If you are up late at night watching tv, you are sure to see some infomercials promoting gimmicky exercise equipment. Home exercise equipment has become a billion dollar a year industry. Inventors sit around for hours trying to create the newest, coolest, and latest thing to get people motivated to pull out their credit card. But while it may look great while the tv models show you how it works, more often than not you are wasting your money.
The truth is that getting fit only requires two things: burning calories and eating right. One of the best ways to burn calories is to ride consistently on a stationary exercise bike. You do not need a bunch of new gadgets to benefit from this type of exercise. Their are essentially three types of bikes to choose from.
Upright Bike
First, there is the upright bike. This is the one you probably see most often when you think of an indoor exercise bike. The handle bars are pretty close and when sitting on the bike you are very upright. What is good about this model is that it does not take up a lot of room and you can place it anywhere. The downside is that it could be uncomfortable if you sit on it for long periods of time.
Stationary Recumbent Bike
Another style is the stationary recumbent bike. This is a great bike for those with back pain or joint pain. You sit in a large seat and you pedal out in front of you. The downside is that it takes longer to get your heart rate to the target zone.
Spin Bike
The last kind of bike is the spin bike. This has become very popular in many health gyms. With a spin bike you are hunched over more like a traditional bike and there is a front wheel that spins but stays in place.
Whichever bike you choose, you can also purchase exercise videos that can go along with your exercise for a boost in motivation. The most important thing is simply that you use it as often as possible. If you use your exercise bike regularly, you’ll be burning calories, working your cardiovascular system, and moving quickly towards your fitness goals.