Many novice runners, or joggers, find the prospect of exercising in public a little daunting, or cannot summon sufficient motivation to maintain an exercise programme, or even injure themselves, by over striding on hard outdoor surfaces. An exercise bike, however, provides a convenient means of fitness training – as vigorous, or a gentle, as you like – at a time to suit you, on a cushioned, and moving, surface, which greatly reduces impact shock. If you are a more serious athlete, an exercise bike can also provide a thorough, cardiovascular workout, raising your metabolism, to burn body fat, and toning the muscles in your lower body.

Benefits

One of the great advantages of exercise bikes is that they are easy to use – cycling is almost second nature to most people, so there is no real technique to learn, and the adjustable, supported and low impact nature of the exercise means that it can be enjoyed by the more, and less, able, alike. Exercising in this way is particularly beneficial to larger, or more mature, users and anyone suffering from back, or leg joint problems, or high blood pressure.

Comfort is another advantage – although this does obviously depend on making a careful choice, in the first instance – and you can choose an exercise bike to accommodate your exact body size and shape, with, for example, an adjustable, cushioned seat, or saddle, adjustable handlebars and a sturdy, robust frame. The physical comfort of the bike itself aside, you can also exercise in a more comfortable, personal environment – and listen to music, read, or watch TV while you exercise – far away from the crowded gym, busy roads and wretched weather. The Carl Lewis SPN1 Exercise Bike, has a large, comfortable racing saddle, and the Carl Lewis EMR17 Exercise Bike is a recumbent model, with back support.

A heart rate monitor, and other readouts, means that you exercise in your optimum heart rate range, and check your progress, in terms of distance covered, calories expended, etc., and you can add variety to your workout via special programmes which simulate variable terrain – hills, or even mountains, for the more adventurous. The Carl Lewis EMGP10 Exercise Bike, for example, has a fully programmable computer, and various programmes for different workouts.

Exercise bikes are also the most economically priced of the home fitness choices, less expensive than, say, treadmills, or cross trainers, but do remember, as with any form of technical equipment, that adding functionality and features does add equally (and quickly) to the cost.

Responsible Exercise

Any form of exercise, whilst potentially of great benefit, is not entirely without risks and the use of exercise bikes or any other type of exercise equipment may not be appropriate for you. To reduce the risk of any injury, illness or other adverse effects you should ALWAYS consult your doctor before beginning any form of exercise program. You should also seek advice from a suitably qualified fitness professional as to the suitability of your proposed fitness programme as this will be determined by your age, weight, gender, current fitness level, any medical conditions and other factors. As with any exercise, if at any point during the use of an exercise bike you begin to feel faint, dizzy, light headed or experience any other form of physical discomfort, you should stop immediately and consult a doctor.

Conclusion

An exercise bike is a fairly personal piece of equipment, so, when choosing one, make sure that it is the right one for your ability, your preferences, and, of course, your budget. Bear in mind that you’ll probably be sitting on a bike (hopefully) fairly often, or for relatively long periods, so take note of its weight bearing capacity, and don’t scrimp on comfort features – you’ll pay for it in the long run, if you do.

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