Stationary bike vs Cycling calculation - Help please

Fatbirdtalking

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 :-)

FP4HSharon

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

Thank you SharonFP4H :-)

FP4HSharon

:-)

Cyclink

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.