Recumbent and Upright Exercise Bike Differences

OK, you've made the decision - you need to get in shape, and step one is going to be the purchase of exercise bikes. You like biking, you know need to do it, and you know you'll stick with it. A home exercise bike is the perfect solution. Just one problem: Now someone tells you there's more than one kind of exercise bike. There are two kinds, actually. Upright exercise bikes and recumbent exercise bikes. Well, now what? Not to worry. It should be simple to choose once you get an idea of which is best for you. Upright exercise bikes are just what they sound like. These are the standard exercise bikes you envision whenever you hear the term. They are upright, built like a bike, and you ride them as you would a bicycle. Some models of upright exercise bikes even have heart-rate monitors on the handlebars.

Upright bikes allow you to stand up on the pedals, to push especially furiously, envisioning yourself as Lance Armstrong, headed up the Alps. The downside tends to be that many of the seats are styled after bike seats, which are not known for being especially comfortable. But upright bikes have been a great way of getting good exercise for decades now. The biking motion is familiar, even comforting, and many find themselves in a rhythm once they get going.

Recumbent exercise bikes are built differently, in that the seat sits farther back so that the rider is actually sitting down, almost leaning back. The pedals are situated more forward on a recumbent bike, offering a good legs and aerobic workout, but also taking up more space lengthwise.

The seated position on recumbent exercise bikes makes the workout more comfortable, and so beginners are more likely to stick with the exercise, and in the long run, put in more work. You'll be less likely to stick it in the closet, in other words. (There have even been a few unconfirmed reports of people using their free hands to play video games while working out on a recumbent bike.)

Unlike upright exercise bikes, you can't actually stand up on the pedals for any Lance Armstrong hill work or sprints. But the legs and lungs should get plenty of steady work.

Those just looking for a good workout may be more at home on a recumbent exercise bike. But the serious bikers among us will probably opt for the old reliable upright exercise bike.