Stationary bicycle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An exercise bicycle or bike, or stationary bicycle, is a device with saddle, pedals, and some form of handlebars arranged as on a bicycle, but used as exercise equipment rather than transportation. A cycloergometer, cycle ergometer or bicycle ergometer is a stationary bicycle with an ergometer to measure the work done by the exerciser.

An exercise bicycle is usually a special-purpose exercise machine resembling a bicycle without true wheels, but it is also possible to adapt an ordinary bicycle for stationary exercise by placing it on bicycle rollers or a trainer. Rollers and trainers are often used by racing cyclists to warm up before racing, or to train on their own machines indoors.

[edit] Types of exercise bicycle

In recent years, many new stationary bikes have appeared, including those in recumbent positions, upright bikes and indoor cycling bikes which are bikes built for riding in indoor cycling classes. Most exercise bikes provide a mechanism for applying resistance to the pedals which increases the intensity of the exercise. Resistance mechanisms include magnets, fans, and friction mechanisms. Some models allow the user to pedal backwards to exercise antagonist muscles which are not exercised in forward pedaling.

Mini exercise bikes comprise the pedal and resistance parts only, with no saddle or handlebars; they are intended for taking exercise, not for training for bicycle riding. They can be placed on the floor and pedalled by a user seated on a chair; the pedals can also be turned with the hands for a different form of exercise. These devices occupy less space than other types and are significantly cheaper; it can be problematical to install them in a way which prevents them from moving out of position when pedalling.

[edit] Uses of exercise bicycles

Exercise bikes are used for exercise, to increase general fitness, and for training for cycle events.

The exercise bike has long been used for physical therapy because of the low-impact, safe, and effective cardiovascular exercise it provides. The low-impact movement involved in operating an exercise bike does not put much stress on joints and does not involve sporadic motions that some other fitness equipment may require.

Stationary bikes are also used to exercise for weight loss. A vigorous one-hour ride on a stationary bike burns about the same number of calories as running for an hour at 7 mph.

A video game console has been adapted to display a "game" of a cyclist in a race.[1] The speed of the rider in the game is determined by the actual movement of the pedals on a stationary bike, providing an added incentive for hard exercise in the form of competition.