If you have health problems or have long wanted to lose weight, or maybe even become the owner of beautiful muscle definition, you should not buy expensive weight loss products or trust your grandmother’s recipes. The secret to a beautiful and healthy body is simple: sports and proper nutrition.
One of the options for sports activities are ellipses and exercise bikes. Often, buying a fitness machine is a problem because you do not understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
This article has been written so that you can compare the benefits of each option.
Brief characteristics of both cardio machines
First, let's briefly look at each option and form an approximate opinion regarding each option.
Exercise bikes and their features
At the first stages of playing sports, people most often choose exercise bikes, which is why they are most widespread. This option is suitable for both beginners and experienced users who want to strengthen their muscles and develop endurance.
The article at the link shows in detail which muscles are worked on different types of exercise bikes.
Training on exercise bikes has a very good effect on the cardiovascular system and is therefore often prescribed for hypertension. Prices are set depending on the model: from the simplest budget options to efficient and easy-to-use expensive devices. First, you can even take a mini exercise bike or a simple magnetic option for home, which are now easy to buy at an affordable price even for people with a small salary.
Let us remind you that there are as many as 12 different types of exercise bikes. This article will help you make your choice.
In addition to cost, there are many other criteria with which you can choose an exercise bike that is right for you: size, design, as well as the functions of individual models.
Let us highlight the main advantages of this simulator:
- low noise level;
- highest degree of safety;
- compactness;
- speed and efficiency of training;
- you can combine classes with watching movies or reading books
Orbitreks and their features
Elliptical trainers combine the principles of rowing and exercise bikes, steppers, treadmills and riders. The cost of elliptical trainers is not as low as we would like, but many can afford it .
They are designed for both simple endurance training and to strengthen the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The device is suitable not only for people in normal physical shape, but also for obese people, and even for rehabilitation after illness.
The main reasons for choosing this simulator option:
- regular, but not necessarily long-term, exercises will help you quickly achieve the desired result;
- almost complete absence of noise;
- ideal for warming up before main workouts;
- covers a wide range of muscles and will allow you to remove fat from your arms and even your back.
As you can see, each option has its own advantages. Therefore, we will try to compare each simulator more clearly.
Buying a fitness machine for the whole family
When purchasing cardio equipment for family activities, it is important to understand the maximum and minimum fitness levels for each family member. Based on this, you should choose a sports equipment model. The optimal solution for your home would be a classic exercise bike with a magnetic load system. It is quite easy to maintain, has fairly smooth load adjustment and an acceptable price tag. If the budget for sports equipment is large enough, then you can consider electromagnetic versions, since their functionality is much higher.
Our Fitness Place sports equipment store offers a large selection of ellipses and exercise bikes for effective cardio exercise for the body. Each category of simulators has its own undoubted advantages. The basis of choice is the desired results.
Summary table: brief comparison and differences between both options
To make it easier to understand the information, we have made a short table for you with the main points:
| Characteristic | Exercise bike | Ellipsoid |
| Size | There are compact options, including a mini exercise bike; There are also fully functional folding exercise bikes that can fold/unfold (like an ironing board). | Almost always the size is larger than the size of exercise bikes - a more significant amount of space will be required. If we are talking about professional Orbitec models, then you generally need about a couple of square meters. |
| On-board computer | Functionality varies by model. There are both ultra-modern computers and relatively simple ones. | Identical situation. |
| Noise level | Depends on the flywheel used. Modern models have minimal noise levels. For example, an electromagnetic exercise bike is virtually silent because there is no friction. In the magnetic version, friction is also minimal with minimal noise. Such models are convenient for home use. | Almost every model has a low noise level, although some folding models can be noisier. |
| Efficiency | Effective with proper training even on the simplest mechanical exercise bikes and other models. | Identical, you can use even a folding ellipsoid with high efficiency. |
| Safety | They are stable, some models have compensation for floor unevenness and other useful options. It is almost impossible to fall off. | The movements are more varied, but as a rule, the body does not tilt; it is also difficult to fall or get up somehow awkwardly. |
| Harm to the body | If a proper training regimen is followed and restrictions are taken into account, then the load on the joints is minimal. Harm can only occur due to poor technology, or if you have not taken into account your health limitations. | Initially created to minimize the load on the joints. However, here you should also normalize the load and take into account the state of your own body. |
| Price | From one to hundreds of thousands of rubles. | The most basic models cost from 10-15 thousand and again up to hundreds of thousands for professional simulators. |
| Restrictions | There are restrictions for excessive body weight and the presence of severe forms of diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes, respiratory systems, joints, and musculoskeletal system. | Can be used to restore the body. The main restrictions are associated with excessive body weight and diseases that affect mobility. |
Attention! There is no clear answer to the question of which simulator is more effective and better. You can only determine which simulator is best for you, and it is from this parameter that you need to proceed. Also, in addition to comparing general characteristics, compare different models and modifications of equipment, since even in the same class it can differ significantly.
General conclusion
Despite their similarities, an exercise bike and an elliptical are designed to be used differently and achieve different goals. While the exercise bike maintains and even develops a person's physique, the elliptical performs all the same functions with the advantage of a full-body workout. However, do not rush to the conclusion that the elliptical is a more advantageous simulator. This is absolutely not true! The advantages of an exercise bike are quite significant, because it is an excellent addition to existing workouts. He can diversify them, add new colors, but not replace them. This device is also suitable for those who have any restrictions in motor processes or are subject to physiotherapy. The exercise bike offers timed training, while the elliptical does not.
What are the benefits of using an exercise bike at home? It is great for use at home, as it is very compact, which is very convenient for apartments with small square footage. All the information described above will help you choose the right simulator for you. Whether it will be an exercise bike or an ellipsoid is up to you to decide. It all depends on your goals, physical condition and budget.
Exercise bike: characteristics and contraindications
If you are choosing an exercise bike for the first time, you will immediately be attracted by its compactness and simplicity of design - such equipment does not require a special room. On the sports goods market, these simulators are presented by manufacturers in a huge assortment. This makes it possible to select an individual model, taking into account all the nuances.
The exercises performed on an exercise bike during training are not very diverse, but they can be combined with other activities . For example, you can build muscle mass (strength training with increasing loads or expanders/dumbbells) and at the same time do measured cardio on an exercise bike, or intense cycling. To train, you do not need to have any special skills.
Even those who do not exercise regularly and are not accustomed to heavy physical activity can perform simple exercises. The low price is also an attractive factor for many: thanks to the low cost, purchasing a simulator is affordable for any budget.
People with serious stages of various diseases are rarely allowed to use an exercise bike , but for the early stages they are even useful. For example, for arthritis and arthrosis of 1-2 degrees, moderate exercise is quite useful; exercise in the initial stages of varicose veins is also useful. However, you will need to consult a doctor before starting exercise.
Ellipsoid: characteristics and contraindications
The elliptical helps strengthen various muscles at the same time, which is very effective for burning fat cells and unnecessary deposits on all parts of the body.
Using the simulator involves smooth and graceful movements. By performing all the exercises in a standing position, the tension in the leg muscles is increased, which speeds up the process of building and strengthening muscle mass throughout the body. However, this fact is also a limitation for people with problems of blood vessels and joints of the legs.
Although a remark needs to be made here. Initially, the elliptical trainer was invented specifically for rehabilitation training , that is, this equipment is quite gentle on the whole body - you just need to normalize the load. There are restrictions on diseases here, but for long-term training with a high resistance setting, and in other cases the simulator is even useful.
What is more effective for losing weight?
By conducting a comparative analysis of the characteristics of bicycle and elliptical trainers, when purchasing, you can make the right choice, taking into account the characteristics of each. Both exercise machines help strengthen the human body and are popular among consumers. However, there are some differences in their use for weight loss. In addition, buyers are often interested in the question of whether running can be replaced with an exercise bike.
In fact, such a comparison cannot be unambiguous and, to put it most precisely, it is competent training (compared to illiterate ones) that is effective for losing weight, and not the exercise machine itself. A proper diet and proper nutrition during training are also effective for losing weight.
Therefore, frankly speaking, we cannot advise you which exercise machine will be effective for losing weight specifically for you (an ellipsoid or an exercise bike).
The benefits and harms of exercise are very individual concepts. Attention! The number of calories burned per hour of intense training on these simulators varies: an exercise bike allows you to get rid of 440-450 calories per hour, and an orbitrek - from 760-780.
However, it's not always about calories, but also about triggering metabolism and the post-workout effect. The energy consumption table will help you understand this issue in more detail. It’s best to evaluate what will be more pleasant for you to train on: if the ellipse looks more preferable and interesting, take this simulator and vice versa. The main thing is to choose an option that will allow you to get used to training and include regular exercise in your list of healthy habits.
Differences in training
The most obvious differences in training are that on an exercise bike you can only vary the speed of pedaling and the level of resistance, while on an ellipsoid you can also change the technique of movements, partly redistributing the load between different muscle groups. Therefore, in the first case the process turns out to be quite monotonous. But there is also a plus in this - since there is no need to particularly concentrate on the lesson, you can occupy yourself with reading a book or watching a movie.
The ellipsoid, due to the variety of movements, requires more concentration. If you vary the level of resistance, the angle of inclination of the body, the force applied to the handles (just hold on to them or lean on them like ski poles), and other parameters, you can create a comprehensive, high-quality program of exercises only on it. An exercise bike is most often considered as a kind of effective “start” for beginners to exercise in the complete absence of basic physical training or as a warm-up before the main workout.
When riding an exercise bike, you can adjust the speed and resistance level
When training on an elliptical, in addition to speed, you can change the technique of movements and redistribute the load between different muscle groups
