@Kathi - when I originally bought the indoor recumbent bike it was for aerobic exercise - it was also the only style I felt comfortable sitting in (wide seat with back support) that would support my weight. I didn't really pay attention to rpm's at the time, because - frankly - any movement was aerobic for me a year ago. It does have a heart monitor in the handles that I'll use sometimes. I don't know how accurate it is though.

After I got a real bike I went with 60 rpm because I figured it was a steady pace, and I needed to build up leg muscle for riding a real bike. (And it does seem to have worked a bit for that.)

But after reading those articles, I think that it would be a good idea for me to use it aerobically (80rpm) every other day, and on the other days use it for strength (60 rpm). Then I can get the best of both worlds. Especially since I still walk almost every day - my dog insists on it. Unless it's raining- then he refuses. (At the moment he's being velcro lap dog, which makes it interesting while trying to type ).

It's going to be so much nicer in Spring when I can just take the bike out and practice on that!