All Exercises

Hands bike

The Hands Bike offers a unique, low-impact cardio workout, engaging your shoulders, arms, and core through a cycling motion with your hands.

Intermediate
Compound
Push
10 min per set2 min rest

Description

A low-impact cardio exercise that primarily targets the shoulders, arms, and core, mimicking the motion of cycling with your hands.

How to Do Hands bike

  1. 1
    Setup

    Adjust the seat height so your shoulders are level with the hand grips, allowing a slight bend in your elbows at the furthest reach.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Place your hands firmly on the grips, ensuring a comfortable, neutral wrist position that avoids excessive bending.

  3. 3
    Setup

    Select your desired resistance level on the machine; start with a lighter resistance to warm up your muscles and joints.

  4. 4

    Begin to cycle your hands in a continuous, smooth circular motion, pushing one handle forward while simultaneously pulling the other back.

  5. 5

    Maintain an upright posture with your core engaged throughout the movement, keeping your shoulders relaxed and down, away from your ears.

  6. 6

    Coordinate your breathing with the movement, exhaling as you push through the more strenuous part of the cycle and inhaling as you pull.

Tips

  • Vary your grip: Try an overhand grip, underhand grip, or even a neutral grip if your machine allows, to target different arm and shoulder muscles more comprehensively.
  • Maintain a steady pace: Focus on consistent revolutions per minute (RPM) to build cardiovascular endurance effectively rather than relying on sporadic bursts of speed.
  • Engage your core: Actively brace your abdominal muscles throughout the exercise to stabilize your torso, prevent rocking, and enhance overall core engagement.
  • Smooth transitions: Avoid jerky or abrupt movements; aim for fluid, controlled cycles to protect your joints and maximize continuous muscle activation.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Slouching posture: Avoid hunching your back by maintaining an upright chest and actively engaging your core to support your spine throughout the exercise.
  • ×Over-gripping the handles: Relax your grip slightly to prevent premature forearm fatigue and allow for better blood flow and sustained endurance during longer sessions.
  • ×Rocking the torso excessively: Keep your upper body stable and minimize torso sway by focusing on controlled arm movements and strong core engagement rather than using momentum.

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