Both elliptical cross trainers and recumbent exercise bicycles are pieces of cardiovascular exercise equipment. Each enables a user to increase heart rate to his target level to improve overall health and fitness. They enable a user to participate in non-impact cardiovascular exercise. They each offer unique features and emphasize different muscle groups of the body.
Elliptical Machines
Elliptical cross trainers were introduced to the fitness industry about a decade ago, but have become the most popular piece of cardio equipment. They offer an impact-free, total body workout that emphasizes major muscle groups of both the upper and lower body. You exercise in an upright position, pushing foot pedals forward in a circular motion simultaneously with the upper body handles. The motion is much like walking, but without the impact. Altering resistance is the major method for intensifying this exercise.
Recumbent Bicycles
A recumbent bicycle is simply a bicycle that places the rider in a laid-back or reclining position instead of an upright position. Recumbent stationary bikes take up approximately as much floor space as their upright counterparts and stay in one place while the user pedals against a resistance mechanism (usually a fan or alternator). Most stationary recumbent bikes have a fairly upright seat with the pedal crank located just below the seat. The seat is adjustable by sliding it along a rail. Recumbent bikes offer a cardiovascular workout emphasizing the muscles of the lower body.
Features in Common
Both exercise machines have foot pedals that must be pushed against a fan, alternator or other type of resistance to work major muscle groups of the lower body, such as the gluteus maxiumus and quadraceps complex. They offer an exerciser a way to increase his heart rate to a target cardiovascular or fat-burning level without any impact to the body. The user must push and pull with the foot pedals to complete a full rotation. Typically, they offer 12 to 20 levels of resistance, which makes the motion more difficult, increasing the work of the lower body as well as the heart.
Differences
The elliptical machine stands upright while the recumbent bicycle enables an exerciser to sit in a reclined position. The elliptical cross trainer works the major muscle groups of the upper body, while the recumbent bicycle works only the lower body, thus, an elliptical machine enables an exerciser to burn more calories and work more intensely. However, a recumbent bicycle offers ergonomic advantages. The design allows you to comfortably distribute your weight over several square feet of the back and buttocks, which is beneficial for exercisers with back problems.
Considerations
While these pieces of exercise equipment have some features in common, they are quite dissimilar and are designed for different target audiences. Advanced exercisers may prefer elliptical cross trainers because they enable an individual to engage in total body conditioning. Additionally, for some, recumbent bicycles may not offer enough of a challenge. On the other hand, recumbent bicycles enable exercisers to work muscles of the lower body efficiently and effectively and are a recommended choice for overweight exercisers, or those with back problems.
References
- "National Academy of Sports Medicine Essentials of Personal Fitness Training"; Michael Clark, Scott Lucett and Rodney Corn; 2008
- Exercise Equipment Reviews: Elliptical Trainers
- Exercise Equipment Reviews: Recumbent Bicycles
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