How to Buy a Recumbent Exercise Bike

A recumbent exercise bike is a great way to get a low-impact cardio workout. It allows the user to sit back in comfort while raising their heart rate. The positioning of the seat on a recumbent exercise bike is easier on your back and rear end than a traditional bike. It also allows you to read, type on a computer or perform other tasks while exercising. This makes it an ideal piece of exercise equipment for the home. Consider all of the features before purchasing a recumbent exercise bike.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Try several recumbent exercise bikes at a gym before buying one. Determine which features and brands appeal to you. Perform several complete workouts on each machine before weighing their relative value.

2. Sit on as many recumbent exercise bikes as you can at the store. Look for a comfortable bike.

3. Shake the recumbent exercise bike while you are sitting on it. Stability is one of the most important features. Poorly-made recumbent exercise bikes wobble as you peddle. A quality machine should not move at all.

4. Check the seat adjustment for ease of use. It should have a very simple lever to pull, and the seat should slide smoothly to accommodate your height. If it is a struggle to adjust the seat, don't buy that recumbent exercise bike.

5. Make sure the pedals of the recumbent exercise bike move in a smooth motion. It should feel natural and not make any funny noises. If you need to move your legs at unnatural angles, the machine is not a good fit.

6. Consider how the recumbent exercise bike is powered. Some must be plugged in to work. This can consume quite a bit of electricity if it is plugged in all the time. Other recumbent exercise bikes are powered by the pedaling motion. This saves energy, but all data is lost when you stop pedaling.

7. Try out all of the programs on the recumbent exercise bike's computer. If you like to use many different programs for hills, cardio and fat burning, make sure these programs are available. If you don't use these features, save money by purchasing a bike that does not offer them.

8. Determine if you need a cardio monitor--a chest strap or handles that read your heart rate. This feature increases the price of a recumbent exercise bike. If you use this feature, then it is worth the added cost. If you don't, then you can save some money by choosing a machine without it.

9. Weigh the cost of the recumbent exercise bike. A gym quality machine can cost more than $2,000. If you can afford that, settle for nothing less than gym-quality equipment. If you are on a budget, consider what you will sacrifice for the lower price. It is okay to remove features that you do not use, but do not sacrifice quality. Never buy a machine that is unstable or uncomfortable.