Upright stationary exercise bikes have the additional benefit of being relatively quiet to use. This can make them the perfect at home exercise equipment, as you will not be disturbing the rest of your household. Exercise bikes tend to take up relatively little space and are easily portable. If you want to set up on your porch in summer and your basement in winter, you can with very little effort.
Before you purchase your exercise bike there are a few points to consider:
Quality vs cost. Upright exercise bikes are one of those items where you will get what you pay for. Ideally, you should probably buy the best bike that you can afford, as opposed to the cheapest you can find. The better quality of the bike, the more added features that it will provide and the more you will enjoy riding it. The lesser quality bikes tend to be noisy, flimsy, and fall apart faster. A good quality exercise bike should come with a guarantee. If anything should go wrong it will be replaced or repaired, as opposed to you having to go and buy yourself another.
Features Do you need all the games and heart monitors? The answer is yes, if you do not want to get bored. The games can challenge you to work harder against yourself. Unless you plan to position your bike in front of the TV for your entertainment, the built in games are definitely worth going for. The heart monitors and calorie burned screens are ideal for keeping tabs on your progress and increasing fitness. Don't you want to know when you have burned off that pizza?
Stationary exercise bikes with magnetic resistance are great for increasing your speed and resistance. The magnetic resistance on the pedals means that you can set yourself up pedaling slowly but with great resistance (as if you are going up a steep hill), or lesser resistance so that you can pedal at great speed (often known as spinning). Both these forms of riding are great varieties, which can mix up your routine preventing boredom.
Adjustable seats and handlebars are worthwhile features that should be included on most exercise bikes. Various back conditions necessitate the seats and handlebars to be at a variety of positions and distances. Make sure that your bike can be set up in the most comfortable position for yourself.
Once you have your exercise bike consider these fitness tips:
- Frequency. For maximum aerobic fitness and/ or weight loss, ideally you will be riding your stationary bike at least 3 times a week for a minimum of 20 minutes per session. Once you have adjusted to this then start building the sessions up to 60 minutes three times weekly.
- Stretching your legs and lower back before and after your bike riding sessions will allow your muscles to warm up and cool down. This will help to alleviate stiffness and pulled muscles.
- Medical practitioner. You should always seek the approval of your medical practitioner prior to starting any new fitness regime. This is especially important for those who already have pre-existing conditions.
- A stationary exercise bike is an excellent way to improve your aerobic fitness or lose a few pounds. Exercise bikes provide a low impact form of exercise, which is ideal for those who suffer from joint conditions or lower back problems.
About the Author:
Scott Gray is currently a fitness enthusiast and freelance writer who enjoys providing health and fitness tips to consumers. He maintains a fitness tips informational web site where you can find information about Life Fitness recumbent bikes and upright exercise bikes.
