What areas does my exercise bike target?

I have a regular upright stationary exercise bike, but it has handlebars I can push back and forth while riding too. I read that it will target the leg and the butt region. But I want to know what ares of the upper body it can tone? Will this be sufficient for my shoulders too?

It will tone your legs. Everything else wont really be worked out or relaxed either. Your shoulders might, since you will be leaning forward, and so will your back because of posture. I'm not an expert, but if you want to work out your upper body, you should do upper body workouts. You know? It's like a boxer doing upper body workouts, but he still needs strong legs. Just standing up moving side to side isn't a good enough workout, so he will do some leg workouts like sprinting or cycling or squats.

I am not sure but I think you will get some benefit.  I have an old bike like that and if you actually USE your arms to propel the wheel then I would think you would get a workout.  They have arm bikes for working out the arms and sholders (I think) and it would be the same on your type of bicycle.  Since you are getting contradicting opinions I hope someone else will chime in.

Original Post by karefreeman:

I am not sure but I think you will get some benefit. I have an old bike like that and if you actually USE your arms to propel the wheel then I would think you would get a workout. They have arm bikes for working out the arms and sholders (I think) and it would be the same on your type of bicycle. Since you are getting contradicting opinions I hope someone else will chime in.

 Thanks everyone. I'll keep searching Google...

From one month experience of doing this excersise extensively during the summer, I reaaaally toned my legs, and my abs and my arms looked slightly more toned too.

This is a really great excersise, in my opinion. :) Even a half hour 5 times a week shows a difference.

Biking primarily uses the front of your legs (quadriceps), but is also a good workout for your abs.