Exercise Bikes
What is an exercise bike?
An exercise bike, or stationary bike, is piece of exercise equipment that looks and works like a bicycle, but remains in one place. Modern exercise bikes not only have pedals and handles, but some have computer screens to track time, speed, and more.
Many of these bikes also track calories burned, or have programmable resistance routines. These routines allow a person to specifically target weight loss or muscle growth. Some bikes also come with movable handles that allow the user to work out his or her upper body along with the lower
Some people enjoy using exercise bikes in lieu of treadmills or elliptical machines because the bikes are easier on knees and lower backs. Exercise bikes are considered low impact aerobic activity equipment. This means that less stress is put on leg and back joints while exercising. This is especially important for exercisers for whom traditional running is painful or difficult.
Furthermore, exercise bikes strengthen the core muscles of a person, including their back and stomach, which helps with posture and overall strength. Aerobic activity is very important for cardiovascular health, and has been shown to help prevent heart disease.
How can I choose a quality exercise bike?
One good recommendation is to visit with a salesperson in an athletic store. These employees are knowledgeable about exercise bikes, and can help you comparison shop. Before you go, however, consider what you want in a bike.
If you are looking for an upper body workout along with the lower, a bike with moving handles will work well for you. If you want programmable workouts, then a bike with a computer should be what you are looking for. It is also a good idea to look up product reviews on the internet. These reviews will give you an idea of what brands to steer away from, and which brands are of high quality.
Once you have narrowed your choices down, choosing a bike becomes a matter of comfort. Try out the floor models at the store. How do you fit on them? Are the pedals or seat adjustable? How comfortable are you with the computer screen? Is the seat comfortable? These questions are important because an ill-fitted or uncomfortable bike will not encourage you to exercise!
How can I use an exercise bike with my workout routine?
An exercise bike can replace the cardiovascular section of any workout routine. Many people use bikes instead of jogging on rainy, cold, or very hot days. Others choose to use them almost exclusively. Exercisers can also enhance a lower-body specific toning routine by doing high-resistance biking with a programmable bike. This will help build muscle while burning fat. Overall, these bikes are quite flexible and can fit into almost any exercise routine.
Written by LiftW8 EverydayLiftW8 health, fitness, and nutrition directory.
