Stationary bike vs treadmill which is better?
There are many exercises that you can perform to lose weight, but the two most common ones are using the treadmill or a stationary bike. These instruments help you to burn a lot more calories. Not only do these exercises help you burn fat but they also help you tone your muscles in the long run.
However, there is always a debate on the stationary bike vs treadmill and to know which is better you have to read on.
Table of Contents
Exploring The Pros And Cons Of Using A Treadmill
Both instruments have their share of pros and cons and it is totally up to you to explore them and use then to your advantage.
Pros
- The treadmill offers the users a wide range of settings for incline and speed
- This instrument can be used by everyone as it is user friendly
- Burns a lot of calories while walking or running
Cons
- There is always the risk of users falling
- Running on the treadmill can have a harsh impact on the joints
- The incline feature may malfunction at times
Pros And Cons Of Using A Stationary Bike
There could be so many things that we could say in regards to this. However, LISS Cardio didn’t want you to get confused. So, you can seek help from the following pointers:
Pros
- The users will not feel any impact on their joints
- This exercise helps to build a lot of strength
- The muscles in the lower body become a lot stronger
- The risk of being injured is a lot less
Cons
- Users may experience pain in the butt area
- Your upper body does not get any exercise at all
- Calories burnt are very less
See also: Rowing Machine Vs Exercise Bike: Expectations Versus Reality
Other Factors Related To Stationary Bike vs Treadmill from LISS Cardio
Here is a list of certain other factors that need to be taken into consideration.
Durability Of The Instrument
The treadmill is often prone to technical difficulties and suffers from breakdown. It is seen that the motor, belt, and the incline features tend to malfunction. The good thing is that stationery bikes do not breakdown often. So, as a user you will rarely need to get it serviced. This is something that needs to be taken into account.
Easy To Operate
This is one important factor that you should take into consideration. There is no doubt that a user will take time in getting accustomed to the treadmill. Typically a treadmill has a myriad of settings that may take time to understand.
The stationery bike on the other hand is super easy to use. All you need to do is sit on it, make adjustment to the resistance level and you are all set to use it. The stationery bike needs minimal maintenance which is a plus point.
Variety Of Work Out
To get the best results from an exercise routine one has to indulge in a variety of exercises. The body gets used to the same old exercises, so you need to keep shocking your muscles to make sure that your body improves.
While working out with a bike you can always increase your speed and adjust the resistance level on the bike. However, with the treadmill you can not only increase the speed but you can adjust the level of incline. So, in this case both instruments are helpful in enhancing the level of intensity.
Rate Of Injuries
While using either of the two instruments you want to make sure that you are safe. The unfortunate thing is that the treadmill is an instrument that causes the most number of accidents. Not only does the treadmill cause a lot impact on your joints but as a user you could be high unstable and fall from the machine. Running on the treadmill is also known to cause sprained ankles at times.
The cycle is relatively safe compared to the treadmill as the user maintains a firm seated posture. However, users may complain about shoulder or back pain while sitting for a long time. In this situations, after some time you can have back pain. To resolve these issues some websites are offering posture correctors, which have shown grate results.
All of this can be managed provided you have a systematic approach and good guidance from a trainer. To get the best out of your workouts using these instruments, it is important that you take sufficient rest in between your workout sessions. Injuries from the treadmill tend to be severe so if you want to avoid it you should go for the stationery bike.
Calorie Burn
If you want to lose fat from your body then you have to consider burning more calories than you consume. So, if you indulge in exercise that gets your body to burn all the excess calories it will be tremendously helpful for you to achieve your goals.
If you manage to burn a lot of calories via exercise then it is a clear indication that you are doing the right thing. The treadmill will come on top of the list as it literally gets your body to knock off all those extra pounds. To get good results you need to walk or jog at an inclined angle. This technique can get you to bur at least 700 calories within sixty minutes.
With the stationary bike, even with the most aggressive resistance settings you will end up burning only 400 calories within 60 minutes. So in this case the treadmill wins by a large margin.
Space Saver
Now if you plan to work out from home, a stationary bike is the best apparatus as it takes less space. This is ideal for those individuals who live in small apartments. However, you will also come across some treadmill that can be folded and tucked away in the corner, do give them a thought too.
Conclusion
So when it comes to debating on stationary bike vs treadmill, users will show an inclination towards a stationary bike simply because it is easy to use and the risk of getting injured is less. The stationary bike also does not need too much of maintenance.
If you want to knock off a lot of weight within a short period then perhaps a treadmill will do the job for you. If you are going to use this in a gym then you can get your trainer to show you how to use it safely.
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