Get Fit with a Recumbent Exercise Bike

A recumbent exercise bike is simply an exercise bike which has been stretched out into a longer position. You sit much like you would while riding in a car, with your legs stretched directly out in front of your body. This position takes a lot of the pressure off of the knees, hips, and legs.

The recumbent exercise bike was initially used as a tool for physical therapy for people who needed to work their body or burn calories without putting direct pressure on their lower body. Currently, it still enjoys popularity for physical therapy purposes, but it’s also found acceptance among healthy users who find upright exercise bicycle models uncomfortable.

They are also used by people who are completely healthy but who want to incorporate their upper body for a complete workout. Since a recumbent exercise bike comes with a full sized seat with a supportive back, users can lift dumbbells or simply pump their arms at their sides as if walking while operating the bike. This includes a strengthening element and considerably boosts calorie burn.

In spite of the full-sized seats, recumbents nevertheless can provide an invigorating workout. Recumbent style bikes come with all the features that make an upright bike so challenging. Depending on the exact brand and model you select, they will have a variety of pre-installed exercise programs which take you through a broad range of resistance levels, and varying speeds, virtually guaranteeing a satisfying workout.

The ability to change the resistance is key for getting a good workout on these bikes. As long as you are willing to push yourself and make the most of your exercise time, you can get a great fat burning workout without putting any stress or strain on your body.

Recumbent exercise bikes on the market today include a suite of appealing, consumer-friendly features, such as iPod compatible ports for playing your favorite music, iFit cards with programs designed by certified personal trainers, and whisper-quiet magnetic brake systems.

Some of the best models include a step through design which eliminates the center bar you would have to climb over to mount an upright cycle. These allow you to step into the center of the bike and simply sit down, further eliminating any pressure on the body.

The bottom line: anyone who wants to take their physical fitness to the next level should consider adding a recumbent to their home gym.