When I joined my first commercial gym in 1988 began to explore new approaches to weight training. The wide variety of weight training equipment was amazing for someone who had worked in the basement for years with only a bar and set a weight bench. My new gym was a wide range of equipment — Olympic plates, exercise benches, power rack, leg presses, etc. My weight training was about to enter a new phase that would propel radical my earnings to the next level.

By contrast, in a small area in the front of the gym was the cardio section. The selection of teams limited to a few different brands of bikes and a rowing machine. There were no treadmills or elliptical. The elliptical trainer was another 7 years away. Basically it was the stationary bike or anything. While this was fine since I was much more focused on weight training. Hop on a stationary bike IÂ'd for 10 minutes for a quick warm up before starting my weight training.

I stayed with stationary bicycles for many years. Finally I realized the need to increase my cardio. My time on the stationary bicycle has increased to 30 minutes and also began to set aside dedicated sessions a cardiovascular workout and AB. I tried bikes from Schwinn, Tunturi, and Life Fitness. I finally settled in the new Life Fitness bikes, which I felt softer and the best consoles.

However, I've never enjoyed my cardio sessions on the stationary bike. Too Darn It was just boring! Sure, I've tried to read magazines, but didnÂ't as distraction when I went for a more intense workout.

I was very grateful when my gym installed its first NordicTrack skiers. It was night and day compared to the stationary bike. Several years later changed to elliptical trainers there and has been looking back.

So why stationary bikes still with us? It appears that the explosive popularity of tapes jogging and elliptical would have pushed to the wayside. Though stationary bikes have renounced the market share of treadmills and ellipticals they still have a strong support and for several reasons:

* Just like elliptical trainers, stationary bikes are low impact machines. Minimizing the forces on the knees, ankles and feet. Ideal for people who have joint problems or rehabilitation after knee surgery.

* Bicycles static can provide an intense cardiovascular training and are more than enough to burn fat.

* Unlike elliptical trainers, exercise bikes can actually be used to build the muscles of the leg of a – quadriceps and calves. Of course, this requires a progressive increase of resistance on a continuous basis. In my opinion, Italian is better keep the focus on either fat burning or cardiovascular conditioning and weight training used to build muscle.

* Static bikes take up less space than elliptical trainers, making them the best option for people who have limited space in their homes.

* Bicycles are still less expensive than comparable elliptical.

* Bikes are a great attraction for people who enjoy cycling or mountain bike.

Some of the cons:

* Bikes not weight bearing, which means they must participate in weight training or switch to a treadmill or an elliptical trainer for this benefit to strengthen bone.

* Bikes are dedicated only to the muscles of the lower body unlike most elliptical galaxies, which also involve the arms. This in turn gets your heart rate faster for make an exercise more efficiently.

* For some people, like me, exercise bikes can be on the boring side. Decide for yourself on this point.

* An ass sore from extended sessions.

* Studies have suggested that men may be at greater risk for impotence over use of stationary bicycles. The jury is still deliberating on this study, but it is certainly something to pay attention. At least there is a risk that there this using an elliptical trainer!

Like most decisions to be reduced to what according to their preferences and lifestyle. The important thing is to make a decision, Dona't look back, and use of any piece of exercise equipment you choose a regular basis. The only way Thata youÂ'll start seeing results!

Rich Rojas writes unbiased elliptical trainer reviews and articles on health and fitness at http://www.ellipticalhome.com

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