Suppose you’re just getting started with exercise. In that case, the stationary bike is an excellent choice for a cardio workout, weight loss, burning down body fat, helping strengthen the legs and lower body, offering low-impact exercises, and many more. One can get the same cardio benefits using stationary bikes as when they walk or run outside, use an elliptical trainer, or a treadmill.
Remember that any new activity will initially feel challenging, so start with shorter workouts and gradually level up to longer ones. Continue reading this post to learn more about the advantages of a stationary bike workout and the different workout plans that can help you achieve your fitness or weight loss goals.
What Are The Various Benefits of Stationary Bikes?
A stationary bicycle exerts little or no strain on your joints than other cardio equipment, but it still offers a rejuvenating aerobic workout. Here are some benefits of using a stationary bike for working out.
1. Enhances The Cardiovascular Fitness
Cycling is an incredible exercise to get your heart rate up. Cycling is an aerobic or cardiovascular workout that strengthens your heart, lungs, and muscles. You will breathe deeper, sweat more, and have a higher body temperature, improving your overall fitness level. They also improve the oxygen and blood flow throughout your body. Cycling on a stationary bike can benefit your health in various ways, including enhancing memory and brain function, lowering blood pressure, helping attain a healthier immune system, etc.
2. It Helps In Controlling Weight And Weight Loss
Cycling is a great way to maintain or lose weight because it builds muscle, increases your metabolic rate and shreds body fat. You must combine cycling with a healthy eating plan if you want to lose weight. Cycling is a relaxing exercise that allows you to vary the time and intensity, which can be gradually increased and changed to suit you.
Cycling on a stationary bike for one hour burns about 1000 to 1,200 kilojoules of energy, estimated to be 300 calories. The calories you shred or burn add up exponentially by cycling twice daily. Based on research, a 30-minute bike ride daily can burn about five kilograms of fat over a year.
3. Burns Down Body Fat
When used correctly, an exercise bike can help you burn belly fat. The key is to understand how to use a stationary bike effectively. While there is no such thing as spot reduction, increasing the intensity of your strength and core routines, combined with a sensible diet, will help you lose body fat all over, including belly fat. Before beginning any new exercise regimen, discuss your fitness goals with your doctor.
4. It Helps In Strengthening Legs And Lower Body
A stationary bike is ideal for toning your legs, thighs, buttocks, and arms, abdominal and back muscles. By increasing the resistance of your stationary bike, your muscles work harder. Low resistance is good for warming up and improving endurance but not muscle gain.
Your calves, hamstrings, and quadriceps will benefit from the pedalling action. Cycling can also work the muscles in your back, core, and glutes. If you ride a bicycle with handles, you can also work your upper body muscles, such as your biceps, triceps, and shoulders.
5. Offers Low-Impact Workout
One of the significant benefits of stationary bikes over stair climbers, treadmills and other exercise machines is that they are best suited for people with joint pain or musculoskeletal injuries. Cycling is a low-impact exercise, so that an exercise bike can be a pain-free workout option for those suffering from acute or chronic joint pain.
Furthermore, suppose you are a runner or participate in high-impact sports. In that case, stationary bikes can supplement your training by reducing joint stress while still providing a workout.
6. Improves The Overall Mood
Have you ever gotten off your stationary bike after an intensive workout and felt blissfully joyous? If so, know that it is due to the potent effect of endorphins, the feel-good hormones released by the body in response to exercise.
While cycling indoors, you can watch television or use streaming services, which can be motivating for many people. Riding a stationary bike can reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood, reduce your risk of depression, and improve your overall well-being.
7. Safer Than Outdoor Cycling
Cycling outside can be a great exercise, but it has some dangers, such as distracted drivers, worn-off or slick road surfaces, and poor visibility. Also, it can be challenging to find the motivation to go outside during cold or hot and humid rainy seasons. While cycling a stationary bike, one doesn’t have to worry about road conditions, traffic, or other elements. You can safely work out at any time in a comfortable temperature.
What Are The Various Workout Plans Of Stationary Bikes?
There are mainly three types of stationary bike workouts: Beginner Level, weight loss routine, and Interval training method. Each of these fixed bike workout plans is listed below.
Beginner Level Workout-
If you’re just getting started with fitness, the key is to start slowly and increase the time and intensity as the days pass. Start with a 30-minute workout and gradually intensify the exercise, increasing the duration by one minute as your fitness and strength increase.
You can follow the plan given here-
- Initiate by pedalling slowly for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Switch to medium intensity for 5 minutes, then high power for 1-2 minutes.
- After that, change to medium intensity for 4-5 minutes, followed by high intensity for a couple of minutes.
- Then switch to medium intensity for 3-5 minutes, high intensity for 1-2 minutes and back to medium level for 5 minutes.
- Finish with 5 minutes of low-intensity pedalling.
Weight Loss Routine-
This type of workout burns calories and body fat and can be an excellent addition to a weight loss plan. It’s also a good option to change your resistance levels quickly.
You can follow the plan given here-
- Begin by pedalling slowly for 5 to 10 minutes.
- For 3-5 minutes, reduce the intensity to medium.
- For the next 20 to 30 minutes, alternate between high for 1 to 3 minutes and medium intensity for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Cool down by pedalling for 5-10 minutes at a low intensity.
Interval Training Method-
Interval training can help people increase their strength and stamina after they have built up their fitness.
You can follow the plan given here-
- Begin by pedalling for 10 minutes at a low intensity.
- Change to medium intensity for 10 minutes, then high for 2 minutes.
- Switch to low power for 2 minutes and rile it up to high for 2 minutes.
- Again change to low intensity for 2 minutes followed by high intensity for 2 minutes
- Cool down by pedalling slowly for 5-10 minutes.
Conclusion
In any weather, whether it be rain, sun, or snow, cycling indoors can help you achieve your fitness goals. Aside from its numerous cardiovascular advantages, the stationary bike can help you increase muscle strength, lose weight, and burn body fat while being gentle on your joints.
Track your progress over time with an app or a journal so you can see your results and stay motivated. If you are new to exercise, have any medical concerns or are taking medications, take your doctor’s advice before beginning any exercise programme.
