A recumbent bike is just what it sounds like; as you lie down on it, the bike reclines, giving you the option of either sitting or lying down while pedalling. The advantages of this style of cycling are seemingly endless – you don’t have to worry about keeping upright, the air is more readily moved around you, and, best of all, you don’t need to keep adjusting your position throughout the ride! Whether you’re biking to work or school, or if you simply want to get some exercise, the reclining feature on a recumbent bike makes it the perfect choice.
Why Choose a Recumbent Bike?
Apart from the obvious – being able to lie down and take a nap while you pedal – there are numerous other perks to choosing a recumbent bike. First off, if you’re looking to shed some weight, a recumbent bike is the perfect choice. The reason for this is that, as we already mentioned, you don’t need to worry about your balance as much while riding a recumbent bike. Second, if you’re traveling for work, or school, or even just to visit friends, a recumbent bike makes a world of difference. You don’t have to worry about finding a couch or an airbed to rest on, and you certainly don’t have to worry about finding a place to stay – as long as you bring your bike, you’ll be able to find a place to stay! Finally, if clean air is important to you, a recumbent bike is the way to go. The reason for this is that the wind is always coming from “behind” you while riding a recumbent bike, meaning that it won’t be carrying any dirt or germs with it (if you’re biking to work, it also means that your colleagues don’t have to worry about catching a cold from you!). Before you know it, your daily 30-minute drive to work has turned into an hour-and-a-half workout, and you feel like you’ve gotten an amazing workout without even realizing how much you’ve pedalled – which is exactly how you want to feel after every workout!
Is It Easy To Use?
It’s very easy to use a recumbent bike. Simply put the bike in park, grab your helmet, and get ready to roll. Then, when you’re ready to go, just lay down on the saddle and push down on the pedals. You can also use the handlebars to get the bike in motion, and, when you’re comfortable with how it handles, you can sit up and start riding. It really is that simple! Now, you may experience some initial discomfort as you get used to the position, but after about 10 minutes, you’ll be able to enjoy the luxury of a recumbent bike without any worries.
Another thing you may experience is pain in your hands or wrists while using the bike. The good news is that this can be alleviated by using a proper pair of bike gloves. Not only will they make cycling more comfortable, but they’ll also protect your hands from getting chapped by the dry wind as you rush past. Invest in a good pair of bike gloves, and you’ll be able to enjoy your time on a recumbent bike without any worries.
How Well Does It Work?
One of the best things about a recumbent bike is that it works amazingly well – even for weight loss purposes. In fact, according to Dr Andrew Mould, a sports scientist at The University of Nottingham, the benefits of a recumbent bike go beyond helping you lose weight. He explains: “The combination of the exercise involved in pedalling and the relaxation involved in napping can be truly beneficial. Not only does it benefit your general health, but it also has a great ‘anti-ageing’ effect due to the increase in body’s oxygen intake.” This is all backed up by studies in the medical literature that have shown that, in addition to encouraging weight loss, biking has also been shown to increase lifespan by a massive 7.8 years! If you want to know more, check out this amazing blog post by Michael Hall, in which he outlines the various health benefits of a recumbent bike.