Stationary bikes: no excuses, 30 minutes a day on a bike will change your life
Stationary bikes are the ideal exercise equipment for the home. We are all recommended to exercise for 30 minutes per day to stay healthy combined with a good intake of balanced food. Most people complain about not having time to go to the gym or get ready to go for a run, etc., but if it was 30 minutes of TV, I bet time wouldn’t be an issue. Why not combine the two, TV and exercise? Watching TV while exercising eliminates the boredom of being locked in a room staring at four walls while exercising. If you have a show that you watch regularly, time will just fly by.
What exercise bike will I buy?
Stationary bikes come in all wonderful styles, from the basic stationary bike to integrated programs for spinning and trail running. The best is what you can afford to pay, the main thing is that you exercise regularly or intend to do so. The most basic stationary bike can cost from $80 and up and usually has a few different gears available to make the exercise more intense as you progress with fitness. I have to say that if you can afford to spend $200 you will find exercise bikes that have preset exercise programs that are easy to follow and are a great way to burn fat.
How to start:
Getting started can be daunting, but after a week or so you’ll notice your fitness level improve and your overall health. You must introduce the body to the exercise during the first days, for many people who buy exercise bikes it is the first time they have done an exercise of this type in years. The first few days should be a slow introductory pace, if you go all out on the first day you will only end up with sore muscles and may even stop exercising again. Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Who are the main manufacturers of exercise bikes?
Weslo, Reebok, Tuntui, Stamina, Proform, Nordic Track and Fitness Track have for many years made some of the best exercise bikes we have ever seen and they all continue to do so. There are folding bikes available for those who live in apartments or people who are simply limited by space. Many people are now trying to build a home gym with essential exercise equipment; the exercise bike should be first on the shopping list. The exercise itself is a great aerobic workout, easy to get started with and works ideally as a cross trainer with most other fitness equipment.
Some stationary bikes do double duty, exercising for the upper and lower body. As well as the obvious leg workout you’ll also find upper body levers on some, this is an ideal exercise for a full body workout and will burn fat faster than the standard stationary bike (the more muscle groups you work the more fat you burn and faster).
Why buy a stationary bike when I can get a treadmill?
The exercise bike has a very low impact on the joints. If you have previous injuries or weak joints in general, the stationary bike is an ideal gentle exercise. The treadmill is a much higher impact exercise on the joints and should be considered by those with weak knees or ankles. If you decide to get a stationary bike with dual exercise (upper and lower body), you will burn more fat than with the treadmill since you have no upper body resistance with the treadmill. There are arguments on both sides of the fence as to which is better, the bike or the treadmill, but you need to look at your goals and see what fits both your budget and your overall fitness or weight loss goal. Currently the cardio benefits you as a user is greater with the dual-function exercise bike than with the treadmill.
Soon:
The exercise bike is ideal for beginners and more advanced groups; offers a low-impact, calorie-burning workout that has a great cardio workout. Combined with a balanced diet, the exercise bike used regularly will help you achieve your fitness goals.