Burning calories with a pedal exerciser when you are working in the office or simply reading the newspaper at your home is an incredible idea. It helps you lose fat in the legs and hips, improve blood flow to the lower limbs, and increase your concentration and focus. But to get the most out of this exerciser, you need to have the best pick. With so many options in hand, making a decision won’t be easy. If you mistakenly pick the wrong product, not only will your money go in vain, but you also won't be able to enjoy all the benefits of a pedal exerciser. Bearing this in mind, we have prepared a full-fledged guide that will help you get the perfect fit.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Using A Pedal Exerciser?
- A pedal exerciser will help you concentrate on your work because it will release the tension from your limb muscles.
- It is best for short-term workouts where you won’t have to follow any routine.
- Blood flow to the limbs and fingers will be improved so that the muscles don’t suffer from oxygen debt.
- A pedal exerciser will also keep your knees healthy and mobile and help you lose weight by burning more calories.
What Aspects Should You Keep In Mind While Choosing The Best Pedal Exerciser?
Size
A pedal exerciser can be used at many places like under the desk, in the lounge room, gym, living room, libraries, and more. Even though most of them have compact and small shapes, you still need to consider the size based on available space. For example, if you have a very small area between the couch and the center table at your home, get a small pedal exerciser that can fit in between the furniture pieces and allow you to rotate the lower limbs effortlessly. Similarly, if you have a dedicated workstation with huge legroom at your office, then you can go for a medium to large-sized exerciser.
Portability
Unlike other workout equipment, the pedal exercisers are small and can be carried from one place to the other. However, its ease of portability will depend on two main subfactors. Firstly, you should check its weight to understand whether it is easier to carry or not. Usually, the weight of a pedal exerciser ranges from 14.5 pounds to 24 pounds. Another thing you should consider is its carry handle that must have the potential to withstand the load and not break or snap open midway.
Resistance
Every pedal exerciser comes with a certain range of resistance. It is defined as the force you have to apply with your hips and legs on pedals to move them in the dedicated direction. If the resistance is high, you need a lot of effort to push the pedals, even by an inch. So, it's important to consider this factor before investing in a product. Different exercisers will have varied resistance levels(eight levels mostly) that can be adjusted with a rotating knob. Based on this, you can perform warm-up exercises, light cardio, endurance training, and muscular toning easily.
Pedals
You must check whether the pedals have enough surface area for proper foot placement or not. Shorter pedals won't accommodate your feet properly, while larger ones will occasionally cause your legs to slip. Besides, the pedal straps need to be checked. The Velcro bands will hold your feet in place and allow you to exercise without disturbance since they are strong and sturdy. You can also find a non-slip pedal surface in some of the pedal exercisers. This will prevent your foot from slipping now and then.
Noise
A pedal exerciser can make noise while working out due to the resistance setting. If the resistive force is high, you need to push the pedals more, which generates a squeaky sound. This will break your concentration from work and also disturb others. That's why you need a product that can operate silently.
Stability
When you work out with different pieces of equipment in the gym, you will find how stable they are. Most times, we believe that they are fixed to the ground. But that's not the reality. The key reason behind their impeccable stability and balance is that their legs are covered with rubber sheets. The rubber itself is a thick material that offers an exceptional amount of frictional force. That's why the legs of most pedal exercisers are covered with this material. Thus, they are more stable and safer to use.
Display Screen Metrics
When selecting the exerciser, you need to focus on the metrics being displayed and the level of accuracy in calibrations. For example, one product may display metrics like calories, distance pedaled and time taken to reach the goal. On the other hand, another pedal exerciser can display the RPM along with calories burnt and distance pedaled.
How To Use A Pedal Exerciser For Best Results?
- Always choose a sitting piece of furniture having standard height so that you won't have to bend your legs to use the equipment.
- Keep your feet on both pedals and tie the Velcro strap properly to secure them properly.
- Switch on the LCD screen that will record all the pre-set metrics and display them.
- Adjust the resistance as per your requirement using the knob. Make sure to start with warm-up resistance mode and then increase it gradually.
- Now you can start pedaling in the clockwise direction. If your exerciser offers bi-directional pedaling, you can move your legs in the anti-clockwise direction also.
How Much Does A Pedal Exerciser Cost?
The average price of a pedal exerciser ranges between $75.99 to $189 approximately. If you want to improve blood flow to the legs or ease the pain in the muscles, you can choose a less-priced product. But for muscle toning and intense workout, you will need a pedal exerciser having multiple advanced features. Hence, you should be ready to spend around $180.
Pedal Exerciser FAQ
Q. Can I move my legs in both directions while using the pedal exerciser?
A. No, you cannot move your legs in both directions while working out with a pedal exerciser. The standard movement direction is clockwise. But some products also offer bi-directional movement, allowing you to rotate the pedals both clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Q. Can I keep the pedal exerciser directly on the floor?
A. Even though the legs of the exercisers are covered with rubber pads, it would be best to place them over a carpet or rug, which will prevent any floor damage.
Q. How long should I use the pedal?
A. If you want to ease the muscle pains in your legs or improve the blood flow, half an hour will be enough to satisfy your body’s needs. But for endurance and muscular toning, you need to use it for at least one hour.