We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Sports

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Stationary Bikes?

By R. Kayne
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 15,634
Share

Stationary bikes are exercise machines that mimic bicycles without actually going anywhere. Typically, they have a solid back inverted T-frame that sits firmly on the ground and a front wheel which sits just off the ground and turns freely by pedal motion.

As stationary bikes provide low impact exercise, experts consider them to provide one of the best cardio and lower-body workouts. People with knee injuries often choose these bikes as a therapeutic alternate that strengthens knee muscles without "pounding" joints.

These bikes have tension settings, equivalent to gears, to adjust to any workout level. Just thirty minutes of daily exercise on one will satisfy most recommended cardio requirements for a healthy lifestyle.

Stationary bikes come in one of two basic types: upright or recumbent.

On the upright model, a person sits very much like he or she would on a standard bicycle. Some people like this position, while others feel too much pressure in the lower back or groin area after using the bike a short while.

The recumbent model was designed to address these issues and is especially suited to people with lower back problems or chronic back pain. It is reclined so that the exerciser sits go-cart style, with legs stretched out ahead rather than extended downward. Recumbent stationary bikes have larger "saddle" type seats with well-cushioned scooped backs. This type of machine is considered by many to be most comfortable and gives the buttocks a better workout than upright models.

When using stationary bikes, the seat should be adjusted so that when legs are fully extended at the bottom of each rotation, the knee of the extended leg remains slightly bent. The motion of the legs should be rhythmic and fluid, resistance should be at a comfortable setting and the handlebars should be easy to reach.

Some stationary bikes have been designed with handlebars that move up and back to include an upper body workout, while others move the rider herself up and down. Some doctors are skeptical of the benefits of these types of bikes, especially the latter type, which some believe could cause knee or back strain. With the one drawback of stationary bikes being that they provide little upper body workout, the exercise routine should include weight lifting or resistance training to meet this need.

Before starting any exercise regimen, talk to your doctor to determine a routine that will serve your needs best.

Share
Sports n' Hobbies is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.sportsnhobbies.org/what-are-stationary-bikes.htm
Copy this link
Sports n' Hobbies, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Sports n' Hobbies, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.