Regular physical activity is the key to leading a happy and healthy life. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic exercise each and every week. One easy and convenient way for you to achieve this goal is through the use of a stationary bicycle.
Strength Building
One benefit of using a stationary bicycle is building strength in the muscles of your legs. Stationary bikes target the leg and thigh muscles, with the pushing of the bike pedals working your quadriceps, and the pulling back of the bike pedals working your hamstrings. Building these muscles helps you lose weight, as each pound of muscle on your body burns more calories in a day than a pound of fat, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Calorie Burning
Riding a stationary bicycle can also provide you with a cardiovascular workout, raising your heart rate and burning more calories. Thirty minutes spent on a stationary bicycle at a moderate pace allows the average 145-lb. person to burn an estimated 460 calories per hour. For every 3,500 calories you burn in a week, you have the potential to lose a pound of weight.
Accessible and Personalized
A stationary bike's accessibility and its ability to be personalized to the fitness level of its user also contribute to its fitness benefits. Stationary bikes can be used by people of all ages and all fitness levels, as long as they are tall enough to reach the pedals of the bike. Stationary bikes also allow you to personalize and vary the intensity of your workout by increasing the bike's resistance levels. This allows workout ranges from an easy, light workout for beginners and those recovering from injuries or joint problems to an intense workout for more athletic individuals.
Convenient
A stationary bike's convenience also provides a fitness benefit, as you no longer need to schedule an hour or more of your time to go on a bike ride. Stationary bikes can be found in most gyms, or are small enough to be used in your home. This allows you to ride a bike as far and as long as you want, without having to worry about weather conditions or having to ride back home.
Fitness Tracking
Many stationary bike models have added fitness tools to help you gauge your workout, helping to optimize your fitness goals. For example, some bikes may allow you to input your age and weight to obtain a minute-by-minute tracking of how many calories you burn during your workout. Stationary bikes may also have built-in heart rate monitors, which allow you to keep your heart rate within a safe and optimal target range.
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