The first fitness machine with electronic workout programs to be put into Health clubs was the Lifecycle exercise bike. Established in the 1970's
The bicycle is a very popular form of exercise used by many people Worldwide. When the first GYMS started selling monthly memberships all the equipment was muscle-building items.
The muscle-head came into the gym to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger and build big biceps. But soon after the fitness center craze began in Venice beach California, the rest of the population came to the gym to lose fat and get healthy.
The first programmed exercise machine was the popular Lifecycle bike developed by Augie Nieto and Ray Wilson who formed the Life Fitness Corporation. In 1980 if you went into a Gold's gym you saw weight lifting benches and barbells and dumbbells. And a row of Lifecycle exercise bikes.
Now we are in the year 2009 and exercise bikes are a big part of every fitness center. The times have changed but when all the treadmills and elliptical machines are being used. Any gym member is happy to jump on the exercise bike to burn some calories. While watching his/her favorite TV show playing on the big screen in the gym.
The fitness industry has come a long way since the first Lifecycle bike. But the exercise bike has changed very little since the 1970's.
Now exercise bikes are used inside physical therapy centers. Medical centers. College and University gyms. And in hundreds of thousands of home gyms around America.
The exercise bike is here to stay.