question regarding bikes at the gym

BLady44
BLady44 Posts: 50 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
There are two different types of bikes at my gym, one that is lower to the ground with a bigger seat with a back on it, and then a more traditional looking one, small seat up higher..

Is one better than the other? As far as burning calories?

Thanks

Replies

  • kinmad4it
    kinmad4it Posts: 185 Member
    Whichever one gets your heart rate up in to the correct zone.
  • sgthaggard
    sgthaggard Posts: 581 Member
    Is one better than the other? As far as burning calories?
    No. I guarantee that, with either one of them, you will be able to bump up the intensity to a point where you will feel like passing out.
  • JoyceLH
    JoyceLH Posts: 1
    Hey, can I piggyback onto this thread with yet more questions about bikes at the gym? I've been doing the stationary bike at the Y for a few weeks and have worked up to 30 minutes. I'd like to stay at 30 minutes and increase the difficulty within that time frame. But - should I go faster, or increase the tension to make the pedaling harder?

    For background, I'm 59, overweight, and have arthritis in the knees to the extent that the ortho doc says I need two total knee replacements. I started using the bikes when I started a diet about a month ago, was going to switch off with some other exercises (I love to swim), but started concentrating on the bike when I realized that not only does it not make my knees hurt more, it actually makes them hurt LESS! When I haven't pedaled for a few days, my knees start telling me to get back to it.

    On the one hand, I'd like to increase the difficulty because I'd like to eventually get back to taking out my 'real' bike, and I know that's more difficult than the stationary bike. But on the other hand, I wonder if increasing the difficulty would be wise considering the knee situation.

    Anyone have any words of wisdom on the subject?
  • trigirl25
    trigirl25 Posts: 4
    Most bikes have a display that shows RPM. Next time you go to the gym, set the bike as you normally do, and get a good idea of your RPMs. If it's down in the 50-low 60s range, start by trying to *gradually* increase that a bit. If it's up closer to 70s or 80s, go ahead and add just a little resistance. Some bikes go up by .1, others by .5. Let's say you're currently riding at a resistance of 1. Here's what I would suggest.

    5-7 minutes at L0 (no resistance)
    10-15 minutes at L1
    3-5 minutes at somewhere between L1 and L1.5, depending on how the bike increments
    5-10 minutes at L1
    3-5 minutes at L0 (no resistance)

    See how your body responds. If you have joint pain, drop it back - try 1-3 minutes at the higher level instead. If it feels okay, and you don't have joint pain, you can gradually increase your time at the heavier resistance while decreasing your time at L1.

    Good luck!

Categories