Jun 18, 2021

The harms of a stationary bike: do they outweigh the benefits?

 The stationary bike is one of the sports equipment that can be used at home, and in this article, we will learn about the damages of the stationary bike and some of its benefits:


Stationary bike damage


Although there are benefits to a stationary bike, there are some disadvantages associated with it, which are as follows:

1. Limited efficacy


The stationary bike is used to lose weight, but the focus is mostly on the leg area, and the calories that are lost are less compared to the rest of the exercise equipment, as a person with a weight of 81 kilograms can burn 286 calories when using a stationary bike compared to losing 408 calories when using the treadmill for 30 minutes.






2. Boredom

Boredom is one of the damages of a stationary bike, as the person who rides the stationary bike cannot see the landscape, but rather stays in its place, which leads to cutting off the exercise, and the stationary bike can be manipulated by resisting the pedal and does not give the same exercise value that gives him driving a moving bike through slopes and heights.


3. Damage to the knees and legs

The legs are switched a lot while riding a stationary bike, which may cause injuries to them or in the buttocks and knee area, and sitting may become more difficult because of these pains.


4. Low blood pressure and sugar level


The stationary bike exercise is one of the cardio exercises that, when done vigorously, can contribute to low blood pressure.

Intense exercises may also cause a drop in the level of sugar in the body, so it is recommended to eat a balanced meal that contains protein, vegetables, and fruits to be able to continue practicing these exercises.



5. rash



An annoying rash is one of the damages of a stationary bike. Exercising on a stationary bike increases sweating, as well as friction between legs and clothing, especially if they are cotton, which increases the chance of a rash.



6. Pain in the feet


Too much pressure on the stationary bike pedals can cause pain in the feet, especially if the person isn't wearing proper shoes.


Benefits of a stationary bike


Despite the disadvantages of a stationary bike mentioned above, there are also benefits to it, which include:

1. Cardio fitness


The exercise of riding a stationary bike helps increase the heart rate, which helps in the delivery of blood and oxygen to the rest of the body’s organs and indirectly helps the body in the following:

  • Memory increase.
  • Improving the ability to sleep.
  • Mood improvement.
  • Reduce stress.
  • Energy boost.


2. Reduce weight


Riding a stationary bike helps burn up to 600 calories in an hour, but this also depends on weight as well as the amount of calories eaten during the day.



3. Strengthening the muscles of the legs


The stationary bike exercise helps strengthen the muscles of the thighs, legs, and back, especially when using high resistance.


4. Safe exercises

Riding a bicycle in outdoor areas is subject to many dangers, such as: encountering a reckless driver or facing a bumpy road, unlike driving a stationary bike that is not affected by these factors.
Also, outdoor driving depends on the weather, whether it is hot, humid, or cold, while the climate can be controlled when using a stationary bike.


General safety rules to avoid stationary bike damage


After we have finished talking about the harms and benefits of stationary bikes, we will move on to talking about the general safety rules while using stationary bikes, which include:


  • Take the appropriate position before starting the exercise and ask a competent person in case you are not sure of the correct position.
  • Taking a break in case you feel any pain and provides an opportunity for the body to recover.
  • Do not exercise beyond your physical ability.
  • Consult the doctor in case the person concerned suffers from any diseases, such as pressure or heart problems, to determine whether riding a stationary bike is appropriate or not.

No comments:

Post a Comment