21 Aug Battle of the Bikes – Should you exercise on a recumbent or upright exercise bike?
There are pros and cons to exercising on a recumbent or upright exercise bike. Once you know the differences, you’ll be able to make an educated decision and add a valuable piece of fitness equipment to your home gym.
Kids learn to ride on bikes that are basically like upright exercise bikes. There is no back support and they really work out the legs, especially the quads.
If you’re an avid outdoor cyclist, an upright exercise bike is the next best thing to riding outdoors during the winter months, when it’s dark out or when there’s adverse weather.
Upright bikes are also a great way to warm up before a workout, cool down and-or get a cardio workout on.
Elite RB Recumbent Bike
Elite UB Upright Bike
A person gets a lot more support from a recumbent bike, which offers a back rest with curved lower-lumbar support and puts more emphasis on the hamstrings.
If you have had any back trouble, a recumbent bike might be the best choice because of its added support. When choosing a stationary bike, comfort is a big key.
Although recumbent bikes are associated with people who are not very fit, they have become a popular machine with all types of people.
In a 2014 study, researchers actually found that novice cyclists activated their hamstrings with more force while pedaling a recumbent than a standard stationary bicycle.
The NYTimes.com reported, “On the downside, recumbents generally engage fewer muscles overall than either upright bicycles or elliptical machines.”
Dr. Kathy Dieringer said in the NY Times article that an upright bicycle or elliptical will engage and strengthen muscles in your abdomen, buttocks, lower back, shoulders, neck and arms that are quiet while riding a recumbent.
“Avid cyclists obviously should use the upright bicycle,” since it simulates riding outdoors far better than the recumbent, Dieringer said.
“But for someone who’s a novice” at the gym, she added, “or who has back pain or any issues with balance, the recumbent is a good choice.”
The 3G Cardio company, which is based out of Phoenix, Ariz., has an exercise bike to fit all needs. Whether you want a Recumbent or Upright Exercise bike, 3G Cardio knows that one size does not fit all when it comes to exercise bikes.
Comfort is King with both the 3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike (MSRP $1,799) and 3G Cardio Elite UB Upright Bike (MSRP $1,299).
The 3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike has been called “the most comfortable recumbent bike ever built.”
The 3G Elite RB Recumbent Bike is small and compact, but it’s also extremely sturdy and durable with a 3-way adjustable mesh back seat rest. One of the features that people love most about the 3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike is the Q factor pedal spacing, which can accommodate users of all sizes. Most recumbent bikes have the fly wheel under the pedals, which requires a wide space. However, the 3G recumbent bike has the fly wheel under the seat, so the width between the pedals can be more narrow and provide better comfort.
The 3G Cardio Elite UB Upright Bike has a heavy duty steel reinforced upright column to provide strength and stability. A compact step-through frame allows users to get on and off the bike with ease. An oversized, fully adjustable seat provides optimal comfort and stability.
Both 3G Cardio exercise bikes have transport wheels and can be easily moved from room to room with the built-in transport handles. The bikes also come with heart straps compatible for wireless heart rate monitoring, and have an integrated SmartFan for keeping you cool.
Small upper electronics displays makes it easy to see over and around and best of all, you can watch a TV on the wall. Both bikes have outstanding residential warranties: Lifetime guarantee on frame, 7 Years parts warranty and 1 year in home labor.
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