The bad news: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for an estimated 20.5 million deaths per year, according to the World Heart Federation.
The good news: Regular aerobic exercise is one of the most powerful tools for prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. A U.S. study found that people who met the recommended amounts of moderate physical activity of 150 minutes a week had a 22–25% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Those who exercised even more — 300 minutes a week at least — had a 28–38% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
This World Heart Day, September 29, explore how riding ElliptiGO bikes gives people of all ages and fitness levels a fun, effective way to strengthen their hearts.
Why ElliptiGO Bikes Are Great for Your Heart
Riding ElliptiGO bikes — whether you choose a stand-up bike or an elliptical bike — delivers a powerful combination of benefits for cardiovascular fitness. If you’re looking for an enjoyable, sustainable way to strengthen your heart, here’s why ElliptiGO bikes stand out:
- Full-body, low-impact cardio
When you ride an ElliptiGO bike, you’re doing more than working your legs. You’re also engaging your core and upper-body muscles, giving you a balanced workout that challenges your cardiovascular system. And because the motion is low-impact, you avoid the stress on joints, bones, and soft tissues that can come with high-impact exercises like running.
- Adaptable for every rider
ElliptiGO bikes are designed to meet you where you are. You can adjust the resistance, speed, and terrain to match your fitness level and goals. That makes them a smart option for riders of all ages, including those who are managing joint pain or recovering from an injury.
- Built-in enjoyment and consistency
Exercise only works if you stick with it. Riding an ElliptiGO bike gets you outdoors, breathing fresh air, and enjoying ever-changing scenery. That makes it more enticing to ride consistently.
- The benefits of running—without the pounding
If you’re a runner, riding ElliptiGO bikes offers the same heart-rate elevation and endurance gains that running provides, without the stress on your knees, hips, and shins.
- Burn more calories and have more fun
Studies have found that ElliptiGO cycling burns more calories in a 30-minute workout than other forms of exercise, including traditional cycling. And riding ElliptiGO bikes is more fun!
Putting It Into Practice: Five Steps for Using an ElliptiGO Bike for Heart Health
Kim Nedeau, the coach for ElliptiGO’s GRIT (GO-Run Integrated Training) program, is an experienced competitive runner and coach who specializes in helping athletes stay healthy and injury-free. Through the GRIT program, she offers structured training plans, group coaching, and ongoing support to help runners and ElliptiGO cyclists of all levels boost performance and enjoy consistent, balanced training. Here are Coach Kim’s five tips for maximizing the cardiovascular benefits of riding ElliptiGO bikes:
- Start gradually, especially if you’re new to exercise or recovering from injury. Even if you’re a regular exerciser, you’re likely to find that ElliptiGO bikes work different muscles from traditional bikes or elliptical machines. Begin with short, 10- or 15-minute rides every other day, at a slow or moderate pace. Monitor how you respond and then build from there.
- Warm up and cool down to protect your heart and vascular system. A good warm up includes dynamic stretches and/or easy riding. Your body will respond with increased respiration rate and heart beats per minute. This is important because it increases blood flow to your working muscles and preps your body for activity. A cool down helps your body gradually return to a lower heart rate and flush lactate from your muscles.
- Incorporate intervals when you’re ready. After you’re riding your ElliptiGO bike regularly, you can alternate between several minutes of moderate pace and short bursts of a higher pace. Or incorporate steeper terrain on your ride to build your hill-climbing skills. We recommend incorporating intervals not more than two times per week.
- Monitor your heart rate with a smart watch. Aim to spend most of your workout time with a low to moderate heart rate, which is 50 to 75% of your max heart rate (zone 1 and zone 2). Spend a smaller amount of time each week above 75% of max heart rate, working into zone 3, 4, and even a little in zone 5 if it’s safe for you to raise your heart rate to this level. Always check with your medical professional before starting an exercise routine.
- Listen to your body. Your body will usually send you little messages that you’ve gone too far with your exercise. These messages can show up as joint pain, excessive fatigue, or symptoms like dizziness or chest discomfort. If you feel these symptoms, stop and consult a medical professional.
Keep Your Heart Strong, One Ride at a Time
Heart health is something we build ride by ride, day by day. Every time you ride, you’re strengthening your cardiovascular system, protecting your joints, and giving yourself the energy and confidence to live fully. This World Heart Day, celebrate by doing something powerful for yourself: get on your ElliptiGO bike and ride for your heart.
