Pedal Exercise - Best Exercise Bikes

Best Exercise Bikes For Fitness at Home

Helping you to discover the Best Exercise Bike

for you to get the best Workout at home.

The Ultimate Exercise Bike Buying Guide

An exercise bike is a great way to stay fit and healthy without leaving your home. One of the most significant benefits of having a stationary bike indoors is saving time and money from trips to the gym. An indoor cycling bike also allows you to keep up with your fitness routine during bad weather.

Choosing the best indoor exercise equipment for cycling can be challenging. There are many types of exercise bikes available. The most common types of indoor bikes are upright exercise bikes or spin bikes. Depending on your space, an upright bike can be fold-able and stored when you’re not using it. Or, if you have a home office, an under-the-desk exercise bike can be an ideal solution to work and burn calories simultaneously.

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There are many Options when it comes to choosing the right Exercise Bike for you

The cheapest exercise bikes have basic features, some programming options and allow you to configure resistance. A more expensive bike comes with advanced features that offer a wide range of features, including programmable profiles, a screen, and more resistance options. Some top-of-the-range stationary exercise cycles have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and connect to smart devices or pre-recorded workout sessions.

This website is aimed at becoming a complete guide to buying the best type of exercise bike to reach your fitness needs. In addition to learning about the types of fitness bikes, you’ll find out how to choose an indoor cycling bike to stay fit. We lay out the information for you to make an informed decision as to which type and brand of exercise bike best suits your needs.

What Types of Exercise Bikes are Available

All exercise bikes work on the same principle—resistance is applied to pedals to control exercise intensity. This simple exercise technique makes bicycle exercise a great cardio, low impact workout for any fitness level. Although all fitness bike use pedals and resistance, there are various types of cycling machines to choose from.

Let’s look at the different types of exercise bikes along with their pros and cons.

Upright Exercise Bike

Upright exercise bikes get their name because the user sits in an upright position. Usually, sensors on the workout bike’s handlebars monitor heart rate. There is typically a screen on the upright stationary bicycle to show distance, calories burned, pulse, and other information. More expensive exercise bikes may have a screen or tablet holder to show videos and workout sessions.

Upright exercise bike pros:

Ideal for a cardio workout exercise
It doesn’t take up much room
Adaptable to various intense workouts
Simple to use
Low-impact workout
Use at any time

Upright exercise bike cons:

It can be uncomfortable to sit on for a long time
Not as space-friendly as a foldable exercise bike

Recumbent Exercise Bike

A recumbent exercise bike allows the user to sit and pedal, like sitting on a chair. The pedals are in front rather than underneath the body. One of the advantages of a recumbent bike is that it’s ideal for building leg strength. Additionally, the sitting position while pedaling suits people with mobility issues or lower back problems.

Recumbent exercise bike pros:

Easy on your muscles
More comfortable than an upright bike
Multitask—e.g., reading—while exercising
Ideal for older or overweight persons

Recumbent exercise bike cons:

It takes up more room than an upright bike
More expensive
Exercising on a recumbent bike doesn’t work core muscles

Foldable Exercise Bike

A foldable exercise bicycle is an excellent home fitness solution if space indoors is an issue. The folding stationary bikes are usually an ‘X’ shape and have most of the features of an upright bike. It is easy to fold up the bike and store it out of sight when you don’t use it.

Foldable exercise bike pros:

A perfect fitness solution for smaller apartments or houses
Easy to store
Cheaper than spinning bikes

Foldable exercise bike cons:

Unrealistic pedal action
Not suitable for heavier individuals
Fewer options than traditional upright bikes

Indoor Cycling Bike

An indoor cycling exercise bike is like an upright bike. The difference between these two types of stationary bicycles is that the cycling position on a indoor cycle bike is more like riding a traditional outdoor bike. Additionally, indoor cycle bikes are usually the type of exercise machine used in spinning classes and are more suited to high-intensity workouts.

Indoor Cycle bike pros:

Ideal for increasing cardiovascular fitness
Similar benefits as upright exercise bikes
The best type of cycling machine for professional cyclists who train indoors
The ultimate home gym equipment for intense cardio training

Indoor Cycling bike cons:

Hunching forward can lead to back pain
It doesn’t work your upper body
It can be uncomfortable to sit on for long periods

Under Desk Exercise Bike

An under-desk exercise bike is an excellent option to burn calories while working at home or in the office. Small under desk bikes have adjustable resistance and a small LCD display to monitor distance and calories burned. The under-desk bike allows you to peddle continuously throughout the day while typing, taking part in video conference meetings, or watching TV.

Under desk exercise bike pros:

Versatile and useable in a variety of settings
It makes it easy to stay active while working at a desk
Can increase productivity

Under desk exercise bike cons:

Not practical for cardio workouts
It’s easy to bump knees on the desk’s underside
Wheeled chairs tend to move while pedaling

What to Consider When Choosing an Exercise Bike

Before buying an exercise bike, it’s vital to consider a few factors. The two most important factors are the levels of resistance and smooth pedaling. However, it’s worth thinking about the saddle’s comfort—after all, most cardio sessions last between 30 and 60 minutes. Finally, look at the various features you require.

Here is a checklist of what to look out for in the best exercise bikes.

Flywheel—The best indoor stationary bikes have a large, heavy flywheel. This should be between 30 and 50 lbs. A large flywheel gives excellent resistance and provides a smooth ride.
Type of resistance—The cheaper bikes use strap-based resistance. This is effective and excellent if it’s your first stationary bike. Friction resistance is common in mid-range exercise bikes. This uses pads to press down on the flywheel to increase resistance, like brakes on a regular bicycle. The best exercise bikes use electromagnetic resistance. This uses magnetic force to create more resistance. Usually, magnetic resistance gives the smoothest ride with less maintenance.
Saddle and handlebars—Make sure that the saddle is comfortable enough. Plush padded seats are wider and are common on upright bikes and foldable exercise bikes. Many Indoor cycles have performance saddles which can be uncomfortable for some people.
Display—Make sure that the display has all the information you require. Basic exercise bikes usually have an LCD monitor that shows heart rate, workout time, speed, distance, and calorie burn. High-end stationary bikes may have touch screens that link to interactive cycling groups or fitness apps.
Features—If you want to do more than just cycle, consider getting an exercise bike with extras. For example, you can buy indoor cycles with resistance bands, dumbbells, water bottle holders, shelves for books or tablets, or an inbuilt sound system. Some dual-action exercise cycles also feature attachments for a full-body workout.

Frequently Asked Questions About Exercise Bikes

Here is more information on affordable options for buying an exercise bike within your budget.

What is the best exercise bike for home use?

The best exercise bike doesn’t have to be an expensive bike. Look for a bike that provides challenging programs that change in line with your fitness levels. Many home fitness enthusiasts buy workout equipment with “smart” capabilities to monitor fitness through apps.

What are the benefits of a smart bike?

Internet connectivity and programmable features are the most significant benefits of a smart bike. Exercise apps can customize training programs to develop your fitness levels. Also, you can connect with other cyclists who use smart bikes or workout videos. This is a fantastic way to get serious about fitness and to stay motivated to exercise regularly.

What are the different types of exercise bike saddles?

The three types of stationary bike saddles are upright bicycle seats, indoor cycling bike seats, and recumbent seats. Most upright exercise bikes have a wide, ergonomic cushioned seat with a good layer of foam or gel for comfort. Indoor Cycle bikes have the type of seat usually associated with a road bike. These are narrow and designed to mimic “outdoor” bicycle seats. Recumbent seats let you sit on a chair with your legs out front to pedal.

How much does an exercise bike cost?

The cheapest exercise bikes cost in the range of $150 and $300. Among these affordable options are excellent bikes with good resistance, are quiet, and provide a smooth ride. If you want a smart exercise bike, then expect to pay more. The most expensive exercise bikes cost in the range of $1,500 to $2,000.

What are the essential features of a pedal?

To avoid injury, exercise bike pedals should be wide and prevent slipping. The best type of pedal has a loop or cage to keep feet in place. High-end exercise bike trainers can have a clip mechanism, requiring special cycling shoes to pedal.

Can you lose belly fat by riding a stationary bike?

Regular exercise such as intensive cycling burn fat and calories as well as builds muscles. Regularly exercising on a stationary bike can burn between 300 and 700 calories an hour. That means that cycling on an indoor bike is an excellent way to burn belly fat.

What Features Does the Best Exercise Bikes Have?

The best indoor exercise bikes should come with a range of features to meet your fitness needs. The most crucial elements are the size, weight, and resistance level of the flywheel. Additionally, the best exercise bike in your price range should feature a heart rate monitor, a comfortable padded seat, and sturdy pedals.

Ideally, the exercise bike should provide the range of exercise programs you require to increase your fitness levels.