Recumbent Bike vs. Recumbent Cross Trainer
If you are searching for equipment for your home gym, it is likely that you will have to compare a recumbent bike with a recumbent cross trainer. They are both a great alternative to a traditional bicycle, but differ in many ways.
Recumbent simply means that you are in a reclined position (sitting down and leaning back). Being in this seated position while exercising provides a level of stability that most traditional exercise machines, like stationary bikes, don’t. Recumbent exercise machines are great for those who may have physical limitations that prevent them from high-impact exercise, or using treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes.
What is a Recumbent Bike
A recumbent bike provides a similar workout to a traditional or stationary bike but has a backrest and petals located in front of you. Just like a traditional bike, the petals move in a circle, which requires your body to have a full-range of motion. Recumbent bikes focus most on your leg muscles (hamstrings, glutes, quadriceps, and calves) and don’t provide any upper body strength. Recumbent bikes provide a great exercise, but can be problematic for people that have leg, knee, hip, or back issues as they can cause pain to those areas.
What is a Recumbent Cross-Trainer?
A recumbent stepper provides the same seated position as a recumbent bike, but the type of motion differs. Recumbent cross-trainers work in a linear motion as the user pushes the petals forward and backward. This reduces stress on the legs, knees, hips, and back. For this reason, a recumbent cross-trainer is great for those with limited mobility.
They also include arm handles which enable a simultaneous upper body workout. The user is also able to isolate their arms and legs for either an upper or lower body workout. The combination of leg and arm workouts provides the user with a low impact, full-body cardiovascular workout. Because recumbent cross-trainers are so often used by those with limited mobility, features and accessories to make exercise easier are often available. These include leg and foot stabilizers, seatbelts, and more.
Deciding Between a Recumbent Bike or Cross-Trainer
In order to figure out what is best for you and your exercise routine, think about questions such as, “Do I have limited mobility?”, “Do I suffer from pain during exercise?”, and “Is a high intensity workout recommended for my health?”. If you are unsure about the answers to these questions, you should talk to a medical professional about what is right for you.
