Recumbent bikes are increasingly being used in many gyms and health clubs all over the country, and if you have ever seen one of these machines in your local gym, you will know that they are a lot different to a conventional upright bike.
That’s because with a recumbent bike you are in a fully supported reclining position and are pedaling in front of your body, whereas with an upright bike you are obviously in more of an upright position with no support for your back at all.
The truth is that both kinds of bike are beneficial with regards to fitness, toning and weight loss, but in this article I want to focus specifically on recumbent bikes, and take a closer look at some of the reasons why you might want to think about buying a recumbent bike for your home.
Ideal For People With Mobility Problems Or Back Pain
One of the key benefits of a recumbent exercise bike is that they are very easy to get on and off. That’s because the seat is generally a lot lower, which means that you don’t have to climb up onto the seat like you do on many upright bikes.
Subsequently these bikes are ideal for people who have mobility problems, including many seniors, and because they come with a back support, they are also suitable for those people who experience back pain when using a traditional upright bike.
Offers A More Relaxed And Comfortable Workout
The reclining position of a recumbent bike means that you can cycle in a relaxed position that is a lot more comfortable than an upright bicycle. You will still work all of the major muscle groups in your lower body, but you can do so without straining your back or experiencing any aching muscles in your upper body as a result of hunching over the handlebars.
Furthermore, it is worth pointing out that the actual seat on a recumbent bike is usually a lot bigger than the one on an upright or racing bike. So you don’t have to worry about suffering from saddle soreness on one of these machines.
Plus you will also find that a recumbent bicycle places less stress on your hips, knees and ankles than an upright bike, which is a key benefit because you will be able to train longer and harder.
Works Different Muscle Groups
As mentioned above, you can still get a full lower body toning workout on a recumbent bike. The difference is that you will be working your muscles in a slightly different way because of the position of the pedals.
Subsequently, if you were to use both a recumbent bike and an outdoor or upright bike, you could get a complete lower body workout because you will be hitting your muscles from different angles.
Larger Weight Capacity
Another reason why you might want to consider using a recumbent exercise bike at the gym (or buying your own) is because they tend to have a larger weight capacity than a standard upright bicycle. Indeed you will find that many of these machines will have a weight capacity of 300 pounds or more.
So they are ideal for anybody who is seriously overweight and having trouble finding an upright exercise bike that can support their weight because they will often be a lot stronger and more durable.
Easier To Stay Motivated
The final benefit is that it is a lot easier to stay motivated if you use one of these machines. Working out on an upright bicycle can be extremely monotonous, and is generally not a lot of fun because it can strain your back after a while. However you can look forward to working out on a recumbent bike because you can sit back in a comfortable seat and pedal away without any aches or pains.
Plus if you watch TV or listen to music at the same time, your workouts will be a lot more enjoyable in this reclining position.
Suitable For People Of All Fitness Levels
Many people automatically assume that this type of exercise bike is only suitable for older people who have back problems or mobility issues, or for those people who are recovering from injury, but these machines can actually be used by people of all ages and by people of all fitness levels.
That’s because a lot of these bikes will have a varied range of resistance, with higher resistance settings that are comparable to any upright bike or indoor cycling bike. So if you are already very fit, and would just like a little more comfort when you work out, you can still benefit from buying one of these bikes for your home.
Recommended Models
If you do decide to buy one of these recumbent bikes yourself, you should look for one that has a very comfortable seat, a solid build construction and a wide range of resistance settings and workout programs.
These recumbent bike reviews will help you find some of the top choices in all price categories, but the Exerpeutic bikes are all very solid machines if you are on a budget, and the Schwinn and Nautilus bikes are worth considering if you have a little more money to spend because they have more resistance levels and workout programs, and come with lots of useful extra features.
In addition, the Sole Fitness bikes, such as the R92 bike pictured above, are also worth considering if you are looking for a commercial-grade machine for your home.
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