Generally, people think of exercise bikes as those things that only fitness trainers can use, but it’s more viable for home fitness than people believe. Exercise bikes, also known as stationary bikes, are devices that are shaped and perform the same motions as a normal bicycle, but are not used for transportation. They might have a saddle or handlebars and look similar to a transportation bicycle, but stay stationary.
Most often they are bought for weight loss but have also been used for physical therapy given the low-impact nature of the exercise. This article is intended to not only show you more of what exercise bikes can do, but to also give some insight into types of exercise bikes, what to look for when buying, and what benefits they’ll provide when you get them.
Read ahead to get an idea of what’s in store when you pick up one of these simple, but useful machines.
Recommended Exercise Bikes
Last update on 2023-09-24 at 02:42 PST/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Some Of The Best Selling Exercise Bikes
- 【Heavy-Duty 49 LB Flywheel】This exercise bike is equipped with a 49 lbs heavy-duty flywheel that delivers a natural, smooth, and consistent cycling workout
- 【Authentic Experience】Micro-adjustable leather resistance that simulates real road biking, giving you an immersive and authentic riding experience at home
- 【Ergonomic Design】High-quality non-slip handlebar and micro-adjustable leather resistance deliver a comfortable and authentic workout experience at home, reducing fatigue during extended sessions
- DMASUN: DMASUN is the leading brand of fitness equipment you can truly trust, including a range of exercise bike and rowing machine with great value and high quality. As of today, we have served more than 2 million homes worldwide. The magnetic bike are appreciated and recommended by people in many countries.
- BEST SPINNING BIKE: Compared with other exercise bikes, it has bigger flywheel weight and higher quality heavy steel(We spend more on the cost of this exercise bike), which shows it will be more stable and secure. DMASUN bike weighs 90 lbs, which is 20 lbs heavier than other bikes.It's not that the cheaper thing are better, safety and stability should be considered first. What you need is a long-lasting exercise bike, not one that only lasts for a month.
- SIMPLE ASSEMBLY: DMASUN has been pursuing high quality and taking into account the troubles caused by customers during installation. In order to allow customers to assemble simply, the assembly process has been completely simplified. We've tested even women to assemble in about 25 minutes or so.
- [Upgraded Exercise Bike & Reliable Brand] After years of research, WENOKER released this upgraded exercise bike. It has thicker heavy duty aluminum steel construction and updated 7-shaped front handlebar post knob which make sure the exercise bike sits firmly on the floor so it won’t rock or wobble while you ride. Sleek black and red styling will look chic in your home or workout space.
- [More Stable, Quiet and Smooth] Unlike the deceptive bikes online that are with a noisy iron sand flywheel, this indoor bike inertia-enhanced flywheel maintains a quiet smooth motion. Without the problem of a belt pulley breaking, a belt falling off, belt debris falling, or the loud noise of the old version's felt pad, the WENOKER exercise bike uses ABS material belt pulley, industrial-grade bearings and upgraded Felt Pad Brake, making the bike more reliable and more suitable for shared spaces.
- [Customized Your Workout Plan] The monitor on our indoor cycling bike can capture your time, spd, dst, cal, odometer, and keep track of your exercise progress in real time. A dial tension knob to navigate the unlimited resistance levels makes you experience riding from the flat to the mountains. With a tablet holder you can watch spin class on your Ipad while riding to simulate traveling through France, gravel rides through the Utah backcountry, and even mountain bike rides in New Zealand.
Last update on 2023-09-05 at 05:08 PST/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
There are two primary types of exercise bikes being used today; the stand-up and the recumbent.
The stand-up, or the upright bike, is engaging and the most similar to traditional outdoor bicycling. It has the same position and body movements, and requires you to activate muscles in your arms and shoulders much like you would when cycling outdoors. Given the upright position you have to maintain during the exercise, your abdominal muscles get worked as well, which is a muscle group often neglected in bikes like the recumbent. The last advantage is the size of the machine itself, known in the exercise world as the machine’s footprint. Since it’s footprint is relatively small, it allows more space in the room to put other exercise equipment. That being said, no bike is perfect, not even the stationary ones.
The disadvantages that come with an upright bike are more quality of life, but have an effect when paired with a dedicated fitness routine. If your form is correct then your back will be hunched which can create muscle soreness and fatigue, and the bike seat is smaller like traditional bikes, causing your rear to hurt enduring what bikers call “saddle soreness”. Another disadvantage is that it’s better fitted to people who are already athletic. Given the demanding nature of the exercise, it’s paired best with someone who works out regularly but wants to use the bike for home fitness.
The recumbent bike is the second type of exercise bike. With a simple change in seating, most of the disadvantages of the upright bike are alleviated, while trading out a more intense workout. In a recumbent bike the rider’s body sits easily into the frame, with most sporting larger seats and armrests. The reclined body position and pedal placement allow for a less engaging but comfortable workout. The seating and size stop any saddle problems and the reclined position makes for an easier exercise on the neck and back. The last advantage is that a recumbent bike can be used by people in all walks of life.
From physical therapy and recovery, to an enjoyable experience in home fitness, the recumbent fits the needs of just about anyone. Again, no bike is perfect and the recumbent mirrors a lot of the advantages of the upright with it’s downfalls. The comfort of the recumbent make for a less intense workout, and put the workload onto your lower body. You can do an entire exercise without ever engaging the upper body which makes for less fitness for your time. The question of which is the best home bike will continue to be decided by the buyer. Now that you know the difference, we’ll discuss what you should look for in bikes when breaking out your wallet.
When deciding on an exercise bike, the most important thing to consider is your fitness goals. The top exercise bikes will always be what fits your goals, effort, and wallet the best. With that in mind, there are a few basic components that are needed in any bike. You want it to always include things like resistance variation, so your bike can progressively get harder as you get stronger. You want a computer on it that tells you general stats such as distance, speed and calories burned. Comfort has to be at the top of the priority list, especially if you’ll be biking regularly. A thousand dollar bike is useless when it’s not being used because your aches are too much to bear, and something as small as seat size can alleviate that. If you’re either a bit taller or shorter than the average, try to look for bikes with seats that adjust accordingly. Your pedals should always have straps for safety, and the handlebars should be screwed tight to the machine. Since stability is such an important part of all exercise, always check the weight and size limit to make sure you’re not going to injure yourself. Optional accessories include things like a heart rate monitor, folding for more room management, and built-in fans for cooling and air resistance. Keep these in mind and you should be able to pick yourself up a nice bike fitted to your goals, without breaking the bank!
There are benefits to using any type of exercise bike, which is probably the reason it’s become such a popular tool. The low-impact nature is easy to take on, whether you’re a professional biker in training or just trying to keep yourself fit. The bikes are all indoors meaning you can exercise whether it’s rain or shine, and the wide range of uses make the bike a very flexible fitness option for anybody wanting to live a healthier lifestyle.
In conclusion, there is a bike out there for everyone. Whether you prefer the engaged upright, or the comfortable recumbent, stationary bikes are useful for anyone and are a great addition to any exercise plan.