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Stationary Bicycles
Stationary bicycles are a great way to get cardiovascular exercise! They come in two general types:
upright and recumbent. The upright ones are more similar to regular bicycles. The recumbent type
lean way back so that you are pedaling out in front of you - which may be helpful for people with
lower back problems. They are also great for strengthening butt muscles!
People who are really into riding real bicycles may not like stationary bikes because they aren't quite the
same thing. In addition to not actually taking you anywhere, the pedals tend to be in a little bit
different position, you can't lean forward and the seats are wider. If you are a cyclists interested in a
stationary bicycles be certain to try out many different ones first to find one that suits you best.
Using a Stationary Bicycle
- Make sure you adjust the seat - you want to make sure your legs aren't cramped and that you don't have to
stretch too far either when the pedals are at their lowest point.
- If your bike has pedal straps, use them but make sure they are not adjusted either too tight or too loose.
- Sit up straight (on upright bikes)
- Make sure you use your whole foot on the pedal and not just your toes.
Make sure the handle bars are adjusted right for your height.
Buying a Stationary Bicycle
First you want to decide if you want an upright bike or a recumbent one. I would recommend going to a store
that sells both and try out each kind. And remember that since the recumbent type provides better back support
so they would especially be good for someone with lower back pain.
Another type of stationary bicycle is a spinning type bike. These are usually used in group classes, but can
be bought for home use too. They are more similar to regular bikes in some ways. They tend to be less
expensive but don't have the fancy displays to give you more information about your workout.
When you try out different bicycles, check for seats that are sturdy and comfortable for you. Remember, to get
a good cardiovascular exercise with it you will need to ride it for quite a few minutes at a time, so the comfort
of the seat is very important.
Make sure that you can adjust the seat and handles on any bike you are considering buying - and that they
can be adjusted as much as necessary for your body size.
Other features to look for are a display that shows how many miles per hour you are going, a timer, a way to increase
the resistance level and the distance
you have ridden on it. Some also come with a heart monitor display.
Some common brands of stationary bicycles are Fitness Quest,
New Balance,
Keys Fitness,
Star Trac,
Schwinn,
Phoenix and
Reebok.
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