American actress Sasha Alexander says, "I just don't want to end up on something that bores the hell out of me. Otherwise, I'll fake a knee injury and get out of there".
A bad and stiff knee is a true problem for a workout, especially on a treadmill. If you want to shed your unwanted body weight, and you have lower back pain or knee joint issue, probably buying the recumbent bike for bad knees is a fair option. At least it worked for me.
But now the puzzle is to find the best stationary bike for bad knees. You cannot manage taking the risk of your knee health and stability. The catch is to find the best type of exercise bike to rehab knee.
Out of all types of physical therapy stationary bikes, Recumbent Bikes the safest and handiest choices for workout or training of bad knee. But if you are looking for buying the best exercise bike for bad knees, you must know why these bikes for knee rehab are the best over the treadmills.
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Why the best recumbent bike for bad knees are wiser buy than a treadmill?
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, both Treadmill and physical therapy exercise bike work well for burning calorie and for reducing abdominal fat. At the same time, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can be done both on treadmill and rehabilitation exercise bike, but there is a big BUT….
If you have chronic back pain or you have pain in your knee joints, an exercise bike for knee rehab will be a better choice for you. One of the reasons behind the enhanced convenience of a low impact exercise bike is that a physical therapy stationary bike exerts lesser pressure on the body joints.
As body joints get less exhausted, there is a better possibility that you will be enjoying better comfort with a semi recumbent bike in comparison to a treadmill.
Now comes the jackpot question! How to find the best recumbent bike for bad knees?
Although there is no basic formula for finding the best type of exercise bike to rehab knee, we can easily make the list of features users have liked so far. To be precise, while buying the best exercise bike for knee problems and abdominal fat management, you must check these features.
The Features of The Recumbent Bike For Knee Problems
It is a sheer fact that many models of physical therapy stationary bikes are available in the market. New models are getting introduced every day almost. So knowing the best features for the best bike for arthritis is always a sure plus.
Now when you know the most preferred features of the best exercise bike for knee replacement rehab and unwanted weight loss issue, let's check the options available in the market.
I have done a special homework for you here. I have already selected three rehabilitation exercise bike models you can always check for purchase for your workout at home. These three are:
Schwinn 270
Exerpeutic 900XL
Exerpeutic 400XL
Reviews Of Best Recumbent Bike For Bad Knees
1. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike
Schwinn Connect goal tracking and data export keep you up to date on reaching your fitness goals.
Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike will help you to workout despite your knee and joint problem. One of the best stationary bikes for knee rehab, this variety comes with a high-speed, high-inertia edge weighted flywheel. Cardio workout will be an easygoing task for you.
The bike offers more than dozens of programs and multiple levels of resistance. You can connect to Bluetooth as well as you can integrate your recumbent or upright bike with app-based tracker tool like RideSocial™ App. You will get an amazing result if you use the program diligently.
The features we liked the most
Cons
Pros
2. Exerpeutic 900xl Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike
This bike offers challenging cardiovascular workout while minimizing stress on your joints and back
Want to buy one of the best exercise bikes for knee replacement rehab? Try once the Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike. It will offer you a work-out facility plus the convenience of working with a user-friendly exercise bike for knee pain treatment.
The bike for knee rehab comes with several good features, and it is affordable by price too. It will accommodate up to 300lbs. body weight. Its wide seat, magnetic resistance, and challenging workout scopes are ideal for targeting heart rate zones.
The features we liked the most
Cons
Pros
3. Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike
Hand pulse sensors on the handle bars for targeting your heart rate zone.
This is a user-friendly fold up stationary bike. No matter if you are a slim user or you are overweight, this low impact exercise bike will offer you weight capacity 300 lbs.
Other prime features include an 8-level magnetic tension control system, 3-piece torque crank system, heart pulse, and a user-friendly 'double drive' transmission system are available at an affordable rate.
The Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike looks smart, and its3.3" x 1.5" LCD display shows accurate tracking data related to your workout. Both short height and taller users can work on this bike for knee rehab. This semi recumbent bike comes with 1 year warranty.
The features we liked the most
Cons
Pros
Is a Recumbent Bike Good for The Knees?
If you have heard yourself complaining about the sore muscles, knee pain, or back pain, then, you can try switching to the most comfortable yet effective exercise. Yes, the recumbent bike it is!
For beginners, the recumbent bikes are proven to be most desirable of all the bikes. Let's see why?
Extreme Comfort:
Well, most of the bikes such as spinning bikes and upright bikes tend to leave a trace of "fitness related" threats while working out.
On the other hand, Recumbent bikes provides you an extreme comfort by offering you the back support and wide, spacious seating arrangement. Thus, this lets you literally enjoy the "laid back" hours of your workout session!
Practical:
As this amazing machine concentrates in transferring the weight of your body to the machine itself (rather than hurting your knees or joints), it makes sure that the knees won't be affected during the whole process.
Painless, Safe Workout:
As the recumbent bikes are known for its extraordinary features, the doctors recommend even the elderly people to opt for this amazing piece of equipment when it comes to exercise!
An Unbelievable Number of Calories Burned:
You might be wondering what amount of calories this piece of equipment can make you burn apart from offering the extremely comfortable features?
It lets you burn around 300 to 900 calories per hour, which depend on the selected level of resistance, age, and gender!
All in all, as far as you are pretty sensitive about your knees, recumbent bikes are the one you must be opting for. And just so you know, when it comes to using a recumbent bike, "age" is just a number!
Things To Consider When Riding With Bad Knees
As you already know, the doctors prescribe cycling if you have bad knees. Well, it is quite hard to stay away from your daily exercise just because of the mere hurting of your knees. Especially if you are one of those who are willing to exercise and stay fit, cycling is your go to!
Now, the question that accompanies along with the recumbent exercise bike is that the things to consider while riding with bad knees. So, we have gathered some of the crucial information by combing up the entire facts and figures! Here you go:
Choose the correct position of your seat:
Well, what everyone does to leverage the advantage of recumbent bikes is they set their seat either too low or too close to the handlebar. This might sound fun at the beginning whose "after effects" can be seen right on your knees. Ouch. Yes, it hurts!
So, how to set the proper position?
Make sure you can look down at your knees and toes when you sit in the saddle. Your toes need to be peeking out a bit from your knees. In this way, you get to bend your knees only at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
Continuous manner:
Make sure you pedal continuously without giving frequent pauses or complaining about the "pain" you are going through!
Also, when you are a victim of the so-called-evil, i.e. "knee pain," then, you should be avoiding some things which might put a lot of pressure on your knees such as climbing or any rides that require a lot of strength for a certain amount of time.
Correct Seat Position in Recumbent bike for Knee Pain
As you already know, one of the safest ways to exercise is by opting a recumbent bike. It can be bent, adjusted, and moreover, it is fun to work out!
The doctors usually prescribe to exercise in the recumbent bikes (especially for elderly people or you have bad knees) as it is a comfortable, fun, and safe way of exercising.
So, what makes it grab all these crucial features? Comfortable seat, pedals, and most importantly, the correct seat position. If you have knee pain, then, the core factor is that you have placed a wrong seating position. Here's how you choose the correct seat position:
Do not be too "laid back" or "leaned forward":
What most of us expect from the recumbent bike is to either bend all the way back or too forward that the handlebar can almost hit your face!
Even though you justify your preferred seating position, it will be detrimental in the long run for your knees, lower back, and muscles too.
The correct seat position:
While you are sitting, make sure that your seat is not too far or not too near to the handlebar. Also, check if you can have a look at your knees and your toes too. By toes, I mean, not the ones that are hiding behind your knees.
Yes, your toes should be able to peek out from your knees. Thus, you can enjoy your work out session by merely bending your knee only at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
By maintaining this position, you can totally enjoy your workout without any further complaints about your knee pain or lower back pain.
Can A Recumbent Bike Hurt Your Knees?
If you notice the construction and design of the recumbent bike, you can see the beautiful adjustable seating arrangement which goes far back and can come back right in place!
Just so you know, the elliptical trainers and other stationary bikes are also designed in such a way that you can get to enjoy your workout session without any injuries, pain, or any such bad memories!
You can get a full on aerobic feel when working out with these amazing source of workout machines. Also, the most crucial factor is that they go very light on your knees and joints. So, in case you are a victim of the so-called "bad knees," then, these are your go to.
Well, recumbent bikes surely outsmart by being able to achieve the most wanted crucial factor. Yes, an extreme comfort yet an achievable workout! How does the recumbent bike manage to provide such amazing ease and satisfaction anyway?
That is because, as you already know, they are highly adjustable. Not only with the seating arrangement, but also while choosing the desired workout from the huge chunk of workout plans and programs available.
The recumbent bikes uphold their deal by making their workout partner happy as they do not have to sit upright throughout the workout session!
Well, this pretty much sums up why and what exactly makes the recumbent bike so customer-friendly, right?
Also, being not to be in an upright position for an entire workout makes your whole workout worthy. You can be relaxed even while you are working out, as you are not sitting straight, dumping of the body's weight on the knees is waived off! So, now you get it!
The seating arrangement plays a major role in providing you extreme comfort and a great workout.
How Long Should I Ride A Recumbent Bike?
Well, this totally depends on your age, stamina, and regime. It doesn't really matter whether you are a rookie or a veteran when it comes to the great, grand game called "The workout time."
Once you learn the knack and enjoy every bit of your workout session, you get acquainted with the flow of the level of your workout intensity. You are your own master who is free to choose the workout plans and programs which are available in a wide variety!
If you are wondering of how long should you ride an exercise bike, then, here's the deal:
In general, if you are willing to perform 3 workouts (in a week) with the exercise bike, then, you can organize the duration, schedule and get going.
Suppose you make up to 30 minutes of cycling for one day, then, that could be termed as the short ride of the week.
You can boost up your cycling skills by managing to pedal up to 45 minutes. Well, this is pretty good, and this surely deserves a pat on your back!
So, as you have gathered the strength to pedal for 45 minutes, then, tickle your inner strength and challenge yourself to go for 60 to 120 minutes of cycling! Sounds hard? Well, it is definitely worth it once you achieve it!
If you managed to pull yourself to pedal for 60 to 120 minutes duration, then, you are now a step ahead to create some new goals to add to your record! Kudos to your brand new goals!
As a matter of fact, it is always important to know that you are doing it right. Make sure you get a tick mark on that on the first place!!
Conclusion
It's time, to sum up the reviews. You need to understand that suitability of the best recumbent bike for bad knees as well as for weight loss program may vary from one person to another. You need to understand the body weight, height, and condition of the knee joints, etc. for buying the same.
Want to enjoy Bluetooth and app connectivity while using recumbent bike after knee replacement? You may count on the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike model. You will find it comfortable with its ergonomic design and advanced techy features.
If you taller in height and you want to buy a physical therapy stationary bike at an affordable price, Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike is a better choice for you. It is built with an 8-level magnetic tension system, it is foldable and spacer saver too.
If you are looking for one of the best recumbent bike for bad knees for home use, you can go for Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike. Noiseless operation, handy design, easy to assembling leverage, and great customer care will make you happy.
Enjoy your workout at home! Happy cycling!
Read also: Best Exercise Bike for Short Person
Additional Resources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/knee-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350849
https://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/the-best-cardio-exercises-for-bad-knees
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/knee-pain/injury-knee-pain-16/slideshow-knee-exercises
Great write-up! I bought Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike a few months ago. I was impressed by how strong and heavy the bike parts were. Heavy steel and welds. When the screws and bolts had to be inserted, I was amazed at how well they lined up. I love the quality.
Appreciating the time and exertion you have pitched into your website and the depth of knowledge you provide. I honestly enjoyed reading your whole write-up. I am interested in purchasing this Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike and would like to know that, Is it easy to adjust the seat height with just one screw? Thanks!