Exercise Bikes Shopping Guide

Exercise bikes have been around for many decades and they’re not likely to go out of style anytime soon. Stationary bikes offer the convenience of being able to work out at home without the need to go outdoors or pay a visit to the gym. You can burn some calories and tone your muscles as you watch your favorite movies, listen to music, or work at your desk. The latest models come with advanced features such as heart rate sensors, workout presets, app connectivity, ergonomic seats, and LCD displays for tracking your fitness goals. Some newer models are compact and portable and there are others that integrate well with an office desk. 

There are exercise bikes from beginner to advanced level users. You may be looking for the best stationary bike for seniors or maybe you’re a cycling enthusiast looking for a portable stationary bike for when the weather is bad. If you're in search of the perfect exercise bike to fit your lifestyle, take note of these important considerations.

Types of Exercise Bikes

Do you need a foldable exercise bike or an under-desk bike? Are you looking for something with more tension than a basic pedal exerciser? When shopping for an exercise bike, it helps to understand the different types and each one’s main advantages. Exercise bike models may vary according to different designs: 

Upright Stationary Bikes
 

Upright stationary bikes are the most common type and they are defined by their smaller padded seats with handles almost parallel to the saddle. They closely resemble traditional bicycles. You can ride an upright exercise bike either sitting or standing, depending on the kind of workout you need. This type of bike is good for endurance, gaining muscle tone, and basic indoor workouts. 

Recumbent Bikes
 

Recumbent stationary bikes feature a laid-back design and seats that are situated a little far back from the pedals with no handlebars. The rider would be in a slightly reclined position sitting on a typically large, comfortable saddle while pedaling. The best recumbent exercise bike delivers excellent lower-body workouts. These are fairly easy to use and suitable for beginners, seniors, and casual riders.

Dual-Action Stationary Bikes 
 

Also called “air bikes,” dual-action stationary bikes are designed to provide more intense workouts with every exercise. On top of regular cycling capabilities, dual-action exercise bikes are designed to provide full-body workouts by integrating the designs of other exercise equipment, such as a stair climber or an elliptical. These bikes may be foldable and portable. Switching between exercise modes is simple and easy.

Indoor Cycling Bikes
 

Also called spin bikes, indoor cycling bicycles take after the design of road bikes, with slim seats and pedals situated right below the feet. A spin bike features a flywheel or a huge weighted disc at the front, connected to the pedals with a belt or a chain. Riding an indoor cycling bike, your body would have to lean forward a little bit and position your hands any way you prefer on the handlebars. 

Resistance Types

Exercise bikes in the market offer different resistance types, which would refer to the overall feel of the pedals and how much energy you need to put into cycling:  

Flywheel/ Brake
 

The weight and type of flywheel affect the smoothness of the riding experience. This is the most common resistance type in exercise bikes and works similarly with the brakes of a regular bicycle. But instead of a brake lever, flywheel exercise bikes have a rotary knob for adjusting resistance. You’d be required to push harder to keep up a certain speed. It’s a simple mechanism that allows for tougher workouts.

Strap-Based Resistance
 

In this type, a strap is attached to the flywheel, giving more tension as it tightens. If you’re still on the fence about exercise bikes and not ready to invest in an expensive model, you’ll find many of the best exercise bikes under $300 come with strap-based resistance. 

Electromagnetic Resistance
 

Magnetic resistance type machines use an electromagnet instead of brake pads for slowing down the flywheel. You can adjust the resistance by simply pushing a button. This type of exercise bike offers a smoother feel on the pedals and gives you consistent resistance throughout your workout. Manufacturers can install consoles that would show your real-time stats including speed, calories burned, time, and so on. 

Air/ Fan Resistance
 

This type of resistance is more common on high-end equipment found in gyms. In place of a flywheel, you’re pedaling over a large air fan, which keeps on spinning if you stop pedaling for a short while. An air bike gives a similar experience to that of riding an actual bicycle. You feel more resistance the faster you pedal. 

Height and Weight Limit

When looking at the different exercise bike models, maximum height and weight limits are also important considerations. Whether you’re looking for the best exercise bike to lose weight or for casual workouts, pick a model that has a much higher weight capacity than your own weight. Maximum weight capacity for more high-end bikes goes as far up as 300lbs to 350lbs. 

Aside from the weight capacity, how much the bike actually weighs can have an impact on overall stability. If you’re going for a heavier bike model, check whether it comes with built-in casters or transport wheels for ease of moving it around as necessary.

As for height limits, most exercise bike models are designed for people 4’11” to 6’5” tall. Make sure to check to ensure that the bike fits your height. 

Adjustable Features

Stationary exercise bikes don’t fit and feel the same to everyone. So you may want to know about how the bike can be adjusted to fit your individual physique. If you’re investing in the best exercise bike under $500, you’ll find plenty of manufacturers offering adjustable seats, handlebars, and pedals. With adjustable features, you can set up your bike to a most comfortable fit and get more effective workouts.

Display Screens

Several of the latest exercise bikes feature display screens to help the rider monitor real-time statistics in the middle of a workout session. You may see information such as your heart rate, workout time, estimated calorie burn, and pedaling speed. If you’re planning to invest in an exercise bike, display screens can be an extremely fun and handy feature. Exercise bikes may feature a basic analog screen or a high-definition digital touchscreen. 

App Integration

Some manufacturers offer Wi-Fi connectivity and app-based fitness programs along with their exercise bikes. If you want to follow a workout program inside the comfort of your home, connectivity features can give you access to subscriber-based live streams and pre-recorded classes as you keep track of your progress. “Connected bikes” would often cost you monthly subscriptions.