Exercise bicycle
From Free net encyclopedia
An Exercise bicycle is a stationary bicycle used as exercise equipment, not as transportation.
An exercise bicycle is usually a special-purpose exercise machine resembling a bicycle, but it is also possible to adapt an ordinary bicycle for stationary exercise, either by placing it on rollers or a trainer. Rollers and trainers are often used by racing cyclists during warm-up routines prior to racing events, or as a training option, perhaps when the weather is too bad to train outdoors.
Types of Exercise Bicycle
In recent years, many new stationary bikes have appeared, including those in recumbent positions, and "spinning machines" which are stationary bikes, built for spinning classes.Often, exercise bikes have various methods of increasing the resistance to the pedals moving (and thus, the intensity of the exercise), to provide for varied training. These include magnets, fans, and friction mechanisms.Some models allow the user to pedal backwards, allowing them to exercise antagonist muscles which are not exercised in forward pedaling.
Uses of Exercise Bicycle
An exercise bike has been a long time favorite in the rehab clinics because of the low-impact cardiovascular exercise it provides. It allows you to perform safe, as well as an effective cardiovascular exercise. The low-impact movement involved in operating an exercise bike does not put much stress on your joints and does not involve herky-jerky motions that some other fitness equipment may require.
The latest use of indoor stationary bikes is as an option for beating obesity. A video game console has been adapted to display a "game" of a cyclist in a race. The in-game speed of the rider is determined by the actual movement of the pedals on a stationary bike, therefore, providing an added incentive for hard exercise in the form of competition.