What is an exercise bike? History, advantages and disadvantages

Staying fit is key for everyone, no matter who they are. Sickness and disease do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex or social status. Today, however, exercise has become a luxury that few people can afford. The fast modern lifestyle doesn’t allow most people to take care of their bodies. Memberships at high-end gyms also entail ridiculous costs and consistency. There are several gyms that allow you to drop in at any time, work out, and charge an affordable fee.

This is why at-home exercise is becoming more and more popular. Imagine being able to exercise at home with minimal cost. One of the best ways to exercise safely and intensely is to use an exercise bike. These are exercise bikes that are fixed in place and offer the same experience as a real bike. There are many advantages and disadvantages of using an exercise bike. Today we will look at the history of exercise bikes, their pros, cons, etc.

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What is an exercise bike?

An exercise bike or exercise bike is a type of indoor exercise machine that looks and works like a regular bicycle, except that it is fixed in place. The exercise bike is one of the most widely used and popular indoor exercise machines in the world and an integral part of any good home exercise routine.

Origin of exercise bike

The earliest exercise bike can be traced back to the late 18th century and was called the Gymnasticon. Invented in 1796 by Francis Lowndes, the Gymnasticon was born as a product of the newly developed orthopedic science. It engages and exercises all the joints of the body. Gymnasticon used a set of flywheels connected to wooden tracks and a rudder. You can see pictures of Gymnasticon below.

Exercise

Image credit: Wikipedia

Pros and cons of exercise bikes

Exercise bikes are an effective means of getting a good workout, but like everything else, they have their pros and cons. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of exercise bikes.

Advantages of exercise bikes

  • Strengthens Cardiovascular and Endurance: An exercise bike is a great tool for improving heart and lung health. This further increases your stamina, lowers blood pressure, improves memory, brain function and immune system, and reduces your risk of heart disease.
  • Helps with weight loss: The good thing about exercise bikes is that they can be adjusted for different intensities and purposes. People who want to lose weight can benefit from using exercise bikes, as they provide the necessary size for effective weight loss and fat burning.
  • Strengthen the lower body: You can say goodbye to your skinny legs and thighs with regular exercise on an exercise bike. They work your entire lower body and even your core and can also improve your muscles.
  • Safety: Exercise bikes pose no risk of accidents on the road or in bad weather conditions. You can exercise from the comfort of your own home, and that’s just as good, if not better, than cycling outdoors.

Disadvantages of exercise bike

  • Expensive: Exercise bikes can be tough on your wallet, especially expensive ones. The more features, the higher the price.
  • Fatigue: Doing the same thing every day can become boring and affect your mental health. Try to change exercise bikes frequently to avoid staring at the same wall or spot every time you exercise.
  • Lack of fresh air: There are definite benefits to breathing fresh air outside and getting a daily dose of natural light when cycling outdoors. The indoor exercise bike gives you the feeling of riding a real bike, but not exactly.

point

Exercise bikes are great exercise machines that can help with rehabilitation for people with injuries, athletes looking to increase endurance, and everyday people trying to get in shape. However, it doesn’t give the experience of fresh air and outdoor atmosphere like riding a real bike, even though it seems. Everything has two sides and so does the exercise bike.

Also Read: Fact or Fiction: Barefoot Running Is Better For Your Health

Categories: Trends
Source: newstars.edu.vn

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