10 Responses to “What is better for biking for weight loss? Recumbent Bike or Real Bike?”

1. hiddenname on April 6th, 2009 5:14 am
   

   Exercise Feedback: Stop coasting :).

   I almost never coast. I think the real bike is better, because you have more options. Put it into the EASIEST gear, and spin.

   The more you spin the more you lose, and you make your lungs stronger & overall fitness increases.

   Get the bike into a gear in which it’s so easy you are almost not pushing the bike, start with a really easy gear and work to the harder ones, and stop shifting into harder gears when the bike feels stable but you are spinning crazy fast.
2. zula c on April 9th, 2009 2:15 pm
   

   Exercise Feedback: only if you cant controll how much you coast, i recomend when peddling on a real bike becomes too easy change to a harder gear.
3. Andymcj78 (Atheist) on April 10th, 2009 1:28 am
   

   Exercise Feedback: I would have thought the recumbent bike gives you more of an anaerobic workout as opposed to the aerobic workout you get from a conventional bike so the recumbent would probably be better for burning calories.
4. Chuck M on April 11th, 2009 7:54 pm
   

   Exercise Feedback: I think the recumbent bike offers more resistance. If you can find an Expresso bike around, that is the best. If not, stick with the recumbent and elliptical for weight loss.
5. Bob A on April 14th, 2009 7:57 pm
   

   Exercise Feedback: For the best work out don’t coast, I pedal when going down hill to gain speed. A recumbent is easier on the flats but harder on the hills.
6. mjmayer188 on April 15th, 2009 2:44 am
   

   Exercise Feedback: Your recumbent bike is probably a better workout, but a real bike gets you out of the house.

   The one you like better is the one you will use the most and ultimately will give you a better workout.
7. intrepidfae on April 18th, 2009 10:38 am
   

   Exercise Feedback: You didn’t say if your recumbent is a stationary bike. Let’s assume that it is.

   You can get a great workout on either kind of bike. If you coast a lot on your real bike, then make up for it by working hard when you pedal. I’ve also found that I can work at a steady state for a long time on a stationary bike but I can never reach the levels of exertion experienced when slogging up a steep hill on my real bikes.

   For best results, mix it up. Develop your base level of aerobic capacity on the stationary. Use the real bike to develop your strength by pushing it hard up the hills.

   HTH
8. Pat on April 20th, 2009 8:32 pm
   

   Exercise Feedback: Idk JayJay but I don’t see any recumbent stationary bikes at my gym so that makes me think that a regular bike is better. But then again who knows?
   I like the elliptical, it gets more of your limbs working
9. Eddie Cacciatore, Private Eye on April 21st, 2009 1:30 am
   

   Exercise Feedback: Are you talking gym equipment or the real thing?

   As for gym equipment, I get a much better sweat on the recumbent. It just seems harder, plus I can’t rest my head on the handlebars. I bought one off Craigslist for $100 — be sure if you buy any exercise bike that it’s gym quality — Life Fitness, Cybex, Nautilus, etc.

   As for the real thing, the recumbent is supposed to be faster on straighaways and harder on hills. If you live in a hilly area, the recumbent would be harder, thus better for losing weight.
10. Lulu on April 22nd, 2009 12:14 am
    

    Exercise Feedback: LOL coasting wont help the cost try, speed walking or swimming..

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