Recumbent Exercise Cycles For The Obese

Recumbent bikes are the best option for obese people as these bikes come with comfortable seats where the whole back is supported, unlike the standard or stationary bikes that have saddle seats. In addition to seat comfort and back support, recumbent bikes are easier on the joints as body weight will be transferred to the butt instead of the knees and ankles, which is what happens when you ride an upright bike.

Obesity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the term obesity is a label describing a range of weight above what is considered to be a healthy weight for a specific height. Obesity also describes a range of weight that is at risk for serious health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Body mass index is the most command method used to determine if you are obese. You can use a BMI calculator or the complex mathematical formula for determining your BMI score. Healthy individuals will have a score between 18 and 24.9. A BMI score over 30 means you are considered obese.

Recumbent Seat

Recumbent bikes are lower to the ground and easier to step into and out of the machine. The seat has enough space for overweight people to sit comfortably. The seat is designed in such a way that it provides back support, which is useful for people with back problems as well. The bike seat is easy to adjust by turning a handle. The seat can be brought to sliding position by tightening a knob.

Easier on Joints

The seat designs enable overweight people to sit comfortably while cycling without having to put their entire weight on the hands and buttocks; instead, their weight is distributed more evenly across the entire back and buttock area. The way these bikes are developed also puts less pressure on the knees, because the pedals are placed in front of and slightly below the seat instead of on a traditional exercise bike where the pedals are below the seat. Recumbent exercise bikes provide the same great cardiovascular workouts that standard traditional exercise bikes offer.

Disadvantages

There are three advantages to recumbent bikes. First, they are more expensive than the standard stationary bikes. Second, they are large and so not very easy to transport, and also require more space for storing. Third, these provide workouts only for the lower extremities, so if you are looking for an upper and lower body workout, this is not the right machine to choose.

Caution

Always speak to your doctor before you begin a new exercise routine, particularly if you are obese. Other factors may need to be considered, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease – all of which need to be addressed when designing a workout program and are common health risks for obese people. Discontinue exercise immediately if you feel faint or dizzy.