The society we live in hides all kinds of toxic behaviors and situations. We are subjects to stressful jobs and incredible workloads. More than that, most of us lead sedentary lives that have terrible consequences over our minds and our bodies. This is the main reason why practicing sports regularly can practically be our salvation.
If you’re looking for a way to lose weight, tone your muscles or simply to stay fit without having to plan a complicated workout routine every week, then the stationary bike might be what you’re looking for.
Stationary bikes are complex equipment that can be found in every gym and more importantly, can be used in the comfort of our homes. Such a machine can bring one plenty of health benefits and can help achieve a variety of goals.
Keep reading to see what the health benefits of a riding stationary bike are.
Why use a stationary bike?
At this point, most people have access to a local gym and almost everyone has tried one. So we practically know the basics of a stationary bike that is so easy to use. All you have to do is jump on it and start cycling.
However, there is more to it than just the riding. Stationary bikes are excellent equipment for cardio workout and they are used in recovery programs for surgery patients or those who suffered severe trauma. They have a low-impact on your joints and can be used by almost everyone.
Stationary bikes are versatile and comfortable, and they serve a variety of purposes. But one thing is for sure: they are extremely good for your body and can help you switch your mood in just a matter of minutes.
Here are a few reasons why stationary bikes are so good for you:
- They are ideal for weight loss – nowadays, there are many ways to lose weight. Some are easier than others and some are very challenging. The stationary bike is one of the easy options. You can lose weight while watching a good TV show, reading a book or doing research for your job. The important thing is to maintain your pace and persevere.
When riding a stationary bike, you burn a large number of calories, depending on your body weight and the intensity of your training. While burning calories, you also get to tone your muscles and strengthen your core, back, arms and legs. However, you shouldn’t expect for results in a week or two, unless you are motivated to train intensely and regularly.
According to the Harvard Medical School, a 125-pound person can burn up to 315 calories during a 30-minute training using a stationary bike. A 155-pound person can burn 391 calories, while a 185-pounds person will burn 466 calories.
- Stationary bikes are joint-friendly – if you have sensitive knees or joints, or you simply aged beautifully and you can’t take risks, a stationary bike will become a loyal friend. This equipment offers low-impact training and is suitable for everyone. Although, it is important to try to maintain a correct posture when riding if you want to achieve your goals.
From this point of view, a stationary bike is healthier than a regular bike, as regular bikes can be ridden everywhere and it becomes tempting to ride on off-road routes where a lot of bumps can get in the way.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, stationary bikes can help one alleviate the pain and lead a normal life.
- Stationary bikes are heart-friendly – all sports and training types are good for your health from one perspective or the other. However, not all of them can boost your cardiovascular and immune system in a matter of days. The advantage of stationary bikes is that they can be used for both light and intense cardio workouts.
Your heart and lungs become healthier and your overall physical shape becomes better. Your resistance grows quickly and you will notice that you can train more in less time. The American Health Association recommends a 30-minute stationary bike training every day for that matter.
- Stationary bikes are good for muscle strengthening – most people who want to obtain beautifully shaped muscles appeal to weight trainings more often than to such machines. However, the stationary bike can help you shape your body in an unexpected way.
The hamstrings, the thighs, the quadriceps and the core are mostly used when riding a stationary bike. The first thing you will notice after riding for about 10 minutes is that your leg muscles are tense, which means that you will burn a lot of calories and in time, will obtain amazing legs.
Except for the health benefits that a stationary bike provides, it is also extremely convenient. It is easy to use and transport, it can be placed in any room, giving its small size and it can be used anywhere.
There’s more: modern stationary bikes are so evolved, that they provide one with all the data they need regarding their activity. One can monitor their physical shape by having access to information such as the pulse, heart beat rate and number of calories burned over a long period of time.
The stationary bike is ideal for those who have a busy schedule and never have enough time to subscribe to a local gym or focus solely on practicing sports. If you are one of those people, then you should consider bringing your bike at work or at home.
Your lifestyle can become normal again, once you start including physical activity in it. What’s even more impressive about riding a stationary bike is the fact that a lot of sensations such as the foggy brain, lightheadedness, confusion and constant sensation of tiredness start to disappear.
When practicing sports on a regular basis, you practically become happier, too. Your brain starts releasing a larger amount of “happiness hormones” and you start experiencing better moods.
Therefore, if you want to change your daily routine by including half hour trainings in it, you would better start looking for the best stationary bike for your needs.