What are the Health Benefits of a Stationary Bike?

What are the Health Benefits of a Stationary Bike?
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Participating in regular aerobic exercise can help you improve your fitness, reduce your risk for some chronic diseases, help you manage your weight and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, according to the Drexel University Department of Psychology. Riding a stationary bike is a common form of aerobic exercise that can help you get the benefits associated with exercise. Cycling is a low-impact exercise and riding a stationary bike can be safer than riding a bike on open roads.

Improved Fitness

Cardiorespiratory endurance is a component of physical fitness that can be improved with aerobic exercise. According to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, improving your cardiorespiratory fitness means your heart and lungs are more efficient at delivering oxygen to your muscles and removing waste products from your body. Regularly riding a stationary bike can improve your cardiorespiratory fitness, which can reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.

Low-Impact

Riding a stationary bike can help you improve your fitness while putting less stress on your weight-bearing joints, reports the National Health Service of England. Low-impact exercises can be beneficial if you are pregnant, overweight or suffer from a joint or bone condition such as arthritis or osteoporosis. A stationary bike allows you to adjust your seat to fit your body, which can provide for a comfortable, low-impact workout.

Safety and Convenience

A stationary bike can be ridden almost anytime and during any weather. You do not need to wear a helmet when riding a stationary bike and riding indoors can be safer than riding on open roads with traffic. Riding a stationary bike is a way for new exercisers get used to working out without having to worry about falling or crashing as they might on a regular bike. Adding stationary cycling to your exercise routine can make exercise safer and more convenient.

References

Article reviewed by Brian Peters Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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