Recumbent exercise bikes are a great option for cardio exercise. Most recumbent exercise bikes offer programmable settings and varying levels of resistance in addition to height adjustment. Recumbent bikes are used for rehabilitation purposes as well as aerobic training because of their stability and low profile. Recumbent bikes, like uprights, work the calves, thighs and glutes.
Comfort
Recumbent exercise bikes are designed so that the rider is sitting in a semi-reclined position, above and behind the pedals, rather than over the pedals as with an upright bike. Because of this, the rider's weight is distributed more evenly over his back and buttocks, rather than on just the buttocks and hands. The semi-reclined position makes riding a recumbent bike much more comfortable on the neck and back, since there is no need to hang the head or bend the back.
Safety
This style of bike with its wide, bucket-like seat is safer because there is less chance that a rider will fall off. The seat also is much closer to the ground on a recumbent bike, so it is has a much lower center of gravity. This makes a recumbent bike much more stable and easier to mount and dismount than an upright exercise bike.
Joints
The location of the seat in relation to the pedals -- behind and back -- means that there is much less pressure put on the knees and ankles of the rider. There also is no standing up on the pedals of a recumbent bike, so that removes a lot of stress from the knees as well. Because the rider's hands are not used for support as on an upright bike, there is no stress added to the elbows, wrists or hands.
Workout
The ergonomic position of the rider reduces fatigue while at the same time requiring more muscle use than an upright. An upright bike relies on a rider to use gravity to some extent, but a recumbent bike requires the rider to power the pedals all the way through each revolution. This provides a harder workout for the gluteal muscles. A person also can use hand weights while riding, since he doesn't have to hold on to the handlebars for stability.
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