Which One Is Better?
Exercise bikes and cross trainers are two of the most popular pieces of gym equipment. They are used for both cardio and strength training exercises.
In fact, they often find these pieces of equipment in gyms around the world.
But which one should you buy? And if you already own one, how do you decide whether to keep using it or switch to the other?
Some say a bike is a great way to get a cardio workout, while a cross trainer is a better way to get a total body workout.
But, besides which one is better? It all depends on what you want from your workout.
If you want a low-affected workout that uses your body weight, then a stationary bike workout or a cross trainer would be a better choice.
If you’re looking for a workout that provides a more advanced cardio workout that you can do while sitting down, then a cross trainer is a better choice.
To answer more these questions, let’s first examine the differences between a quality exercise bike and a cross trainer.
Let’s start!
What is Exercise Bike?
An exercise bicycle is a piece of fitness equipment that allows users to pedal while sitting on the machine.
This makes them more active than traditional treadmills where they have to stand up and walk at regular intervals during their workouts.
The major purpose of this type of exercise machines is to burn calories and muscle toning by working out different parts of your body.
It also helps improve cardiovascular health because when you’re pedalling fast enough, you can attain moderate heart rates similar to those achieved through running.
However, unlike treadmills, exercise bicycles don’t require any special space since they sit inside a home gym or workout room.
Benefits of exercising with an Exercise Bike
1) Improved cardiovascular health
It burns fat faster than walking and jogging since you work out harder when riding an exercise bike. This means that even though you may not run as far as you could before starting your workout, you’ll still get a good amount of cardio machines benefit from cycling.
2) Increased muscle tone
While many people think that weight lifting will help build muscular arms, legs, and major muscle, some experts believe it builds endurance instead.
By doing so, you’ll be able to maintain high-intensity levels throughout a long period without getting tired.
3) Reduced stress
When you ride an exercise bike, you won’t feel stressed about missing classes or having to take care of kids all day. You’ll just know that you’ve got everything under control.
4) More energy
Since you’re forced to hurry, you’ll need less oxygen to complete each session. Therefore, you’ll become more energised after every workout.
5) Lower risk of injury
Because you’re moving much quicker, there’s less chance of hurting yourself when compared to other types of aerobic activities such as swimming, hiking and biking.
6) Easier recovery
If you go hard at the beginning of your workout but then slow down, you might end up feeling sore and fatigued. However, if you stay consistent throughout the entire duration of your sessions, you’ll recover faster and avoid over-training.
7) Weight loss
Many studies show that exercising with an exercise bike leads to significant calorie burning gains.
The reason behind this is simple; if you want to lose body weight, you must reduce your daily caloric intake.
What is Cross Trainer?
A cross trainer is like an exercise bike in terms of its function and features. The only difference is that it has two pedals attached to one arm which allow for simultaneous leg movement.
If you use these strength machines to do training exercises, you’d notice that the intensity level would be lower than what you experience using an exercise bike.
Cross trainers provide resistance against both upper and lower limbs. They come in various sizes depending on how heavy you wish to make them.
Some models feature LCD screens on top of the console so that you can monitor your progress. Others offer remote controls, allowing you to adjust settings.
You should always consult your physician prior to buying a cross trainer because he/she will have certain guidelines regarding their usage.
Some doctors recommend limiting workouts to 30 minutes per hour, while others suggest only 2 hours per day. Consult him/her first before purchasing any type of fitness equipment.
Benefits of Using a Cross Trainer
There are several reasons you ought to consider investing in a cross trainer rather than an exercise bicycle.
Here are a few of those benefits:
1) Greater flexibility
Unlike exercise bikes where you have to pedal, cross trainers work out most parts of your body, including your back, shoulders, chest, abs, hips, thighs, calves, glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and forearms.
This allows you to perform different movements in order to achieve better results. It also helps prevent injuries since you don’t have to worry about hitting your knees or elbows during intense workouts.
2) Improved posture
As mentioned earlier, unlike regular bicycles, cross trainers force you to stand upright, thus improving your overall posture.
By keeping your spine straight, you’ll improve blood circulation and increase lung capacity. This means that you’ll get rid of pain and stiffness associated with old age.
3) Increased balance
Since cross trainers require you to keep track of your speed and distance travelled, they help build your sense of balance by forcing you to look ahead. You’re likely to feel less dizzy after doing such exercises.
4) Reduced risk of injury
Because cross trainers utilise weights instead of human power, there are lesser chances of getting injured.
Injuries may occur when you push yourself too much or try to reach unrealistic goals. When you purchase a cross trainer, you needn’t worry about injuring yourself as long as you follow instructions.
5) More effective cardio workouts
Cardio exercises play an important role in maintaining good health. They burn calories from fat tissue and boost metabolism.
A cross trainer provides greater cardiovascular workout compared to an ordinary cycle. Besides burning fat, it increases heart rate, which causes body muscles to contract faster.
They improve the result stamina and endurance.6) Easier maintenance
If you own an exercise bike, then you know how difficult it can sometimes be to maintain its mechanical components.
Regular cleaning and lubrication are essential for proper functioning. However, if you opt for a cross trainer, all these tasks become easier. Simply wipe off dirt and replace worn-out rubber pads. No oiling required!
7) Less expensive
Although they cost higher than traditional cycles, cross trainers are still cheaper alternatives. Most manufacturers sell kits that include everything you need starting at around $100.
Conclusion
Both fitness machine have their advantages and disadvantages and so the best fit is going to be based on your needs and lifestyle.
Both cross trainer and exercise bike are good for weight loss.
However, if you are looking for cardio exercise to help you lose fat, cross trainer may be better for you.
