| If you're looking for an exercise machine | | | | In other words, most of the really cheap |
| that will give you a good cardio workout | | | | exercise bikes will not hold up well over the |
| without stressing your joints, then maybe an | | | | long haul. So expect to pay at least $600 to |
| exercise bike is just what you need. | | | | $1000 for a good piece of equipment, and |
| Treadmills are still the most popular | | | | $1500 or more for a really heavy-duty gym |
| exercise machine out there, but not everyone | | | | quality machine. |
| can use a treadmill safely, because of the | | | | |
| high impact exercise that it asks you to do. | | | | It's always a good idea to try out any |
| If you have very sensitive joints for any | | | | exercise bike model that interests you in |
| reason, you'll have to try a different means | | | | advance in person. See how comfortable it is |
| of getting a daily workout. | | | | for you to use as you exercise. Does this |
| | | | seat fit you as it should? Can you adjust the |
| Elliptical trainers can work well for this | | | | seat level to give you a comfortable travel |
| purpose, but an exercise bike is also a very | | | | distance to the pedals? |
| fine choice. A lot of people seem to | | | | |
| gravitate to exercise bikes, probably because | | | | Other considerations include whether or not |
| they are familiar with the overall design. | | | | that particular model has a heart rate |
| And everyone knows that riding a bicycle is | | | | monitor. This is a good piece of equipment to |
| good exercise, so it only makes sense that if | | | | have for almost any exercise machine that you |
| you can perform the same motions indoors you | | | | want to use. In fact, some machines are even |
| should be able to get similar health | | | | coming with interactive heart rate monitors |
| benefits. | | | | that keep an eye on your heart rate level and |
| | | | adjust your workout automatically to help you |
| So what should you look for when you are | | | | burn the most calories per session. If you |
| shopping for exercise bikes? The first thing | | | | can get an exercise bike with this feature, |
| to decide is whether you wish to have an | | | | it can be well worth it. |
| upright bike or a recumbent bike. The upright | | | | |
| exercise bike looks very similar to a real | | | | Also make sure that the display on each model |
| bicycle, with handlebars, a seat, and pedals | | | | gives you the information that you would |
| underneath. The recumbent exercise bike on | | | | really like to have as you workout. Does it |
| the other hand, can be a sort of strange | | | | keep track of the time that you have been on |
| looking contraption, that you actually lay in | | | | the machine? Does it show the calories you |
| and pedal with your feet straight out in | | | | have burned? Does it display your heart rate |
| front of you. Most fitness experts seem to | | | | level? Does it allow you to adjust the |
| agree that either type of exercise bike will | | | | resistance of the machine as you workout? |
| work well for you, it just depends on your | | | | |
| personal preference and comfort level as to | | | | As you test out each machine, take notes on |
| which bike you should buy. For instance, | | | | each model, both its strengths and its |
| those with chronic back problems may find the | | | | weaknesses, and then compile the information |
| recumbent exercise bike much easier to work | | | | after you have looked at a good |
| with. | | | | representation of all exercise bike models |
| | | | available. By keeping the suggestions listed |
| When looking over the exercise bike | | | | above in mind and doing your homework you |
| candidates, the same general rule of thumb | | | | should be able to make the best exercise bike |
| applies here as it does in other exercise | | | | choice possible for your needs. |
| machines. You generally get what you pay for. | | | | |