Fitness Cycles

Fitness cycles are great pieces of workout gear to consider if you are in the market for a low impact, comfortable piece of exercise equipment. There are a couple different types to look at, each with its strengths or weaknesses depending on what your level is and your fitness goals are.

The three types of fitness cycles are the upright bike, the recumbent bike and the spinning bike. All are available for in home use as well as at most clubs.

The upright fitness bike is probably the most similar to what you are used to seeing. Upright bikes closely resemble bikes you see people riding around on in the street. The rider is in an upright position with the pedals situated beneath. An upright bike will give you a good all around workout, and takes up a smaller space than a recumbent.

The recumbent bikes have the rider in an inclined position with the pedals out front and handles on your sides. A recumbent fitness cycle is perfect for someone that may have a bad back and can’t withstand the hunched riding position an upright bike will have you in. A recumbent bike will take up more room due to the way the rider is positioned.

A spinning bike is very similar to an upright, but unlike an upright, they are pretty much stripped of any bells and whistles, and the concentration is placed on getting a highly intense workout. Usually there is more resistance built in, and the flywheel is heavier allowing the rider to make use of the centrifugal force built up in the flywheel.

Clubs typically have all three types of fitness cycles available, and in addition, many have spinning classes that will make use of the hyper-intense workouts fitness cycles offer.