Exercise Bike vs. Treadmill

We all come to home exercise equipment with the best of intentions. We do all the research. We count the calories each would burn. We measure the space each different piece of equipment would take up, and envision exactly where in our house we would exercise. The bottom line is, exercise bikes and treadmills are both great for getting in shape. There are really only two questions when choosing between them:

Which is best for you in terms of size, exercising specific body parts, calorie counts and all that, and, Which is best for you because it's the one you will still be using regularly in six months, a year, two?

Generally speaking, a workout on a treadmill can burn more calories. You're also usually moving your arms, so you'll get more of an overall aerobic workout. So, no brainer, right? Well, if you're going to stick with it, yes. But a treadmill means walking. Alone. And that can get boring. All the calories you could be burning mean nothing if you don't do the workout as much as you should.

Treadmills also don't always slow down when you do, so it can be one misstep and you're filming a Chevy Chase movie. Luckily, treadmills now come with a safety cord that stops the track, should you slip. But the safety issue is something to keep in mind.

Exercise bikes are just that, also - for exercise. So they're not exactly exciting, either, beyond the thrill of the first few months. But many people find it easier to bike for 20 minutes than to treadmill for 15 minutes, and easier to bike three times a week or more than it is to drag themselves onto a treadmill for the same. A recumbent exercise bike, on which you pedal from a seated position, might make it even easier still. So even though treadmills can burn more calories, if you're able to consistently do more, and more often, on an exercise bike, that could be the right pick.

Exercise bikes concentrate on the legs, though some do give you "skiing" arm options. As stated previously, a treadmill is better for overall aerobic effect. But an exercise bike will get your heart pumping, and do so without any pounding on your joints.