Recumbent Exercise Bicycles

recumbent bikes - muscle gain vs. weight loss?

I recently began using the recumbent bike machine at my gym. With my history of hiking, dancing and long-distance running I already have very large leg muscles. I'm wondering if a recumbent bike machine can help produce leaner muscles as well as burn fat. If so, what type of routine should I use? Currently I am on level 5 resistance and biking at between 16-18 mph. For weight loss rather than muscle gain (as I don't want these thigh muscles any larger!) should I have a higher resistance and steady pace or a lower level and faster pace? Any and all information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Bob A - thank you! true, while those activities do not usually promote bulky muscles, i spent a long period of time in a wilderness survival camp in which we ate high-protein and hiked anywhere between 6 to 12 miles a day. that aside, i appreciate your information and will get on it immediately! ^_^

Public Comments

1. You want a high cadence 70-90 rpm's with just enough resistance to get your breathing to the point where you can still talk but not sing. That uses your slow twitch muscles that use fat as a fuel and can go for a very long time. Pedaling slow and mashing on the pedals is more like weight lifting and will bulk you up. Long distance running and dancing should not bulk you up, hiking shouldn't either unless you you are carrying big loads up steep mountains. Spinning fast with a lite resistance is like long distance running where mashing on the pedals is more like sprinting.
2. We ride recumbent bikes on the road and I used the stationary after back surgery. We also have and ride mountain bikes and road bikes. BobA is right, except the cadence should be higher. We try to ride near 100 on the recumbent when on the road. My cadence is less on the upright road bike.