Hi, my name is Michael and I would like to wish you a warm welcome to my website. I can only guess, but you have probably come across this place while you were looking for alternative ways of working out, as opposed to going to the gym or jogging. And there are many options: stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, rowing machine etc. So much choice it will make your head spin.
Before I decided to go with stationary bicycles, I was in the same place where you are now. I thought it wouldn’t take me more than a couple of hours to research and choose a piece of exercise equipment which suited my needs best. Since I enjoy cycling, indoor bikes caught my eye, and that was it. Or so I thought. Finding the right exercise bike was an overwhelming prospect, with literally thousands of different makes and models to choose from, each with their own unique advantages.
After doing some extensive digging for several weeks, I was able to narrow down my selection and finally purchase the right indoor bicycle. While I am far from being an expert, I have learned a lot so far, and decided to share what I know with you. I do not work in the fitness industry, nor am I paid by any of the manufacturers to promote their products. I am just like you, an everyman looking for an exercise bike, and I decided to provide fellow enthusiasts with honest, objective and informative reviews of the most popular and interesting stationary bicycles.
My Top Picks
I have singled out some of the exercise bikes which are worth considering. Since there is no bike that is all things to all men (and ladies, for that matter), I chose a few based on several different criteria.
Most Versatile Upright Exercise Bike
Multitasking may not be the most important aspect of home exercise bikes, but the FitDesk FDX 2.0 Desk Exercise Bike is definitely worth checking out. Aside from the slide desk, you can benefit from a massage bar armrest, a backrest for recumbent-like exercising and best of all it’s foldable and sturdy (a rare combination).
Best Full-Body Exercise Bike
If you find regular upright bikes somewhat limiting because they are only focused on working out your lower body, the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne comes to the rescue. Its dual-action arms engage your body and arms in addition to your legs, resulting in a powerful, full-body workout.
Best Budget Upright Folding Bike
For the discerning shoppers among you, I have chosen the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic to represent a solution which won’t break the bank. It will still provide you with a quality workout though and some of the cool features you might find on the more expensive models.
Best Value Indoor Cycle Trainer
Those who prefer the feel of riding an actual bike will find much to like about the Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike, which is also tailored to fit anyone’s budget. Check it out!
Most Professional Home Spinning Bike
If you like your workouts to be without compromise (and your exercise bike the same), than the Keiser M3 Plus professional spinning bike is an absolute no-brainer. Find out why it is so much better than its competition.
Best Value Recumbent Bike Overall
If you are looking for a recumbent bike with great money-to-value ratio, then look no further. The Schwinn 270 offers the most while keeping a reasonable price tag.
Semi-Pro Home Recumbent Bike
I recommend the Diamondback Fitness 510Sr recumbent bike for those who don’t consider money an issue when choosing a recumbent bicycle. This award-winning bike is my top pick.
Best Budget Recumbent Bike
I discovered the benefits of recumbent bikes when I was dealing with some back problems a while back, and have been a fan ever since. The Exerpeutic 900XL recumbent bicycle is a great choice, and one which doesn’t require you to take out another mortgage on your home in order to buy it.
Best Desk Trainer
The DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser is a dream come true for workout-oriented multitaskers. You will be provided with a good workout AND you will get your work done in time.
Best Bicycle Trainer Stand
Just because the weather is preventing you from riding your bicycle outside doesn’t mean you can’t get a good workout from it. The Magnet Steel Indoor Exercise Stand converts your outdoor bike into an indoor cycling bike.
Getting to Know the Ins and Outs of Stationary Bicycles
Hey, I’m glad to see you are still with me. There are a lot of factors which come into play when you are choosing your new exercise bike, so I went ahead and wrote some informational articles that you can use as a guide, or a shortcut, if you will.
Buying Guide
I would advise everyone to read this section. This article will equip you with some basic knowledge on all types of exercise bikes and the features they contain to make your workout more intensive and efficient. You will also get a general idea about the prices of stationary bikes, their design and construction, and a bunch of other neat facts you need to know to make your choice easier.
Resistance Types
I used to think that all stationary bikes looked somewhat similar, but once I took a look under the hood, I found out that they differ in a way they provide resistance. A lot of exercise bicycles use magnetic resistance, but those using air resistance are also popular these days.
Recumbent vs. Upright Exercise Bikes
If you are not familiar with the term recumbent, don’t worry, I wasn’t either. I explained everything and wrote a comparative analysis featuring recumbent and upright exercise bikes. I took a look at their advantages and flaws so that you can make an informed decision on which one is the best for you.
After you have read these, you will have a pretty good idea about what stationary bikes are.
For Those Who Are in a Hurry
In case you don’t have the time to read through the whole article, or if you already have some idea about stationary bikes and their purpose, I have prepared a quick rundown of things you should know in the shape of a comparison table. This should save you some trouble of searching through hundreds of different websites dedicated to this particular subject, because it contains a concise overview of all the different types of indoor exercise bikes, their features, price, and general information you should consider before deciding to actually buy one.
More Information
In case I haven’t lost you at Hi and still have your attention, I’ll give you some advanced tips on what to look for in an exercise bike once you’ve familiarized yourself with the matter. I’m going to make this brief, so here it goes.
To Fold or Not To Fold
In case you have limited space in your home, consider purchasing a folding exercise bike. I discussed their pros and cons and compared it to bikes with fixed frames.
Indoor Cycling vs. Upright Exercise Bikes
While these two terms may sounds synonymous, they are not. Indoor Cycling and upright exercise bikes do provide you with a similar kind of exercise, but they provide resistance in different ways. Click for more information on this subject.
The Seat
I’ve focused on user ergonomics and different ways of sitting while riding the bike. Discussion is centered on the use of traditional upright and indoor cycling bikes, as well as recumbent bikes.
The Bells and Whistles That Matter
Here we’ll discuss stuff like consoles, LCD screens, heart rate monitors, pre-set workout programs and other things that enhance your workout.
The Closing Argument
I hope reading all of this has provided you with enough knowledge on exercise bikes so you can go out and get one for yourself. I know it’s a lot of information to take in, but ultimately you have saved a lot of time by not going through the same process I went through. Now you can devote yourself to the important stuff: working out and blasting those excess calories into smithereens. Have fun and stay safe,
Michael.