An Exercise
Bike is a device with pedals and saddle attached to handlebars, which forms a
bicycle. This equipment is not use a mode of transportation but rather it is
used as exercise equipment. This kind of bike can be referred to as exercise
bicycle, stationary bicycle and exercycle.
Exercise bike
is a special-purpose exercise machine which usually doesn’t possess real
wheels, the device however resembles the real bicycle used for transport.
Although exercise bike is specially designed for its purpose, you can also make
an exercise bike on your own using an ordinary bike. Simply placing the
ordinary bicycle on a bicycle rollers or trainer can do the trick. Racing
cyclists often use rollers and trainers to warm up before they start their race
or when they want to train on their own machine indoors.
These kinds
of bikes have different uses, such as for exercise, to increase the general
fitness of the person and for training in cycling events. The exercise bicycle
has been used for a long time now for the purpose of physical therapy. The main
reason it is used for physical therapy is because it is a low-impact, effective
and safe cardiovascular exercise. It is the safest exercise since the device
does not put much stress on the joints and does not involve some
sporadicmotions, which some fitness devices may require.
There are
many kinds of exercise bikes these days, which caters to different needs of the
user. There are exercise bikes mainly for weight loss, others can be used to
counter cardiovascular deconditioning in microgravity environment and many
more. Listed below are the kinds of exercise bikes available in the market
together with their purpose and disadvantages.
Desk Cycle
The DeskCycle
is a device that is useful to all office workers who don’t have the time to
exercise because of their busy schedules. Deskcycle makes it easy for
individual to have a safe yet effective exercise habits while working. It is
the only bike that was specially designed for the purpose of helping workers
exercise while working. This device is a handy device that you do not need much
space in order for you to use them. Using this device you can be sure of
maximizing your time at the minimum space. The Deskcycle can also be used while
you’re gaming or typing in your laptop.
Deskcycle
helps the largest muscle in the human body move while you are staying in place.
It is a device that can negate the harmful effects of working and sitting all
day. However it is definitely not a substitute for exercising normally in the
gym. The device is indeed helpful, but it is not enough to only use this. It is
not a big calorie burner, you might need to add some work outs like jogging, or
taking walk in the morning and afternoon.
The great
thing about the Deskcycle device is that it does not require Fitness Level.
People who do not regularly exercise can use the device right away. It is also
not that expensive, some shops sell the Deskcycle for only $120. The price
varies from each sellers.
Here are some
of the Pros and Cons of the Deskcycle Device:
Pros:
·
Can
help you lose weight if partnered with regular exercise and proper meals
·
Improves
your health even just using the device for at least 15 minutes/day
·
Extends
the lifespan of the user
·
People
who use it tends to be happier and more lively than the ones who don’t
·
Minimizes
the stress the individual suffers in workplace
·
People
who use it at work tend to be more productive and more creative than others who
don’t
·
Use
be used anytime, anywhere
·
Can
be used while typing or gaming in laptop/computer
·
Does
not require great physical fitness, anyone can use it
Cons:
·
Does
not replace actual exercise
·
To
some people it is not practical
Upright Exercise Bike
The Upright
Exercise Bike is a device that seems to promise the best cardio workout using a
stationary bicycle. Just like any other bikes, the Upright bikes are used by
with pedals. However, unlike the other indoor bikes, the upright bikes are not
designed for the users to use outdoors but can be used while standing or
leaning forward on a virtual speed. This device helps produce lower impact on
your body but it has high benefits as a work out habit. This is the best choice
for the older people or people that have weaker muscle who cannot undergo
intense work outs.
Upright
Exercise Bikes are popular these days since anyone of any fitness level can
benefit from using this bike. It is also compact, unlike other kinds of bikes,
this type of bike does not take much space in your home. It is also a low
maintenance device and once you set them up, you can use it for years without
much change in the device. Compared to treadmill which requires a lot of
lubrication and servicing through time, the Upright Exercise Bike definitely
beats that.
Some of the
Upright Exercise Bikes that are available in the market are very easy to use
and offers quality exercise at a very affordable price. You only have to spend
one- time payment of $150 and you can enjoy exercising in your home with great
results.
Here are some
of the Pros and Cons of the Upright Exercise Bikes:
Pros:
·
Offers
more variety of movement than the DeskCycle
·
Offers
the best cardio workout using a stationary bicycle
·
Can
be used while standing or on a leaning position
·
Using
the Upright Exercise Bikes, more muscle groups can be exercised
·
Offers
comfortable usage to all the users, users with spinal stenosis and
osteoarthritis can be in a forward leaning position
·
Compact
and does not take much space
·
Does
not require great physical fitness, anyone can use it
·
Use
be used anytime, anywhere
Cons:
·
It
costs more than Deskcycle
·
Focused
on exclusively exercising legs
·
Needs
to be paired with Upper body exercise
Recumbent Bicycle
A Recumbent
Bike is an outdoor type of bicycle that places its rider in laid back and
reclining position. Because of its ergonomic nature, it is chosen by most biker
riders. Riders can sit comfortably in the recumbent bicycle since the user’s
weight is well distributed over the whole parts of the bike, and it is
supported by the buttocks and back.
Almost all of
the recumbent bikes have the aerodynamic feature, which makes it better than
other bikes. As of the moment, the recumbent bike has the record of world’s
best speed for a bike and the bike has been banned from any bike racing
competition by the UCI since 1934.
There are
numerous types of Recumbent bike available in the market today. There are
different variations of this bike type, from short to long wheelbase, there are
large and small wheel sixes, and there’s a mix of both sizes, there’s an
overseat and underseat type, there’s a rear wheel and front wheel drive.
What’s good
about this bike is you can exercise with someone using this bike. This type of Recumbent
bike is called tandem recumbent which can cater to be used by 2 persons. There
are different types of recumbent bikes such as, Mountain bike recumbent, High
racers, low racers, Semi-recumbent and crank forward bicycles, Recumbent
tricycles, Tandem recumbent, handcycles and a lot more.
Here are some
of the Pros and Cons of the Recumbent Bicycle:
Pros:
·
Does
not need much maintenance, just keep the chain clean and oiled up is enough
·
Low
impact exercise so there is lesser risk of injury
·
There
are different types of recumbent bicycle variations so the user can choose the
most comfortable type
·
Can
be used to exercise with someone
Cons:
·
Focused
on exclusively exercising legs
·
Needs
to be paired with Upper body exercise
·
Stationary
Recumbent bicycle costs much more than Upright and Deskcycle.
Folding Bikes
A
Folding Bicycle is basically a bike that is designed to be folded into its
compact form which also functions as a regular bike. The folding bikes can be
easily transported or carried once folded which serves its purpose. It is a
portable compacted bike which does not use much space and you can easily board
boat, car and a plane.
The
Folding mechanisms of the folding bike depend on the folding itself. It may
vary from the folding speed, ease of folding, the compactness, weight, ride,
durability and its price. However, compared to other normal bikes, the folding
bike is quite more expensive. Aside from the price, most people consider the
ease of folding in buying bikes. Other factors in choosing folding bikes are the
model of the bike, the size, the compact folded size and quick ease folding.
Folding
bikes usually come with a much wider range of adjustments compared to other
types of bikes, which accommodates different kinds of riders simply because the
frames can usually be made in one size. The seat posts and the handlebar of
this kind of bike extend four times higher than the regular bikes. Longer after
market posts and greater range of adjustments are also available in this kind
of bikes. It is similar to a regular bike in terms of the distance of the
bottom bracket to the top of the saddle and to the bike’s handlebars.
Here are some
of the Pros and Cons of the Folding Bicycle:
Pros:
·
You
can carry it around even when boarding another mode of transportation
·
Takes
up lesser space in storage compared to other bikes.
·
Have
variations depending on the what model the user wants
·
Folding
bikes can be accelerated real fast
Cons:
·
Costs
more than other bikes
·
It
is heavier than the normal bikes
Mountain Bikes
Mountain
Bike or mountain bicycle is also called as MTB or ATB which stands for all
terrain bicycles; it is created for the purpose of off road cycling. This
device is typically ridden on a trip to the fire roads, unpaved environments,
logging roads and most commonly in the mountain trails. The kinds of terrain
the Mountain Bike can stand include washouts, loose sands, roots, loose gravel,
ruts, rocks, and steep grades both for inclines and declines. The Mountain Bike
is purposely made to handle these terrain and obstacles.
The
structure of Mountain Bike is very different than the regular bikes. The most
apparent difference of Mountain Bike from others are suspensions on frame and
fork, more durable wheels, heavy duty wheels, powerful brakes, larger tires and
the lower gear ratios which are needed for the steep grades that has poor
traction.
These
days, there are different types of mountain bikes that will serve its specific
purpose. The kinds available in the market are Trail Bikes, Cross County, Downhill,
All Mountain, Slopestyle, Free Ride, Trials, Single Speed, Dirt Jumping, Mountain
Cross, Dual Slalom, North Shore, IndyCross and Circle dirt track racing. Each
kind of these mountain bikes are made for their specific purpose, like the Circle
dirt track racing which is a hard tail mountain bike with front suspension this
feature is commonly seen on the Circle dirt track racing bike.
Here are some
of the Pros and Cons of the Mountain Bicycle:
Pros:
·
The
best for a rough road
·
Promotes discipline since the riding position
is more upright
·
Have
a very powerful brakes than other bikes
·
You
can use it for a long can distances comfortably
·
Have
suspension on front and rear which improves the handling and the rider can ride
in comfort on rough terrain.
Cons:
·
Not
suitable for person with smaller body frame
·
Not
recommended to use while biking on the streets
·
Slower
when used on a normal road
There
are a lot of bike types that can be suitable for your exercise habits. You need
to classify first what you want and what you need to choose the best exercise
bikes. Asking some friends who exercise bikes as well may help but at the end
of the day, what you want in a bike is different from what your friend wants.
