Buying An Exercise Bike
With so many brands and models to choose from, buying an exercise bike isn’t so straight forward. Sure, you can simply buy a cheap, off-brand but do you really expect to get the fitness benefits you want? That doesn’t mean you have to spend upwards of $6,000 either. All the information listed on this site will help you buy the stationary fitness bike that’s right for you. Just take the time to read what each manufacturer has to offer, then contrast before finally comparing what’s on offer.
Top 10 Exercise Bikes
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There are three main types of home exercise bikes to choose from: upright, recumbent and indoor cycles. Each offers advantages depending on your weight, fitness level and your budget.
Stationary upright bikes are perhaps the most familiar and still the most popular type. They’re easy to use, compact and come in a multitude of configurations. You can opt for simple, no frills models with no pre-programmed workouts or iFit technology. This doesn’t necessarily mean cheap. Some of the best upright exercise bikes on the market today are sparse on ‘extras’, instead they concentrate on giving what every bike should deliver: a great cardiovascular workout.
But, there’s no denying that most folks like bikes that come with pre-programmed workouts with consoles that instantly provide rich feed back to let you know how you’re doing. A lot of models also allow you to program your own workouts so you really can fine tune your exercise regime.
Recumbent exercise bikes are relatively new but over the last 10 years or have become increasingly popular. The main reasons some prefer this type of bike are; generally more comfortable to use, abdominal muscles tend to relax more making breathing easier, can be more comfortable to use for those with lower back problems and many claim that they are more effective at exercising the gluteal muscles so are better at getting your butt in shape.
Also, for those who are overweight, the large, bucket style seats and the ‘step in’ design make using recumbent exercise cycles much easier.
The third type of bike that you can purchase is the indoor pro cycle. If you are already reasonably fit or are serious about getting in shape then this is definitely the type you should go for. With a spin bike you aren’t going to find a fancy console or pre-programmed workouts. These are the ‘sports cars’ of the exercise bike world; stripped down of anything that is superfluous to requirements. The ethos is on delivering nothing but the ultimate cardiovascular workout.
Finally, you’ll hear a lot about magnetic resistance exercise bikes. In case you not familiar with this term, magnetic resistance means that the ‘main wheel’ of the bike is controlled using magnetism. This means that you get a smoother experience and therefore a better workout experience. A lot of models also allow you to control the resistance level; more expensive bikes generally allowing you to select from a greater number of resistance levels. Amazingly, some cheaper exercise bikes resistance is still by means of a tension belt. Our advice is to avoid these altogether.
So, before buying take some time to read the exercise bike reviews on this site. And remember, first decide on your budget and stick to it; decide which type of fitness bike is best for you – recumbent, upright or spin; then contrast each manufacturer’s bikes; then finally, compare them before settling on the one that’s right for you.