Recumbent trikes are a unique solution that helps riders sit back in a reclined position, spreading the weight over a larger surface area. This makes it a far more comfortable ride, reducing the stress and pressure on your back, shoulders, neck, and wrist. They also provide fantastic lumbar support, which only helps to increase the comfort further.
A recumbent tricycle provides the rider with additional support, allowing them to travel further and with less resistance. These unique trikes are becoming increasingly more popular, and many riders are discovering the benefits of switching from two wheels to three.
Not only are they comfier, but a recumbent trike also provides riders with a wide range of additional benefits, including:
STABILITY
Trikes are far more stable than traditional bicycles, meaning riders do not have to worry about the inherent balancing act. A recumbent trike will also not send the rider crashing to the ground should they have a puncture. Thanks to the low center of gravity and the three wheels, these trikes also require no balancing, particularly on slow speed uphill climbs.
GREATER VISIBILITY
When you are out riding on the road, a recumbent trike is also more visible. This means that drivers will be able to see you more clearly and will likely give you a more room when driving past.
AERODYNAMIC
Recumbent tricycles are also a very aerodynamic solution, allowing them to slice through the air with minimal resistance. This means they require less energy to power through, allowing riders to focus on their ride.
EASY TO RIDE
With all of this combined, recumbent tricycles are very easy to ride. They are surprisingly lightweight, which, combined with the comfortable position, means you can go for longer distances than a traditional bike.
Recumbent trikes are also easier to maneuver and turn, thanks to their innovative steering systems. This means that they are smoother and safer to navigate around the roads, which makes them far more accessible for riders of all skill and fitness levels.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF A RECUMBENT TRIKE?
Riding a recumbent trike offers you a wide range of benefits, but it can also transform your next workout. Using these trikes provides a full-body workout and can help you to keep fit and maximize your stamina. There are many health benefits to riding a recumbent tricycle, including:
BOOST YOUR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Riding a trike is a fantastic cardiovascular workout. As you pedal along, you will be getting your heart pumping and your body active. Regular cycling on your trike will strengthen your overall heart health as well as helping to boost your lung capacity and reduce blood pressure.
Research has shown that riding a recumbent trike gives you all of the same benefits as a normal bike but from the comfier position of the seat.
INCREASED MUSCLE STRENGTH
Although they are far comfier than a traditional bike, riding a recumbent trike is also a full-body workout that can increase your muscle strength. Despite being sat in what might seem like a strange position, you will be able to target a whole range of muscles, including your quadriceps, hamstrings, calf muscles, and your glutes.
Riding a recumbent trike can target the entire body, helping you to increase the strength and stamina of every major muscle while reducing the risk of pain or injury. This is particularly useful for those riders who are already dealing with an injury or are suffering from other conditions.
IMPROVE YOUR MOTION
When we get active and use our muscles, it improves the flow of blood throughout our bodies. In turn, this helps to improve the elasticity of the tissue in our joints, which increases our range of movement and flexibility. Getting out peddling on your recumbent tricycle can help you to enjoy these benefits, particularly in key areas such as your hips and knees.
BURN THOSE CALORIES
Of course, riding a recumbent trike is not just about improving your flexibility or muscle strength; it is also a fantastic way to burn calories and lose weight. Any time you are getting active, you will be helping to burn calories, and the amount you burn will depend on a range of factors.
Everyone will burn calories differently, for example, a 120-pound person cycling for thirty minutes will, on average, burn around 190 calories. However, a 180-pound person cycling at the same pace and distance would burn closer to 290. It is important to remember that riding a recumbent tricycle is not the only solution and will need to be combined with healthy eating.
STRESS-FREE
Another major benefit of using a trike rather than a traditional bicycle is that it places no stress on your joints or muscles. Riding a normal bike requires balance, and the seating position can put a lot of stress and pressure on your back, wrists, and knees.
Riding an incumbent trike removes this stress on your joints, giving you a more comfortable experience and allowing you to ride further for longer. Due to the stress-free position of the seat, it also makes them a fantastic solution for those riders with injuries or arthritis.
SO IS A RECUMBENT TRIKE A GOOD WORKOUT?
When you combine all of these factors together, riding a recumbent tricycle is a fantastic workout. Regularly riding these trikes can significantly improve your fitness and stamina, helping to improve your overall health. They are also a lot of fun to ride, which can make you more eager to get out and discover the benefits of riding a recumbent tricycle.
If you are looking to discover the fun of a recumbent tricycle, then here at Laid Back Cycles, our team can help you. We are the largest supplier and service center for recumbent trikes in the United States.
Our mission is to help you find the ultimate solution for your needs. That is why we will work with you to create the perfect adjustments and adaptations to ensure the recumbent trike is suited to you.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the benefits of riding a trike, helping you get out and improve your fitness. Want to find out more?
ARE RECUMBENT TRIKES SAFE?
Recumbent tricycles or “trikes” are 3-wheel bikes designed for comfortable, safe adult cycling. They offer comfort and stability, with the three-wheel configuration making it almost impossible for them to tip. People who love to cycle for long trips but hate the discomfort of the seat and pressure of an upright bike are sure to find an adult tricycle an excellent option. Here we look at recumbent trikes and just how safe they are.
RECUMBENT TRIKES ARE STABLE
Recumbent tricycles are extremely stable thanks to the third wheel. When riding a traditional bicycle, it takes skill and experience to keep the bike from tipping over. This is never a concern with a trike. If you suffer from balance issues and have deserted your upright bicycle, this is the ideal solution to get you back out there.
If balance isn’t an issue, the added stability is still the best way to avoid topples due to things like obstacles in the road, swerving to avoid a squirrel or just general imbalances due to many unexpected events. The trike offers a better center of gravity because they are lower to the ground, adding to the ease of keeping the trike steady and balanced. So, if you are worried about balance and injuries, the recumbent trike reduces the risk of falls and accidents.
One last word on balance: When you stop on an upright bicycle you have to place your feet on the ground to remain stable. This can make it more likely for tipping over when you stop at faster speeds and need to put your foot on the ground for balance. This is not an issue with a trike.
RECUMBENT BIKES ARE MORE COMFORTABLE
While it might not seem, comfort is important for safety, it actually does impact your ride. If you begin to tire and feel uncomfortable while cycling it can make it easier to experience injuries and strains. With trikes, because they have a reclined, comfortable seat, you can ride further without feeling the tension and strain you would with an upright bicycle. You reduce stress and pressure on your back and buttocks as well as your wrists and neck.
The comfy seat isn’t invasive like a narrow bicycle seat, so you don’t need to worry about special cycling pants for added padding and comfort. Most upright bikes also put a lot of pressure on your lower back when cycling further distances, which can make it difficult to reach your destination. Pain interferes with concentration, while also indicating possible injury. When you cycle in comfort, your body is relaxed, your mind is focused, and you can avoid a range of motion issues due to muscle stress and strain.
SUSPENSION FOR ROUGHER TERRAINS
If you love more challenging trails, cycling on hills can still be a painful and dangerous experience. You are at a far greater risk of tipping on an upright bike, especially if you find it necessary to slow down going up steep slopes. If you travel on rough terrain, an adult tricycle with suspension offers even more stability and responsiveness. You can make it up hills with less effort, by slowing down without the worry of tipping. You can also safely cycle over rockier, less even trails to enjoy the thrill of exploring. Because of the 3-wheel design, recumbent trikes have a wider stance. The wider stance makes the trike easier to handle when cycling at faster speeds.
FORWARD FACING FOR IMPROVED VISIBILITY
The ergonomic design of the seat allows you to keep your head in a comfortable, forward-facing position. Instead of cycling hunched over like many bicycles, you are always looking ahead, without the temptation to keep your eyes down towards the ground. As a result, you remain focused on the trail or road ahead for improved visibility. You are better able to anticipate trouble and see obstacles more easily to help avoid accidents.
It’s also easier for other cyclists or vehicles to see you when you’re on a recumbent trike. The fact that you’ll take up more space on the roadway or trail means they can see you from farther away, and if you also use safety flags on your trike, you’ll be even more visible to others.