Cycling Your Way To Fitness - Stationary Exercise Bikes - Still A Top Choice For Overall Fitness

Stationary Exercise Bikes - Still A Top Choice For Overall Fitness

In all the craze over new fangled fitness equipment, the exercise bike often gets overlooked. Stationary exercise bikes have been around for many years, which can lead some people to think they are outdated or not as effective as newer types of equipment. But for many people, exercise bikes provide a fun, consistent, reasonable means of exercising, improving cardio functions, and losing weight.

Stationary exercise bikes provide all the benefits of riding a bicycle. They provide good cardio workouts, have much less impact on knees, hips and other joints than walking or running, and can be used at any time its convenient. Most stationary bikes have manual or computerized controls to allow you to adjust resistance and speed. Many also come with heart monitors and cardio workouts already programmed in. There is a huge selection of price and style, and stationary bikes tend to be the most affordable cardio exercise machine. Plus, with a stationary bike, you dont have to worry about traffic, dogs, or bad weather. You can exercise in the convenience of your own home and even watch television or read a book while you bike. Try doing that on the bike path at the park!

Types of Stationary Bikes

Standard, upright stationary bikes come in single or dual action models. Dual action bikes have handles or levers to work the upper body and have been shown to provide more effective cardio workouts, burn more calories, and also improve overall body tone more efficiently than single action bikes. Dual action bikes work well for those with hip or leg injuries who need to exercise but also need to go easy on their legs. The dual action allows the arms to work harder to operate the machine, thus requiring less work from the legs.

A recumbent bicycle, sometimes called a bent, is a type of stationary bike that is more laid backliterally. It places the body in a semi or fully reclining position, taking pressure off the back area. Some people feel the position is difficult to adapt to at first, but many who choose recumbent bikes say they are very easy and comfortable to ride. They usually come with a larger seat, which often means you will stay on the machine longer or not have discomfort later.

Because of the reclining position, a recumbent bike works the abdominal muscles more and also creates more hamstring action. The lower center of gravity makes for better balance as well. Doctors feel they are better for those with back problems or with cerebral palsy and related diseases. The recumbent bikes also bring your feet more closely in line with your heart, keeping blood pressure low and providing for a safer overall workout.

Popular Models & Prices

Most stationary bikes come with ways to assess your speed and distance. Economy models have a tachometer/odometer combination and a design that utilizes a flywheel to provide resistance. These models are not programmable and provide the least effective workout, but are at under $200 can be an inexpensive way for a beginner or someone on a tight budget to get some exercise. They can be purchased at many department stores.

Standard models usually come with more features such as a programmable consul that calculates heart rate or allows you to pick a heart rate and then adjust the resistance accordingly. These bikes may use flywheels, fan blades, or magnetic resistance, depending on the quality. Magnetic resistance is usually the best method as it operates more smoothly and is quieter. These models can range from $200 up to $1500 and provide the broadest range of selection for the average person. Some popular models include Tunturi F520 (recumbent), Vision Fitness R2000, and several models from Schwinn, the popular bike manufacturer.

More expensive stationary bikes often use magnetic resistance and typically need to be plugged in to an outlet. They come with all the bells and whistles, including extended warranties, more varied programming features, and comfort options such as built in fans. They typically cost over $1500. Lifecycle 5500HR and 5500RHR (recumbent) are popular choices among those who are serious about their workout or have a healthy budget. Other popular manufacturers of exercise bikes include Nordic Track, Reebok, Weslo, keys, Fitness Quest, and Edge.

Compared To Other equipment

All types of stationary bikes provide a low impact workout that many feel is an advantage over treadmill exercise. The force on the knees, ankles, feet and other body parts that occurs with walking or running can cause swelling or discomfort in the joints. It can irritate old injuries or sometimes even produce new problems. A stationary bike provides non-weight bearing exercise that reduces impact on these areas.

In the health and fitness industries, and among customers, there is an extensive debate over which machines burn more calories and give a better cardio workout. There is evidence on both sides of the issue, but many people agree that a stationary bike should have dual action to optimize weight loss and heart health. The pumping of the arms has a significant impact of the effectiveness of any workout, and a treadmill is less effective as well if you hold onto the hand supports rather than letting your arms swing or pumping them in rhythm to your motion.

Elliptical trainers are another exercise option that provides a low impact workout, but many feel they do not provide the same cardio benefits. Rowing machines are boring, more difficult to use, and can be hard on the back. Other equipment has disadvantages as well, making stationary bikes a good choice for overall effectiveness and satisfaction. Consumer buying shows that exercise bikes continue to rank as a top choice for exercise and fitness training.

In the ever expanding world of health and fitness equipment, there have been some true advances as well as a bunch of gimmicks. A stationary bike is an old standard that has been a proven exercise tool for years, and that continues to improve and adapt through new technology. The overall effectiveness, ease of use and variety of designs and prices makes a stationary exercise bike an excellent choice for beginners and advanced enthusiasts alike.

About the Author:
C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for Best-Home-Gyms.com, providing consumer information on the best discount home gyms. Read our elliptical trainer reviews, exercise bike and treadmill reviews for great ideas on equipping your gym.

Copyright 2005 Best-Home-Gyms.com

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College Freshman To Be - There's A Storm Approaching, Are You Ready?

Shes comin on boys, and shes comin on strong!

These were the final recorded words of Captain Billy Tyne of the Andrea Gail. On September 20, 1991 the crew of six set out for what would be the final voyage of this 75-foot fishing vessel. After thirty-nine days of moderately good luck fishing in the waters of the north atlantic, the united states coast guard received the final radio transmission from the Andrea Gail. At 6:00pm on the evening of october 28, 1991, Captain Billy Tyne reported his coordinates and gave a weather report indicating 30-foot seas and wind gusts of up to 80 knots. His transmission ended with the fateful words, Shes comin on boys, and shes comin on strong! Forty days after departing from Massachusetts the Andrea Gail was pronounced lost at sea.

The crew of the Andrea Gail had found themselves at sea when a weather phenomenon known as a Noreaster had descended upon the north atlantic with all its fury. Two low pressure areas merged with high pressure areas and these met up with warm air from the south, and cold air from the north, as well as moisture feeding into the storm from the gulf Stream to create a catastrophic storm. This simultaneous occurrence of events taken individually would be far less powerful than was the result of their chance combination. In fact, had the storm been more concentrated, it might have resembled a hurricane, which would have triggered the appropriate warnings. But because the storm occurred without the typical hurricane warnings, the Andrea Gail and her crew were caught off-guard. There had never been a storm like this in recorded history. This was the Perfect Storm.

About the same time each year, near the middle of September, thousands of high school graduates set sail for a voyage of their own known as the Freshman Year. Like the crew of the Andrea Gail, these students have high hopes and big dreams about the adventure that stretches out over the horizon. They proceed with little thought of what major difficulties they might encounter, and wouldnt even dream of any sort of catastrophe. However, during their first 40 days on campus, many of them experience a Noreaster of their own, in the form of a huge transition and transformation in their own lives. Pressure to succeed meets with expectations and anticipation for the future, this merges with the excitement and new-found freedom that comes from being on your own. The simultaneous occurrence of all of this combines to bring about the possibility of a catastrophic event. In all likelihood, each of these events taken individually would be far less powerful than the result of their inevitable combination. In fact, if these events were to be more widely known, they would trigger the appropriate warnings and solutions that would give students and their families the tools necessary to weather the storm. But these warnings often come too late, or not at all.

The transition from high school to college is one of the biggest transitions you will face. In fact, it is likely the biggest transition you have confronted in your 18 years on the planet! And look around you. Have you seen any media coverage of this transition? Any special reports about the transition from high school to college? The answer to those questions is a resounding NO! Multiple books, and plenty of articles and coverage is given to the preschool years, the elementary school years, and even the transition from elementary to junior high and high school. But our society simply has no clue about what is going on during this time in your life, and if they do, they have decided that it is simply not exciting enough to talk about on the evening news. Sure, they have special reports when a frat party turns ugly or when there is some sort of tragedy on campus. Each fall, hundreds of thousands of students are taken to college and dropped off by their loved ones. The media may cover, Move in Day, but they usually mention only that most campus costs have skyrocketed and that there is not enough room in the residence halls for the number of students entering college. But for the media, the story ends there, and you are the one left trying to figure out what to do.

So what is this transition? Simply stated, a transition is a change from one form to another. Oftentimes this change is celebrated through some sort of ceremony, in the form of what we call a Rite of Passage. Graduation from high school will likely have been (or will be in the very near future) a very significant rite of passage in your own life. There is the very profound moment in your Graduation ceremony, when you are asked to take the tassel on your cap and move it to the other side. This signifies your change from a high school student to a high school graduate. Its a pretty cool thing, but did anything really happen in that moment? Did the earth shake, lightning flash, and trumpets blare? Well, not usually! Honestly, its very much like your birthday - you didnt become another year older overnight, you became a year older over the process of a year. Likewise, at graduation, you didnt become a high school graduate overnight, you have been working towards it for years. And here is an important thing to remember, graduation from high school does not make you any more prepared for what lies ahead than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger! Put another way, even though you have graduated from high school in this wonderful, moving ceremony, you are really no different than you were two days ago. However, society has told us that when you turn 18 years old and when you graduate from high school, you are now an adult. Sounds great, right? Well, let me tell you that being an adult is not always all its cracked up to be!

According to the Department of Education, more than 1/3 of all new freshmen will drop out of college before making it to their sophomore year. In fact, fewer than half of all new freshmen will graduate from college.

Are you ready for "The Perfect Storm"? You can be -- and you MUST be.

The storm, shes comin, and shes comin on strong. You pause, take a deep breath and look out towards the horizon. Then you say: But this is the voyage I have been preparing for and looking forward to for a long time this storm is going to make the voyage that much more exciting, and that much more fulfilling. So batten down the hatch and hang on for the ride of your life, into the first 40 days of your freshman year in college! Welcome to your Freshman 40!

Nick B. Herberger, M.Ed. is the author of "The Freshman 40: everything you need to know about your first forty days in college". Nick has been working and living with college students for almost 20 years. A sought after speaker, Nick is known for his ability to connect with people of all ages through his humor, storytelling, his drama, and his ability to help people live life to the fullest. As the founder of live Your Journey ( http://www.LiveYourJourney.com ) Nick continues to reach people worldwide through speaking, life and career coaching, and writing.

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Two Way Radios - A Cheaper Alternative

The utility of two way radios may be questioned by some people. What they may think is that the traditional method of using mobile phones or telephones is equally efficient in ensuring smooth communication anywhere. Then what is the necessity of spending money on these radios? but the fact is that these methods offer paid service; each and every call you make costs you something.

In comparison to this, communicating with a two way radio is far more cost-effective. Moreover, they are easy to use. They come with a push to talk button; in order to initiate a conversation, you will just have to push this single button. Whats more, they are equally fit for indoor as well as outdoor usage. So, one can make use of them at offices, during road trips, in malls, and even at the time of hunting.

As two way radios are based on wireless technology, it is easier to carry them from here to there. Various models are available in the market. Some of them are cheap and easily affordable, even by people with limited budget. Flashy radios are also there for the well-off group. In order to make inter-departmental communication easier, a corporate office can buy quite a few cheap radios.

Thus, two way radios make life easier, by helping people out with their wireless communication needs in a cost-effective manner. Although they cover only a limited area, they are certainly a better alternative if you keep the cost part in mind. There are no monthly rentals, no per minute call charge and no roaming charges.

When you are out there in the market to buy a two way radio, make it a point that you make some comparisons. Comparisons will help you buy the right product. So, after you buy it, you will get satisfactory service from it.

Dennis Jaylon is a renowned business writer who has years of experience in writing technical reviews, product descriptions and product feature analysis of technical gadgets and gizmos. He has won appreciation especially for enlightening people about the latest communication gizmos...the Two way radios

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