Exercise bikes are essential pieces of fitness equipment that provide a low-impact cardiovascular workout while building lean muscle tissue and reducing body fat. Two major types of exercise bikes are the recumbent bike and the stationary bike. Each has a specific design, features and benefits to match your fitness goals.
Design
Recumbent bikes are easily identified by their design. With a full seat and back rest, a recumbent bike places you in a semi-reclined sitting position with the pedals out in front. Stationary bikes, however, resemble traditional road bikes, both in design and function. The seat is placed over the pedals to be adjusted based on the height of the rider. The handlebars also resemble those of a road bike.
Features
Both recumbent and stationary bikes have several features to change the workout intensity while tracking workout data. Each bike has an LED control console that displays information such as speed, time, distance, pace, calories burned, watts and revolutions per minute. The speed and resistance can be adjusted while pedaling by pushing a button on the control console. Other features include built-in training programs for different workouts and monitors that display your heart rate on the control console.
Benefits
While both recumbent and stationary bikes provide cardiovascular benefits, each bike offers specific benefits. For example, the design and seat on a recumbent bike make it comfortable to ride and ideal for people in physical rehab or riders suffering from a hip or back injury. The reclined position also reduces the potential for falling off for someone with impaired balance. A stationary bike, however, allows the user to stand while pedaling and is generally preferred by cyclists while they train during the winter for races or triathlons.
Considerations
Your first consideration when comparing recumbent bikes and stationary bikes is your personal fitness goals. For example, if you're an avid cyclist or want an exercise bike that resembles a traditional bicycle, choose the stationary bike. Also, you need to consider the size and price of the bike. Recumbent bikes, by design, are larger than stationary bikes, making stationary bikes the preferred option in smaller spaces. Recumbent bikes are also generally more expensive than stationary bikes.
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