Recumbent exercise bikes are one of the best ways to get a low-impact, calorie-burning workout. Even though a lot of people prefer to run or swim, bikes are often the exercise machine most recommended by doctors.
One of the main reasons cycling is so recommended is because it is very low impact. Running is great for burning calories and keeping your bones strong- but it’s tough on your body. In fact, a lot of recent research shows long-distance runners to develop bad knees or backs earlier in life than cyclists or swimmers.
Something to consider is that even if you do like running as your primary form of exercise, you can use a recumbent exercise bike on your rest days to keep the blood flowing. This uses different muscles than running, still burns a lot of calories, and is very easy on the joints. This is primarily why doctors will usually recommend cycling to patients recovering from an injury of some type.
Another reason why exercise bikes are so popular is because it is easy to read or watch TV while using one. Even though you can watch TV while running, it is virtually impossible to read while doing so. Because reading can help pass the time and let you kill two birds with one stone, many people are turning to recumbent exercise bikes to save them time each day.
When you start looking for a good bike to purchase, there are several things you want to particularly look for. For one thing, you want a bike that has great back support. The entire purpose of having a recumbent bike is so that you can lean back, right? Therefore having ergonomic back support is critical to enjoy your work out. If you are going to order your bike online, just see what previous customers are saying about the bike’s comfort.
Another thing to consider is the capabilities of the bike. Is it a very simple bike without different resistance levels? Does the bike allow you to change resistance, incline, or program other things such as randomly changing resistance?
These more complex bikes are going to give you a much better workout. Also because you can change the workout each day, you won’t get as bored and your body will not be able to adapt as well (meaning you get better results).
If you are going back and forth right now with debating an upright bike vs a recumbent exercise bike, consider this- recumbent bikes promote better blood flow and they don’t allow you to cheat by standing up! In other words, they’re better for your body than a simple upright bike, even though you’re also more comfortable while using it. It’s a win-win.
For the best deals on these bikes, Amazon.com is probably the place to look. They offer major discounts on most of the models listed. The best part however is the customer review section with each product. This allows you to easily see what people thought of each product, so you can make the best decision about which one is best for you.