Without a doubt, exercise bikes and treadmills are the two most popular choices for people who want to work out at home. Both give you a great cardio workout, so which one is right for you? You have to start by weighing some very important options:
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1. Entertainment value
With a treadmill, you’re stuck with the option of walking or running. After a few minutes, it can get downright boring. But, with an exercise bike, you can select different pre-programmed courses and resistance levels. And, with an exercise bike, you can even read or watch TV while you’re on it. Working out on a treadmill is simply too bouncy for any of that.
Exercise bikes make it easier for you to distract yourself. And, the more you can let your mind wander, the less your exercise is going to feel like “work”. On sheer entertainment value alone, you’re more likely to stick to an exercise bike routine than a treadmill routine.
2. Stress, strain, and pain
Yes, the first part of “working out” is “work”, but that doesn’t mean your exercise routine has to be a painful experience.
When it comes to stress, strain, and pain, in the battle of exercise bikes vs. treadmills, there really is no comparison. Because it is such a bouncy machine, a treadmill puts a lot of strain on your feet, ankles, knees, and hips.
In fact, running on a treadmill can heap as much as 3 times your body weight onto your feet! If you have arthritis, joint pain, foot, ankle, knee, or hip problems, running on a treadmill may simply be too painful for you.
An exercise bike, on the other hand, offers a “low-impact” workout – meaning it’s a fluid motion that doesn’t require any bouncing, any sudden movements, or any herky-jerky maneuvers. Anyone can use an exercise bike. In fact, it’s a great way for overweight, elderly, and injured people to get some exercise!
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3. Space considerations
Another no-brainer in the battle of exercise bikes vs. treadmills. A treadmill is a bulky machine that doesn’t slide out of the way easily. An exercise bike, though, can fold up or easily slide into a corner. With an exercise bike, your home doesn’t have to look like a gym!
4. Calorie counts
In the battle of exercise bikes vs. treadmills, this is where treadmills have a slight advantage. The average person tends to burn about 750 calories per hour on a treadmill, while that same person only burns 550 calories per hour on an exercise bike.
However, that’s assuming you can make it for an hour on the treadmill! According to a recent study by Nordic Track, more people find it easier to spend 20 minutes on a bike than 20 minutes on a treadmill.
If you want a low-pain, high-intensity workout, an exercise bike is a perfect tool!
