Exercise Bikes – Ultimate Fitness Machines
Exercise bikes or stationary bikes are exercise gears that have the same features as that of a regular bicycle, which includes the saddle, pedals, and handlebars; but these bikes are, of course, used for health and fitness purposes rather than mainly for transportation. This is a special purpose machine that resembles a bicycle without the wheels, but note that it is possible to incorporate a stationary bike with bicycle rollers. This type of exercise machine definitely suits a person who has no time to have a quick ride in his bike outside for exercise since these exercise bikes are used indoors. This machine provides the convenience of burning calories right at the comfort of one’s home.
These exercise bikes originated from the need to exercise or ride a bike without having to go outside and bear with the pollution from automotive vehicles. Nowadays, this scene is very common most especially in the urban or city 
community. For the busy office guy, working out or exercising at the gym has never been able to fit inside the hectic schedule; hence these kinds of bicycles were created. At one point in every person’s life, his overall health and fitness would decline and deteriorate which would eventually lead to the need to exercise. Exercise bikes are perfect for these kinds of situations since they provides a form of remedy and exercise at home. What’s more is that they can be a source of recreation which definitely reduces stress.
Machines that resemble exercise bikes have been around at the end of the eighteenth century. In the past several years, a lot of new stationary bikes have been made available to the market, providing various features and functions. Basing on the designs and functions of exercise bikes, there are about four kinds.
The first one is the traditional, upright exercise bicycle. As the name implies, this looks exactly the same as that of a regular bicycle, but without the wheels of course. 
The person’s position is also similar to that in riding an ordinary bicycle. The second type is called the dual action exercise bike, which features handle bars that are attached to the pedals and in turn, these handle bars are designed to exercise the arms. Dual action stationary bikes are known to give a full body workout. The third classification is the recumbent and semi-recumbent stationary bikes. These exercise bikes feature a seat that looks somewhat like a bucket or chair and this seat design places the user in recumbent position while riding, hence the name. The fourth and last kind is the stationary bike that comes with interactive features, which is perhaps the most high-tech of all. Very trendy and futuristic in nature, these exercise bikes give the user the privilege to enjoy games and other media while riding. These features tend to distract and entertain the user which automatically converts a stressful workout session into a fun one.
Exercise bikes are intended for losing weight and getting healthy and fit. Aside from improving overall fitness, these bikes are also used by 
professional cyclists or triathletes in training for their events and competitions. Other than this, exercise bikes are also used in the physical therapy department since they provide safe and effective cardiovascular exercise. The low movement impact or action needed to operate the machine is not that burdensome compared to an ordinary bicycle, making it a perfect health and fitness machine.