Bikes That are Kind to Your Back
If you are prone to back strain, consider using a recumbent bicycle -- one of those low-lying bikes you see in most gyms -- for your cardiovascular workouts.
Recumbent bikes can:
- Give you as good an aerobic workout as upright bikes can.
- Strengthen your leg muscles.
- Reduce stress on your knees as well as on your back.
- Elevate blood pressure less than upright bikes sometimes do.
More good news: A weak back needn't keep you from a ride in the fresh air; recumbent bikes also come in outdoor models.
