Benefits of Riding a Stationary Bike.....

What Are the Benefits of Riding a Stationary Bicycle?

Riding a stationary bicycle provides aerobic exercise that can improve your health in many ways. Because you ride the stationary bike indoors, you can attain the benefits of cycling without needing to worry about weather conditions outside. When you are astride a stationary bike, make certain that your bike seat height is correctly positioned. As you sit on the seat, your straight leg needs to just touch the bottom of your pedal, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Improving Cardiovascular Health
Riding a stationary bike can increase your heart rate, your breathing rate and your endurance, according to the National Institute on Aging. To get a good cardiovascular workout, you need to ride your stationary bike at a moderately brisk level for 30 minutes at least five days a week, according to the American Heart Association. At a moderately brisk level, your heart rate increases but you can still carry on a conversation. You can divide this 30 minutes into 10-minute increments throughout the day and still receive the health benefits. Riding your bike at a moderately brisk pace will decrease your risks of developing diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease and forms of cancer.

Losing Weight
Riding your stationary bike can help you lose weight or maintain the healthy weight that you have. Riding your bike regularly will enable you to burn calories, according to the Mayo Clinic. You can burn even more calories by riding your stationary bike at a higher level of intensity or tension or by choosing an uphill mode. The more weight you want to lose, the more you need to ride your stationary bike. To lose weight, make certain that you consume fewer calories than you burn.

Regaining Muscle Strength and Mobility
Stationary bicycling can be used during recuperation from knee or hip injuries or surgeries, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Exercycling is the term given by the Academy for riding a stationary bike. You can improve your range of motion through static bicycling, states the physical therapy site at thephysiotherapysite.co.uk. Start out slowly by riding your bicycle only two to three minutes with no tension. You may want to start peddling backward until you are comfortable. Once you are pedaling backward comfortably, start pedaling forward. Gradually increase your time and intensity. Stationary bicycling is also useful if you have joint problems such as arthritis because no stress is placed upon your joints, states the University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department.

References
Mayo Clinic: Calories Burned in an Hour
The Physiotherapy Site: Total Knee Replacement Management
University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine: Exercise and Arthritis
American Heart Association: Exercise and Fitness
Mayo Clinic: Metabolism and Weight Loss
Article reviewed by Joseph Keefer Last updated on: Jun 2, 2010

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/137652-what-are-benefits-riding-stationary-bicycle/#ixzz1m1u1JptB