Recumbent Bike Benefits
A recumbent bicycle is an ergonomically designed bicycle that enables the rider to sit in a laid back, reclining position. The bike has a back rest which helps the rider maintain an almost supine, relaxed posture. It thus distributes the body weight over a larger area of the back and buttocks, unlike conventional bicycles in which the rider sits upright and the body weight is spread across the sit bones, the feet and hands. Their benefits have made the recumbent bikes exceedingly popular among the health-conscious. These benefits are discussed as under.
Benefits of a Recumbent Bike
As the recumbent bike allows the rider to sit in a laid-back position, it prevents hunching and helps in avoiding a stiff back and shoulder pain. You can maintain a good posture while riding. The arms, wrists, neck, shoulders and lower back are relatively more relaxed. The numbness in hands and fingers that is caused by cycling for long durations, won't happen with the recumbent bike.
People who travel long distances on conventional bicycles should give the recumbent bike a try, because it greatly reduces or eliminates the problem of back pain experienced by them. Another significant benefit of these bikes is the positioning of the legs. The legs are on a level closer to the heart, due to which the blood flow, to and from the heart is aided and your endurance increases.
Recumbent bikes reduce the problem of saddle sores. The distribution of body weight over a larger area allows good blood circulation to those blood vessels which get compressed for long periods of time on regular bicycles. The problem of chronic compression of the perineal nerve which runs under the symphysis pubis, becomes virtually non-existent. Recumbent bikes are a boon for men with prostate problems, because these bikes provide a more comfortable seat than the conventional bicycles. Riding a recumbent bike is much safer than conventional bicycles because the rider is placed at a lower level, the height being the same as that of car drivers. Also, a fall from these bikes won't hurt as much.
Recumbent Bike Workout
Recumbent bikes are more stable than the upright exercise bikes, so people with balance problems find them more suitable. For those who cannot do interval training (exercising at a higher effort level for short periods of time followed by a recovery period) on a treadmill or upright exercise bike, recumbent bikes are recommended.
A workout session on a recumbent bike causes lesser strain on the lower back. This allows the user to continue the workout for a longer period of time. Recumbent bikes are a great way to build leg muscles and tone your inner thighs. All you need to do is set the resistance of the exercise to a higher level. Recumbent bikes also let you multi-task. These bikes provide some stability so that you can do certain activities like reading or attending phone calls, while cycling (without falling off).
This is one bicycle which can actually make cycling a pleasurable activity, because its ergonomic design reduces all unnecessary stress. So, not just at home or in a gym, you should replace your conventional bicycles with the recumbent ones and use them as a convenient means of transport.
