Whether at home or in a gym, exercise bikes and treadmills both offer excellent cardiovascular workouts when time or weather prohibits outdoor exercise. Deciding on whether to use a bike or a treadmill depends on your limitations, the specific areas of the body you would like to strengthen and the amount of calories you want to burn. Consult a doctor before beginning either exercise regimen, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions.
Treadmill
A treadmill is a piece of fitness equipment with a conveyor belt that allows you to walk, jog or run in place. Most treadmills allow you to adjust the rate of speed and the incline. Often, your rate of speed, distance and calories burned are displayed on an electronic readout.
Exercise Bike
An exercise bike, also called a stationary bike, allows you to sit on a seat and pedal in place. Available in both upright and recumbent models, exercise bikes allow you to adjust the seat and vary the rate of speed. While some bikes are operated manually, many are electric and display speed and calories burned on an electronic readout.
Treadmill Benefits
Walking on a treadmill can provide a gentle, low-impact yet effective aerobic workout. A 250-pound person can burn up to about 585 calories an hour walking at a speed of 4 miles per hour. Some treadmills offer the ability to increase the incline, which increases the number of calories burned. Running on a treadmill offers a more intense, higher impact workout. A 250-pound person running for 60 minutes at 12 miles per hour can burn more than 2,500 calories.
The major muscle groups worked on a treadmill include the gluteus maximus, the hamstrings, the quadriceps and the calves, as well as the hip and abdominal muscles. Running helps develop and strengthen the core muscles and the muscles around your trunk and pelvis, which helps with balance and stability.
Exercise Bike Benefits
People who prefer low-impact aerobic activity may find an exercise bike easier on joints and bones. Because the body remains stationary, a bike affords a softer, gentler workout for people who have arthritis, osteoporosis or other health conditions that preclude the jarring impact that can occur on a treadmill. Overweight people can get an effective cardiovascular workout on a bike without the pain associated with excessive weight borne by the hips, knees, ankles and feet.
A stationary bike can also offer an effective cardiovascular workout while burning a lot of calories. A 250-pound person can burn 450 calories per hour pedaling leisurely on an exercise bike and over 1,200 calories per hour at speeds of 12 to 14 miles per hour. Cycling helps strengthen the hips and legs and keeps the joints of the hips, knees and ankles flexible. Using an upright bike helps strengthen the arms and back as well.
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