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Ready to give your home gym a pedal-powered upgrade? We know, the journey to finding the best exercise bike can be long and arduous, a bit like a Tour de France — without the picturesque French countryside. But fear not; we’re here to help steer you in the right direction.
If you’re short on time, though, consider these key takeaways before you start shopping:
1. Benefits of Exercise Bikes: Improved cardiovascular health, muscle strengthening, calorie-burning, low-impact workouts, and versatile workout routines.
2. Types of Exercise Bikes:
3. Fitness Goals: Upright or studio bikes have the potential to burn calories, while recumbent bikes may improve strength and muscle tone.
4. Key Features:
5. Budget: Balance between quality and affordability.
6. Space Consideration: Make sure the bike fits in your space without getting in the way.
Read on to learn all about exercise bikes and how to choose the best exercise bike to meet your lifestyle and fitness goals!
First off, let’s tackle the question of “How to choose an exercise bike?” by looking at its array of advantages. If you’re wondering, “What are the benefits of using an exercise bike?” or “How do I choose the best exercise bike?” these stationary stallions pack a punch in terms of benefits.
Next time you’re weighing the benefits of adding an exercise bike to your routine, remember: it’s more than just a stationary piece of equipment. It’s a gateway to a healthier you!
“How do I choose the best exercise bike?” While you’ve decided an exercise bike is in your fitness future, with so many options, it’s essential to know how to choose an exercise bike that fits your needs. Let’s dig deeper into each type and see which might be the best fit for your workout vibes:
The best bike for you truly depends on your personal fitness goals, physical needs, and preferred workout style. Whether you’re looking to recreate outdoor rides, focus on comfort, dive deep into intense sessions, or multitask your muscles – there’s a bike waiting for you to hop on and ride!
When we talk about fitness, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Your unique goals are the compass guiding you toward the right type of equipment. Let’s break down how different exercise bikes align with various fitness targets, plus our picks for the best exercise bikes.
In essence, while all exercise bikes offer fantastic benefits, understanding your primary fitness goals can lead you to the best fit. Whether it’s calorie burn, muscle toning, or endurance, there’s a stationary chariot waiting to champion your cause.
Navigating the realm of fitness equipment, especially when determining “how to choose an exercise bike?” can be daunting. What are the core features, and what benefits can they offer? This handy guide will help streamline your decision, highlighting essential aspects to consider for an optimal cycling experience.
Speaking of virtual workouts and interactive features, iFIT, a leading paid-subscription fitness platform, integrates seamlessly with many NordicTrack exercise bikes. So, dive into a world of immersive training, explore breathtaking destinations with expert coaches, and tap into a community that fuels your passion for fitness, all from the saddle of your bike!
So, while the core function of an exercise bike remains consistent, the features you choose can greatly enhance your experience. Think of them as the gears on a bike, allowing you to shift your workout from a leisurely coast to a mountainous challenge as you ride in comfort and style.
Just as we pedal at different intensities, we all have different financial thresholds when it comes to splurging on fitness gear. Setting a budget isn’t just about preventing post-purchase guilt; it’s about ensuring value for every dollar (or penny!) spent.
On one end, we have the luxury models – the Rolls-Royces of exercise bikes, laden with every tech perk imaginable. And at the other, simpler, no-frills machines that still get the job done.
But here’s the golden nugget of advice: aim for the sweet spot. This is where quality meets affordability. Brands, bells, and whistles aside, ensure the bike aligns with your core needs and fitness goals. After all, the best investment is one that gets you pedaling consistently!
As exciting as it is to envision yourself pedaling towards your fitness goals, ensuring your new exercise bike fits your lifestyle, and your living space is crucial. Starting your fitness journey only to realize your bike’s taken over your favorite reading nook? Not the best motivation boost!
While an exercise bike is an investment in your health, it should seamlessly integrate into your home environment. It’s meant to elevate your daily routine, not complicate it.
Choosing the best exercise bike to meet your fitness goals doesn’t have to be a wheelie big challenge. Still pondering, “How do I choose the best exercise bike?” Consider your needs, and check out some great tips from our exercise equipment guide to get you pedaling your way to glory.
These resources will help in your quest on “How to choose the best exercise bike for your fitness goals?” And remember, no matter which bike you choose, it’s all about the journey (even if it’s stationary)!
Footnotes
Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
The ideal exercise bike is one that inspires you to ride indoors consistently. In recent years, the best exercise bikes have evolved significantly, with many now offering motivational features like third-party ride app integration or built-in virtual personal trainers. The top exercise bikes also connect seamlessly to the best smartwatches and heart rate monitors, allowing you to utilize advanced zone training techniques.
Exercise bikes serve as an excellent starting point for individuals aiming to enhance their fitness and training. They provide straightforward, user-friendly interfaces that elevate your heart rate and engage your legs. Depending on your preferences, there are three types of resistance available. Manual resistance bikes allow for easy adjustments with a dial, making them ideal for quick cardio sessions and warm-ups. Wind resistance bikes engage both the legs and arms, making them exceptional for cross-training; the more effort you exert, the greater the resistance. Lastly, electromagnetic bikes operate smoothly and quietly, making them well-suited for integration with third-party training applications.
In this guide, I have brought together seven of the best exercise bikes tested and rated by the Cycling Weekly team from the likes of Domyos. An in-house brand of Decathlon, the Basic 100 delivers a performance beyond its price point, suggesting it should. Of course, no guide to exercise bikes is complete without mentioning Peloton. Their ecosystem and community set the bar pretty high, but machines like the Echelon Smart Connect are now snapping at Peleton's coattails.
If you want to advance beyond basic fitness or explore virtual cycle racing, consider investing in one of the best indoor smart bikes.
For newcomers to riding at home, the Domyos Basic Exercise bike can be the perfect place to get started. While reviews on the Decathlon house brand website say that it's no studio bike, many applaud its sturdiness and value for money. Arguably with less frequent use, this basic spin bike doesn't need to be quite as robust. This means the Domyos is slightly lighter and more transportable, allowing it to be wheeled out the way when not in use.
A 12kg flywheel uses a mechanically applied leather brake pad to create resistance for the user, in what the brand says is 'moderate-intensity use. A chain-driven drivetrain should recreate a smooth pedalling sensation, similar to that of a normal bike. The saddle height, saddle fore/aft and handlebar height can all be adjusted, similar to that of a regular gym spin bike. Making it easy and quick to find a comfortable position.
There isn't an online community or platform to join, which means you'll have to be self-motivated or find online classes to attend. The Domyos allows the freedom and flexibility of keeping fit with a little homemade spin class at a low cost.
The Echelon smart bike is a sturdy and compact bike that provides both comfort and functionality. Customisation is easy with an adjustable oversized seat and handlebar console. A silent magnetic flywheel provides 32 levels of resistance and challenging workouts for all levels of rider.
A clear contender for the best Peloton alternatives, with unlimited personalised workouts and online community options. But unlike Peloton, all price plans allow you to join a variety of live and on-demand classes and special events led by Echelon's own trained instructors. Access is provided through the Echelon Fit App using your mobile , tablet or smart TV. Which can be held by the holder provided with the bike.
The bike provides a more upright riding position than other smart exercise bikes, so longer torso riders might feel a bit squished up, while others may find the ride feel too distant from their real road bike.
"Okay Peloton, let's do this!" You have almost certainly seen the adverts for this on TV, the brand has been popping up everywhere and even non-cyclists now know of the word, peloton. The American brand dominates the US market and has made inroads into the UK too.
The basic set-up (and membership) includes daily live-streamed classes, as well as 24-hour access to the virtual studio for an entire household. There are curated playlists for all genres, instructors and coaches, as well as leaderboards to keep you motivated. There are even additional extra options that include strength, stretch and yoga classes.
It's cheaper than the Wahoo option, but nearly double that of the Echelon, arguably the biggest competitor. If you struggle to plan your own workouts and need motivational entertainment, the Peloton is a great option. There's even the option for individual profiles for household access, so perfect if you're looking for a shared home bike option.
If it all sounds like a tempting offer for virtual cycling but you are still undecided, take a look at our helpful guide on Zwift vs Peloton: which is best for your at-home workouts?
Read more: Peloton indoor training bike review
Horizon Fitness offers indoor exercise kit that all costs under $1,000, with the 7.0 IC offer including a Bluetooth heart rate monitor. Set-up isn't too laborious, although there's a limited range of adjustment and the saddle is rather hard.
The Horizon Fitness bike comes with pedals with SPD clips on one side and straps on the other and you get two water bottle holders. It doesn't take up too much space.
You get Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use a or tablet to join classes or rides online and your speed and other metrics will be sent to the app, although you're still going to need to adjust the resistance manually. With a total of 100 levels, there's plenty of fine-resolution and high-end resistance available and the transition between levels is smooth.
Read more: Horizon Fitness 7.0 IC Fitness Bike review
If you've ever undertaken a gym spin class, the chances are that you were riding a Schwinn. That background in gym bikes means very little technical know-how is needed in order to get it set up and ready to ride. For those that may already own spin shoes, it even comes with secure clipless pedals (SPD) out of the box.
The sturdy indoor trainer uses a weighty flywheel which is unlikely to be overpowered by many riders. It's a direct-contact resistance system, with a staggering 100 levels to choose from meaning you are in charge of your own training at all times.
The added tablet/ holder and a wide range of third-party connectivity means you choose which virtual classes you join and enjoy.
The bike's location can be really flexible, with mini roller wheels helping it to be transported. But the weight unit will limit its general living place, and I wouldn't be keen on rolling it or riding it without the use of heavy-duty floor protection.
Read more: Schwinn 800IC Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike Full review
Developed for more than a decade the Wattbike air resistance system is well-renewed among high-level athletes and fitness coaches. The Wattbike Pro and Trainer Air set the benchmark for those looking to incorporate high-intensity intervals into their training plans. The recently launched of the Wattbike Air aims to bring this technology into the homes of cyclists and fitness enthusiasts.
What do we know about the air resistance system? The commercial gym versions have huge peak power outputs, with the Pro & Trainer Air achieving - watts. These are the bikes you will have seen the likes of Sir Chris Hoy and Laura Kenny doing FTP and sprint efforts on. The Air has a far more modest peak but one that is still far higher than its competition with potential for riders to try and push watts.
Air bikes are renowned for being extremely quiet and react nearly immediately to explosive efforts, with a smoothness that can only be achieved using this resistance method. As we found with the Atom Wattbikes reputation for quality is high. Considering the top level athletes that use either system everyday, we have no doubt the Air would be a good addition to any home gym setup.
Concept2 is a big name in gym equipment, with its rowing machines considered the gold standard and this accuracy is carried over into the Concept2 BikeErg exercise bike. Its PM5 power meter measures a host of metrics to give repeatable values from its fan-based resistance unit.
There's no heavy flywheel or magnetic resistance unit here, so the Concept2 BikeErg is lighter than many competitors and there's no need for a power supply.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Powrloo sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Setup was quick and there's a wide range of tool-free adjustment of all the contact points. Shorter or taller riders can buy a different length seatpost for even more inside leg length range. You can also swap out handlebars, saddle and pedals, although not the crank length.
On test, the belt drive and air resistance make for a really smooth, quiet ride. It's easy to do one of Conept2's sessions or to hook up to Zwift for more stimulation; a tablet mount is an extra though.
On the downside, we didn't find power measurement all that accurate, although it was consistent, and you need to reach down to the flywheel to alter resistance rather than having a bar-mounted lever.
Read more: Concept 2 BikeErg review
There's a lot to consider if you're looking for the best exercise bike to meet your needs. You'll want to make sure that you've got all the functionality that you want before making what can be a significant outlay on an exercise bike for riding indoors.
Here's a cross-reference table for all the models listed above.
At the heart of most indoor bikes is a weighted flywheel. Its job is to provide mass, which requires energy to establish rotational inertia. In other words, it is a weighted metal disk that takes the place of a bike wheel and is connected to the pedals via either a chain or a belt.
The flywheel stores kinetic energy, so once you’ve got the wheel turning, it will continue to do so, creating a very similar experience to outdoor pedalling.
A good flywheel typically takes force to get it spinning and force to stop it, as kinetic energy is a function of mass and speed. The larger the diameter and heavier the flywheel, the more energy is stored, and the flywheels that spin the fastest store much more energy than ones that spin faster (so keep spinning for longer on their own).
Without external slowing force, a flywheel would create a stop-and-go experience and would need to be very large or spun exceptionally fast to benefit fitness. Using brake pads or electromagnetic induction with magnets can significantly reduce the weight and size of a flywheel for better usability.
Direct-Contact resistance systems
A brake pad is simply applied alongside and on top of the flywheel to create friction which the rider needs to overcome.
The more pressure applied to the pad, the harder it becomes to keep the flywheel moving. It’s that simple.
The downside is, you’ll still require a pretty heavy and large flywheel; think typical gym spin bike, and much like brakes on a bike or a car, over time you’ll find that the brakes will need replacing. Depending on the quality and size of the flywheel, you may eventually find that it needs to be replaced too at some point.
They are also entirely mechanical, so will be noisier than electro-magnetic resistant bikes. So if it’s going to be living in the middle of your lounge, you might need to give advance warning of your impending exercise routine to the rest of the household.
The upside is that this level of simplicity keeps the price down. There are lots of online classes, both paid and free, to sign up to keep you motivated and working hard. These bikes also rarely require electricity, so great for keeping in an outbuilding or, even outside with a protective cover on when not in use.
Electro-Magnetic resistance systems
Recently these have become the pièce de résistance of exercise bikes. By passing an electrical current through magnets you can make the magnets more or less attractive to each other. The resistance in an electromagnetic exercise or smart bike is controlled by the level of electric current passing through the magnets that flank either side of the flywheel. More current equals more magnetic force, increasing the resistance, and making it harder for you to turn it.
The biggest benefit of the electromagnetic resistance system is that it can be controlled by the rider, by pushing a button, running pre-programmed software built into the bike or, with the correct connectivity, a remote third party, allowing for virtual riding on platforms such as Zwift or TrainerRoad.
Another benefit of the electromagnetic system is that because there is nothing in contact with the flywheel creating the resistance, you can significantly reduce its size and weight, making the whole package much smaller and lighter.
Other benefits include less wear and tear, as there are no brakes in contact with the flywheel and the working noise is also significantly reduced.
The downside as well as requiring a source of electricity, is the cost. The initial outlay will be a lot more expensive than a more basic mechanical direct contact resistance bike, and remote third-party virtual reality apps will require a subscription of some kind.
Air resistance systems
Air bikes use a flywheel system based on air to create the resistance and are increasingly popular in gyms since the advent of Crossfit/ Functional fitness and their HIIT style exercises.
Fan like blades are driven by a simple cog and chain/ belt and require the rider’s energy, mostly by co-joined pedal arm levers to turn. The harder you ride, the more resistance the blades meet from air, making you expend more energy.
If you want to cover a set distance or calorie count quickly, you’ll have to push the blades through the air quickly - which requires more force to move air molecules quicker, think of putting your hand out of a moving car window and the force of the wind at low and high speeds.
90% of air bikes will have arms and legs and as the resistance comes from the spinning blade, there’s often no variability.
The upside is that along with getting a full body workout, there’s no need for electricity (other than a new battery once in a while for a head unit display) so it can be located anywhere, another ideal option for the shed or outside under a protective cover.
The downside is that out of all three options, this is by far the noisiest with the harder you work the louder the fan like sound, certainly not household friendly.
Indoor training is now a central part of most cyclists' fitness regimes. Indoor training apps like Zwift make the experience much more interactive.
Even without the ability to link up to an app, you can get a lot out of indoor cycling. So, at Cycling Weekly, we see ourselves as dedicated indoor trainers and outdoor riders. Our team has used a wide range of exercise bikes and smart trainers and knows what to look for to maximise your fitness gains from riding indoors.
Our experience means you'll have a consistent, in-depth viewpoint reflected in our product scoring. You can find out more on our How We Test page.
The way we test each exercise bike depends on its categorization. For the more basic units that lack connectivity, we are setting out a structure of sessions that best test the unit's stability, the unit's maximum resistance, and how smoothly it is delivered.
Of course, we are also checking the more basic features of units with connectivity or smart features. However, we are also cross-checking the data with power meters, the quality of that connectivity to third-party apps and devices, and particularly the speed at which these connections react and adjust resistance levels.
Where possible, we try to set similar session plans. However, different reviewers will be at different points in their fitness plans, so we are mindful that the plans are not always exact. We will always try to ensure that we complete basic sessions, including intervals, over-unders, cooldowns, recovery, sprints, and some race simulations.
The price difference for exercise bikes ranges from $150/£100 for basic models to nearly $3,000/£2,500 for high-end options, often requiring a monthly subscription for full benefits.
Interactive, Wi-Fi-enabled exercise bikes offer a good compromise. They allow users to take online classes for motivational workouts from the comfort of their homes. Although initial costs may be lower than those of smart bikes, monthly subscriptions can increase overall expenses.
An entry-level model is sufficient to get you started; spending more provides features like ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity for use with apps like Zwift or Rouvy.
Cycling offers many benefits, and indoor riding is no exception. It enhances mental health, boosts immunity, and aids weight loss; why not check out our 15 benefits to cycling guide?
The main advantage of an exercise bike is the control it offers over pace and duration, which allows you to tailor your fitness journey to your needs. For those investing in an exercise bike for weight loss, our quick guide outlines six essential tips for success.
The main difference between the two is the functionality. The systems vary hugely in terms of performance, and the more you spend, the more you’ll get.
Generally speaking, an exercise bike, or spin bike, will provide manually adjustable resistance, have some basic performance data, and a more upright sitting position.
A smart bike is more interactive, and, along with automatically controlling resistance for you, it will also allow you to attend virtual rides, gather significant performance data, and have a riding position that more closely mimics that of a road bike, providing a realistic road-like feel when pedalling.
In the middle is an ever-growing market that combines both smart features and connectivity with the simplicity of basic exercise bikes. We also see a rising trend in air-resistance bikes.
The Peloton indoor exercise bike and app have taken the fitness world by storm, but is it any good for training for proper cyclists?
We've got all the insider detail on the question of is the Peloton indoor exercise bike and app worth it on our dedicated page; but in summary:
You'll need to purchase the bike and then subscribe to a membership monthly fee, a bit like a gym, but it does allow you to include multiple members.
The subscription bit gives you access to instructor-led classes, which resemble 'spin classes' and a motivational virtual community, as well as off bike exercises such as Yoga, stretching and strength workouts. So it's a bit like a mini home gym structured around the bike.
While Peloton might still have the market share, there are a lot more options out there if an interactive smart bike is your thing. We've picked out what we think are the best Peloton alternatives to help you find the right bike to achieve your fitness goals.
When it comes to performance training and riding indoors, turbo trainers have traditionally been the way to go. However, with the advent of smart bikes and more coming on the market constantly, some riders have referred to them as game changers for full-gas efforts and harnessing every inch of power due to their solidity. Then there's the reduction in maintenance and the bike always being ready to ride.
However, on the flip side, the compliance offered by a road bike attached to a turbo trainer does have its benefits on longer rides at home. The ability to stow a turbo neatly away, along with the obvious price differences, will be more of a perk for some riders.
Read more on our Smart bike or top-end turbo: what's the ultimate set-up for Zwift racing feature to see what two distinguished online racers think.
If space is limited at home, you might be tempted to buy an exercise bike that folds up and rolls away. However, this will always mean some big compromises in terms of performance, most notably rider position and limited tension settings.
A typical foldaway exercise bike uses an ‘X’ frame, similar to an ironing board, to keep its overall footprint low. To keep this dual triangle relatively strong, it must be as vertical as possible, meaning that you're likely to be sitting very upright.
The other obvious disadvantage of foldaway exercise bikes is that, to keep the machine as portable as possible, they will naturally have lighter, much smaller flywheels, significantly reducing their ability to apply resistance.
Clearly, they have their place for people with limited space and looking for a low-impact cardio workout at home. For experienced cyclists, it is certainly worth considering some of the best rollers or smart turbo trainers instead.
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