Buying An Exercise Bike
So, what's the difference between an Upright and Recumbent exercise bike? Simply put, with an upright you sight in an upright poistion leaning slightly forward. With a recumbent you are in a seated position leaning slightly back.
A recumbent (not recumbant) exercise bike offers many plus points in comparison to a conventional upright. Not only do those with back disorders find a recumbent bike more comfortable to use, many also feel greater physical benefits when using one. This is because when using one, the abdominal muscles relax making breathing easier and deeper, thereby giving a better cardiovascular workout.
For those who are overweight, the bucket seats on recumbent exercise bikes can be more comfortable than upright exercise bikes. They're also more ergonomically correct than traditional upright bikes and it can be an effective way to increase aerobic capacity, as well as burn fat.
The recumbent bike is also more effective at exercising the gluteal muscles, so they're great for getting your butt in shape.
However, not everyone prefers cycling in a recumbent position. If you are a more experienced cyclist you will almost certainly prefer an upright bike. They offer the great advantage over recumbents in that the rider can cycle in a standing position; if you suffer from back problems this posture can be the best one to adopt.
Recumbent exercise bikes come with the same features as upright models. In fact, most manufactures offer both an upright and a recumbent model that have exactly the same specifications, including LCD display, preset programs, heart rate monitor etc.
Stationary upright exercise bikes have been around for decades whereas the stationary recumbent models are a recent development. This can be explained in part because the emphasis on exercise bike design has shifted focus from the bike to the user: the recumbent position is considered by many to be a more natural cycling position but, as stated above, the more serious athlete almost always prefers an upright cycle.
Some of the best exercise bikes are made by companies such as Nordictrack, Schwinn, Tunturi, Weslo, Lifecycle, Pacemaster and Stamina. Not one company makes the best bike, rather the best model is one that suits a user's requirements based on things like budget, ergonomic features, heart rate monitor, motivational feedback, iFIT, warranty etc.
So, to find the best exercise bike, first decide on what features you require and your maximum budget. Then you should read as many exercise bike reviews as possible. Take a note of ratings but be sure to contrast before you make comparisons; it's pointless trying to compare a cheap exercise bike like the Stamina folding bike to a top-of-the-line Lifecycle exercise bike costing $6,000.