DIET | DETECTIVE^®

The theory on using the recumbent bike is that the seated position is better for the back because it offers postural support; hence, reducing the stress the back has to endure. Unfortunately, depending on the cause of your bad back, the recumbent may or may not offer a pain-free option for getting a cardio workout.

Unlike the treadmill, the recumbent bike is free of impact. So, if your back problem is sensitive to the pounding, cycling may be one solution. However, there is a potential problem caused by the seated position of a recumbent bike. Research has shown in the seated position, the discs of the low back (lumbar intervertebral discs) have to tolerate the highest amount of pressure-more than standing. Why? Because when you are standing, your back, hips, knees and ankles are absorbing the weight of your upper body and torso. Once you sit down, all that weight is now being placed on the discs of your low back. The result of this increased pressure is that prolonged sitting may make your back worse, instead of better. This makes the recumbent bike a less than perfect option for getting a workout. If this is the case, try an elliptical trainer. It offers no pounding in a standing position, so there is less pressure on the discs.

Another possibility is to try an upright bike, such as an indoor cycling trainer. These bikes, unlike traditional upright bikes, have a multitude of adjustments you can use to make your position more comfortable. Raise the handlebars to reduce your forward lean and bring your seat forward so that your reach is comfortable. The result may be a slightly tilted forward position that can be quite comfortable for some back conditions, such as spinal stenosis. If the seat on a bike is too unbearable, you can also try a ski machine. Placing the pad on your hipbones and using good technique allows your body to get a great no-impact workout in a slightly forward lean position. (Allow time to learn the technique or, no matter what is wrong with your back, cross-country skiing will make it worse!)

If the recumbent is still feeling like the best option, and it may well be, before you settle on just one machine, see if you can try both full recumbent and semi-recumbent bikes. The semi-recumbent bike has the pedals lower than a full recumbent bike. The change in pedal position reduces the amount of bend in your knees and hips when the pedal is closest to you. For some users, when the knees come up toward the chest, their backs round and their posture goes, thus increasing back pain. If this is the case, the semi-recumbent bike may be a better solution and allow you to get a great workout.

Recumbent bikes are not the solution for all back pain suffers; bad backs come in all shapes and sizes. Try a number of solutions to find the best way to do your cardio workout and one should emerge as a clear winner.

Bookmark:

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed