Dazadi.com Blog

A brisk bike ride will exercise your calves, thighs and buttocks, increase your metabolism and offer an exceptional cardiovascular workout. However, not everyone has the time or the ability to bike through the mountains, around the beach or on a trail. The stationary exercise bike provides a comprehensive cardiovascular and calorie-burning workout with adjustable resistance, exercise programs and workout feedback. Also, a stationary bike allows you train from the privacy of your own home.

It is important when shopping for an exercise bike, that you consider factors such as comfort, adjustability, settings and information displayed. If you’re going to invest in a home gym, you’ll want to purchase the exercise equipment that meets your personal fitness needs.

There are two basic types of exercise bikes:

• The Upright Exercise Bike:  Offers cardiovascular and strength-building exercise that increases your metabolism for more efficient calorie and fat burning. By increasing your heart rate and working your lower body, you burn fat, strengthen and tone. The upright bike allows you to stand up, just as you would on a traditional mountain bike. In this position, you can increase the pace and intensity of your pedaling for a more concentrated workout. The upright bicycle also occupies minimal floor space and can be more conveniently stored. Dazadi offers a wide variety of options, from the more economical Stamina Magnetic Upright Bike (with quiet magnetic resistance, adjustable seat and one-button control) to the FreeMotion Upright c7.7 (with 20 levels of resistance, built-in workout programs and integrated entertainment features).

• The Recumbent Exercise Bike: Workout in semi-reclined position so you can strengthen aand tone the muscles in your hips, thighs and buttocks while protecting your lower back. This type of bike offers an effective low-impact workout to those who require increased support or desire enhanced comfort. With this type of equipment, you don’t get the same level of workout intensity that an upright bike provides. The Stamina Air Fusion Recumbent Bike is an economically priced option that offers wind resistance, dial tension control and a cushioned, meticulously aligned seat. The Stamina Magnetic Fusion 4545, Star Trac 4710 and LifeCore LC800RB offer smooth, quiet resistance and walk-through designs for an easier mount and dismount. Recumbent bikes are ideal for physical therapy because they offer low-impact, safe and effective workouts.

Comfort: An adjustable seat, handlebars and foot pedals are key for comfort and proper positioning. If you require improved lower back support, you’ll want to find a bike (most likely recumbent) that fits both your individual fitness and physical needs. The Star Trac 8730 with Arm Rests provides incredible comfort and support with a reclining back pad and swing away arm rests to enhance posture for a tension-free workout. The Stamina Magnetic Fusion 7250 features a padded, oversized adjustable seat that is molded for proper, comfortable form. This seat slides at a 45 degree leg angle to reduce stress on hips and joints and includes an aluminum seat rail with rollers for smooth seat adjustment. The weighted pedals features adjustable foot straps to work legs on upward and downward strokes and the integrated handlebars provide stability and support.

Resistance: There are two basic types of adjustable resistance. The more cheaply priced models use a tension belt. This method, while effective, is not as quiet or smooth as the alternative, magnetic resistance. Dazadi carries several magnetic resistance and magnetic fusion bikes that offer smooth pedaling and outstanding exercise benefits. The Stamina Magnetic Fusion Bikes, such as the Stamina 7100 offers smooth, quiet freewheel resistance that combines the biking feel of an upright with the comfort of a recumbent. This fusion exercise bike provides 8-level magnetic resistance which you control using the easy-to-reach tension dial. This adjustable tension capability allows you to determine the intensity of your workout. The FreeMotion Upright c7.7 features 20-levels of the custom-designed Electromagnetic Resistance System (ERS) that applies consistent resistance to the flywheel for low-impact workout that effectively targets individual fitness needs.  The QuickTouch feature allows you to adjust your exercise intensity or workout program at the simple touch of a button so you can simply and accurately target your individual goals. And, the Stamina Air Fusion 4525 innovatively combines air resistance with dial tension control for the biking feel of the upright with the comfort of the recumbent.

Heart Rate Monitoring: Monitoring your heart rate is crucial to an effective workout. Most exercise bikes have workout programs that are pulse-driven. Pulse can be assessed through an integrated pulse grip within the handlebars or through a telemetry strap. Most bikes offered on Dazadi.com feature integrated pulse monitors. The Kettler Me! Upright Bike, Lifecore LC900 and Star Trac 8620 are great options for accurate measuring and an efficient workout.

Built-In Workout Programs and Display Feedback:  Built-in workout programs allow you to work through a number of proven, pre-set workouts or build your own according to your fitness preferences. Some programs adjust according to a maximum heart rate while others concentrate on fat-burning or distance-covered. There are even programs that mimic the experience of biking on hills and other rough terrain. The display console can read anything from your heart rate, speed and distance to the number of calories you’ve burned, your minutes per mile, etc. This constant feedback allows you to track your progress and work toward fitness goals. Dazadi.com recommends once again the Star Trac 8620, the Kettler RX7 Recumbent (with programs ranging from pulse-directed training to pre-set pulse range for fat burning and fitness zones) and the FreeMotion r7.7.

Get the most from your workout with an exercise bike that meets your fitness and comfort needs!