An upright exercise bike is a type of gym equipment used to provide a cardiovascular workout. Upright bikes are manufactured to be similar in design and function to regular bicycles and keep the person in an upright position during exercise. In contrast, recumbent exercise bikes keep the user in a more horizontal position. Upright exercise bikes are the most common type used in home situations as they provide a medium0intensity, low-impact workout. Aside from a cardiovascular workout an upright exercise bike is also useful for toning leg muscles such as the hamstrings and quadriceps.
Cycling is one of the most effective ways to lose weight or tone muscles while at home. Other exercises such as running burn a greater number of calories but are also much more damaging to the joints and muscles. Using an indoor exercise bike allows a person to burn calories without having to worry about excess train being transmitted through the ankle and knee. It is still possible to suffer from repetitive strain injuries while using an exercise bike, however, so the distance and resistance used should be built up gradually.
One of the main benefits of an upright exercise bike is that the user can work out while reading or watching TV. Exercising on a stationary exercise bike can be tedious compared to riding on a standard bike so it’s often important for the person exercising to have some sort of external stimulus. Some upright bikes also come with built in computer monitors although these are only available on higher priced models.
The main downside to using an upright exercise bike is that they don’t provide the same level of intensity as other exercise machines. For example, a multi-function exercise bike that works the arms as well as the legs will burn more calories in the same period of time. A workout using an upright bike is often more intense than that provided by a recumbent bike.
One of the most important considerations when buying an upright exercise bike is which type of resistance to go for. If money is not as much of a concern during the purchase, then an electromagnetic option is a good option. These bikes are quiet and allow for a wide range of different programs. Magnetic exercise bikes are also common.
It’s important for the buyer to consider whether a portable exercise bike is required. These bikes are useful if a dedicated home gym is not available. Other features to look for include heart rate monitors, exercise programs and multiple user tracking.