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What is a recumbent exercise bike?

7 min read

Asked by: Ziad Roberts

Recumbent bikes are a type of exercise bike that you use in a reclined position. Many people prefer them to upright models, as recumbent bikes are often more comfortable, provide additional support for your upper body, and place less stress on your joints.

What’s the difference between an exercise bike and a recumbent bike?

Upright exercise bikes are like a standard road bike, where the pedals are below your center of gravity and you can lean over the handlebars. Recumbent exercise bikes feature a more natural seated position with the pedals in front of you, making your body feel more stable and comfortable on the machine.

What is recumbent exercise bike good for?

A recumbent bike allows you to exercise your thighs, calves, and glute muscles with less strain. It has a wider and lower seat than an upright bike. Additionally, recumbent bikes put less strain on your joints, which is ideal for those with arthritis, and are much easier to balance on and sit comfortably.

Is a recumbent bike good for weight loss?

Recumbent exercise bikes are one of the most comfortable ways to achieve a cardio workout, while still being an incredibly effective choice for burning calories, losing weight, and building overall fitness.

Is recumbent bike as good as walking?

Stationary bicycling is an excellent exercise for cardiovascular fitness, leg strength and weight loss. Walking burns far fewer calories than stationary bicycling in the short-term, but is an excellent long-term weight-loss exercise.

Who should use a recumbent bike?

A 2017 study found that recumbent bikes are beneficial for individuals with cardiac limitations. Also, the recumbent bike’s low placement makes it more accessible for individuals with mobility issues and people using wheelchairs.

Which is better exercise recumbent bike or treadmill?

Calorie Burn Potential



Working out on the treadmill can burn more calories than a similar effort on the recumbent bike. In 30 minutes, a moderate workout on the stationary recumbent bike burns about 260 calories for a 155-pound person. In the same amount of time, a moderate jog of 5 mph burns 298 calories.

What are the pros and cons of a recumbent bike?

The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Recumbent Bike

  • Advantages. These recumbent bike pros are some of the main reasons why people use them.
  • No Soreness. …
  • Comfortable. …
  • Perfect for the Elderly or Obese. …
  • Multitask Machine. …
  • Disadvantages. …
  • Can Be Boring. …
  • Takes Up More Room.

Which is better a recumbent bike or an elliptical?

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. So a moderate workout on a recumbent generally burns fewer calories per minute than using either of the other machines.

Is a recumbent bike worth it?

Recumbent bikes provide an effective cardiovascular9 and lower body resistance workout and are a safe and versatile way to challenge individuals at every fitness level. That makes this workout good for beginners and experienced exercisers alike.

Is 3 miles on a stationary bike the same as walking 3 miles?

Most fitness experts who have calculated calorie burn for both exercises base their numbers on time spent rather than distance traveled. In several studies conducted by reputable scientists, it was determined that, under equal conditions, bike riding was at least equal to walking.

How long should you exercise on a recumbent bike?

How long should you work out on a recumbent bike?

  1. Warm up for five minutes and pedal at a steady rate for up to 30 minutes, increasing the total workout time as your fitness improves.
  2. This workout is an important part of a fitness routine as it promotes recovery, fat loss, and boosts endurance.


Does a recumbent bike work your core?

Recumbent bikes will work your abs. When you pedal, your abdominal muscles engage to balance and stabilize your upper body. Your abs also give you the strength to pedal intensely. Sitting in a semi-reclined position on a recumbent bike engages your abs, especially the lower abs and obliques.

Can you lose belly fat on a recumbent bike?

Using a recumbent bike burns calories, allowing you to lose weight all over your body, including your stomach. While spot reduction is a myth, using a combination of cardiovascular exercise, such as a recumbent bike, and abdominal strengthening exercises will help firm and flatten your stomach muscles.

Is 30 minutes on a recumbent bike good?

The key to getting the most benefits from riding your recumbent exercise bike is pedaling for long enough. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, you should aim for at least 30 minutes of cardio per day.

What part of the body does a recumbent bike target?

Recumbent bikes work your glutes, quads, hamstrings and lower legs. If riding a bike sounds intimidating to you, consider using a recumbent bike. This type of bike is a cardiovascular machine that gives you a similar workout to a regular exercise bike.

Is riding a recumbent bike good for your hips?

Less strain on joints



The semi-reclined seat of a recumbent bike offers back support and comfort. This reduces strain on your weight-bearing joints, including your hips, feet, and knees. It will put less pressure on your hips than an upright bike. This also puts riders at a lower risk for injury.

How should you sit on a recumbent bike?


Make sure it's secure get your foot all the way up on the pedal. Follow the foot on that pedal. And then it's your seat adjustment.

Will a recumbent bike tone legs?

Yes, you can tone your legs on a recumbent bike. The ways in which you do this are varied. You can change the workout to meet your toning, comfort and fitness needs. Recumbent bikes are found at most health clubs, or you can purchase one for at-home use for an efficient leg-toning workout.

Will recumbent bike tone butt?

Recumbent bikes are effective for slimming and toning your legs. Of course, this resistance workout will work your glutes. The first step to a firm and toned booty is to build muscle strength in your glutes.

Is the recumbent bike good for arthritic knees?

Research shows that low-intensity stationary biking is just as effective at easing pain and increasing fitness for people with knee osteoarthritis as tougher.

Will an exercise bike tone my butt?

Even though you are training certain muscles, the weight you lose can’t be directed to a certain body part or area. So yes, cycling does tone your bum.

How does cycling change a woman’s body?

The resistance element of cycling means that it doesn’t just burn fat, it also builds muscle. The focal point of cycling is surely the toning and strength of the muscles around the glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves, but it also affects the upper body.

Does cycling tighten inner thighs?

Along with running and swimming, cycling is one of the best aerobic exercises; it will strengthen and develop the leg joints and muscles and can help you lose fat on thighs and calves.

Does biking make your waist smaller?

Yes, cycling can help lose belly fat, but it will take time. A recent study showed regular cycling may enhance overall fat loss and promote a healthy weight. To reduce overall belly girth, moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, such as cycling (either indoor or outdoor), are effective to lower belly fat.

Is biking better than walking?

If you want to burn calories and you’re short on time, cycling may be the better option. Cycling burns more calories given the same time and intensity as walking.

What exercise burns the most belly fat?

Crunches:



The most effective exercise to burn stomach fat is crunches. Crunches rank top when we talk of fat-burning exercises. You can start by lying down flat with your knees bent and your feet on the ground.