As you age, you must continue looking for ways to ensure you maintain your health. One way to stay healthy is to incorporate an upright indoor bike into your fitness routine. Although the equipment does not give you the same experience of riding outdoors, there are many benefits of adding an upright bike to your workout.
Indoor Biking Strengthens Your Muscles
One advantage of using an upright indoor bike is that the equipment allows you to work a wide range of muscles. For example, pedaling can strengthen your calves, hamstrings, and quadriceps and exercise your core, back, and glute muscles. Bikes with handles also allow you to exercise your upper body muscles, such as your biceps and triceps.
Indoor Biking Is Good for Your Heart
Another benefit of adding an upright bike to your workout is that it is an excellent tool for a cardiovascular workout. When you use an indoor bike, you strengthen your heart and your lungs.
This exercise also enhances the blood and oxygen flow in your body, allowing you to improve your brain function and immune system while decreasing your blood pressure. You may even enjoy the added benefit of sleeping better!
Indoor Biking Is Safer Than Outdoor Biking
One of the key differences between indoor and outdoor cycling is that you miss out on the challenges of the terrain that require you to use more energy. However, an upright indoor bike allows you to increase your strength no matter the weather outside.
Instead, you can exercise with an indoor bike at your convenience. In addition, indoor biking is safer than outdoor biking since outdoor riders must worry about road conditions, pedestrians, and dangerous drivers. By staying indoors, you can keep your mind on your workout and not worry about your surroundings working against you.
Indoor Biking Is Ideal for Interval Training
Another benefit of adding an upright indoor bike to your home gym is that it allows you to do interval training. The equipment lets you easily switch between short periods of intense exercise and longer ones of moderate exercise. You also can set resistance levels on the indoor bike so that you can exercise at different intensities.
Indoor Biking Puts Less Stress on Your Joints
If you suffer from sensitive joints, do not be afraid to use an upright indoor bike. Cycling is perfect for those struggling with aching joints since it is a low-impact exercise that will put less stress on your knees and elbows. In fact, this factor makes it a good fit for those who are recovering from orthopedic injuries or seniors with knee or hip issues who want to stay fit.
If you have decided to purchase an upright bike, review this quick guide to buying your first one. Afterward, you will be well on your way to the road to better health.
Dianne Pajo is a Certified Personal Trainer based out of the Chicagoland area with a passion for music, combat sports, and animals. She enjoys competing in amateur boxing and kickboxing, but in her other leisure time, you can find her performing music around the city. She is also a dog mom of 2.