well.


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Using Your Exercise Bike For Weight Loss

Exercise bikes are a great way to lose weight and shape up in the convenience of your home – no wonder that so many people choose an exercise bike for weight loss! These days, with so many options available, it is possible to find a bike to suit just about anybody, so there is no excuse anymore to hop on and start to cycle away the pounds!

Your bike should be your friend – this will make getting on to it on a regular basis a whole lot easier. In any weight loss battle, consistency is the key; so don’t do too much all at once. Hopping on one of these home exercise bikes and cycling for hours might seem like a good idea when you are full of enthusiasm, but your butt won’t thank you the following day! In order to establish a workout plan that will really help you lose weight, take it nice and slowly, and incorporate your new exercise bicycle into your life in a way that will last. Even ten minutes a day is a great start – set up your exercise bike in front of the TV at home, and before you know it, you will be exercising through your favorite shows. Make exercising on your home bicycle a fun thing to do, and you will be more likely to stick with it, and really start losing weight.

Home workout bikes are a fantastic basis for your weight loss program, but do try to do some resistance work too, as this helps to increase your muscle mass, which in turn will help you lose even more weight! You can even use your bicycle to help with this too – the handles are great for doing standing press ups, and you can use other parts for stretching exercises. Add in some crunches and some squats, and you have the perfect all round workout that will have you trim in no time. And to think it all started with sitting on your exercise bike in your own home while you watched TV! What better way to get fit?

By Kevin Urban

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