Exercise bikes make an excellent choice for your home gym cardio training. They are cost-effective, take up limited space, and allow you to multitask during workout sessions. Exercise bikes fall into different groups according to their versatile applications. It is vital to understand how each type of exercise bike can help in attaining your fitness goals before committing to one.

Upright bikes are also known as stationary bikes. You can find them in nearly every home gym. The positioning during exercise is similar to regular commuter bikes. They are an entry-level option that’s both cost-effective and compact. The low-impact training they offer makes them an excellent choice for those that don’t work out regularly or if you are just getting started. Regular use provides great cardio feedback while improving muscle tone and strengthening the legs.

Recumbent bikes provide the same type of cardio response as upright bikes. However, they give back support, which allows you to sit at a reclined angle. Recumbent exercise bikes center on maximizing your comfort: that’s why they come with a chair instead of a saddle. They make the best choice for people recovering from back or knee injuries. Training on recumbent exercise bikes reduces stress to joints, strengthens lower stomach muscles as well as the glutes (the bottom).

Studio bikes are also as known as indoor cycling bikes. These exercise bikes come highly recommended for bicycle commuters and those who train with bicycles regularly. They simulate a more diverse range of resistance training when compared to standard exercise bikes. The handlebars and saddles are set to the same height; this intensifies the cardio feedback.

Self-powered bikes have generators and dynamos inside them, which produce all the power required for your workout. This specification makes self-powered bikes more expensive than other options that require a power source.

Air or fan bikes are also referred to as assault bikes. Their design layout features two upright handlebars set chest high and a huge fan that’s driven by the pedal power of a user. The harder you peddle; the more resistance the fan generates. They feature in most CrossFit gyms and are a way to add some challenge or intensity to your workout.

Smart or interactive exercise bikes look and work like studio bikes but feature a built-in screen that has a range of interactive programs and apps. You can use these apps to participate in group cycling sessions or to interact with other users as you work out.

A watt bike simulates road-cycling conditions while collecting concise riding data, including techniques used. They record your power output in watts, your heart rate, calorie expenditure, and a variety of other performance metrics. They have a dual braking system and do a great job at simulating both flat and inclined riding conditions.

Modern exercise bikes come with so many bells, whistles, and tickers when compared to the bare bone models from the past. The best way to settle on a particular model is to try it out before you buy. If you’re thinking of making an online purchase, a visit to a local fitness center can shed some light on what you may or may not prefer.

The following features are what you should look out for in exercise bikes.

Display - The display needs to be clear and have user-friendly controls. Find a machine that shows speed, time, RPM (revolutions per minute), level of resistance, distance covered, and other vital metrics. You can also look into a model that offers an interactive display that can show motivational messages or virtual courses.

Programming - Look into highly programmable exercise bikes. Get one that allows you to gauge your level of fitness and adjust your routines accordingly. You should also consider a machine that lets you have heart rate controlled workouts and to change resistance and other factors based on your weight, gender, and age.

Heart-Rate Monitor - Knowing your heart rate while you work out is one of the best ways to get the most out of every session. Exercise bikes with chest strapped heart rate monitors are the best. You also have the option of getting a standalone chest strap or wrist heart rate monitor.

Resistance - As you progress, you will want to make your workouts more challenging. Go for exercise bikes that have an easily adjustable resistance dial or bar.

Storage - When shopping for an exercise bike, consider the amount of space you have in your home or premises. Look at the floor space the machine will take up. You can opt for a foldable model if you live in an apartment or you lack the space for a permanent set-up.

Safety - The moving parts featured on exercise bikes make them a safety hazard, especially if you have children. Getting a bike with a safety lock is a great idea. If you cannot find a lockable option, consider storing it in a place where unsupervised children have limited access.

Body Positioning - The style of the device determines the body position you will assume when on the machine. The various styles and their aerodynamic profiles have been discussed in the previous criterion.

Pedals - They add a touch of realism to your work out. Pedals are dual side (one for the left, another for the right foot). Some feature either a toe strap to fasten your feet or an SPD clip that can secure your shoes.

Handlebars - When scoping out a desired exercise bike, look at the ergonomics of the handlebars. Can you easily reach them? Do they have comfortable handgrips? These are the types of things to ponder before settling on a particular model.

Flywheel - Some exercise bikes feature a flywheel to create magnetic resistance. Electromagnetic induction slows down the wheel while you push and pull on pedals, resulting in a consistently smooth resistance.

Additional Features - These are elements that have little impact on your fitness goals but enhance your comfort or allow you to do other tasks during workouts. They include things like a bottle holder, a book rest, laptop stands, etc.

Exercise bikes are perfect for toning up your legs and have great results for those looking to shed some pounds. There are many other benefits of using exercise bikes.

Here are some other benefits that you might not have been aware of until now:

Improved Cardiovascular Response
Training on an exercise bike at least three times a week for 30 minutes strengthens the heart. Stronger heart muscles mean your heart will beat less frequently. A lower heart rate lessens the chances of suffering from cardiovascular disease since your heart ejects more blood in every contraction.

Stronger Legs
Training on exercise bikes tones your legs, buttocks, thighs, and has some minor effects on your arms, back, and abdominal muscles. You should note that training on exercise bikes refines the targeted muscle groups. Cardio training improves your endurance, allowing you to do training that is more intensive for you to gain muscle and mass.

Reduces the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is characterized by an increase in the levels of blood sugar. Training on exercise bikes or any cardio workout you can do uses the glucose reserves in your muscles. It also makes your body more sensitive to insulin by reducing the amounts needed to lower glucose levels in your blood.

Lower Cholesterol
High levels of bad cholesterol increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Cardio workouts promote the levels of good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol.

Improves Your Mood
While you get some cardio workout on an exercise bike, your body secretes a cocktail of hormones. These hormones include serotonin and endorphins, which bring a heightened state of well-being. These hormones regulate anxiety, stress, and mood; that’s why they are aptly named happy hormones. When you cycle for an hour or so, your body gets a shot of these hormones, and there’s that unmistakable euphoric feeling.

For a workout bike to make an impact on your training regimen, you have to use it as often as possible. If you cannot be comfortable, then you’ll probably use it for a limited time and not as often as you should.

Avoid exercise bikes with uncomfortable seats and handlebars as they make for awkward and ineffective positioning. A model with a strong base will give you a feeling of security as you crush those fitness goals.

When looking at reviews on exercise bikes, note what other users say about the design and the materials used. These two factors are vital in establishing how comfortable you’ll be on the model. Comfort is a subjective matter; some people may prefer a studio to an upright option; some may prefer a hard seat to a cushioned one. What matters is that you find the comfort level that works for you.

When you take aspects like the handlebar or seat padding and the general design of a model, it suddenly becomes easier determining the level of comfort exercise bikes can offer.

As you can see from this list, exercise bikes come in all shapes and sizes. Some are compact, others are foldable, and this makes them ideal for studio apartments and smaller homes.

Many manufacturers spare no expense in making their brands as durable and comfortable as possible. This build quality makes them cumbersome and at times too heavy to move around the house.

If you have a dedicated workout area, like a home gym, where you can permanently station your machine, then space is not an issue. However, if you have less space to work with, it might be better to consider a foldable model or something you can move by yourself without the need for assistance.

The weight of a particular product inherently determines its portability and durability. It makes sense that heavier exercise bikes feature stronger materials in their construction and last longer than lighter products. They also offer a sturdier base than lighter options. These are all factors to debate in your mind before committing to a purchase.

Before you buy a model, the best practice is to measure the space you want to assign for it in your home. Ensure that there is at least 18” of space around the machine for easy access and to allow you to stretch before or after you take a few spins on the device.