Stationary bike vs Cycling calculation - Help please

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Fatbirdtalking
Fatbirdtalking Posts: 44
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi Everyone,
I have emailed MFP but had no reply, anyone out there could help me please ?
I am not able to exercise much due spine and hip injury so I just bought myself a recumbent exercise bike. Normal cycling at 16-20 miles is classed as vigorous, what would the equivalent be on a stationery bike ??
I am doing 18-20mph on the bike but wouldn't class myself as having been going vigorously at it !!.
Thanks all :-)

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  • FP4HSharon
    FP4HSharon Posts: 664 Member
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    As far as calories go, there shouldn't be much difference in what you burn going 18-20 mph on a stationary vs a regular bike. The only real difference would be the calories you burn for your balance. I would use the vigorous category. Also, if your stationary bike has a calorie display, the MFP people do recommend using the calories displayed vs the (average) calories in the database. Keep it up! :-)
  • Fatbirdtalking
    Fatbirdtalking Posts: 44
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    Thank you SharonFP4H :-)
  • FP4HSharon
    FP4HSharon Posts: 664 Member
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    :-)
  • Cyclink
    Cyclink Posts: 517 Member
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    Unfortunately, the real answer is "it depends".

    Every stationary bike manufacturer calibrates their bikes differently. Some strive for a real-bike feel. Some don't.

    Most of them increase resistance as you increase the level, so speed becomes less relevant.

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