It’s no wonder exercise bikes are one of the most popular machines at the gym. Not only can you get your heart rate up, but today’s technology allows you to watch your favorite TV show while you get your healthy dose of exercise!
What can’t an exercise bike do for you? It’s easy, provides for a great workout, and gentle on your joints. The exercise bike is perfect for beginners starting a new exercise routine and for individuals looking to amp up their workouts.
Stationary bikes are meant to be convenient and you don’t even need to be a cycling expert to operate this machine. Bikes can be stationed in your home or your office, and are always available for you at the gym.
Benefits of Working Out on an Exercise Bike
It’s time to ditch the excuses and hop onto an exercise bike to get your heart rate up and kickstart your healthy lifestyle today.
1. Cardio Boost
Riding the stationary bike will get your heart rate up. Once you are comfortable with the machine, you have the option to increase your resistance and play around with your speed levels to optimize your exercise.
Cardio workouts are extremely beneficial for the mind, heart and cardiovascular system. Vigorous exercise can help you build a stronger heart that will protect you from strokes and heart attacks in the future, and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
2. Reduce Stress
Indoor cycling can give you a “runner’s high” from the adrenaline rush and endorphin release that comes with exercise. Regular exercise is a great remedy to reduce your stress levels and help keep your mood elevated for longer periods of time.
The feel-good hormones from riding an exercise bike will keep your spirits lifted and help you focus on the positive rather than the factors that are causing you stress.
3. Muscle Endurance
The continuous pedaling on the indoor bike while fighting against resistance and keeping up with speeds promote muscle endurance in the legs. Your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves are put to work and the surrounding bones and ligaments are positively affected.
Regular workouts on the exercise bike can promote overall strength in the legs that give you the improved ability to perform daily tasks with ease.
4. Low Impact
Some exercises can be rough on the body, especially when you are recovering from an injury. Indoor cycling is a low-impact workout that is gentle on the joints surrounding the hips, knees, and ankles.
An exercise bike gives you the ability to get your heart rate up and provides for a great workout without hurting your body.
5. Easy and Convenient
We’re always looking for the easy way out of things, and while taking the easy route is not always recommended, when it comes to indoor cycling, it actually might be a good option.
Most of us learn how to ride a bike when we are young and, even if we don’t, getting on an exercise bike requires no instruction and can be achieved in no time.
Having a stationary bike at home will give you no excuse to skip the gym and may even force you to get your exercise in because of the convenience of having this machine at home.
6. Improve Flexibility
Exercising your muscles and ligaments can help to keep them relaxed and refreshed. Muscle stiffness and tension reduce your range of motion and increase the risk of injury if the muscles and ligaments are not exercised regularly.
The exercise bike can improve the flexibility of the legs, therefore, reducing lower back pain from muscle strains.
Sweat It Out on the Exercise Bike
A 155-pound person exercising at a moderate pace on the exercise bike has the ability to burn around 260 calories in 30 minutes. You are in control of the intensity of your exercise, and while you may push yourself to increase your stamina and cardio fitness, always remember to listen to your body.
Quick FAQs
1. How long should I ride an exercise bike?
Workouts lasting 60 minutes are ideal. The longer and more intense you make your workout, the higher the cardio boost you receive.
2. How many calories can you burn from working out on an exercise bike?
Exercising at a moderate pace on the stationary bike has the ability to burn 260 calories in 30 minutes for a person who weighs 155 pounds.
3. How many miles should you pedal if you are looking to lose weight?
Everybody is different when it comes to weight loss. Depending on your metabolism and goals, your body will react differently than others. The trick is to keep your workouts for at least 30 to 60 minutes in order to get your heart rate up and burn calories.
The content of this Website is for is for informational purposes only, is general in nature and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and does not constitute professional advice. The information on this Website should not be considered as complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning any exercise, weight loss, or health care program and/or any of the beauty treatments.
References:
Lifespanfitness. (n.d.). Benefits of Indoor Cycling: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.lifespanfitness.com/fitness/resources/articles/benefits-of-indoor-cycling
Mayne, D. (2017, September 11). Stationary Bike Benefits. Retrieved from https://www.livestrong.com/article/81995-stationary-bike-benefits/
Nunley, K. (2017, September 11). Stationary Bike Workout: How Long? Retrieved from https://www.livestrong.com/article/266267-stationary-bike-workout-how-long/
Cespedes, A. (2016, November 09). What Are the Health Benefits of Routinely Riding a Stationary Bike? Retrieved from http://livehealthy.chron.com/health-benefits-routinely-riding-stationary-bike-1809.html
Sellers, J. T. (n.d.). Pain Relief and Aerobic Benefits of an Exercise Bike. Retrieved from https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/pain-relief-and-aerobic-benefits-exercise-bike
