Guide To Buying A Stationary Bike
Cycling is a great way to burn fat and strengthen your lower body. However, it is not always viable to go out and ride your bike, especially if you’re doing targeted cardio exercises like HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training). A stationary bike makes for a good investment if you plan on cycling often and live in a busy neighborhood with lots of traffic.
Product Comparison Table
What To Look for
01/04/2020
Upright bike vs. Recumbent bike vs. Spinning bike
- An Upright bike has a comfortable seat and replicates the feeling of riding a real bike. It is suitable for LISS (Low-intensity steady-state) and moderate cardio.
- The Recumbent bike is a blessing for people who have joint problems and soreness in their back or knees. Recumbent bikes allow a low to moderate intensity workout for people who have mobility issues yet still wish to cycle.
- The Spinning bike is the best choice for high-intensity workouts. It is appropriate for serious athletes but not for beginners and individuals with joint problems since it doesn’t offer the same comfort as upright and recumbent bikes.
High-end bikes are only worth it if you use them regularly.
- Exercise bikes usually range between $250 for a basic bike with mechanical resistance to $2500 for an extremely high-end one.
- The main difference is that high-end bikes will have smoother motion of the wheel and include added features like magnetic resistance, customized workout programs, Bluetooth connectivity, etc. Additionally, premium bikes will have a longer warranty period.
- An expensive bike is a worthwhile investment only if you intend to use it more than 2-3 hours a week. Otherwise, the added features will provide minimal value to you.
Heavyset individuals need a bike with a high weight rating.
- If you are over 250 lbs or you are buying the bike for commercial use, ensure the bike has a 300 lb weight rating at the very least and more than that if you are heavier than 300 lbs.
- Bikes with higher weight ratings are generally more expensive but will last much longer than less sturdy bikes, which can also cause injury if they break while you are using them.
Test the straps on the pedals.
- The bike pedals must have a strap, which you can tighten to secure your foot between the strap and the pedal.
- If there is no strap or the strap is too loose, you will lose momentum while cycling and place more stress on your knee joints.
Some suggested features.
Unless you’re on a considerably tight budget, it is advisable to have some exercise monitoring features on your bike to track your workout and progress.
The most basic features you will require are:
- Distance
- Time
- Speed/ RPM
- Calorie Counter
Some advanced features worth considering are:
- Heart rate monitor
- Preset and programmable heart rate targeted workouts
- LCD display
- Bluetooth and wifi connectivity
Top Picks
Best Upright Bike For Home Use
Life Fitness C3 Upright with Track Connect Console
For $2,699.00
- Commercial grade build
- 14 preset workouts
- Incredibly comfortable seat
- Self Powered
- Expensive
Best Spinning Bike
Phoenix 98623 Revolution Cycle Pro II Indoor Cycling Trainer
For $517.24
- Stable at high RPM
- Fully adjustable seat and handlebars
- Easy to assemble
- Not the quietest machine around
Best Recumbent Bike
NordicTrack Commercial VR21 Recumbent Bike
For $1,616.99
- 32 preset programs
- Comfortable back support
- Smooth motion of the wheel
Best Commercial Upright Bike
MATRIX U7XI UPRIGHT BIKE
For $7,395.00
- HD console provides unrivaled picture quality
- WiFi connectivity and phone charging capability
- Can handle high RPM for HIIT training
- Expensive
Best Upright Bike On A Budget
Nautilus U614 Upright Bike
For $229.36
- Amazing speakers eliminate need for headphones
- LCD display
- Includes heart rate monitor
- Some users have found the seat to be uncomfortable
Common Questions
Q:How does a stationary bike differ from a spin bike?
Stationary bikes are good for anyone wishing to improve their fitness level, cardiovascular health, and lose weight. Spin bikes are more appropriate for people who participate in cycling as a sport and those who participate in spinning group classes. A spinning bike replicates the movement of a real bike. Stationary bikes are suitable for those who wish to work out at their own pace.
Q:How many calories can I burn on a stationary bike?
A ten-minute session on a stationary bike can burn as much as 100 calories depending on your body type and considering a steady speed of around 10 miles per hour. At a higher speed, you can burn even more calories.
Q:What muscles does a stationary bike work?
Stationary bikes mainly work on your lower body. Riding a stationary bike will help you build your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. The workout is also beneficial for your core and back. The higher the resistance, the more stress on your muscles.
Holding the bike handles can also help strengthen your biceps, triceps, and shoulders.
Q:Can I lose weight by using a stationary bike?
Yes, you can. A one-hour biking session on the stationary bike can burn around 600 calories. This huge caloric burn contributes to your weight loss. If you increase the resistance, you can put more strain on your body, burn more calories, and consequently shed more weight. Keep in mind that you follow a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and use the stationary bike every day to reap the rewards.
Q:At what height should the seat be?
Do not keep the height of the bike seat too high or low. One way to choose the perfect height is to check the positioning of your knee – it should bend slightly when you position your leg on the bottom pedal. Keeping the seat too high or low may adversely affect your posture and cause pain in joints.
Q:What workouts can I do on a stationary bike?
A lot of stationary bikes come with pre-loaded workouts- for weight loss, for endurance training, for calorie burn, etc. You can also customize your workouts, for example:
- Steady-state session: For the entire duration of the session, keep a steady pace. This helps build endurance and burns calories.
- Hill climb: Start light and then keep increasing the resistance every 5-10 minutes to emulate the action of climbing a hill.
- Speed biking: After a steady start, increase your pace, pedal faster for 2 minutes, and then pedal at your original speed for 2 minutes. Increase your pace again and repeat.
Q:What’s the usual weight limit for a stationary bike?
Commercial gyms have stationary bikes with average weight limits of 350 lbs. Some may be as high as 500 lbs. Home bikes usually have a range of 250 to 350 lbs.
Q:Should I get a folding exercise bike?
Folding bikes are ideal for people low on space and wishing to get a machine that they can just fold and tuck away somewhere. Apart from saving space, they’re also portable. The only drawback is that they’re not as sturdy as regular exercise bikes. Since regular exercise bikes are fixed and sturdy, they are heavier than folding bikes.
Choosing one over the other is a matter of preference and needs; if you are short on space and still want to enjoy the pleasures of biking at home, go for the folding exercise bike. If space isn’t a concern and you want a sturdy bike, go for the regular one.
Q:What is an air bike? Are air bikes and stationary bikes the same?
- The major difference between an air bike and an exercise bike is the wheel frame. The wheel frame is made of fan blades that are driven by the speed of the bike’s pedals. The harder your workout, the more the resistance generated by the blades.
- Air bikes have independent handlebars that a normal stationary bike lacks. These handlebars help in working your upper body.
- Air bikes have seats lower to the ground, and they provide a more upright position. Stationary bikes have the saddle at a higher position, just like in a road bike.
- The air bike is more suitable for short-duration HIIT workouts, whereas a stationary bike is versatile, and you can go for longer durations.
- The resistance in an air bike is from the air that hits the fan blades. Resistance on a stationary bike can usually be from friction or magnetic elements.
Some of the best-selling air bikes include Schwinn Airdyne, Concept2 ErgBike, Assault Airbike Classic, etc.
Q:Should I buy an elliptical or a stationary bike?
Choosing one over the other depends on the workout you intend to use them for and your fitness goals.
- The stationary bike focuses on your lower body like quads, glutes, and hamstrings. An elliptical trainer targets both your lower and upper body.
- During HIIT workouts, a stationary bike can burn more calories if you program it accordingly.
- Stationary bikes focus on certain aspects of your body. Elliptical trainers offer a variety of different workouts.
Online Sources:
- http://wikihow.com
- http://topfitnessmag.com
- https://www.indoortrainingbikes.com/buying-guide/
- http://consumerreports.org
- https://www.easysportslife.com/best-exercise-bikes/buying-guide
- https://www.fitnessverve.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-buying-your-first-exercise-bike/
- https://fitnessadvisor101.com/exercise-bike-buying-guide/,
- https://www.exerciserig.com/exercise-bikes/guide/