The Recumbent Exercise Bicycle
What are Recumbent or Stationary Exercise Bikes?
There are many types of exercise bikes available on the market these days. If you're asking yourself what types of exercise machines would be best for you, then you've come to the right page. Stationary exercise bikes are basically the ones that are simply modeled on real bikes, except that you don't really go anywhere.
Most experts actually consider recumbent stationary bicycles to have low impact on actual workout benefits than some other exercise machines. Still, they are one of the best when it comes to lower body drilling. There are many variants of recumbent stationary bikes, but this article will focus on two basic types only.
The Upright Exercise Bike
The upright exercise bike is probably the most popular (if not common) form of exercise bike. It is considered as the standard workout bicycle by many bike experts and health professionals and is found in a lot of gyms or home studios. People often buy this type of exercise bike because of its simplicity and traditional sense. That why most people who love to exercise buy these for their own homes. It's an excellent way to increase your cardiovascular conditioning as well as to burn fat.
* Characteristics of the Upright Bike
Much like a real bike, the pedals are directly below the seat. The seat also happens to be like a real bike's saddle, except that it's a little wider. Most models can be adapted for your own convenience in that the seat height is adjustable for your legs. More modern designs of the upright bike have computers built on to them so as to allow a person to monitor his progress. These modern exercise bikes tend to have automated adjustments that you can switch on remotely from the computer interface built in front of the biker. It's all totally up to you how comfortable you want to get when using the upright bike for a quick workout.
* How to Use the Upright Bike
It's basically important for you to be comfortable when getting on to the upright bike. When you begin to straddle the machine, make sure your knees are slightly bent to prevent stress from stretching out too much to work the pedals. This means of course that you need to adjust the height of the seat. To check if you are doing this correctly, make sure that when you're on the seat, one of your legs is fully extended, while the other is bent. That is the correct way to use an upright exercise bike. Modern designs have remote switch adjustments built into the computer so you can adjust the bike while pedaling. Try to sit as tall as possible when you're first starting out, but if you're advanced enough you can also do other positions like the sprint type method (crouching onto the bike, your upper body bent forward). Basically, it's all up to you how you want to exercise but the ones mentioned above are the standard methods. As a final tip for the upright bike, try to make it fun as much as possible.
The Recumbent Exercise Bicycle
Now it's time to discuss the Recumbent Exercise Bike. Much like the upright exercise bike, the recumbent bike is a great alternative to burn body fat and increase cardiovascular conditioning. They also tend to be easier and safer than most other designs. Excellent for lower body workout, they are highly recommended by most fitness experts and bike professionals because they can be used by anyone of any level. The simulations that this exercise bike can produce range from incredibly difficult, to amazingly comfortable.
* Characteristics of the Recumbent Stationary Bike
The Recumbent bike is absolutely great for people who have lower back problems, simply because its seat is basically a chair. Compared to that of the upright bike, it's a more comfortable workout because you can relax your upper body while you simply concentrate on drilling your lower body. The seat is built for lumbar support. Fashioned like a chair, it's wide enough to adjust yourself according to your taste. Unlike the upright bike, the pedals are below the handlebar instead of directly below the seat. Modern Recumbent bikes have computers built for the biker's progress monitoring or heart rate viewing. Adjustment levers for the seat are located behind the chair.
* How to Use the Recumbent Exercise Bike
To start, you begin by setting yourself down on the seat, much like sitting down on any normal chair. Sit comfortably as much as possible. Adjust the chair according to the length of your feet (or your height). You start pedaling when you extend your legs out to the pedals. Make sure you're doing it correctly. To be sure, the correct standard is much like the upright bike's positioning. Stretch one leg to its full extension, while the other leg is slightly bent. When you're sure you're comfortable enough, begin your workout. There are resistance modes in the computer of the Recumbent bike, so if you want to do that, by all means. But make sure to try out the easier modes first. It's important to take it one step at a time especially if you're just starting out. There are a variety of programs to choose from the computer, so if you don't want to get confused by it all, just quick-start yourself to the manual setting. Finally, enjoy yourself.
But of course, before you can begin all that, you need to consult your doctor if this is the best course for exercising. Ask the doctor on what would be the best exercise regimen or training method for you. You certainly don't want to over exert yourself when doing this. And above all, just make it enjoyable. If you're tired and think you've had enough, then stop, rest, and continue tomorrow.
