Sure, working out is fun and definitely has its perks. There’s also no shortage of workout plans you can choose from ranging from the fast paced HIIT to the fat burning cardios. It’s no secret that cardio is one of the most effective ways to achieve your fitness goals. However, you know what would make it even better? Stationary bikes. This article tells you why.
First off, the basics. Chances are you’ve heard of them being mentioned in a lot of places, but what are they exactly?
Simply put, these are indoor machines with a structural makeup of a regular bike, fitted with a device to adjust resistance.
Stationary bikes are meant to provide low-impact aerobic workouts for people who exercise indoors. You can take this option if your workout goals include:
Also, if your workout options are limited due to lower back pains, hip or joint pains, stationary bike workouts may just do the trick.
Next, we look at some of the stationary bike benefits that have made this type of workout popular over the years.
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Here are 6 reasons why you should include an indoor cycling workout plan to your routine today:
Did you know that you can burn up to 600 calories an hour with a stationary bike workout plan? This makes it one of the most efficient ways of burning excess calories quickly.
This 2010 study showed that indoor cycling alongside a low-calorie diet was effective at reducing body fat and weight among participants. It also led to the decrease of triglyceride and cholesterol levels (2).
You should, however, note that all that depends on the intensity of your overall workout and your body weight.
Cycling is one of the best ways to get your heart pumping.
Aerobic workouts have been shown to be effective at strengthening your lungs, heart and muscles. This then improves blood and oxygen circulation in your body. As a result, your overall health will be improved in several ways including (1):
Cycling has been shown to aid in keeping your knee joint naturally lubricated. It also emphasizes building strength in your quads which may aid in reducing knee pain. Strengthening the muscles around your knee and giving them more support is key in reducing knee pain (5).
High-impact aerobic exercises like jogging, running, or jumping can exert a lot of stress on your hips, ankles, knees, and other joints.
Stationary bike workouts, on the other hand, usually make use of smooth movements when strengthening your bones and joints.
You aren’t lifting your feet off the pedals when using a stationary bike, which makes it kinder to your joints while providing a challenging and effective workout.
This goes a long way in alleviating excess pressure that would have otherwise been placed on them, making it excellent for people with joint injuries.
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Interval training involves a cycle of short bursts of intense workout with longer intervals of less intense workouts. You can vary resistance levels making training at low, medium and high intensities possible.
This type of training burns more calories in less time while elevating your cardiovascular fitness (4).
You can always work out with stationary bikes despite the traffic or weather outside. While cycling outside is usually effective, it comes with several environmental risks that you can’t control.
That being said, you can always work out safely and comfortably at any time of the year. All you need for that amount of convenience is a stationary bike!
One of the most crucial aspects of achieving your workout goals is understanding your fitness level. Going too hard if you’re a beginner may result in injuries, and for the pros, simpler versions may not be as effective.
Next, we look at some of the workout plans that are best suited for beginners, pros and senior:
First off, the bike setup. If you’re new to using a bike, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with how it works.
If you’re in a gym, consult with your floor manager to see if you can get an orientation on the different bikes available. This will help you make the right choice as to what to use.
Other useful things to keep in mind include:
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After setting up your bike, start with the standard warm-up before getting into the workout.
To get the most out of this workout plan:
Your legs will quickly get exhausted if you’re not used to the bike. Take time to progressively build your endurance by going as long as you can and stopping when you’re ready. Finally, it’s okay to stop a few times and stretch your legs if needed.
Find a resistance/pace that will let you work within the suggested RPE on a scale of 1-10.
RPE is a measure of how hard it feels when working with the chosen level of resistance. If it’s too hard, take the resistance and speed down a notch, if it’s too easy, increase it.
Other guidelines include:
Here’s how a sample workout plan will look like:
Once you can pull this 20-minute workout, progressively add another 5 minute segment with three at the baseline and two at a harder level. Do this for a week until or until it’s comfortable.
Now you can add another three minutes of easier effort and two harder intervals to bring the totals to 30 minutes.
This scheme makes use of interval training to deliver intensity while keeping you engaged.
The routine will last for about 30 minutes but it’ll keep you busy so don’t worry about getting bored. It will also switch up your pedaling pace and resistance level every 30 seconds to 1 minute which aids in fat burning around the middle section.
Here’s how a sample weight loss stationary bike workout plan will look like:
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Now there are several stationary bikes one can use to get fitter and healthier. However, for seniors, the most recommended type is the recumbent bike.
As with all workouts, getting the right form will lead to the best results while the wrong strategy and form often leads to injuries.
First off, you’ll need to know your maximum intensity and work from there. Find out what the maximum heart rate for your age is using the formula 220 – your age (3). The goal of finding this is ensuring you maintain a healthy heart rate without compromising the results.
After you get your maximum intensity, you’ll be able to tell what you can do all-out for about 30-45 seconds. This becomes your 100% intensity.
Here’s what a sample workout plan will look like:
Start by warming up for about 3 minutes. This is key in preventing injury, avoiding erratic spikes in your heart rate and protecting your body (6). The goal is to use up the 3 minutes, so don’t rush it.
Now you take things up a notch. Aim to achieve about 25% intensity on the bike for about 2 minutes. It won’t be a huge leap from your warmup speed, but you’ll start feeling it slightly.
At this point your body has acclimated to the workout and is ready to go. Target to attain and maintain 50% intensity for about 5 minutes. Remember, the intensity varies from person to person. You’ll be ironing out any issues in your technique while sweating things out a bit.
This is the peak of your workout. Work up your intensity up to about 75% for a total of 15 minutes. Focus on your heart and maintain it at the 220 – age level, never moving past it.
You’re approaching the end of your workout. Steadily bring it back to 50% intensity and maintain it for about 5 minutes. If you’re feeling exhausted, it’s okay to drop the pace even further. The goal is to avoid coming to a sudden stop as that only increases your risk of injury.
Finally, drop to 25% intensity and maintain it for about 2 minutes. This will technically involve moving the pedals and maintaining a smooth pace that is easy to handle after the workout.
Take about 2 minutes to wind down by slowly pedaling to just keep your legs moving. You’ll start catching your breath and feeling loose at the same time.
While stationary bikes are generally safer than outdoor cycling, there are still some safety concerns to consider. They include:
To stay safe, you should:
Cycling indoors is an effective way of meeting your fitness goals despite the prevailing environmental factors. Additionally, it has several cardiovascular benefits, can boost muscle strength, and lose weight while being gentle on your joints.
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