Exercise Equipment FAQs

Dave Tupniak asked:


The recumbent exercise bike has been around for a long time, and comes in a great variety of forms and models. These stationary exercise and fitness bikes allow users to recline while exercising, thus reducing strain on the back and greatly improving endurance.

First and foremost, the reclined position of recumbent exercise and fitness bikes offers users many benefits. Being unable to sit upright while using a recumbent exercise bike helps prevent the strains in the lower back area. Also, when reclined in the seat, your legs are at the same level as your heart, improving the blood flow to and from your legs. This helps improve your endurance levels while exercising.

Other health benefits that can be gained through exercising on a recumbent bike include burning excess body fat and strengthening the leg muscles. Burning body fat is a process that aids in the formation of muscle mass, thus this will speed up the strengthening of your muscles. Not only do you gain endurance through exercising on a recumbent bike, you lose excess weight as well.

There are many different models of recumbent bike available in the market today. Your choice will largely be based on your budget, however. The Stex 8020R recumbent exercise bike is one the best exercise bikes that money can buy. The bike checks your heart rate and measures your body fat as you exercise, helping to create a more personalized workout for you. The bike’s computer comes pre-programmed with thirteen exercise routines as well as twenty-five different levels of resistance. This model of bike is very expensive, however, and you may wish to consider a cheaper alternative.

The Star Trac 4410HR recumbent exercise bike costs approximately a thousand dollars less than a Stex 8020R recumbent exercise bike. It has fifteen different levels of resistance and four pre-programmed exercise routines. The Schwinn 213 recumbent exercise bike incorporates sixteen levels of resistance and eleven exercise routines. A computer screen is also included that displays your progress in terms of speed, pulse, and number of calories burned during each workout.

For those who have never used a recumbent exercise bike before, the Phoenix Magnetic bike is a good choice. Although this model of exercise and fitness bike only offers eight levels of resistance, the workout you will get from this bike is very similar to those from other more expensive bikes. This will help you determine whether or not workouts using a recumbent exercise bike are effective for you. You will also avoid spending a large amount only to find that it is not suitable for you.

All in all, recumbent exercise and fitness bikes offer a great number of health benefits, not the least of which are improved cardiovascular flow and increase endurance levels. Recumbent exercise bikes come in many different models and types to suit all tastes and budgets. If you have yet to try a recumbent exercise and fitness bike, you should do so, as you may find that it suits your workout regimen well.

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David Cowley asked:


Exercise equipment is very expensive and even if you appreciate that using it is an investment in health and longevity, it still can be very difficult to fit it into a home budget. But used home exercise equipment might be a way to go. Since most equipment last for literally decades and even with constant use will probably still have a lot of life left in them regardless of the age. But where to find some good used exercise equipment and what should you look for before purchasing?

Before you start your search for used exercise equipment you should decide on the type of equipment you think would be of the best benefit to you. Take a trip to your local home fitness center and check out the types of equipment available. While looking at the equipment be sure to inspect the exercise equipment for quality of workmanship and if you are looking at gym equipment in a gymnasium you should look for the normal wear and tare. This information will become vital when considering used exercise equipment.

Obviously most people would turn to eBay when looking for used home exercise equipment, but keep in mind that there is usually a large shipping cost for this type of equipment if you purchase it from someone outside of your immediate area. However eBay does allow you to narrow your search to a specific range of miles around your home so that you can pick up something. It’s recommended that for something as expensive as home exercise equipment you’ll want to arrange with the seller to inspect the pieces beforehand or pay in cash in person after winning the auction, if the piece is as advertised. It’s never a good idea to just pay for something this expensive without having inspected it first. Craig’s List online is also a good place to shop for used exercise equipment and some prefer it since it isn’t worked around an auction but is more like a huge garage sale instead.

You may have flea markets nearby that sell exercise equipment. Goodwill, Purple Heart, the Kidney Foundation, and even the Salvation Army often sell good equipment from their donors. You can easily find them online or in the phone book.

It’s important to inspect and try out the used home exercise equipment you find anywhere before you buy it. When it comes to treadmills, look at the belt carefully. It is curled or frayed at the ends? When you run the machines does the belt have a tendency to drift to one side? This signals uneven wear. Of course belts can be replaced easily but if you plan on doing this then consider the added cost. Try out elliptical machines and bikes. Are the pedals securely fastened? Do they have a tendency to wobble? This might mean inferior quality. As for weight machines and other pieces of used home exercise equipment, check pulleys, cords, belts, benches, and every moving piece. Does it work effortlessly? If not then something may be ready to break. Make sure the cords and pulley don’t look frayed and worn.

Buying used home exercise equipment rather than new can be a good idea if it means sticking to your budget, but exercise caution and be sure that you don’t grab the first thing you see and that you have a chance to thoroughly inspect everything no matter what the brand name or price.

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Michael Walker asked:


There are so many exercise bikes available that it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Spinning bikes, stationary bikes, dual action bikes, and recumbent bikes are probably some of the terms you’ve heard. It’s almost as though you have to be a fitness equipment engineer to understand the differences! Here’s a quick summary of these confusing terms.

• Spinning Bikes

You’ve probably heard about the spin craze that has become so popular in health clubs. Spinning bikes usually have at least a front wheel that spins (which is why they are so brilliantly named spinning bikes). These bikes might be the current fad, but they aren’t very comfortable. The seats are small and hard. The classes make these boring bikes more interesting, but as home exercise bikes, they quickly become tedious.

• Stationary Bikes

Stationary bikes (or upright bikes) are the exercise bikes that most people can identify. It’s the same basic model as in the 1980’s. Once again, it’s fairly uncomfortable. You can’t really do anything like read or watch TV because you’re leaning left and right and bouncing, so it, too, quickly gets boring.

• Dual Action Bikes

Dual action bikes are aptly named, as they give you both an upper and lower body workout. There are handles that move independently – much like an elliptical machine. It’s a good workout, but a bit tough for beginners, and as usual, the time on the bike will eventually get boring.

You can also get dual action bikes that allow you to adjust the machine to create an arm-pedaling workout. It’s usually fairly difficult to make the adjustments. It’s also two separate exercises, which create a longer workout. Most people aren’t as likely to keep up such a routine.

• Recumbent Bikes

Recumbent bikes are the exercise bikes with the comfortable bucket seats. You sit back and lower to the ground as you pedal. These exercise bikes are easy enough for even the most sedentary beginners, and they usually offer workout programs to keep the workouts from becoming mundane.

The Experts Recognize the Advantages of Recumbent Bikes

Most physicians and personal trainers recommend recumbent bikes. Recumbent bikes are better for people of all different fitness levels. You are more likely to keep up a recumbent bike routine over time, the bikes are safer, and there are different benefits for both men and women.

• Recumbent Bikes for All Fitness Levels

Even the most sedentary person will find a recumbent exercise bike easy to use. You can adjust the settings to offer little or no resistance as you pedal. People who are overweight will definitely find the seat much larger and more comfortable than other exercise bikes.

Athletes will find the recumbent exercise bike a challenge. The resistance can become incredibly difficult. The bike can simulate pedaling up hills. Most recumbent bikes offer various programs that will require you to sprint and tackle hills. If you want an upper body workout as you pedal, you can easily add weights and do repetitions as you sit back in the recumbent bike seat.

• Recumbent Bikes Offer a Sustainable Workout

The programs offered by most recumbent exercise bikes definitely keep the workout from becoming boring. You can simulate a course that is easy or difficult, flat or hilly. When shopping for exercise bikes, it’s better to get a bike with as many variations as possible.

The fact that a recumbent bike is suitable for all levels will keep you getting back on the bike. If you’re feeling particularly tired or lazy one day, you can have an easy workout where you can read a book or newspaper. If you really want to test your limits, you can crank up the music, set the machine to more difficult levels, and add some weights for an upper body workout.

• Recumbent Bikes are Safer

Because you sit back and lower to the ground in a recumbent bike, it is better for your body. Most exercise bikes force you to hunch over, causing a stiff back. Some dual action bikes are back injuries waiting to happen. Recumbent bikes require that you sit with good posture as you pedal.

Recumbent bikes also offer one of the few cardio workouts that put no pressure on your knees and other joints. You can’t “cheat” on a recumbent bike and stand up when you’re finding it more difficult to pedal. Standing like that on other types of exercise bikes puts unnecessary pressure on your knees and ankles. Recumbent bikes let your body exercise at an angle where your body weight is not stressing your joints. Even people with back and knee problems will find a recumbent bike easy to use.

• Why Men Should Choose Recumbent Exercise Bikes

So many men neglect their lower bodies when they workout, especially in strength training. It’s common to see buffed out men with giant biceps and tiny little bird legs. That’s because it’s easier to get an upper body workout at home. If you just invest in a recumbent bike, you can set the machine to high resistance. You will build leg muscle, and you can even do curls while you pedal.

Recumbent bikes can also allow men to get a great cardio workout without the discomfort that only a man knows on regular bikes or other types of exercise bikes. With the large, comfortable seats of recumbent bikes, you are much more likely to enjoy your workout pain-free.

If you move the seat of a recumbent bike up a bit to bring your legs higher, you can even target the lower abs and have to do less crunches to get the bottom of your six-pack!

• Things Women Should Know About Recumbent Bikes

Two words, ladies: legs and bottoms. Recumbent exercise bikes are so comfortable and easy to use that eventually you can do workouts giving you results like you’ve spent hours a day on a stair-stepper.

Recumbent bikes can give you a fat burning cardio workout with enough resistance to help you build long, lean muscle. Picture Tina Turner legs. Recumbent bikes also are great for your inner thighs. Using different programs and settings, you will be able to target different muscle areas in your legs for longer looking, leaner legs.

According to most polls, women claim in higher numbers to not have time for exercise because of more responsibilities in the home. With the positioning of a recumbent bike, you can multi-task to more easily fit in a workout. You are able to read, catch the news, and even use a phone or your handheld organizer.

Finding a Recumbent Exercise Bike

With prices between $200 and $3000, there is quite a variety of recumbent bikes available. Use the Internet to find great deals (including free shipping most of the time). Because the bikes are great for any level and help you to finally be able to stick with a safe and effective workout routine, you can splurge a little. This is definitely one of the best investments you can make for your health.

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