Results with a stationary recumbent bike?

ossentia · January 2016

I have tried so many different exercises, and I hate nearly all of them. I'll do them for awhile, and then I'll get bored or fed up (when I really hate what I'm doing) and quit. I've tried exercise videos, but they bore me to tears. I joined a gym and used the treadmill everyday which was great, and then my job started to require more hours and I couldn't get a workout in before my kids' after school programs ended. Going back at night just wasn't an option.

I just purchased a stationary recumbent bike. My hope is that being able to workout while watching TV with my husband in the evening will be more enjoyable, and I'll stick with something for a change. I know I have to find something that will work for me, but is the recumbent bike a good calorie burning exercise tool? I feel like sitting on my butt doing something can't possibly burn that many calories, but this may be my misconceptions from so many years of hearing that only certain exercises will give you the results you desire.

So, has anyone had good success using a stationary bike as their main form of cardio exercise?

lululapagaille · January 2016

Yes, me ! I have one that I use on and off, because I find it pretty boring

I listen to loud music or watch a series while I use it.
It's up to you how effective it is I guess. I really push myself and get a good sweat when I use it.
I also run on and off and go to a gym class once a week.
The stationary bike is good for cardio and you really feel your thighs working

I have a calorie counter on it, not sûre how accurate it is though.

Best wishes !

BrianSharpe · January 2016

It's like everything else......you get back what you put into it.

If you push speed / intensity / time you can burn a lot of calories riding a real and/or stationary bike (the stationary bike doesn't have wind resistance or uneven terrain) and improve your cardiovascular fitness. My tri club runs spinning classes to maintain our bike fitness during the off season, according to my Garmin I'll burn about 500 calories during a pretty intense hour long ride. YMMV

The bottom line is still the same though, if you're looking to lose weight it's the caloric deficit that does it (expenditure > intake)

SonyaCele · January 2016

for me the recumbent bike does absolutely nothing, and barely burns any calories (per my hrm). My best luck burning calories is being up on my feet, like on a or treadmill or elliptical, or even a spin bike. For me, the sitting pisition seemed to defeat the whole purpose and i was never able to work up a sweat or engage any muscles in that position. Although i did use the recumbent bike for mobility rehab, it was perfect and gentle for that.

20yearsyounger · January 2016

I use a stationary bike as part of my program. I do find that I burn a little less calories on the recumbent bike than the other types. I burn most of the spinning bikes. However, I burn more than just walking.

The thing you probably have to watch out for is getting bored. You probably need 2 or 3 activities to include in your program so that when you get bored of one, you can do the other.

ossentia · January 2016

Thanks for the input!

hooltwl1957 · January 2016

I use the stationary recumbent bike in the winter type take the place of my road cycling. I found that road cycling Burns more calories. But all in all stationary biking does burn calories, just remember to set the resistance high enough to make it a good workout. Good luck.

BrianSharpe · January 2016

hooltwl1957 wrote: »

I use the stationary recumbent bike in the winter type take the place of my road cycling. I found that road cycling Burns more calories. But all in all stationary biking does burn calories, just remember to set the resistance high enough to make it a good workout. Good luck.

OP ignore the advice to "set the resistance high enough". While there is a time and place for low cadence higher resistance rides (mimicking climbing hills) most of your riding, especially while you're still fairly new to it, should be at a slightly higher cadence (around 90 rpm or so) an at intensity that you can sustain but still feels like work (same idea as running at conversational pace).

Having said that, your workouts should be varied in terms of time and intensity if you want to realize significant fitness gains (ie one day ride long at an sustainable pace, another day do intervals)

KathyApplebaum · January 2016

ossentia wrote: »

I know I have to find something that will work for me, but is the recumbent bike a good calorie burning exercise tool? I feel like sitting on my butt doing something can't possibly burn that many calories

I use a recumbent road bike (stationary bikes bore me to tears), and I easily burn about 400 cals/hour on flat rides, more if I put effort into it. Upright riders think I can't be burning as many calories as they do, because I look too comfortable, but it's the same effort whether you're upright or recumbent.

I'll echo @BrianSharpe 's advice to use a higher cadence. It's much easier on your joints, and you'll get a great workout. Start varying the resistance once you can comfortably finish 30-60 minutes on the bike.

try2again · January 2016

This is weird. Word for word, the exact same post I replied to yesterday, but with entirely different responses. ???

BrianSharpe · January 2016

try2again wrote: »

This is weird. Word for word, the exact same post I replied to yesterday, but with entirely different responses. ???

Welcome to....

IILikeToMoveItMoveIt · January 2016

BrianSharpe wrote: »

try2again wrote: »

This is weird. Word for word, the exact same post I replied to yesterday, but with entirely different responses. ???

Welcome to....

lol

Results with a stationary recumbent bike?

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