Investing in a exercise bike for your home gym is an effective way to realize your fitness goals even without going to a pretty expensive fitness gym. Exercising at home using a stationary bike can actually help you burn fat as well as tone your lower body muscle.
However, with the different styles available in the market today, it can be rather challenging to find the right exercise bike for you. But there’s definitely one out there that suits your fitness goal and available budget.
The different brands of bike have their own individual exercise bike models and providing enough time to research may give you a good idea on the style that fits your objectives. Reading customer reviews may also greatly help you find the exercise bike that can help you achieve an ideal weight and beautifully toned body muscles.
How to Find the Best Exercise Bike ?
Achieving your fitness goals starts by getting the right workout equipment if you intend to do your fitness routines indoors. Though running or jogging outdoors is a great weight loss exercise, there are some factors that may prevent you from doing such activities and an indoor workout is the only way for you to maintain your fitness program. The most effective workout partner you can have is perhaps an exercise bike.
Learn About the Different Types of Exercise Bikes
There are 3 types of exercise bikes on the market – spinner, upright and recumbent. Each type is designed to provide fitness enthusiasts the different options which may fit their fitness objectives.
This type resembles a typical outdoor bike. It comes with an unsupported back and the users have to lean forward towards the handlebars with feet on the pedals directly below the hips when using it. This is designed for those who are into intense exercises and want to simulate the feel of biking outdoors. This is not advisable though, for people who have a history of lower back injury or strain. The upright bike is more compact than the other types and ideal for those who have limited workout space.
The user works out in a reclined position in a seat with back support. Pedals are found in front of the rider which is more convenient and comfortable, making it a great exercise bike for people with back problems or perhaps, beginners and overweight individuals. This is not intended for intense workout routines as it may be hard to increase heart rate due to the difficulty in achieving higher leg speeds.
The spining bike is designed almost like a racing bike with higher seat placement and low handlebars. This is ideal for pretty advanced users and it offers the most intense exercise of the 3 exercise bike types. If you are into an intense workout, this is the exercise bike for you.
Helpful Advice and Key Factors to Keep in Mind
Price
Price is also an important consideration. Bikes come in various price ranges that address each customer’s budget range. Work around your budget but you want to make sure of the quality and features as well. There are high quality brands/models that are quite easy on the pocket which you can select from.
Know your Fitness Objectives
It is vital that you know your goals. You can’t find what you are looking for if you don’t have a definite fitness goal. If you are a beginner who just wants to maintain your body weight, an expensive and very elaborate bike may not be necessary for you. However, if you are planning to shift to a more intense workout later on, there are models that can be programmed to your preference.
Read Different Customer Reviews
It helps to read various customer reviews. These reviews provide feedbacks and comments from people who have actually bought and used a particular brand/model of exercise bike. Reviews may include value, quality, performance, utility, etc. If you want to have the best exercise bike, take note of their feedback and evaluate which model/brand will match your needs and taste.
Test Drive
Online buying prevents you from testing your particular choice of bike. However, once you have created a shortlist, you can go to the store and perform a test drive on your choices to be able to experience the ride and see how it goes.
Best Affordable Exercise Bikes You Can Consider
It’s quite tough to choose the right exercise bike when you are on a shoestring budget, but here are two suggestions you may want to consider to help you narrow down your options.
Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse
Horizon Fitness RC-30 Recumbent Exercise Bike
If you are new to biking or perhaps suffering from back problems, this recumbent model is a great option for you. RC-30 is a type of recumbent bike that offers a low-impact workout while it helps you lose weight and tone your lower body muscles. It’s a great cardio workout for a pretty fair price and can accommodate a maximum weight capacity of 275 pounds and measures 66”W x 52”H x 26”D. Features include:
- 8 programmable resistance levels for diverse workout options
- 8 exercise programs which include intervals, manual, rolling, tempo, custom 1 & 2, random and weight loss
- 10-pound flywheel for quiet motion
- Large LCD display that shows workout feedbacks
- Seat with lumbar support for comfort
- Handle bar pulse grip monitors heart rate
It makes sense to carefully choose your exercise bike, no matter how long it may take you to do it. By looking over the brands/models mentioned above, you will come to a realization that the best exercise bike doesn’t have to be the most expensive one in the market.
5 Quick and Simple Tips on How to Lose Fat Stationary Cycling
I have to admit it I look pretty athletic these days. I’m lean, I carry a fair amount of muscle and I do active things more often than not. But a year ago this was anything, but the case. In fact, I was pretty terribly out of shape and quickly approaching obese. Thank God, I snapped myself out of the depression I had fell into, picked up an exercise bike, cleaned up my diet and got to work. On my way to losing just shy of fifty pounds I picked up these tips. They worked for me and they’ve helped a half dozen people I’ve coached into great shape. Put them into action and they could help you get in the best shape of your life too.
Be Prepared to Ride
I made a strong commitment to get on the bike and ride at least 6 days a week. Sometimes I couldn’t put in a full session, but I still did as much as I could. This not only helped physically, obviously, but helped condition my mind into accepting I wasn’t a fat couch potato anymore. I was an active athlete getting himself back into fighting shape.
Mix Up Your Cycling Training
It’s beyond the scope of this article to break down the specifics of my training, but I’ll share the foundation of it. Around half of the time I cycled I dedicated it to long distance rides at a moderate pace and the other half I did hardcore interval training. For me this kept my mind engaged and interested and the calories coming off. If training is boring, you are much less likely to stick with it, right?
Eat Right
Now I didn’t get too fanatical about my diet. I was so active it wasn’t really necessary. I did cut out junk food and late night carbs and replaced fatty meats with more lean cuts. If dieting is your thing, there’s plenty of options to explore. Just use a good diet to compliment your training and not the other way around.
Smart Supplementation
My weight really started to come off once I optimized my supplement program. Yes, there are a few key things out there that will help with energy before training and boosting fat burning and your metabolism. The one pick that was a constant companion for me, and it still is, is CrazyBulk Clenbutrol. According to my weight loss logs, sped up my progress by over 25%. I’ve heard of other people getting even more spectacular results. You don’t need to take a supplement to burn fat while cycling at home, but it can speed the process up dramatically.
Now, I’ve retired my exercise bike in favor of cycling on the road. I’ve overcome the embarrassment of training in public now that I’m more fit. Feeling comfortable in your own body is priceless. Follow these tips and cycling can help build a new you!
If you are not interested in a realistic simulation of an actual bicycle (which the upright exercise bike is known for providing), then the standard recumbent exercise bike may be all that you need to add to your efficient yet economic home gym. When shopping for recumbent exercise bikes, you will more than likely quickly realize that there is an overabundance of different models and brands from which you can select. There are several key features and benefits that you need to specifically search for when shopping in order to find the best deals available.
What is it about the LeMond spin bike that makes it an exceptional exercise bike for everyone ?