You can easily tell a recumbent bike from an upright bicycle by the comfortable-looking seat and reclining riding position. These bikes not only look out of the ordinary when compared to the average bicycle you see on the street, but they also offer a number of benefits that you may enjoy when opting for riding this kind of bike. Some of these are purely on a comfort level, while others have to do with safety and medical reasons.
Rider Safety Increases with a Lower Center of Gravity
Three-wheel recumbent bikes greatly diminish the risk of falling, but even two-wheelers offer the benefit of reducing your injury potential. Because of the lowered center of gravity and the closeness of the rider to the ground, any fall is less likely to result in a serious head or neck injury. Even if you were to suffer a head-on collision with an object, you would be safer riding a recumbent bike over a traditional bike, in part because you are less likely to be propelled headfirst over the handlebars.
Increased Comfort for Larger Riders
Cycling is an excellent exercise, and if you are overweight, you know that using exercise equipment is usually difficult, in part because it is not made for larger people. A recumbent bike may be outfitted with a bucket seat that makes it more comfortable for a larger rider to enjoy the exercise and continue on riding. This also makes the recumbent bike an excellent choice for both genders.
Weight Distribution Increases Comfort
You may avoid the back pain experienced by riders of conventional bicycles by using a recumbent bike. The ergonomically correct seat and the reclining position allow for an extensive distribution of your weight, which takes the stress off the lower back, shoulders and wrists. This lessens your chances of muscle spasms, pain and overall bodily discomfort at the end of a ride.
Recumbent Stationary Bikes for Indoor Exercise
The stationary bicycle is a staple of the home gym, but now there are also recumbent stationary bikes that bring home the healthier ways of pedaling. American Fitness states that recumbent bikes provide cardiovascular workouts and comfortable stationary riding may be coupled with upper-body weight exercises.
Easy Outfitting with Stock Parts
Perhaps the greatest benefit for roadworthy recumbent bikes is the fact that they are easily outfitted with already available safety gear.
