Can You Lose Weight From Power Rider Exercise?

The PowerRider is a piece of full-body exercise equipment distributed by Guthy-Renker fitness 2. Using the machine provides a combination of cardiovascular and resistance training similar to that of a calisthenic workout. Similar to other workout options, it can help you reach your weight loss goals -- but weight loss success isn't that simple.

Weight Loss Basics

You lose weight by burning more calories through exercise and other activities than you take in when you eat. This is because your body makes up the difference by accessing energy it stored earlier as fat. Exercising for weight loss contributes to this by increasing the number of calories you burn. One pound of stored energy, or fat, is equal to 3,500 calories.

PowerRider Basics

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A PowerRider looks a lot like an exercise bike with a hinge attached to the pedals instead of a wheel 2. You sit in the PowerRider, set your feet on the pedals and grip the handlebars 2. From a seated position, you pull with your arms and push with your legs to pull yourself to a standing position, resisted by the PowerRider itself 2. You reverse direction to sit back down. This exercise elevates your heart rate like a cardio workout while providing a fair resistance session for your upper body, biceps, triceps, quads and calves. You can adjust the resistance to provide a higher intensity workout to the muscles engaged by the motion.

Calorie Burn

According to health resource website HealthStatus.com, a 30-minute session of vigorous calisthenics such as using a PowerRider will burn approximately 300 calories for a 160-pound person 2. At that rate, it takes about 12 sessions to burn enough calories to lose one pound of fat. The more you weigh, the more calories you burn as you exercise.

The Bottom Line

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Although a PowerRider -- or any other form of exercise -- burns extra calories, your body will respond by demanding that you eat more calories to make up the difference 2. If you give in to that impulse, you may slow or stop your weight loss efforts. Discipline in regular exercise and observing a healthy, low-calorie diet help you shed those excess pounds. In general, your commitment to your weight loss program matters much more than your specific choice of exercise.