Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Published : September 12, 2014 4:11 PM IST
If you are on a weight loss plan, it is now time to bet on your childhood activity. The stationary bike is an excellent source to burn calories and get rid of fat. The benefits of using an exercise bike are numerous and diverse. They are easy-to-use, and a great way to exercise comfortably and conveniently. It is the ideal fitness equipment for people who are not used to exercising or are overweight. It is also a great workout for who are returning from injuries. Stationary bikes allow you to get a good workout without stressing your knee joints.
The exercise usually tends to involve the muscles of the legs and buttocks in a short range of motion which is excellent for getting rid of fat from the lower body part. In addition to the legs, exercise bikes work on the abdomen and hips. They also provide an excellent cardiovascular workout and are good for the lungs and heart. Apart from burning calories the single most significant benefit of using a stationary bike is that it provides a complete workout without the pounding and impact of weight bearing exercises. A short 20-minute workout on an exercise bike can provide more health benefits than longer exercises that target only specific body parts. Yet it is still recommended to spend more time on a stationary bike to obtain the best results.
There are two basic types of stationary bikes:
Upright stationary exercise bikes: This kind of bike allows more variety in movement like riding while standing or riding in a racing position. As the biker changes his position, more muscle groups are engaged. People with conditions such as spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis will find it easy to exercise in the forward leaning position in upright exercise bikes.
Recumbent stationary exercise bikes: Recumbent bikes are more chair-like with larger seats and back rest. This generally provides additional comfort, better back support and more additional blood flow for the rider. Those suffering from back pain may prefer to exercise on this bike because of the back support.
Each type of exercise bikes has something different to offer to users and choosing the right model is largely a matter of personal preference and choice.
Image source: Getty Images
You may also read:
For more articles on know your fitness equipment, visit our know your fitness equipment section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And for health-related queries, visit our Questions and Answers section.
