Don't Just Lie There, Pedal!

I broke my foot a couple of years ago by falling off my shoe. A simple break, it took way too long to heal, and kept me from my regular morning walks for the first time in over ten years. When I explained that I simply couldn't stop exercising, the orthopedic surgeon who strapped me into one of those metal boots with Velcro flaps had the perfect answer: recumbent bikes.

At that point my only familiarity with those low slung bikes came from the walking path when grown men would come out of nowhere and fly by our ankles. Lying flat out on their backs, recumbent bikers tend to look the most relaxed and happiest of the bikers who pass us. There's a reason for that-comfort. Instead of the entire weight of an adult body being supported by the two little ischial tuberosities, what yoga instructors call the "sit bones," recumbent bikes provide a wide platform for the back, butt, and thighs.

The gym version of the recumbent bike is the one the doctor suggested I use. They sit low to the floor; you stretch your legs out in front and use the backrest for support. I found them more comfortable than upright exercise bikes. Recumbent bikes are great for people with injuries as well as those who suffer from back pain or have problems with ankle, knee or hip joints. A study conducted at the Mayo Clinic indicates that physical activity such as riding recumbent bikes help maintain good joint health, increase range of motion, and provide relief for arthritis sufferers.

Recumbent bikes provide an excellent cardio workout without the pounding of jogging and running. It feels a little odd to be leaning back so far, but that angle creates one of the best parts of recumbent biking-a clear view of the scenery and not the road ahead as is the case with most bikes.

Those low slung bicycles are nothing new: some of the earliest designs, dating back as far as the 1860s, were recumbent. There are patent applications for various recumbent versions from the late 19th century. And in the 1930s, recumbent bikes were banned from speed racing competitions because uprights couldn't compete. Even now, recumbents hold all the bicycle land speed records. That secret speedy life has probably helped fuel the resurgence in popularity that began in the seventies and continues today.

Next time you're out riding your upright bike, running, or walking and see someone on a bike that's very low to the ground, don't laugh. That rider has her back supported, which allows her to ride longer without strain. Her legs are closer to her heart aiding the blood flow to and from the heart. She's burning fat and building muscle mass while building endurance and strengthening her legs. Best of all she's having fun. So ride on.