How to Lose Weight with a Recumbent Exercise Bike

One of the most researched topics on the web is how to lose weight and devices/ diets one can use/ follow to reduce their weight. Before purchasing a recumbent bike, you want to be sure that you are not wasting your time or money.

Cycling has been around for years. Gone are the days one had to live near a well-paved area to enjoy cycling and all benefits derived from this sport. Using a recumbent exercise bike provides a simple and affordable way for a user to improve their overall health.

Recumbent bicycles provide one of the most comfortable ways to exercise. They are designed in a manner that a user is sitting lower on the ground with their legs out in front of them – rather than a typical bicycle that lets you sit with your legs below you. Here, we shall look at how to lose weight with a recumbent exercise bike.

Things to consider

Comfort

The padded seats, back rest and their overall reclining position offer a user great comfort while exercising. These devices are said to be safer than upright cycling due to their larger seats, back support and lower height. They provide significant advantages for muscle and cardiovascular training for all users. Since they are highly comfortable, a user can exercise for longer without causing much strain to their bodies. Recumbent bicycles do not provide as much intensity as one derives from an upright bike; however, since you’ll be able to put in extra time with less pain and better support, you’ll be able to burn more calories.

Cardiovascular Exercise

Aerobic or cardiovascular exercise uses large muscle groups such as your hamstrings and quadriceps muscles of your thighs and the gluteus muscles of your buttocks. According to WebMD, recumbent cycling helps strengthen your lungs and heart. These cycling devices will undoubtedly increase your heart rate and breathing. In other words, it improves your cardiovascular fitness. No matter your age, it is best to have a fitness plan that is inclusive of cardio. This form of exercise contributes significantly to your overall health. Because cycling uses most body muscle groups, it increases your heartbeat, which in turn increases your oxygen intake. Our bodies tend to adjust when pushed to work harder. This means that your body will work overtime and adapt to those changes. In due time, you will have improved your cardiovascular fitness.

If you have any doubt your overall health or cardiovascular system condition, it will be better to visit a doctor and get some lab tests (like complete blood count test) done prior to starting your exercises.

Increased Muscle Strength

Both your muscular strength and endurance increase when cycling. This is because when you bike, you are repeatedly pulling and pushing against resistance throughout. Once you set your mind to it, your muscle groups will continue to exert force without giving in to fatigue. When you increase strength, your muscles will develop, grow, and become stronger over time.

Convenience

By purchasing one of these gadgets, you can enjoy all physical benefits one gets from cycling on the road. Simply buy an affordable device and use it from the comfort of your own home. Sometimes you might find that you do not have time to hit the gym after work. Having a recumbent bike at home allows you to put in a workout anytime – be it midnight or early morning hours.

Ease of Use

Have you ever gone to a gym and gotten overwhelmed by the number of instructions you need to remember before operating a machine? Exercising on a recumbent bicycle does not have those complications. All you need to do is master the proper cycling technique and voila. Ensure you understand all instructions for safety purposes. Once you get the hang of it, you can get a workout on just about any bike you meet.

Affordability

Let us look at other benefits aside from your body’s benefits. When you purchase the best recumbent machine for home purposes, you will save tons of cash. This investment is relatively small compared to other cardio equipment or gym membership.

You will have 24/7 access to it – your family members and friends can use it as well. You can use it while catching up on the latest news, or while chatting with your loved ones. Owning one of these devices has significant added benefits that do not come with a gym membership. When you compare it to other cardio equipment, this product is more pocket-friendly at the long-run.

Final thoughts

What makes the recumbent exercise bike a perfect workout is that it works your entire body. During your session, you are engaging your major muscle group, your shoulders, arms, biceps, (upper body), legs, and your core (lower body). This repetition helps improve your body’s endurance over time. All points mentioned above will leave you stronger, more toned, and more energetic.

Guest author: Luca Garlo

specializes in writing healthcare and fitness

founder of the Bikebrief and hiking Footwear gear lab

Master’s Degree in Nutrition

Guest