A high-quality indoor exercise bike is the easiest way to get in shape in 2022. Imagine — you won’t have to spend money on a gym subscription, and you won’t have to plan exercise sessions! With your very own exercise bike, you’ll be able to hop in and start working out whenever you have some extra time.
Whether you’re into HIIT, want to build stamina, or just want a gentle daily workout to keep fit, an indoor cycling bike can help you meet your goals.
As indoor exercise bikes have risen in popularity, countless indoor cycling bikes have flooded the market. That makes picking the perfect exercise bike for you more difficult, but don’t worry — we’ve tested and ranked the very best for you!
The Top Indoor Exercise Bikes to Buy in 2022
Not sure what spin bike to invest in? We’ve put the most popular indoor cycling bikes to the test, researched specifications, and spoken with manufacturers. Only the best indoor cycling bikes made it onto this ultimate list of the top indoor exercise bikes of 2022.
- Peloton
- NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle
- Schwinn Fitness IC4
- Rogue Fitness Echo Bike
- JOROTO X2
- Echelon Ex-15
- RENPHO AI-Powered Bike
- Inspire Fitness IC1.5 Indoor Cycle
- Sunny 1805
- YOSUDA Bike
- PooBoo Indoor Cycling Bike
- Carol AI Bike
- Horizon Fitness
- Stryde
- MYX Fitness II Plus
- Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle
- Cyclace Stationary Exercise Bike
- ProForm Studio Bike Pro
Peloton
Peloton remains one of the most beloved brands in the indoor-cycling industry, and its fame is well-deserved — when you invest in a Peloton, you don’t just get a top-of-the-range indoor exercise bike. You can also look forward to live-streaming classes and a healthy sense of competition.
Peloton’s on-demand fitness classes are, without a doubt, “a bit of an investment.” That’s especially true if you’re not content with the Peloton Bike or the Peloton Bike+ but crave a treadmill and other fitness equipment. Still, it’s worth it for a home-gym experience that rivals the feel of the gym.
Peloton bikes start at $1,495 or $39 per month for the basic models, while the Peloton Bike+ will set you back $2,495 or more.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y64QltEwtk0
NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle
Is only the best good enough for you? NordicTrack, another high-end indoor cycling bike manufacturer that offers innovative features, maybe just what you are after. NordicTrack’s S22i Studio Cycle bike is one of the most sought-after exercise bikes in 2022, and it shares many similarities with Peloton’s basic exercise bike.
The S22i Studio Cycle indoor cycling bike offers:
- A sturdy, well-designed bike that’s so quiet it won’t bother anyone
- A 22″ rotating HD touchscreen
- On-demand workouts from anywhere in the world
- Automatic difficulty settings to grow with your abilities
- One-of-a-kind iFIT trainers that digitally amend users’ incline, decline, and resistance for an exercise session tailored to your needs
There’s no doubt that NordicTrack can keep up with you — are you ready for all it has to offer?
NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle Price: $1,499+
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Schwinn Fitness IC4
Schwinn is another household name. Consumers looking to buy an indoor exercise bike at an affordable price without sacrificing quality should strongly consider a Schwinn fitness bike. The most advanced and expensive model the indoor bike company offers, the Schwinn Fitness IC4, is on the market for a friendly cost of only $799. The more basic models, the IC2 and IC3 indoor exercise bikes are even less expensive.
Like other modern indoor bike manufacturers, Schwinn has fully embraced the trend toward smart exercise bikes. When you buy the Schwinn Fitness IC4 indoor cycling bike, a 1-year JRNY membership that gives you access to adaptive workouts is automatically included. Support is offered for popular apps like Peloton and Zwift, and you’ll be able to enjoy over 50 virtual routes, as well as magnetic resistance with 100 micro-adjustable resistance levels.
Schwinn’s flagship bike, the IC4, has a race seat and SPD foot pedals with cages, and it additionally:
- Features a full-color backlit LCD console
- Monitors your workout session by keeping an eye on your heart rate, the calories you burn, your RPMs, and your speed, time, and distance
Schwinn Fitness IC4 Price: $799+
https://www.youtube.com/embed/wIDaMlkKM_Q
Rogue Fitness Echo Bike
Rogue Fitness stands out in a world of smart exercise bikes — and if you’re after a stunning workhorse of an exercise bike that can withstand workout session after workout session, you will probably fall in love with the Rogue Fitness Echo Bike. This steel fan bike weighs a solid 127 lbs, making it perfect for the intensity of HIIT. Thanks to this indoor cycling bike’s sturdy rolling wheels, you’ll still be able to transport it easily.
The Rogue Fitness Echo Bike is for you if you want:
- A heavy-duty bike that won’t ever let you down
- A quiet indoor cycling experience
- A no-frills experience (just a basic LCD console, thank you very much!) that allows you to enjoy cycling in solitude
You’ll choose the Echo Bike if you “just want a really good indoor cycling bike.”
Rogue Fitness Echo Bike Price: $795+
JOROTO X2
The JOROTO X2 manages to offer an amazing number of different features at a genuinely shocking price of just under $400. This is the budget indoor exercise bike you’ve wanted because it gives you just a little more than you pay for.
Get the JOROTO X2 spin bike, and you’ll be able to cycle away on a bike that features:
- Quality construction for fitness enthusiasts that weigh up to 300 lbs
- A 35 lb chromed flywheel
- A 50mm thickened frame tube
- Grab this exercise bike if the value for money is your top priority.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/wYpML_QbHSk
Echelon Ex-15
Echelon makes a range of different exercise bikes for your home gym. Are you looking for a quality exercise bike that doesn’t overwhelm you with a flood of virtual offerings? The Echelon Ex-15, Echelon’s most popular spin bike, is a rock-solid choice.
For $499, the Echelon Ex-15 will give you:
- 32 distinct resistance levels
- A quiet experience
- Adjustable toe cages
- A comfortable, cushioned seat
Don’t want to put your exercise bike together yourself? For $89, an Echelon expert will do it for you.
For those who do want some bells and whistles, Echelon membership gives you access to 45-minute rides, endurance training, climbing, and HIIT sessions. This $39.99 a month subscription service is entirely optional, however.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/poGiyZAhwuQ
RENPHO AI-Powered Bike
Users who want a budget-friendly fitness bike with advanced virtual features will find a lot to like about the RENPHO AI-Powered Bike. Unlike competitors, the RENPHO AI-Powered Bike comes with a completely free AI Gym app that instantly lets you participate in over 70 different classes without ever having to pay for a subscription.
Join in on some challenges if you’re feeling competitive, enjoy a relaxing scenic ride, or opt for a professional coaching video program. RENPHO AI-Powered Bike is compatible with cycling apps like Peloton and Zwift, as well, and all that for just under $600!
RENPHO AI-Powered Bike Price: $599
https://www.youtube.com/embed/HBnf2RWwWUM
Inspire Fitness IC1.5 Indoor Cycle
The Inspire Fitness IC1.5 Indoor Cycle is a striking exercise bike that seamlessly fits any decor. Getting fit has never been as easy because this magnetic resistance bike packs an amazing number of different features:
- Contact-free resistance
- A quiet and smooth braking system
- A 4-way adjustable seat
- A 31 lb flywheel
- 2-way adjustable handlebars
The Inspire Fitness IC1.5 Indoor Cycle is a perfect choice for apartment dwellers because it’s quieter than just about any other indoor cycling bike. At $899, it is also among the more affordable options. Of course, you can pay an additional $89 if you would like the bike to be assembled for you.
Inspire Fitness IC1.5 Indoor Cycle Price: $899
https://www.youtube.com/embed/psRFovNOajo
Sunny 1805
The Sunny 1805 indoor exercise bike proves that you can indeed buy yourself a reliable heavy-duty exercise bike for under $500. This indoor cycling bike doesn’t come with apps and subscriptions, or an LED screen, for that matter. What you do get is a solid magnetic belt drive fitness bike with a 44lb flywheel and a 4-way adjustable seat and toe-cage pedals. If you really have to bring an electronic device to your exercise session, there’s a device holder.
The Sunny 1805 is one of just a few high-quality exercise bikes that are designed to do just one thing and do it well — cycling in the comfort of your home.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/UnqVv8kju8w
YOSUDA Bike
Are you on a budget? Do you want to get in shape now? You can’t beat the YOSUDA Bike, which can be yours for just $299.
By choosing this fitness bike, you’ll get a bike with a 35lb flywheel, a 2-way adjustable non-slip handlebar, a 4-way comfortable seat, and basic resistance you can count on. Unlike most budget indoor exercise bikes, the YOSUDA does offer an LCD console to help you keep track of your speed, distance, time, and calories burned. There’s even an odometer.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/8UkR7Y4R-9A
PooBoo Indoor Cycling Bike
One of the trendiest indoor cycling bikes of 2022, the PooBoo Indoor Cycling Bike has a funky modern design and the no-nonsense features you need to cycle as much as you want in your home gym. At only $289, it’s no wonder that the PooBoo Indoor Cycling Bike is an Amazon best-seller.
You do get an iPad mount and a basic LCD monitor that allows you to track your stats, but this bike is designed primarily to get you active as often as possible.
PooBoo Indoor Cycling Bike Price: $289
https://www.youtube.com/embed/vUO30gxIvi4
Carol AI Bike
After exploring some of the best basic home exercise bikes of 2022, it’s time to swing over to the cutting-edge side of the indoor cycling industry. The Carol AI Bike is designed to help you get your intense cardio workouts over and done within record time with an AI-powdered workout program.
This bike follows the REHIT approach to exercising and aims to help you pack a 45-minute workout into just under nine minutes. Consider getting it if fitness is important to you, but you hate working out and want to optimize your sessions. Of course, this innovative approach does come with a corresponding price tag.
Horizon Fitness Exercise Bikes
Horizon Fitness makes famously inexpensive exercise bikes that offer you the chance to make full use of the Horizon StudioCycles app. From relaxing rides to climbs or cadence pushes, the app gives you the power to customize your exercise routine while keeping things interesting.
Horizon Fitness makes stationary bikes to suit every budget, and their range includes:
- Indoor Cycles (including the GR3 Indoor Cycle and the IC7.9 Indoor Cycle)
- Recumbent Exercise Bikes (like the Comfort R and Recumbent Bike),
- Upright Exercise Bikes (including the Comfort U Upright and Bike)
These exercise bikes are equipped with tablet holders, Bluetooth speakers, and adjustable handlebars and saddles. The heavy aluminum flywheel and dependable resistance controls make these bikes a dream to use.
Stryde Exercise Bike
You’ll be able to take anything in your “Stryde” with this high-performance and top-quality indoor cycling bike. If you had to sum everything this fitness bike offers you up in one sentence, it’d be this — “The Stryde exercise bike is basically the Peleton bike, minus the hefty price tag.”
Yes! That does mean you’ll be able to benefit from the Stryde app, which offers hundreds of different workouts to accompany any mood. Want a grueling workout to boost your strength and stamina? Check. Just want a casual ride? No problem.
The Stryde Exercise Bike, the most popular of Stryde’s bikes, ships with a two-week free app trial that will get you hooked — but will never be quite as pricey as Peleton’s program.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/AEkX4Kfji_g
MYX Fitness II Plus
The MYX Fitness II Plus indoor cycling bike has a built-in camera and a touchscreen — but its unique features don’t end there. Let’s take a look:
- The MYX Fitness II Plus can accommodate users who weigh up to 350 lbs, exceeding the capacity of many stationary bikes
- This bike is fully height-adjustable and perfect for people from 4’11” to 6’8″
- The MYX Fitness II Plus has an optimized Q-factor with a pedal distance of 165 mm, making it easy on your knee joints
- The MYX Fitness II Plus exercise bike offers SPD clip-in shoe support
- The 18 mm pedals are just slightly larger than most
Together with the challenging on-demand workout app, these features make the MYX Fitness II Plus the fitness bike of choice for people starting a brand-new exercise regimen.
MYX Fitness II Plus Price: $1,599
https://www.youtube.com/embed/qHynRFcunWA
Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle
So, you want to get fit? You know that an indoor bike will play a vital role in your routine, but also that you’ll need more than a fitness bicycle alone? The Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle bundle is waiting for you. You’ll get a high-quality indoor exercise bike, of course, but also:
- A set of dumbbells and a dumbbell holder
- Stretch pads
- A floor mat
- A gel seat cover
- An assembly and maintenance kit
- An M Connect display and media tray
The Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle bundle is your personal all-in-one fitness package. The exercise bike is a sleek V-frame reminiscent of a road bike frame with adjustable handlebars and seats. The Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle will seamlessly connect to the most popular cycling apps.
Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle Price: $1,895
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Cyclace Stationary Exercise Bike
Consider the Cyclace Stationary Exercise Bike if you have been searching for a super-affordable exercise bike that can withstand the grueling workouts you’ll put it through. At $329, the Cyclace Stationary Exercise Bike is almost the definition of “value for money.”
You’ll get a sturdy exercise bike with non-slip handlebars, a 4-way adjustable seat, a heavy-duty steel frame, an LCD monitor, and a tablet holder. You’ll need the tablet holder because this stationary bike connects with your favorite fitness apps.
Cyclace Stationary Exercise Bike Price: $329
https://www.youtube.com/embed/nDS_sHvKM-8
ProForm Studio Bike Pro
Are you planning to share your exercise bike with your entire family? The ProForm Studio Bike Pro, which ships with a 22″ HD touchscreen that can stream iFIT workouts on-demand, can accommodate up to five different users! You get all the perks of a modern exercise app but won’t have to buy an individual subscription for each user.
This sturdy stationary bike has plenty of challenges in store for you, including 24 digital resistance levels. While, at 250 lbs, its weight capacity is a little lower than most, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro does come with a 10-year warranty. They’ll even throw in a 3 lb dumbbell set for you.
ProForm Studio Bike Pro Price: $1,299
https://www.youtube.com/embed/gcTruvlJFmA
How Did We Rank The Best Indoor Exercise Bikes of 2022?
With such a wide variety of exercise bikes on the market, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to know which fitness bikes are the best. We ranked the top stationary bikes of 2022 by examining a wide variety of factors — to leave you with the cream of the crop.
Sturdiness
The best exercise bikes are heavy-duty workout machines suitable for users of any weight. We eliminated flimsy bikes that won’t last and might even endanger your health and only chose the sturdiest fitness bikes that will carry you through the most intense workouts.
Ease of Use
Especially now that exercise bikes are going digital en-masse, some indoor cycling bikes require you to read thick manuals before you have any idea how to operate them. Our list includes many of the most innovative exercise bikes, but we only included easy and intuitive bikes to get started with.
Quietness
Whether quietness is important to you or you’re afraid that your neighbors will file a noise complaint just because you decided to get fit, most people want their indoor cycling bikes to be as quiet as possible. We only chose bikes that are quiet enough to allow you to enjoy some good workout music as you’re riding.
Overall Comfort
You’ll soon abandon your fitness ambitions if your indoor exercise bike is uncomfortable. Seat comfort, adjustable handlebars, and eye-level tablet holders are some of the most important factors we considered as we picked the best exercise bikes of 2022.
Easy Assembly
You want to get fit — and you never signed up for an IKEA-level assembly challenge. The exercise bikes we chose are either shipped completely ready for a workout, give you the choice of opting for expert assembly, or are easy to set up.
Warranty Period
Every exercise bike manufacturer wants you to believe that their product is durable and sturdy. The top indoor cycling bikes offer a warranty period of at least two years to prove that the bike is as good as the marketing team that led you to buy it. Some bikes even come with a warranty period of 10 years!
Adjustability
One size never fits all. Some exercise bike manufacturers don’t understand that basic fact — resulting in indoor cycling bikes designed for slender people already at a perfect weight. Our list focuses on fitness bikes that just about anyone can use and adjust. Most of the exercise bikes we feature hold people who weigh up to 350 lbs and are between 4’11” and 6’8″ tall. This makes the bikes suitable for the vast majority of users.
Value for Money
Exercise bikes can cost you anywhere from $300 to $3,000. Our balanced list includes fitness bikes suitable for any budget. Whether you’re looking for innovative engineering, heavy-duty mechanics, advanced digital features, or just a basic exercise bike that allows you to work out as much as you want, you’ll find the right exercise bike on our list.
Smoothness
You want an exercise bike that makes you feel like you’re gliding across the world with ease — not a fitness bike that forces you to wade through the mud. We chose indoor cycling bikes that offer smooth rides.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Whenever we had the chance, we road-tested each model for ourselves. However, individual experiences are not the only thing that matters, so we dove into thousands of reviews to find out which exercise bikes offer a consistently pleasant user experience to as many customers as possible.
Manufacturer Reputation
In the exercise bike world, a few companies have gained a rock-solid reputation for being the absolute best — and of course, we included these top-quality indoor cycling bikes. However, every brand has to start from the ground up, including the best. We also gave new and innovative startups a chance, but only after testing their products.
20 Ways in Which an Indoor Cycling Bike Can Boost Your Health
Why buy an exercise bike? Just pick from among these 20 powerful health benefits.
Workout at Home Whenever You Want
Going to the gym costs money, takes time, and requires commitment. With an exercise bike nearby at all times, you’ll be able to work out whenever you have an extra 30 minutes without wasting time or effort. Ultimately, that means you’ll get more exercise.
Perfect for a Busy Lifestyle
Whether you’re working from home or have young children to care for, you’ll always find time to jump on your fitness bike. Your bike is always waiting for you, inviting you to get fit.
Meet Cardio Exercise Recommendations
The American Heart Association strongly recommends that every adult spends a minimum of 150 minutes a week on cardio activities. A fitness bike helps you achieve that goal in no time.
Lose Weight
You don’t have to commit to a complex weight loss program to burn calories and fat quickly. Cycling is one of the best ways to burn fat, even if you don’t go on a strict weight-loss diet. Research like this 2010 study suggests that regular indoor cycling for just three months will help you shed your extra pounds and eliminate stubborn fat.
Recover from Knee Injuries
If you have recently suffered from a knee injury, many exercises are not safe for you. You need to avoid machines like treadmills and ellipticals to aid your recovery, which put unnecessary strain on your knees. An exercise bike will help you stay fit in a safe way by sharing the load over your entire body.
A Low-Impact Workout
Aging adults greatly benefit from low-impact exercises that preserve their joint health. With an indoor exercise bike, you will be able to stay fit without straining your joints.
Safety
Indoor cycling bikes are not associated with the same risk of road accidents and falls as outdoor cycling. If you once enjoyed cycling outdoors but are now looking for a safer way to maintain your fitness, an exercise bike is perfect for you.
Climate-Controlled Workouts
Do you live in an unforgiving climate or an area with a high level of outdoor air pollution? Using a stationary bike gives you the same benefits as cycling outdoors, but without the challenges, hot or cold weather imposes.
Easy to Use
Some gym machines are notoriously tricky to use. A fitness bike is, well, “as easy as riding a bike.” Whether you are a novice, you’re standing at the brink of an epic weight loss journey, or you’re getting older, you’ll always know how to get started with a stationary bike.
Surprisingly Affordable
Even the most expensive Peleton bikes will seem affordable when you sit down and add up the cost of an annual gym membership and a personal trainer. If you’re on a budget, spending just $300 will get you a very decent exercise bike that you can rely on. Indoor cycling is one of the cheapest ways to get and stay fit.
Lower Body Muscle Strength
You can’t do better than an exercise bike if you’re after a great lower body workout. An exercise bike provides you with a great cardio workout while simultaneously strengthening the largest muscles in your body — those in your legs.
Burn Body Fat
Belly fat is notoriously hard to get rid of, and cycling is one of the best ways to tackle it head-on. Have you been left with stubborn fat deposits around your belly, thighs, hips, and butt? Even within the first three months of a cycling program, you can burn as much as five percent of your total body fat. There’s no catch — cycling works even if you don’t diet at all.
Build Endurance and Lung Capacity
Research has proven that cycling is one of the best ways to increase your lung capacity, and exercise bikes are safer than riding a bike outdoors. You’ll build muscle, reduce your need for oxygen, and slash your carbon dioxide output when you ride an exercise bike. People with COPD and asthma are often advised to ride fitness bikes for that very reason regularly.
Customized Workouts
Do you want to “go big or go home” or just enjoy a relaxing ride? Your exercise bike will help you achieve your goals, no matter your personal workout preferences. You can ride your fitness bike for 10 minutes or three hours. The choice is all yours.
On-Demand Classes with Free and Paid Subscriptions
Many high-end indoor cycling bikes now come with paid apps that allow you to customize your workout programs and even compete with other people (who might be halfway across the globe). Others have free apps or feature device holders that allow you to watch YouTube exercise programs as you cycle.
Community Support
Welcome to the future! Cutting-edge exercise bikes now have apps that allow you to connect with thousands of other users for community support and competition. Work out with total strangers, or connect with friends and relatives as you ride your indoor bike. It’s been proven that this kind of community support makes fitness and weight loss efforts more effective.
Burn Lots of Calories
Did you know that an exercise bike can help you burn up to 1,000 calories per hour? You do now. As such, riding an indoor fitness bike is one of the easiest ways to lose weight quickly.
Work Out in Solitude
Ever feel watched and self-conscious at the gym? With a fitness bike in your home gym, you don’t have to. Work out comfortably, all by yourself, without anyone watching — and shamelessly drop onto the floor in exhaustion when you are all done.
Increase Your Resilience
An indoor cycling program still takes commitment and motivation. Both will help you build resilience and show you what you’re capable of.
An Improved Mood
Have you been feeling down? While any type of exercise can boost your mood, regularly riding an indoor exercise bike was proven to reduce the stress hormones circulating in your body. In some cases, riding an exercise bike is as effective at treating mild depression as therapy or antidepressant medications. The best part? It only needs to take 15 minutes of your day.
What Types of Exercise Bikes Are on the Market in 2022?
Not all exercise bikes are the same. The three primary indoor cycling bikes on the market in 2022 are upright, recumbent, and spin bikes.
Upright Bikes
Upright bikes most closely match your stereotypical ideas of what an exercise bike should look like. They have an upright handlebar and a broad padded seat to accompany a vertical frame. In 2022, most upright exercise bikes have a magnetic resistance system, and many feature an LCD screen.
Recumbent Bikes
These reclined bikes make it possible to sit in a healthier reclined position as you work out. This helps reduce and prevent lower back pain and be more comfortable for most people. Do you like to pedal in front of you rather than beneath your body? There’s a good chance that a recumbent bike is the best choice for you.
Spin Bikes
Spin bikes were popularized by indoor cycling classes and are characterized by lower handlebars that make you lean forward as you ride. Spin bikes enable you to stand upright as you work out and offer a range of intensity levels.
Using a street bike trainer or a roller bike stand to convert your outdoor bike to an indoor exercise bike is possible.
Top 5 Best Posture Tips for Your Exercise Bike
Maintaining proper posture while using your fitness bike is best for your health. Here’s how:
Keep your spine straight. Train yourself to straighten up as soon as you notice any slumping, and aim to keep your shoulders in a relaxed neutral stance at all times.
Your elbows should bend lightly and stay close to your trunk.
Don’t lean on the handlebars. This strains your lower arms and wrists, making your workout less effective and potentially leading to discomfort.
Keep your feet flat on the pedals, and don’t point your toes down. This is the best way to avoid stressing your knees. Every stroke should go through the ball of your foot.
Align your head with your neck as you cycle, and keep it straight.
Find a comfortable place to sit, planting your behind onto the widest part of the saddle. Make full use of the fact that your exercise bike is adjustable.
Swing your hips forward as you ride, making sure that your knees are aligned with your hips as well as your feet.
FAQs About Indoor Cycling Bikes
Do you still have questions about indoor cycling bikes and their benefits? We have you covered.
Q: What are exercise bikes?
A: Exercise bikes, also called stationary bikes, allow you to enjoy all the benefits of cycling in the comfort of your own home — any time you like.
Q: What muscles does an exercise bike work?
A: Riding an exercise bike primarily gives your butt, legs, thighs, and back a workout, although it will also benefit your abs.
Q: How long should I ride an exercise bike?
A: That is up to you. You should get at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, but how you divide that up is entirely within your control. You can ride a fitness bike for as little as 15 minutes or as long as an hour.
Q: What are the benefits of an exercise bike?
A: An exercise bike offers varied benefits, but the biggest benefit lies in the fact that you can ride your bike whenever you want. Having the bike right in your home motivates you to exercise whenever you have a little spare time, making it easier to lose weight and get in shape. Cycling offers a great cardio workout, as well as toning your muscles.
Q: How do I lose weight on an exercise bike?
A: Weight loss apps can help you monitor your calorie budget, and as you’ll soon discover, riding a bike is one of the best ways to burn calories quickly.
Q: Do I need an exercise bike mat?
A: Yes. An exercise bike mat will prevent you from damaging your floor.
Q: Are exercise bikes safe?
A: Exercise bikes are an extremely safe way to exercise. Compared to treadmills and outdoor bicycles, they lead to a meager injury rate. If you are an older adult or have chronic health conditions, please consult your doctor first.
Q: What are the types of exercise bikes?
A: The three main exercise bikes are upright, recumbent, and spin.
Not all fitness bikes neatly fit into these categories. Some are hybrids. The upright bike is a traditional exercise bike, while recumbent bikes feature bigger seats and backrests to support your spine. Spin bikes can be compared to racing bikes.
Q: What kinds of tension systems do exercise bikes have?
A: Exercise bikes can have multiple different tension systems, with the most popular systems being:
- Open-air flywheel
- Mechanical resistance
- Magnetic resistance
Top manufacturers employ magnetic resistance, which offers a smooth and quiet experience, but mechanical resistance and open-air flywheel bikes can also be excellent.
Q: Should I buy a chain drive or belt drive exercise bike?
A: Chain drive exercise bikes are more durable and offer more flexibility but tend to be loud. In these bikes, the pedals connect to the drive system. This means that the pedals spin until you brake. These bikes require some maintenance, as the belt drive needs to be replaced periodically.
Q: Are heavier flywheels better?
A: Some people would say so because these flywheels increase momentum and mimic the feel of a road bike. This is ultimately a matter of personal preference, however.
Q: What type of maintenance does my exercise bike need?
A: Exercise bikes are generally easy to maintain, but they need some oil from time to time. You may also have to replace the belt drive, but this is not difficult. The only regular maintenance your indoor bike needs is a good wipe-down after a workout, preventing rusting.
Q: What’s the difference between an upright and a spin bike?
A: Upright bikes feature wider and more comfortable seats and have fixed resistance levels. Spin bikes are more like road bikes, with racing saddles and multi-grip handlebars. Generally, spin bikes are better suited to people who enjoy HIIT, while upright bikes give you a great cardio workout.
Q: Do I need a display on my indoor bike?
A: Not necessarily. Many models now include tablet or device holders that replace displays and still allow you to get all the features a display would have offered.
Q: What’s the quietest exercise bike?
A: Modern exercise bikes are surprisingly quiet, allowing you to follow along with a workout program or listen to music. Decibel levels may be provided.
Q: What’s the best exercise bike for older adults?
A: Recumbent exercise bikes are safest for older adults and anyone with balance, mobility, or joint issues.
Q: Can I buy a fully assembled exercise bike?
A: Some exercise bikes are fully assembled. Those that don’t almost always offer the option of having the bike professionally assembled, which typically costs an additional $89.
Q: Are exercise bikes hard to assemble?
A: This depends on your skill level. Most people can assemble a fitness bike in 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Q: Can I change the seat on my exercise bike?
A: Some manufacturers offer you a choice of multiple different seats. If not, you can purchase a gel cover for your seat.
Q: What exercise bikes do gyms use?
A: Most gyms have high-end exercise bikes manufactured by Schwinn, Life Fitness, BodyCraft, and Keiser. For home use, you can get away with using a fitness bike designed for consumers.
Q: Does weight limit matter for exercise bikes?
A: Yes. Always check the upper weight limit before buying an exercise bike, and do not ride an indoor cycling bike that cannot safely carry you.
Q: How do I make exercise bike workouts more exciting?
A: Follow along with an on-demand cycling class! If your bike does not come with an app, you can listen to music, enjoy a podcast, or even watch a movie or a show.
Q: What are the best exercise bikes?
A: Peloton, NordicTrack, Schwinn, and Rogue Fitness make some of the very best exercise bikes available in 2022.
Q: Can I lose belly fat with a stationary bike?
A: One study showed that exercise bikes allow you to lose up to five percent of your body fat within just three months. This makes exercise bikes one of the best ways to fight belly fat. Even if you ride just three times a week and don’t diet, you can see impressive results.
Q: Do I need special shoes to lock into my exercise bike?
A: Any decent pair of running shoes is perfectly suitable for your exercise bike, but if you want, you can invest in cycling shoes for even better performance.
The Top Indoor Exercise Bikes to Buy in 2022 Final Verdict
Investing in a good exercise bike could be the best fitness choice you ever make — so long as you stick with the program! Indoor cycling bikes give you an effective cardio workout, improve stamina, and build lower-body muscle.
Getting the best exercise bike you can afford will motivate you to keep cycling, as your workouts will be comfortable and easy.
Still not sure what exercise bike is best for you? Check our list of the best exercise bikes to discover which indoor bike will fit into your unique lifestyle!
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