Workouts on a recumbent bike

They are fine for cardio work out but as for toning, muscle strength, it won't do much for you.
The big draw for a recumbent bike is the change of stress on back, hips/knees compared to the standard stationary bike.

I do my lazy supplemental workout on a recumbent bike at work during my lunch break. I only burn 200 calories in 45 min and I use that time to read a book everyday. I would never use it as my real workout.

You'd be better off doing 10 minutes of HIIT a few times a week then spending hours on that thing. Sorry to be negative. It just isn't going to do most of the things you are hoping it will do.

If anyone tries to tell you that you aren't getting a workout on the bike, tell them to GTF out of your face. Sorry I had that happen to me a couple of times and I was ticked off. (I was skinny and in great shape. The offer-er of advice was about 15 lbs over weight.)

The bike is great. The treadmill is great, the elliptical is great. Just doing something is great. I love the bike, though. I get a better psychological workout. The high off the bike is better. But that's neither here nor there.

While it's true that a bike will burn fewer calories than a weight bearing exercise - at the end of the day your results will be determined by if it's an exercise YOU enjoy and can commit to regularly. It really doesn't matter if running burns more calories if you never do it. My mom lost about 50 lbs on a recumbent bike after her knee surgery. The lack of weight bearing makes it perfect for rehab and for those who experience pain with weight bearing activity. She started at a pretty modest workout as she had not exercised previously. Within a few months she biked every day for an hour during one of her shows. There's no doubt that biking for an hour is going to do more for your than sitting on the couch for an hour. Find something YOU enjoy and will stick with regularly.

I have a stationary, semi recumbent bike which I have owned for about ten years. I use it 4-6 days a week for 45-60 minutes at a time. I read a book while I use the machine or watch videos. I could push myself harder by increasing the speed and intensity past the point that I can read, but then I'd quit doing it as often.

I don't know what the most current research is, but several years' ago I read that you burn about 20% fewer calories on a recumbent stationary bike than on a regular, upright stationary bike.

The calorie counter on my stationary bike says I am burning lots of calories, but I don't always trust those things. I know I work up a good sweat when I use my recumbent bike and I feel better.

Where are you coming from - are you doing any exercise today or is this a new endeavour? If it's new it's a great place to start. I am a triathlete and spend a lot of time on the bike. Even though I run a lot I notice I get better muscle definition (particularly in my hamstrings) when I bike more. I also have a bad back so I do use the recumbent bike occasionally to give my back a break from my usual bike.

You will get the benefits of cardiovascular work, calorie burn, and muscle toning on the bike - not in your belly but butt and legs, yes. Maybe not as much muscle toning as you would get from lifting weights, but I think it's important to do something you enjoy - if you enjoy biking then it's a great idea.

I love the recumbent bike. The upright bike hurts my knees too much, and I can't run right now either. I get a great workout. It may burn a few less calories than jogging, but since I can't jog, it's better than lounging around. If you go slowly, you'll burn calories slowly. If I go faster and increase the tension, the burn rate is at 10 calories per minute (600 per hour.) Really, it depends what you put into it.

I hate the bike.

But doing something is better than doing nothing.  Good luck!