Owning a stationary exercise bike can be a great way to maintain your fitness levels and get a great overall cardio workout. Many people assume that bikes are only useful as leg toners, but this is simply not the case! When used properly and with good add-ons and routines, a home stationary bike workout can give a total body burn, ideal for toning body parts and torching calories.
The main tricks are to add some variance to your workout, as well as to not be afraid to stand up and pedal your heart out. There are many positive benefits to using interval training to maximize your fitness time, which is a fancy way of saying "work hard for short bursts of time." This type of exercise is good for your heart, your endurance capabilities and your muscle group, and it provides more bang for your buck.
The second trick is to utilize your entire body for a more complete workout. Examples include standing up while pedaling the bike so you incorporate your arms while cycling, as well as engaging your core throughout the routine to strengthen your abs and back.
There are all sorts of ways to discover cycling programs you can use at home to boost your workout. Try some of these if you need some motivation:
First things first, you need to have a properly sized bicycle for your height and frame, and that might mean that not everybody in the household can use the same machine. Some are adjustable of course, but in general you are looking for a seat height that hits your hips when standing alongside of it, and when riding the bike, you want your knees to be able to fully straighten while pedaling in the down location.
As far as additional gear, you won't be required to wear a helmet in the safety of your own home, but you may want to invest in gloves if you're going to make a serious habit out of this. Gloves protect your hands from developing calluses and make for an easier grip overall. Another piece of gear that could be helpful is padded biker shorts for a bit more rear comfort.
A general rule of thumb for a new exercise program is to start with a moderate, even easy, routine. The worst thing to do is try to go all-out your first time mounting the bike, which usually just leads to sore muscles and a lack of desire to try again. Begin gradually, and build up your workout lengths with time and consistent efforts.
When buying a new piece of exercise equipment, it's a great idea to read all the reviews possible online before committing, so you know both the pros and the cons of the machine prior to purchasing. That being said, a few top-rated bikes are listed below:
