Fitness Forum – Recumbent vs. Upright Bikes

It’s not uncommon to look for a new machine to mix up your cardio workouts. Perhaps you want to jump on a bike but are unsure of the differences between upright and recumbent bikes.

Both type of bikes are effective at providing a quality cardiovascular workout. The difference between them will be your comfort level while on the machine.

The recumbent bike might be a better choice if you suffer from back tension or pain. This bike usually has a full seat with a backrest to support you while you are exercising, and handlebars at hip height and shoulder height for added support if needed. The recumbent bike also sits lower to the ground and will be easier to enter and exit the machine.

Upright bikes will feel more like a bike that you ride outdoors and will require you to sit upright and maintain good posture without the aid of a backrest. Handlebars will be in front of you at chest height for support. This machine is higher off the ground, which may make it more difficult to enter and exit the machine.

Both bikes will provide the ability to increase or decrease the amount of resistance as you pedal, and will provide a variety of pre-programmed workouts in which the machine will change tension, mimicking pedaling on a flat road or pedaling on a hill. Take a few days to try out both machines. Explore the console of pre-programmed workouts and decide for yourself which machine is the most comfortable for you. You may also want to seek out virtual reality bikes – like Expresso – to enhance the your workout experience.

Either way, the upright and recumbent bikes will be a great addition to your weekly cardio workout routine.

Be healthy!