Recumbent bike
A recumbent bicycle is an indoor exercise bike that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position. The rider's weight is distributed comfortably over a larger area, supported by back and buttocks, which makes recumbent bikes the most comfortable exercise bike option. Typically recumbent bikes are best suited for users with limited mobility, joint issues, or injuries. Exercising in a recumbent position puts less strain on your joints. Recumbent bikes may seem like easy cardio, but looks can be deceiving. According to the following small research studies, recumbent bikes can provide a serious workout.
Why Buy An Indoor Exercise Bike from Fitness Experience?
Fitness experience is your leader in Canada for stationary bikes and all types of fitness equipment. Whether you shop online or in person, our knowledgeable staff is up to date on the most popular brands in Canada. We will find the right exercise bike at the right price point. We will provide customer support from start to finish.
Safety
Recumbent bikes place less stress on the joints. The reclined body position is easier on the low back (lumbar spine), making it a great option for individuals with lower back injuries. It's also beneficial for people with cardiac limitations. If you struggle with balance you may find that a recumbent bike is safer to use because there is less of a risk of falling off than when using an upright bike or other standing cardio equipment (such as a treadmill or stair climber). There's little to no risk when riding a recumbent bike, so if you are shopping for an elderly person looking to improve their health, this is a great workout option.
Type of Workout On A Recumbent Bike
Cardiovascular Fitness
Consistent aerobic exercise strengthens your heart, improves lung capacity, decreases resting heart rate, and reduces high blood pressure over time. It also can be a great way to relive stress and boost your mood. Research involving a group of healthy males shows that using a recumbent bike offers these same types of benefits. A recumbent bike has many enjoyable features. Some users utilize the tablet holder to hold a tablet in order to watch their favourite show while cycling. The tablet holder can also be used to hold a book if reading is your preferred form of entertainment.
Muscle Strength
A recumbent bike can help strengthen muscles in your lower body. If muscle strength is your goal I recommend increasing resistance levels while cycling. A recumbent bike can help strengthen your quadriceps, hamstrings, shins, calf muscles and glutes.
Range of Motion
A recumbent bike can help you to move more freely by increasing your flexibility and range of motion. It's been proven that a recumbent bike can help improve range of motion in your hips, making this a popular option for people recovering from hip injuries and surgeries. In addition, exercising on a recumbent bike helps increase circulation and helps make bodily tissues more elastic.
Comfort
A recumbent position is one of the most comfortable ways to exercise. Most recumbent bikes will have a padded seat. The padded seat will provide extra cushioning on your seat and back. A recumbent bike is one of the only cardio machines that provides back support during your workout.
Magnetic Resistance
Magnetic resistance uses magnets to create tension against the flywheel. Unlike contact resistance, the magnets don't actually make contact with the flywheel. Instead, the magnetic force applies varying degrees of resistance as the magnets gets closer or further away from the flywheel. The resistance levels on a recumbent bike will vary, but many will range from one to at least twenty. Magnetic resistance is smooth feeling. Magnetic resistance systems require less maintenance than friction based. Another great thing about a recumbent bike is the flywheel is covered and the magnetic resistance mechanism is protected from any sweat or debris. Most recumbent bikes have magnetic resistance.
Perimeter Weighted Flywheel
A perimeter weighted flywheel is when the inner weight of an exercise bicycle has most of its weight loaded along the outside, or perimeter, of the disk. Most of the recumbent bikes we carry have a perimeter weighted flywheel.
Workout Programs
Similar to an upright bike, a recumbent bike will have a wide range of workout programs. Some recumbent bikes have built-in workout interval programs that automatically adjust the pedal resistance and prompt you to speed up or slow down your pedaling. This is like having your own personal trainer, because it pushes you to workout at higher resistance levels for longer. Increasing resistance levels and speed will increase the amount of calories burned. Since levels of resistance is the only variable that can automatically change during your workout, all the workout programs will be based around resistance levels. If your recumbent bike doesn't come with the type of workout programs you were hoping for, sometime you can utilize bluetooth connectivity. Bluetooth connectivity can open up a whole world of options. The explore the world app and others similar have become very popular. This allows you to explore the world from the comfort of your padded seat. The explore the world app has become very popular and bluetooth connectivity allows you to enjoy these apps. If your recumbent bike does not work well with the explore the world app there are many others like it.
Interval Training
Interval training is a short, intense form of cardio exercise. You alternate intense bouts of an activity with less-intense sequences. For example, you could sprint for a period of time and alternate this with jogging or walking. You can adapt most cardio activities, including recumbent cycling, to an interval workout. Increase the pedal speed or pedal resistance for the intense segments and lower these variables for recovery. If interval training is your main goal and the recumbent position isn't important to you, you may want to consider a spin bike, as this type of bike is easier to change resistance levels quickly.
Adjustments
When shopping for recumbent exercise bikes, consider maximum weight and height capacities and seat adjustability—especially if multiple people in the household will use the bike. The more adjustable the bike is, the more versatile it will be for multiple users. When people are in store shopping for a recumbent bike, I always encourage them to try it. While they all look similar, the differences in seats and adjustability make a huge different. The goal for a recumbent bike is to give you the most comfortable workouts possible.
Step Through Design
Some exercise bikes, whether a recumbent bike or upright back have a step through design. This basically means that there is an opening for the user to step through rather than needing to step over something to get on the seat. Again, this is helpful for those with limited mobility.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth connectivity is a great option to have if you'd like to track your workouts to an app on your phone. Not all exercise bikes have this capability, so be sure to ask if bluetooth is something that's important in your workout.
Heart Rate Monitoring
A recumbent will most likely have an option for heart rate monitoring. It will either have heart rate sensors on the handle bars, or be able to connect to a chest strap. Monitoring your heart rate can be a helpful way to track your health and effectiveness of the workout. This is also helpful if there is a certain heart rate marker that you should not pass. A recement bike will have different resistance levels so you can adjust the intensity of your workout.
Other Features
Although a water bottle holder is a very basic feature, it's one you'll notice if it's not there. Be sure to look out for features, such as a water bottle holder. A tablet holder is also a nice feature for your exercise bike, especially if you'd like to watch a show or read.
Connect With An Equipment Consultant
Fitness Experience is your one stop shop in Canada for purchasing a recumbent bike. In addition to your recumbent bike purchase, we can assist you with any other workout equipment. Your health and safety is our first priority and we want to make sure we find the workout equipment that best suits you. We will work within your price range to find the recumbent bike that is best for you and your family.
Service and Warranty
Each recumbent bike will come with a residential warranty. These warranty policies vary between machine and manufacturer. Fitness Experience has their own in house service department, available Monday to Friday for customer support. This takes the headache out of needing to submit a warranty claim, or servicing your recumbent bike.
