Like the human body, exercise equipment comes in all shapes and sizes. For those who aren't crazy about going to a gym, treadmills and stationary bikes provide excellent cardiovascular benefits from the comfort of your home. Both are an efficient way to burn calories, relatively easy to use and allow you to vary your workouts according to your needs. There are certain factors to consider when choosing between a treadmill or stationary bike: long-term sustainability, the effectiveness of the workouts and safety. Your decision whether to buy a treadmill or stationary bike should be based on the above three factors.
Treadmill Benefits
A treadmill is an exercise machine with a moving conveyor belt that simulates walking or running. Treadmills are the best-selling home fitness equipment, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. The biggest benefits include ease of use and versatility. Treadmills give you the ability to exercise regardless of weather conditions, time or temperature. In addition, treadmills allow you to create a flexible workout. Vary speed, distance, incline and time to energize and maximize your efforts. Treadmill running or walking is also good for total body conditioning as you use core muscles and arm muscles, as well as strengthening leg muscles.
Stationary Bike Benefits
Like treadmills, stationary bikes provide an excellent cardiovascular workout by simulating bicycle riding with pedals, handlebars and a seat. Stationary bikes provide a comfortable, low-impact alternative to treadmills with minimal impact on the spine and joints, such as the knees, ankles, feet or hips. You can increase your benefits by adding more resistance to simulate hill training. Riding a bike also improves flexibility and strength of the leg muscles, including hamstrings and quadriceps. You are less likely to be injured on a stationary bike and also less likely to be sore because of the low impact aspect.
Treadmill Disadvantages
Even though treadmills provide the highest calorie burn of most home fitness equipment, use caution before jumping headfirst into a tough workout. Treadmills are less safe than bikes as they are designed for your legs to keep up with the belt. Therefore, it is important to start your workout at an easy pace and only increase speed when comfortable. There is a chance of losing balance and falling off the machine. Treadmills can also be tougher on the knee, hip and ankle joints, especially if you are more prone to injury.
Stationary Bike Disadvantages
The biggest disadvantage of stationary bikes are that they don't work the entire body like a treadmill. They force the legs and back to do most of the work. Also, because the bike is more passive, users tend to not work out as hard because they can watch TV or read a book with relative ease.
Considerations
Both treadmills and stationary bikes provide tremendous cardiovascular benefits. If your goal is to burn a lot of calories, work more muscles in the body and simulate running, then consider a treadmill to achieve your goals. If you are, however, more prone to injury and are simply looking to burn calories and lose weight with minimal impact, consider a stationary bike to meet your needs.
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