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Exercise Bike Vs. Treadmill

Arjun Kulkarni
This write-up provides a comparison between an exercise bike and treadmill, which will help you make a decision regarding their effectiveness.
The term 'cardiovascular exercises' refers to the exercises or activities that increase the heart rate and breathing, which in turn leads to an increase in the circulation of blood and oxygen throughout the body.
The exercises with a higher difficulty level place more demand on the cardiovascular system, which improves the capacity of the system. Some of these exercises can be performed on certain types of exercise equipment.
Those who plan to perform cardio workouts should select the exercises and equipment as per their liking. This is to ensure that you perform these workouts on a daily basis.
Treadmill and the exercise bike are great options, when it comes to cardio workouts. Read on to know the pros and cons of the treadmill, as well as the exercise bike.

Factors to Consider
There are various parameters which have to be taken into consideration in this exercise bike vs. treadmill debate. These factors must be considered while deciding which one of these exercise machines helps perform effective workouts.

Number of Calories Burned

Everyone wants to burn as many calories as possible. Both treadmill and exercise bike can place demand on the cardiovascular system, all you need to do is increase the speed or the incline. However, the treadmill seems to be more effective in this regard.
Comparing a common jogging speed of 10 km/h, we find that a normal person burns up to 700-800 calories (depending on the weight), in one hour. On the other hand, if you cycle on a recumbent exercise bike at the average speed of 12-14 km/h, you will burn 560-640 calories (depending on the weight), in an hour.
So, the calories burned while using an exercise bike are less than the calories burned while using treadmill.

Safety

One of the very important factors to take into consideration is safety. For beginners, using a treadmill may be a little tough. There is a chance of people losing their balance and falling off the treadmill.
It is less likely for one to fall off an exercise bike, as you are seated.
A treadmill puts a lot of stress on the knee and ankle joints, which is why it is not recommended for those who are affected by degenerative bone disease.
Recumbent bikes are comparatively safer for someone with problems related to the upper extremities.

Cost

The exercise bike is cheaper than a treadmill. It does not have a motor, which is why the cost of maintenance is less. The treadmill, on the other hand, is more expensive. It runs on electricity. So, if you work out in your home gym, you will have to shell out money on electricity bills.
Some people prefer a treadmill over an exercise bike, as the former spurs them to go faster, and pushes them to run at a fast pace for as long as they can. Walking or jogging on a treadmill will definitely help you burn more calories, while working more muscles.
On the other hand, the exercise bike mainly targets the muscles of the legs. The pros of exercise bikes are that they are less expensive, and take less space. Moreover, they are safer in case of individuals affected by arthritis.
So, if you are planning to buy any one of these machines, do keep these factors in mind. Also, invest in an equipment that you are going to use.