The exercise bike and treadmill offer ways to get in a cardio workout indoors. Since both biking and jogging can vary in the intensity of workouts, you gain cardiovascular benefits while working at your own pace. Your improvement in fitness can have a positive impact on blood pressure.
Benefits
Both the exercise bike and treadmill offer opportunities for aerobic exercise, which is an essential component of an overall fitness program, according to the American Council on Exercise. It is through aerobic activity that you improve your cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure. In addition, exercise increases HDL or good cholesterol. Bad cholesterol is a major contributor to atherosclerosis risk. By increasing HDL, your body is better able to control total cholesterol.
Effects
The exercise bike and treadmill provide a means to match your workouts to your fitness level. As you gain strength, your body responds in other ways to increase your endurance by boosting your exercise efficiency. The end result is a means to help control your blood pressure. You will see cardiovascular benefits quicker with the exercise bike than the treadmill due to the greater calorie burn and intensity. A leisurely hour on the exercise bike burns about 292 calories an hour for a 160-pound person, according to the Mayo Clinic. An hour of walking at a leisurely pace burns about 183 calories.
Expert Insight
To lower your blood pressure, you must exercise within your target heart zone, no matter what machine you use. Your heart is like any other muscle in your body. It benefits from regular training. For optimal cardiovascular fitness, you need to exercise within 50 to 75 percent of your maximum heart rate, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Some models of exercise bikes and treadmills include a heart-rate monitor to track exercise intensity during workouts.
Considerations
Both machines offer ways to exercise, even if you have a preexisting condition. Recumbent exercise bikes take the pressure off your knees, making exercise less painful. With a treadmill, you can adjust your speed and incline to help avoid injury due to overstressing your joints. Rather than jog, you can walk and still take advantage of this weight-bearing activity.
Prevention/Solution
Whatever machine you choose, you will have the means to prevent high blood pressure and help control an existing condition, according to the American Heart Association. Your cardio workouts will help you maintain a healthy weight that can reduce your risk of heart disease and kidney disease. The American Council on Exercise recommends you work out three to five times a week for optimal health.
References
- American Council on Exercise: Three Things Every Exercise Program Should Have
- National Institutes of Health: High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to Know
- Mayo Clinic: Exercise for Weight Loss: Calories Burned in 1 Hour
- University of Maryland Medical Center: How much Exercise Is Enough?
- American Heart Association: Prevention & Treatment of High Blood Pressure
