Recumbent Exercise Bike Vs. Regular Exercise Bike
Before deciding between a recumbent exercise bike and an upright, be sure you are certain of your exercise goals. That makes it easier to wade through the pros and cons of each model. But if you are choosing an indoor machine to complement outdoor bicycle training, the choice is simple: For good and bad, an upright more closely mimics the feel and workout of an outdoor bike.
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Seat
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A recumbent bike generally comes with a padded bucket seat and a chair back that supports your lower back. The generous seat size is especially beneficial for large-frame persons or for those who are overweight and just beginning an exercise program. On an upright bike, no matter how well-padded the seat, your weight is funneled down to a small area of your body.
Benefits
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You can get a good cardiovascular workout from either model, and both types can be purchased already equipped with programs that provide varying degrees of difficulty. When you pedal in the recumbent position, you will involve your gluteus muscles; to do the same thing with an upright, you'd have to jump from the seat, much as you would on an outdoor bike. The comfort of the recumbent might allow you to pedal longer, but you most likely will get a more intense workout on an upright, because you'll drive harder into the pedal with each stroke. A dual-action upright comes equipped with movable handles that allow you to get an upper-body workout while you ride. It's easy to get an upper-body workout in with a recumbent, too. The riding position is so balanced, you can easily use dumbbells to work in biceps curls, overhead presses and arm extensions as you ride. Many exercise bikes are equipped with calorie counters, but as a general rule, you'll burn 275 to 300 calories during a 30-minute exercise bike workout.
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Footprint
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A recumbent bike takes more space than an upright. The difference varies from model to model, but as a general rule, a recumbent will need up 20 to 25 percent more space. For example, for comparable Lifecycle brand machines, the recumbent's dimensions (in inches) is 26-by-54 and the upright is 24-by-48. That can make a difference if you plan to use your bike in an apartment or part of your garage or basement. Also, some uprights can be collapsed and stored when not in use.
Ease of Use
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Some fitness experts believe a recumbent is too easy to use and leads to lackadaisical workouts. However, a recumbent equipped with programs can overcome this. Because you support your weight with your hands and wrists on an upright, long workouts can lead to numb or tingling fingers. You won't get that with a recumbent. In addition, abdominal breathing is easier on a recumbent because you will sit with better posture, not hunched over as you are on an upright.
Cost Difference
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There is a wide price range for both types, but upright models typically have fewer parts on the frame and tend to cost less than a comparably equipped recumbent bike.
Entertainment Factor
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Indoor pedaling can get old fast. Both models allow you to listen to music while you exercise, of course, and you can watch TV programs or DVDs. The chair-back seat on a recumbent allows you to hold your neck in a more comfortable position, and that makes TV watching easier than on an upright. In addition, you can read a book or a magazine on a recumbent; that's really hard on an upright. Plus, you'll drip sweat all over the pages.
Bottom Line
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If you're already in terrific shape or you are looking to move your bike-riding passion indoors for the winter, an upright bike is for you. If you have back problems, you haven't exercised much or you're just looking to burn some calories and get your heart pumping a little, a recumbent is much more comfortable, which means you will be more likely to find an exercise routine you can maintain.
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