Use of elliptical machine or recumbent bike provides a cardiovascular workout. However, one machine may be more beneficial than the other for certain individuals. Considerations include current physical condition, your health goals (losing weight or building muscle) and which device is easier on the knees. Because knee joints are constantly used and aid in supporting the weight of your body, they are vulnerable to medical issues such as soreness, tendonitis and bursitis.
Recumbent Bike
A recumbent bike differs from a regular stationary bike in the way you are positioned while sitting on the bike. With a recumbent bike, you sit in a seat slightly leaned backward, with a comfortable back for support. Instead of needing to position your feet straight down to reach the pedals of a stationary bike, you stretch your legs forward and place your feet on pedals about waist high in front of you. Recumbent bikes, like stationary bikes, also offer different intensities of pedaling, with the hardest pedaling when you choose to pedal uphill or against resistance.
Elliptical Machines
Also referred to as cross trainers, ellipticals also have pedals. These pedals mimic the motion of running by gliding back and forth instead of up and down, a movement that is coordinated with handlebars moving back and forth as well. This allows for a comprehensive form of exercise that not only targets leg and butt muscles but also upper body muscles, especially shoulder and abdomen muscles. Resistance is adjustable feature with an elliptical trainer, which makes gliding harder to perform according to the level of intensity.
Knees and the Recumbent Bike
Because the recumbent bike's seat is adjustable, you can decrease knee impact by sliding it farther away from the pedals. This reduces the amount of pressure you put on knees when pedaling because the knee does not have to be bent so severely. If you have the seat adjusted closer to the pedals, this means you will have to perform consistently sharp bends at the knees to complete each pedal cycle. The farther back you are situated, the less strain on your knees.
Knees and Ellipticals
Although ellipticals are considered weight-bearing devices, they offer a low-impact form of exercise easy on the knees and associated tendons and ligaments. Occasionally, physical therapists even suggest using an elliptical for certain knee rehabilitation exercises because the gliding motion afforded by an elliptical does not put direct pressure on the knee. In addition, you can alter the slope or angle of an elliptical to further reduce any discomfort caused when using an elliptical. This action also enhances the stability of the knee as well.
References
- Biomechanics of Human Movement; Comparison Of Knee Joint Load On A Recumbent vs. Stationary Bicycle; Kellie Howard, John Piersma,Cindy Poehls
- American College of Sports Medicine; Selecting and Effectively using an Elliptical Trainer; Hank Williford, Ed.D., Michelle Olson, Ph.D; 2005
- Cleveland Clinic: What Is the Best Type of Aerobic Exercise
- HealthStatus; The Elliptical Trainer vs. The Exercise Bike; Blake Bissaillion
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