Looking to buy the best exercise bike to meet your specific fitness goals?
2021 saw smart home fitness equipment sales increase by 170% with exercise bikes a serious favorite for high-intensity home workouts. But here’s the kicker…
Not all exercise bikes are created equal.
The problem:
You go into a fitness shop (or scroll endlessly online) and you’re faced with dozens of models. Upright bikes, recumbent bikes, spin bikes, smart bikes… they all start to spin together in a dizzying mess.
Fact is, the wrong bike can either be your ticket to crushing fitness goals, or a chalk circle around your abandoned membership.
What you’ll discover:
- A Simple Guide To Exercise Bike Types And Fitness Goals
- Exercise Bike Models Compared For Weight Loss
- Recommended Bikes For Cardiovascular Health
- Bikes That Will Build Strength And Endurance
- Smart Features That Are (And Aren’t) Worth Your Money
A Simple Guide to Exercise Bike Types and Fitness Goals
First things first, you can’t compare bikes until you have a clear idea of what you want from them.
The global exercise bike market is set to hit $728 million by 2024 for a reason – they work. But only if you choose the right one for the right reasons.
Let’s look at some of the most common fitness goals, and which exercise bikes will help you crush them:
Weight Loss: Calories burned are a top target. You’ll need a bike that can do high-intensity intervals and longer steady-state training.
Cardiovascular Health: Moderate-intensity exercise that can be sustained for the long-haul is key for heart health.
Strength and Endurance: Building leg power and cycling endurance will require bikes with adjustable resistance and performance tracking.
Rehabilitation: Comfortable positioning and low-impact movement is the name of the game.
Bonus fact for those that know, and won’t admit…
The type of exercise bike you ride makes a huge difference to results. A recumbent bike will be killer for cardiovascular health but lousy for interval-based weight loss.
For comparing options to match your fitness goals, this exercise bike lineup includes recommended models designed for specific training targets at all levels.
Exercise Bike Models Compared for Weight Loss
Want to know a little secret most of the fitness industry won’t tell you?
Weight loss comes down to a simple calorie deficit.
And the best way to create a calorie deficit is exercise bikes when you use them right.
A 155-pound person will burn 260 calories in just 30 minutes of moderate effort cycling. Push the intensity and those numbers balloon.
And that’s where picking the right bike really comes into play…
Upright Exercise Bikes for Maximum Calorie Burn
The same position as you’d be on a road bike – standing up – engages more muscles and burns more calories per session.
Must-have features: Variable resistance levels (16+ levels), interval training programs, heart rate monitoring, and comfortable seats.
Spin Bikes for Weight Loss HIIT Workouts
If you’re serious about losing weight, you’re going to have to get serious about using spin bikes.
These bad boys are built for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), shown in research studies to burn 25-30% more calories than steady-state cardio.
Features you can’t live without: Heavy flywheels (40+ pounds), magnetic resistance, adjustable positioning, and performance tracking.
Recumbent Bikes for Weight Loss Are the Lies People Tell
Recumbent bikes are super-comfortable, and that comfort has a price. Your muscle activation and calorie burn plummet in the reclined position versus standing upright.
Having said that, they are still a better option than nothing at all for those that can’t use upright bikes for joint pain reasons.
Best Bikes for Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular health is an entirely different goal to pursue.
Moderate-intensity exercise that can be performed with great regularity over months and years is what makes a difference for your heart.
And with over 70% of fitness buffs planning to continue working out at home post-pandemic, that’s no small market.
Recumbent Bikes Are King for Cardiovascular Fitness
The reclined, super-comfortable position of a recumbent bike is perfect for longer, sustained cardio sessions.
Benefits to watch out for: Lower joint stress, comfortable positioning, perceived exertion that’s lower than other bikes, and back support for those extra-long rides.
Dual-Action Bikes: Go Full-Body for Cardio
Dual-action bikes activate your upper and lower body at the same time, working the entire body into a cardio-burning sweat more efficiently.
Strength Training and Endurance Options
If building leg strength and cycling endurance is your target, there are specific exercise bike features you need to look out for.
Magnetic Resistance Systems
Magnetic resistance offers a consistently smooth resistance that is easier to push against, a big benefit for strength building.
Benefits: Progressive overload is possible, along with quiet operation, precise control, and low maintenance.
Performance Tracking Features
If strength and endurance is what you want to improve, measuring what happens is critical.
Key tracking data: Power output (in watts), cadence (RPM), distance/time tracking metrics, and heart rate zones.
Smart Features That Actually Matter
Fitness tech is the current revolution transforming exercise bikes, but not all features are worth paying for.
Interactive Training Programs
The best smart exercise bikes have: Virtual cycling routes, live/on-demand classes, automatic resistance adjustment, and community features.
App Integration and Connectivity
The must-have connectivity options are: Heart rate monitors, fitness trackers, social sharing, and cross-platform progress tracking.
Don’t Waste Your Money on:
Built-in screens (use your phone, tablet, or laptop), over-the-top programs (most people use 3-5 at most), and overly complicated connectivity options.
Maintenance and Longevity Considerations
Here’s what your over-eager salesperson won’t tell you…
The best exercise bike is the one you will actually use all the time. That means it has to be built to last.
Look for the Build Quality Indicators
The signs of a quality constructed bike include:
- A heavy-duty frame (steel better than aluminum)
- Quality bearings in the pedal system
- Warranted components (drive system is a biggie)
- User weight capacity well above your current weight
Maintenance and Wear Parts Requirements
Bear in mind different bike types have different ongoing maintenance needs:
Magnetic bikes – Very low, mainly cleaning and the occasional calibration
Friction bikes – Regular brake pad replacement and adjustment
Belt-drive systems – Almost no maintenance
Chain-drive systems – Regular lubrication and tension adjustment
In Summary
Choosing the best exercise bike for your fitness goals isn’t rocket science when you know what you’re looking for.
Bikes for weight loss need to be upright or spin, with high-intensity/high-calorie-burning features and interval programs. Cardiovascular health heart-thriving workouts need recumbent bikes with comfort for longer, consistent sessions. Strength and endurance training requires magnetic resistance systems with detailed performance tracking.
The home fitness equipment industry is worth $11.3 billion and counting because people are getting real results at home. But also bear in mind…
The best exercise bike for you is the one that matches your goals and sees consistent use.
Don’t get sold on bells and whistles you’ll never use. Instead, invest in quality construction, the right type of resistance systems, and the comfort features that will keep you returning to your bike day after day.
Your fitness journey awaits. Time to find the bike that will get you there.
