Exercise bikes are a great piece of cardio equipment to have in your home or commercial facility. Exercise bikes come at a variety of price points and have many health benefits to add to your fitness routine. Many people know they want an exercise bike, but are unsure whether they want an upright bike, recumbent bike, or spin bike. Below we will discuss the main differences and benefits between the four main types of stationary bikes: spin bikes, upright bikes, recumbent bikes and air bikes.
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Spin bikes are a type of exercise bike designed to feel like a traditional road bike. Spin bikes are great for interval training, because of their ability to change tension very quickly. Unlike a recumbent or upright, a spin bike will have a dial or krank that quickly changes the tension, whereas the other types of bikes will have a button to gradually increase tension. This style of low impact training has become very popular in group fitness settings and with many app options, this can be brought right into your own home!
The two main types of resistance systems for spin bikes are friction based and magnetic based.
Friction based bikes have a leather or felt break pad that applies pressure to the top of the flywheel in order to create resistance. To understand how this type of indoor exercise bike operates, we first need to understand what friction is. Friction is the resistance that is felt when attempting to slide two objects past one another. In an exercise bike, friction resistance occurs when fabric pads apply pressure to the spinning flywheel. These pads can either be located on each side of the flywheel and squeeze the flywheel when the resistance knob is turned to the right or include one larger pad that applies pressure in a downward motion to the turning flywheel. The pads are usually made of fabric, either cotton or leather.
Spin bikes with a magnetic resistance system move a magnet closer to the flywheel in order to create more resistance without actually making any contact. As more bike designs are including magnetic resistance, it is crucial to understand what magnetic resistance is and how it works. For magnetic resistance to occur, a few things need to happen, and as you can guess, this process includes magnets. A standard design contains two powerful magnets located parallel to one another with the flywheel between them. Different exercise bikes with magnetic resistance levels will vary in the amount of magnets are on the bike. The more magnets, the more powerful and smooth it will be.
Both types of spin bikes are very common, however magnetic resistance systems tend to provide a little bit smoother of a feel, especially if you desire to get up to high resistance levels.
A spin bike that has the flywheel located at the back as you adjust the handlebars up will actually get further away from you.
One of the most prominent features of an upright exercise bike is right in the name. Upright bikes are most popular for their comfortable upright position and large seat compared to other stationary bikes. This is a great option for someone who wants to be comfortable and not in a bent over riding position. An upright bike also features handlebars for your comfort and safety. The only variable on an upright bike that is controlled from the console is resistance or tension, the speed at which you pedal is entirely up to the user. An upright bike is one of the most comfortable ways to exercise. Most upright bikes will have a padded seat. The padded seat will provide extra cushioning.
Upright bikes will have more involved consoles with built in programs. Unlike the quick adjustment of resistance on other stationary bikes like spin bikes, upright bikes will have buttons on the console or on the side handles to adjust resistance. Some upright bikes also have heart rate compatibility and can track your workouts. Consoles may be LCD display or touch screen if more advanced. The most common display type is an LCD display. If preset programs are important to you, then an upright bike is a great option for you. Some exercise bikes we carry, such as Matrix Fitness allows you to choose between different types of consoles including LCD display, LED and touch screen. Some people prefer to go for a distance or calorie based goal when cycling rather than solely based on time.
A recumbent bicycle is an indoor exercise bike that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position. The rider's weight is distributed comfortably over a larger area, supported by back and buttocks, which makes recumbent bikes the most comfortable exercise bike option. Typically recumbent bikes are best suited for users with limited mobility, joint issues, or injuries. Exercising in a recumbent position puts less strain on your joints. Recumbent bikes may seem like easy cardio, but looks can be deceiving. According to the following small research studies, recumbent bikes can provide a serious workout.
Recumbent bikes are more well known for placing less stress on the joints. The reclined body position is easier on the low back (lumbar spine), making it a great option for individuals with lower back injuries. It's also beneficial for people with cardiac limitations. If you struggle with balance you may find that a recumbent bike is safer to use because there is less of a risk of falling off than when using an upright bike or other standing cardio equipment (such as a treadmill or stair climber). There's little to no risk when riding a recumbent bike, so if you are shopping for an elderly person looking to improve their health, this is a great workout option. You can also utilize heart rate monitoring as an added safety feature for seniors.
A recumbent position is one of the most comfortable ways to exercise. Most recumbent bikes will have a padded seat. The padded seat will provide extra cushioning on your seat and back. A recumbent bike is one of the only cardio machines that provides back support during your workout.
Some exercise bikes, whether a recumbent bike or upright back have a step through design. This basically means that there is an opening for the user to step through rather than needing to step over something to get on the seat. Again, this is helpful for those with limited mobility.
Air bikes are stationary bikes with arm handles and pedals attached to a large fan at the front, which provides wind resistance as the user pedals. The user's pedaling action also moves the bike's handles, providing an upper body workout. Air bikes may suit people who want to engage in high intensity exercise. This is a great piece of exercise equipment for your home gym.
Riding an air bike on a higher resistance strengthens your lower body significantly. Pedaling helps build your hamstrings, calves, quadriceps, back, and glutes tougher. The bike's moving handles help in working your upper body muscles, such as biceps, shoulders, and triceps.
On an Airbike, like the Schwinn Airdyne below, there is no manual adjustment of resistance which makes this unlike any of the other bikes we've touched on. Instead, the fan creates resistance and changes intensity depending on how hard and fast the user is going. This type of bike is a great addition to your gym and gives a high intensity workout.
Schwinn AirDyne:
Users typically find Airbikes quite comfortable. They feature a large seat and high handle bars which means you don't need to be hunched over at all. This type of bike does not feature a step through design, which is important to note for those with limited mobility, as they may be more comfortable on an upright or recumbent bike.
No matter what kind of exercise bike you're looking for, we'll be able to find the brands you love and work within your price range to find the best option for your gym. Installation is typically easier on an exercise bike than other types of cardio machines, but we do offer delivery and installation if desired by the customer. For weekly in store deals and online promotional deals subscribe to our newsletter and social media. On our website you'll be able to find information on brands, specifications, models and availability. If the models you are looking for aren't there, please reach out to us and we will be able to tell you if we're just temporarily sold out, when we'll be getting more, or help steer you in another similar direction. No matter what, you will be getting a high quality bike in the convenient room of your choice.
