Fitness and Exercise Equipment Reviews

What determines a good recumbent exercise bike? Different individuals are suited for different bikes. Its a good idea to think about five factors to help you choose the best bike for you: tough enough, fun or interesting to use, comfortable seating and pedals, simple to move and a good reasonable price. For instance consider the following…

1 – Is it rugged enough?

You should look for an exercise bike that is heavy, fairly big and big enough. It will be tough to slide or move out of place. That is good because it will be it will not come apart as you use it and be stable to sit upon. Whereas a smaller lightweight bike will last some a while, but start to lean and rock as it is used. Eventually, the smaller bike will rip itself to pieces.  Moreover, you will not be too comfortable watching the lighter weight bike sway back and forth. It won’t be fun to use for very long. A heavier exercise bike will last and help keep you going.

2 – A good seat is more than comfort

Yes, the seat should be comfortable however that’s not enough. What makes a better ride is a smooth resistance system. The way to get a smooth action that is quiet is by having a magnetic drive. Listening to a lot of noise is not much fun. Soft quiet sounds are much better. Then, you can hear your music or whatever sounds you want to hear.

3 – Electronics help stop boredom

Like any repetitive motion, pedaling can become monotonous. Boredom tends to make people quit, abandoning their fitness goals. To avoid boredom, you will want to have a lot of preset, built-in workout programs. These programs change the resistance to simulate real bike rides. You can climb a hill and then speed up. There can be lots of variations, and the more the better for you. The more the exercise bike costs, the more computer programming you usually get.

4 – Where to store it

Recumbent exercise bikes tend to like to stay put. They usually fairly big and heavy, so make certain you have an open area, that you will be comfortable spending your workouts in. Check how the bike would be moved if necessary. Most have special wheels for moving and many are fairly simple to move. You also may want to look into a well constructed rubber mat to help protect any possible wear on the carpet or flooring.

5 – How much is reasonable?

Whether you can pay a lot or a little, is it a good idea to look at your budget first. For prices in the mid-range you can get a lot of exercise bike. The highest priced bikes may not have big improvements over some of the mid-range price bikes. Depending on what features or other aspects you would like, for some of the better values, consider the CAP recumbent exercise bikes.

What makes a good recumbent exercise bike? Personal preference are certainly some of the factors. Yet, the better exercise bikes will all be rugged and heavy, comfortable to sit on, fun and interesting to ride, simple for you to use and offered at a good value.

Stationary Bikes Continue To Be A Top Choice For Overall Fitness

While some people may be wowed by the promises of the new fancy exercise machines, the stationary exercise bike still gives one of the most effective workouts. Its true stationary bikes have been around for many years, and many people often mistakenly consider them less effective then the newer designs of fitness equipment.

Nothing could be further from the truth! Exercise bikes continue to give a lot of individuals a fun, consistent, workable method of exercising. For many, it is the best way to improve their cardiology functions and losing weight.

You get all the benefits of riding a bicycle by using a stationary bike. For instance, they have a lot less impact on the knees, hips and various joints then running or walking, provide excellent cardio workouts, and convenient to use in your home, ready anytime.

What’s more, speed and resistance are easy to adjust on stationary bikes with their manual or computerized controls. Often included are heart monitors and as many as 16 preprogrammed cardio workouts ready to use with a touch of a button. Stationary bikes come in many different styles and prices, and usually turn out to be the best priced cardio exercise machine.

Even better, there are no dogs chasing you, cars speeding by splashing puddles, a down pour of rain, icy sidewalks, sun burns, or clouds of gnats buzzing by your ear. Instead, on a stationary bike, you can talk on your cell phone, catch up on your books or magazines, sip a cool drink, watch television, or listen to your own personal music. Getting such pleasures on a bike path is unlikely.

Styles of Stationary Bikes

To start, upright, standard stationary bikes are made in a single or dual action designs. Dual action bikes provide a more effective cardio workouts, burn more calories plus improve overall body tone then single action designs because of their levers or handles that move the upper body area. This allows the arms to work harder to use the machine, which results in less work for the legs. Plus, they are excellent for people with hip or leg injuries that need exercise yet must take it easy on their legs.

Upright Exercise Bike

Another popular model is a recumbent bicycle, or known as a bent. This kind of stationary bike is more laid back…literally. The body is placed in a partial or totally reclining position, lifting pressure off the back region. At first, some individuals feel the position is hard to get used to, yet many who select recumbent bikes proclaim that they are very simple and comfortable to ride. Often, they have a bigger seat, which means you will want to stay on the machine longer or not have any discomfort later.

Recumbent Exercise Bike

The recumbent is perfect for working the abdominal muscles and making more hamstring movement because of its reclining position. Moreover, the lower point of gravity makes a more stable balance. It is also true that doctors believe they are better for people with back problems, cerebral palsy and related diseases. The recumbent bikes place your feet more closely in line with your heart, keeping blood pressure down and giving you a safer overall workout.

Popular Designs And Prices

On most stationary bikes there are devices to measure your speed and distance. You will see a tachometer/odometer combination on the economy models with a flywheel design that provides resistance. These kinds are not programmable and will give you the minimally effective workout. However they do cost under $200 may be an inexpensive way for a beginner or for someone on a close budget to some exercise.

For more features, standard designs come with programmable consul that measures your heart rate, or even allow you to chose a heart rate and then alter the resistance to match. These stationary bikes might use fan blades, flywheels, and magnetic resistance depending on the prices. The best method is usually magnetic resistance since it operates quietly and more smoothly. The prices for these designs range from 200 to 1500 dollars, and have the widest selection to satisfy the average person.

Upright Exercise Magnetic Bike

Standard models usually come with more features such as a programmable consul that calculates heart rate or allows you to pick a heart rate and then adjust the resistance accordingly. These bikes may use flywheels, fan blades, or magnetic resistance, depending on the quality. Magnetic resistance is usually the best method as it operates more smoothly and is quieter. They can range from $200 up to $1500 and provide the broadest range of selection for the average person. Some popular models include CAP CO-BR 130 (recumbent), CAP CO-BD7 Triangular D-7 Upright Magnetic, and several models from Sunny, a popular sports equipment manufacturer.

There are designs available for 1500 or more dollars that come with all the bells and whistles. They often use magnetic resistance and usually need to be plugged in to an outlet. Features included  may be extended warranties, larger variation of programming features, and creature comfort options like built in fans.  Lifecycle 5500HR and 5500RHR (recumbent) are popular choices.

Equipment Comparisons

Every stationary bike gives you a low impact workout that a lot of people think is better over treadmill exercise. Walking or running causes a force on the knees, ankles, feet and other body parts that can cause swelling or discomfort in your joints. Old injuries can get irritated or at times even new problems may develop. On the other hand, a stationary bike provides non-weight bearing exercise that lessens impact on these areas.

This is a lot of debate in the health and fitness industries, and among customers, over which machines  use more calories and result in a better cardio workout. Both sides have proof  on the issue, yet many people agree that a stationary bike should have at least dual action to get the best weight loss and heart health. The arm pumping has a large impact of the effectiveness of any workout, which on a treadmill is less effective if you hold onto the hand supports rather than letting your arms swing or moving them in rhythm to your walking.

Another choice of exercise machine is an elliptical trainer that provides a low impact workout. However, many people think that they do not give you the same cardio benefits. Rowing machines are tedious, hard to use, and may be hard on the back. Other types of equipment have disadvantages also, illustrating the fact that stationary bikes make a good choice for overall effectiveness and satisfaction. Average consumer purchases show that exercise bikes still rank as a top choice for exercise machines and fitness training.

You can not go wrong with a stationary exercise bike since it is a proven effective exercise machine, that keeps improving and adapting with new technology. Considering its overall effectiveness, ease of use and wide choice of models and prices, the stationary bike makes a perfect choice for advanced enthusiasts and beginners alike.

So what is better for home fitness equipment, a recumbent exercise bike or a treadmill? How do you decide?

The stationary recumbent bike and treadmill both have positive aspects. Both of them can have preset programs that let you change the level of difficulty and intensity of your workouts. In either of them, you can change the incline to feel like a gradual sloping hill or a sharp rise.

However, some recumbent exercise bike programs allow you to change the levels of workouts and intensity without having to push a button or move a lever. Even better, you also can select a program to randomly change the intensity to keep you from getting bored and alert. There are also recumbent bikes that can be connected to a screen or come with personal monitors and virtual biking games. If you compared an exercise bike verses a treadmill for variety and these kind of features the recumbent exercise bike would win hand down.

In addition, the exercise bike offers a low-impact workout in direct contrast to the high impact of a treadmill. Recumbent exercise bikes have comfortable seating and the reclining posture surpasses the treadmill. If you have any back issues, knee and joint concerns this can make a huge difference.

Many people don’t stay with exercising because it can become boring. Treadmills may be a popular way to start exercising, but too often its gets tedious and they stop using them However, this will not be an issue with the recumbent exercise bike since you will be hands free to entertain yourself as you keep pedaling. For example, you can read a book or send a text message on your cell phone. The recumbent stationary bike will certainly be more fun to workout on and thereby have much more value for the money you spend. Best of all, you will want to keep exercising and be able to reach your long term fitness goals.

Yet, the treadmill does seem to win in the calorie burning area. A fitness organization preformed a research study on a group of healthy individuals that exercise consistently. Under the study these individuals did several cardiovascular workouts using different home fitness equipment. Despite the fact that these people believed the workout intensity to be the same from one exercise machine to another, the study concluded that more calories are burned when using ski exercisers and treadmills.

But, let us take a closer look. It is true that seven hundred fifty calories are used on a treadmill every hour as compared to five hundred fifty on the stationary recumbent bike. Still, most people have more reasons then burning calories while picking out their fitness equipment. Like for example, you might ask yourself this question… Are you really going to keep using a piece of exercise equipment that burns more calories but is not as fun or comfortable? Whether you read studies or just know basic human nature, for most of us the answer is No Way! It makes more sense to purchase a stationary bike that you will use it more often. On the other hand, the treadmill too often ends up collecting cob webs since it just gets too boring or hard to use.

Here is one last thing to muse over. Are you going to stick to working out on a treadmill for an hour or so each day? A walk outside would be a lot more fun. Besides, with the talk about vitamin D being so important to our health, a walk in the sunshine or even on a cloudy day would add a nice bonus. Most people that get on an exercise bike comment that twenty minutes on a bike passes by much faster and easier than on a treadmill.

Chances are you will end up using a more comfortable recumbent exercise bike nearly twice as often as a treadmill. Then you will wind up burning more calories on the recumbent bike. Its your choice, of course. Yet, this is worthwhile to consider when selecting a home exercise machine such as a recumbent exercise bike or a treadmill. Be certain to purchase the one that is safer, more fun, and that you are more likely to want to keep working out on to achieve your fitness goals.

Its true, that there are probably more arm exercises than for any other parts of the body. This makes sense however, because arms have several unique muscle groups. These include the biceps, upper top muscle, triceps, underside muscle on upper arm, and forearms, below elbow arm area. Each group requires arm exercises tailored to its needs.

Generally, arm exercises target the biceps and triceps, since forearms are typically worked out on their own.. When you bend or extend your arm you are working your powerful biceps and triceps. These muscles are exercised with most upper body weight lifting. However, these kind of exercises usually are not enough to work your arm for evenly toned muscle groups.

The good news is that there is a wide variety of arm exercises out there! A person just starting has plenty of choices. However, you need to be selective because not all arm exercises are effective, and some may even be dangerous. If you have major health issues you might want to check with your health care provider to make sure it is safe for you.

In addition, it is important to know that by doing arm exercises you help to increase your metabolism and give it a boost. If you are trying to lose some weight, this is a great bonus.

Below are several of the most effective and proven arm exercises covering the biceps and the triceps, including any equipment you may need to perform the exercises.

First Bicep Curls

Out of the vast number of targeted bicep exercises, this is the most common and adaptable.

It is a simple movement. Start by holding one dumb bell weight in each hand and just extend your arms   out completely down the body, so the dumb bell hands are down on your sides. Then, using your bicep, curl the weight upward until your forearms are almost vertical.

This basic movement of lifting a weight from low to high and then back again using your bicep allows for a practically infinite variety of exercises. The bicep curl will work different parts of the bicep and provide various levels of difficulty. This effectiveness, also depends on your form, which you can change with the equipment you use.

A typical bicep curl is often performed with a barbell.  However, you do have the option of using a shaped barbell, like an ez curl bar, which gives greater variation during each lift.

Another excellent and less expensive weight are dumbbells. Not only are they adaptable, but also each arm is forced to handle its own weight. If you are beginning to exercises your arms, you may want to start with lighter weights such as 1,2,3, 5 pound dumbbells. It is better to work with weights that give you enough resistance to work your muscles, yet allow you to have some success at lifting them.

In addition, weight benches with various angle settings and preacher benches or curl machines will also be efficient ways to work the biceps. The preacher exercise get its name from the body position used while carrying out the movement as relating to a preacher leaning over a church pulpit.

If you want to dramatically increase the size of your biceps the preacher curl is for you. The preacher curl mainly works the upper biceps muscle, with a little secondary resistance on the forearm flexors. It is vital that when doing this exercise that your arms are positioned in front of your body and that you are leaning slightly forward. Always make sure that your elbows are completely contacting the bench throughout the movement and concentrate the feeling directly onto your biceps.

Performing the Preacher Curl

Choose a preacher bar and put a moderately heavy weight on it that you are capable of doing 10 to 12 good quality repetitions. Sit on the preacher bench, leaning over the angled arm pad with your elbows pinned against the pad. Assume the starting position, which is with the preacher bar level with the top of the chest and the biceps tensed. Slowly lower the barb resisting strongly as you do so until your biceps muscle is fully extended . Then, raise the bar tensing your biceps just as you do in the starting position. This completes one full repetition. For an effective workout you need to do 10 to 12 repetitions and a total of 4 sets. On every consecutive set increase your weight incrementally.

Whatever variation of a bicep curl you choose to practice, either dumbbells, a barbell, using a ez bar, or preacher bench having a weight tree or dumbbell rack can help you immensely to keep all your equipment safely stored and in prime condition.

Second Tricep Extensions

Basically, the tricep extension is performed by lying on a bench or a firm surface with a dumbbells or  a barbell extended upward. Next, without moving the upper arms, bend at your elbow until your weight lies about one inch above the forehead. Using your triceps, move your weight back into starting position.

Another effective tricep extension exercise is the triceps-dip. These is accomplished by sitting down  on something stable such as a hard, kitchen chair or bench. Then, keep your hands at the level of your hips, as you hold on to the sides of your seat. Next, lift your hips up in front of the chair or bench while bending your elbows to no more than 90 degrees. Finally, push yourself back without locking your elbows. Hold for a few seconds, then slowly return to a seated position.

You should work up to doing 3 repetitions of 10 for both of these two arm exercises.

There are arm exercises are simple and need no equipment. By simply holding your arms out at your sides and moving them in circles is a great arm exercise.

One of the oldest arm workouts is push ups. Women can do them by bending their knees and just using their arms to push up the upper portion of their body. These modified push ups are easier for women  since they typically do not have the upper body strength as men. They will also work to tone the muscles and give you muscle definition. You can do standard push ups or modified push ups and still build tone in your arm muscles.

Another well known exercise for arms is the pull up or chin up. This entails using a secure bar that is a few feet over the top of your head. You hold onto the bar and try to pull yourself up so that your chin raises above the bar. You use your arms to lift the weight of your entire body. When you do pull ups, you can do them in 2 different ways. One way, you face your palms towards you so that you are gripping the bar and your nails are facing you.  The second way is by facing your palms out. Each of these exercises are difficult, however palms facing out are much harder.

Third Doing Biceps and Triceps in One Exercise

To target both biceps and triceps, start by standing straight, with your dumbbells, and folding your elbows so your fists are against your chest and your palms are facing each other. Next, without unlocking your elbows, bring your arms away from one another other.  You should have a pose that is about like you are getting ready to flex. Then, unlock your elbows so your arms are widespread at both sides. After that, simply go in reverse by bringing your elbows to ninety degree angles again, then fold them in until your fists and dumbbells are again settled against your chest and your palms are facing each other. Repeat for 3 sets of 10 repetitions.

You can alter your locations for variety to spice up your workouts.  For example, you can do tricep extensions while you are standing waiting for the microwave to finish cooking in your kitchen or perform dumbbell extensions while sitting on the porch or backyard or another room that you feel comfortable in and have enough room.

As with all weight lifting, a variety of weights, barbells and dumbbells, and benches are used to perform these exercises. Other arm exercises designed to focus on the triceps can be found in different weight machines.

If you start by using only weights or dumbbells that is perfectly fine. While it is true that you have the option for more effectiveness with benches and bars, what matters is that you are improving yourself and getting tight toned arm muscles, no jiggles included.