Confused
 

I have been using a recumbent bike for a few days now and I had a question, does it matter how fast you go?
I put the tension up a little higher and go for about 45 minutes. But I keep a steady pace, not extremely fast and not turtle slow, but am I getting as good as a workout? I see people at the gym going crazy on them. I want to be sure I am getting what I need

The only thing that matters (regardless of speed) is if your heart rate increases. So more friction is going to give the same results as someone who is using less friction and is going fast. You want to keep your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes to where you're getting tired and sweaty. And if you're just starting out with an exercise program you can consider that a good work-out.

As you get used to it-and it becomes easier for you--you want to increase the friction-and-or speed and you want to stay on it longer than 20 minutes.

Hope that helps!

I try to go fast enough to pedal 30 times in 20 seconds. Iv read that its quite fast to be able to cycle 90 reps a minute (reps for 20sec times 3) But its not too fast just a comfortable cycle. I only have the resistance on level 3 of 8 but its a good workout and I go for 30mins and by that time im sweating and out of breath and feel great!

Thank you for the answers :) I do get sweaty and heart rate up with the friction set higher. I will make sure I keep the heart rate up for 20 minutes