The Low-Impact Benefits of Your Stationary Bike

We have all been spending more time at home this past year. Don't let the global pandemic and stay-at-home culture make you miss out on your workouts. 

A stationary bike allows you to do low impact exercises from the comfort of your home. They are an integral part of any wellness routine and great for cross-training.

Read on to find some benefits of stationary bikes and how you can incorporate the use of one into your workout routine today.

Active Recovery

If you have suffered a muscle injury or some other strain from high impact exercises, it may be time to hop on the stationary bike and work it out. Stationary bikes offer you the option of doing low impact exercises.

It is important to note that a stationary bike is different from a spin bike and serves a different purpose. In general, stationary bikes are better for active recovery related exercises because the risk of injury when using them is lower.

Using a stationary bike will speed your recovery time and make you recover stronger. Physical therapists recommend the use of stationary bikes to treat many common sports injuries.

Experts attribute the use of a stationary bike in physical therapy routines to pain relief and aerobic benefits. They are great for maintaining cardiovascular health, fitness, and endurance.

They can also aid in the recovery process from knee injuries such as MCL and ACL tears, promote spine health, and help with ankle injuries as well.

They are great for conditioning and preventative exercises done to lower the chance of your body sustaining serious injury during strenuous activities.

Low Impact Exercises

Using a stationary bike as part of your workout routine allows you to keep your body strong. Stationary bike exercises are excellent cardio-builders and muscle-toners.

Workouts on them are more low impact than running or jogging and can be as vigorous as you want.

A good rule of thumb when doing a low impact stationary bike exercise is to go for long mileage, low speed, and consistent pace.

It is better to do a long slow workout than a fast a vigorous one if you are trying to keep your workout low impact. Many stationary bikes have different settings that allow you to customize your workout.

You can do simulated hills one day to build muscle strength and then do a long flat speed-run the next day to work on your endurance capabilities. Stationary bikes offer limitless potential for low impact exercises.

Types of Stationary Bikes

There are many different types of stationary bikes, each with their specific types of exercises and purposes that they work best for.

They can range in price from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars for top-quality equipment. On average, expect to pay between $1,000 to $5,000 for a solid stationary bike.

Anything cheaper than that is probably a secondhand machine, an inferior one, or one that has some underlying issue. This is an important piece of exercise equipment, and you should budget it as such.

Don't skimp on a good stationary bike, as you will be using it daily to enhance your workout routine. Do some research on what bike best fits your purposes.

If you are using a stationary bike as part of a physical therapy regime, consult with your physical therapist as to what they recommend.

Stationary bikes that specialize in recovery-oriented workouts are different than those that cater to endurance exercises. Always make sure to check with your doctor to make sure that you are healthy enough to use a stationary bike.

Maximizing Your Benefits

Depending on your level of health and comfort, you may want to start slow with your exercise routine. Learning how to use a new piece of equipment the right way is always a bit of a learning curve.

You may want to get familiar with how to use a stationary bike by reading the specific bike's owner's manual. This will help you figure out things like how to adjust the seat and how to use various settings and features.

You also will want to set a workout routine and learn how to get the most out of a stationary bike workout. There are countless workout routines out there, and choosing the right one for you is all about your intention.

If you are looking for cardio, develop a well-balanced workout routine. Endurance boosting routines should be long and vigorous with varying degrees of speed and tension.

Workout routines for toning muscle are most often on a high-tension setting that demands every ounce of your physical strength. Workouts for sprinters are short in distance, fast in pace, and vigorous all around.

A workout routine is a personal endeavor that can be shared with others or done alone. With time and practice, you will be able to develop your workout routine incorporating the use of a stationary bike. 

Until that time, try doing some research online to find one that works best for you. You can also consult with a physical therapist or personal trainer to find out what they recommend.

Consulting a professional is always a good idea if you are recovering from an injury, participate in sports on a professional level, or are attempting vigorous cross-training that has a high potential for injury.

Improve Your Health

Exercising with stationary bikes are a proven way to improve your health and increase your overall fitness. They allow you the option of doing low impact exercises that are great for recovering from injuries.

They are also great for warm-up exercises, cooldowns, or as an overall added component to any wellness routine.

Incorporate a stationary bike into your workout routine today. If you need help selecting the right one, contact a professional. That way, you will know that you are getting the best bike to fit your workout needs.