What should you pay attention to when choosing an exercise bike?
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Back are the long, darker days! Usually not the best weather to cycle outside. Would you still like to stay in cycling-shape? Then move your training indoors! For example, select an exercise bike, a recumbent bike or a sprinter bike. Three 'indoor bikes' each with their own advantages. In this blog we will go deeper into the options and specifications of the three bikes, so that you can make a solid decision.
Cycling is good for body and mind
What all types of cycling have in common: they are good for body and mind. With cycling you reduce stress and you can get rid of the excess energy of the day. Furthermore, a solid workout helps prevent cardiovascular disease, helps to keep blood sugar levels stable, lowers cholesterol and increases your lung capacity.
The exercise bike
This is also called the classic indoor bike, fitness bike or hometrainer. You sit upright, unlike a sprinter bike and a recumbent bike. It is the right choice if you want to train 'casually'. You can use the exercise bike to maintain or improve your endurance, to lose a few kilos or to strengthen your muscles. With an exercise bike you work on your back and leg muscles, calves, glutes, biceps, triceps and quadriceps.
De sprinter bike
Positioning yourself on a sprinter bike is similar to the positioning on a road bike: bent over. This allows you to make more speed while cycling. With a sprinter bike you train the whole body, but with the emphasis on the lower body. You train your abdominal muscles, your biceps and triceps and you also strengthen your spine due to the forward bended position. With a sprinter bike you burn a lot of calories during a solid training session, so it is also perfectly suitable for losing weight.
De recumbent bike
With a recumbent bike you perform the workout sitting down. 'Recumbent' means 'leaning back': you relieve the upper body and focus on the lower body, but – just like all types of indoor cycling – it has a positive influence on the whole body. The recumbent bike is excellent if you need to rehabilitate or have back or knee problems.
What should you pay attention to when buying an indoor bike?
If you have made the choice between the three types of bike, the second step then is to choose some of the features. A number of points are important here:
- 1. The resistance level and the number of programs
The more resistance levels and training programs, the more challenging and diverse the exercises are. Are you just starting to train? Then you can build up your training intensity.
- 2. A comfortable sitting position, entry and maximum user weight
Not all indoor bikes are suitable for people weighing a hundred kilos or heavier. So always look at the maximum user weight as mentioned in the specifications of the bike. For a comfortable sitting position, it is important that you can adjust the saddle and handlebars properly. So make sure that you have enough options for the bike to choose the right height. Do you have some trouble getting on a bike? There are also indoor bikes with a longer entry where you do not have to step over the pedals.
- 3. The weight and size of the bike
Do you want to use the indoor bike intensively? A sturdy exercise bike is often better suited for this. Usually these heavier bikes have transport wheels so that you can easily move it. Do you use the bike less intensively and does it go into the closet after each use? Then you better choose a lighter indoor bike. Small storage space? Then go for the foldable X-bike!
- 4. The weight of the flywheel
Do you want to train intensively with many resistance levels? Then go for a heavier flywheel. A heavier flywheel offers more possibilities. Do you mainly train with just a few different levels? Then a lighter flywheel is also perfectly suitable.
- 5. The brake system
Most trainers have an electromagnetic braking system (EMS) or manual permanent magnet (PMS). With EMS, the resistance is determined by induction. You choose the resistance on the display, after which the magnets come into the right position via induction. EMS does not use a motor or moving/mechanical parts. With manual PMS, the magnet moves directly with the rotary knob with which you manually choose the resistance. With a PMS servo motor you choose the resistance on the display, after which the servo motor sets the magnets in motion.
- 6. An ergometer
An ergometer can help you achieve the goal of your workout. By entering your data such as height and weight, you can train very accurately on wattage and see what your calorie usage is.
- 7. Bluetooth
Do you want to accurately track the progress of your workout? With Bluetooth you connect a heart rate monitor to the exercise bike to train with heart rate controlled programs, for example. You can also use apps such as Tunturi Routes, Kinomap and Zwift.
