HELP! upright or recumbent???

cmbdaniels

Hello everyone...i would really love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this subject. I want to buy a stationary bike but dont know if there is much of a difference on the two styles of bike...i see there are the upright bikes and the recument bikes...does anyone know which kind gives you the best workout or are they the same?? im so confused...thanks in advance for your help.

camrunner

I think it really comes down to personal preference. You should probably try both kinds and decide which one suits you better!

meshashesha2012

i'm short waisted, have large boobs and long legs so i prefer upright just because the recumbent can make me feel all bunched up, especially as my legs come in.

i also find it easier to do hiit on an upright than a recumbent for that reason.

oh yeah and recumbent is easier to slack off, especially if you get the kind with the arm rest :laugh:

CRody44

The best way to tell is to spend 30 minutes on each wearing a HRM and compare calories burned.

cmbdaniels

Thanks for the tips!!

gpstrucker

Don't know much about stationary bikes, but I know that I love recumbent cycling. Much more comfortable to ride.

cmbdaniels

thanks guys...i guess i will test them out and see what feels best.

pucenavel

If you ride at a cadence that would be considered 'typical range' for racing, then upright is the better choice. Get on an upright and push it to 100 rpm, then do the same on a recumbent. For me, I feel like I'm going to bounce off the machine when I'm on a recumbent, but on the upright my upper body remains still.

(Keep in mind, I ride 105 rpm on my road bike, so that's what's important to me in the argument)

keithgi

Definitely test them out for an extended ride or two... the only recumbent I was ever on made my upper hamstrings cramp. Good luck!

BeautyFromPain

Upright helps with posture, recumbent stresses your back.

slimmergalpal

Yep, it is a personal choice. I only like the recumbent bike. I just did my personal best this week at 16 miles in an hour. Love it !! Good luck with your journey

RebelliousRibbons

Honestly, I hated the recumbent bike.

The stationary bike is my first love!

Just be sure to invest in a really good seat!
Totally worth the extra $20 to $30 to ride in comfort!

steppingstones

And for me it was the opposite...traded in my upright and love my recumbent. So the advice to try them out is the best because it is such a personal choice. Also, I agree invest in a good seat your bottom will thank you.

DavPul

Neither. Get a spin bike with a weighted wheel

gpstrucker

Upright helps with posture, recumbent stresses your back.

Exactly why one needs to try them out. I've had the exact opposite experience with recumbents.

pucenavel

Actually, now that I think about it, my advice would be to get the bike you want to ride outdoors and invest in a CycleOps Fluid2 Trainer - now you have a bike, a stationary bike and it doubles as a convenient bike stand as well.

cmbdaniels

lots of good advice...thanks everyone!