Sunday, October 1, 2017

Exercise Bikes 101 - Is A Bike Right for You?



So the next piece of equipment on our list is the exercise bike.

Like the treadmill, this one has been around for over 40 years now, although it has recently morphed into a couple of different offshoots.



You're probably familiar with the first type of exercise bikes on the market - the upright bikes with the uncomfortable bike seats and manually adjustable tension.

I think we all had one of those in our basements when growing up - ah memories.

But bikes have come a long way baby. They're now much more comfortable and sometimes even specially designed to get great results than even your road bikes!

So here are a few things you need to know about exercise bikes:


Different Types of Exercise Bikes:


There are several different types of exercise bikes on the market now. Here's a brief overview of each:

Upright Bike - This is the standard design where you sit on the seat and your feet dangle below you to reach the pedals. You lean over to the handlebars and console as you pedal.

Recumbent Bike - This is the bike with the much-more-comfortable bucket seat option. You sit in the bucket seat and your legs angle out horizontally and down (like at a 45 degree angle) to reach the pedals.

A lot of people really like this design over the upright because it's more comfortable - because of the seat but also because you're not leaning over as much.




Training Bike - This has different names like spin bike or training bike. Basically these are upright bikes on steroids. They are the kind of bikes you see in spin classes or high end gyms.

They are designed to give you a much more "road-feel" experience and can even come with things like gear shift and incline.

Elliptical Bike - There aren't as many of these models around as much anymore but you can still find a few. This is a cross between an  elliptical trainer and a recumbent. You sit in the recumbent seat and move your feet on the pedals like an elliptical trainer.


So those are some of the different types of exercise bikes you can choose from. While upright bike seats have become much more comfortable, the recumbent bike is still the most popular - with the most comfortable seat.





Benefits of Exercise Bikes:


#1 Affordable

Exercise bikes, depending on which ones you get tend to be more affordable than a treadmill or elliptical - when you're coming quality to quality.

You can get a high end commercial recumbent bike for around $1200. Whereas if you want a high end commercial treadmill, you're looking at starting around $2000.

So if you're on a budget, then an exercise bike might be a great option for you.



#2 Take Up Less Space

These machines can (but not always) take up less space than an elliptical or a treadmill. So if you're in a condo or apartment they're a great option.



#3 Great for New Exercisers

Gentle recumbent bike riding is super easy and very gentle on the joints for those new to working out. These machines are also great if you are injured since they are lower impact than treadmill running for example.


So those are some of the main benefits of choosing an exercise bike for your home gym. Are there any downsides?


#1 Lower Calorie Burning

Bikes, especially recumbent bikes, are not as great at burning lots of calories as a treadmill or elliptical for example. So if you're looking to trim down and firm up it will take you a bit longer on a bike.




#2 Not Many Exercise Options

With a bike you basically have the option to ride - or ride. That's it. There's no forward or backwards motions like on an elliptical.

You can't hike, walk or jog like on a treadmill. You can cycle - or cycle harder. That's about it. There's not as much versatility with these machines as with other options.



So those are a few things you should know about buying an exercise bike. If you're looking for a more gentle, comfortable form of exercise that is on the more affordable side, this may be a great option for you!







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