Are you considering indoor biking but don’t know where to start? Do you want to squeeze in some workouts but have limited time? Fitness bikes might help you with that.
One of the best recommended aerobic exercises is biking. It’s good for the heart and lungs and promotes cardiovascular health. However, if you can’t afford to go out a lot, the next best thing is indoor biking. Give this a spin and get ready to sweat, and feel your blood pumping.
Indoor cycling improves heart health, sheds unwanted fats, and boosts muscle strength. This activity will surely work your legs, and tone them to be stronger. It’s also an opportunity to engage in a full-body exercise. You’ll also benefit from the endorphins your body will produce so buckle up and find the right fitness bike for you!
In this article, Cognitive Health and Wellness Institute aims to guide you in your search for the best fitness bike. So, check this list of the highly-commended fitness bikes and start incorporating them into your fitness routine!
What to look for in fitness bikes
Before we start listing down the best fitness bikes available in the market, it is important to look at the different aspects you should assess when choosing the best one for you. Answer this question – how advanced do you want your fitness bike to be?
Once you have set realistic expectations, you are ready to shop for a fitness bike. These are some of the important details to check:
Qualifications:
Features
It doesn’t matter whether you’re going all the way, or modest in buying a fitness bike – there are basic features this equipment should have. These are resistance levels, speed, distance, comfort, adjustment, optional accessories, weight limit, noise, and safety.
Budget / Price
Fitness bikes are almost an investment for they can be a big purchase. How much are you willing to spend on this? The price range may go from about $300 to $3000. If you only want to spin your legs and break a sweat without having to analyze your burnt calories, heart rate, and power, then you wouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Use
How do you want your fitness bike? Would you want it seated or standing?
When you are standing while cycling, you set your bike to high resistance, which means you have to exert more effort in working out. You have to incorporate more of your muscles and increase your energy output to pedal more.
You can turn the resistance down when you sit down while cycling to give your legs and core some rest.
Reflect on your objective. Why do you want to cycle? Is it for extensive training or the other? It would be easier for you to pick which stationary bike is appropriate for you when you know your why.
Speed
Bike pedaling speed, also known as cadence, is a crucial part of indoor cycling. You can monitor it with a speedometer. Your resistance level dictates how fast you’d go, but the most ideal is from 50 to 110 rpm. Ensure that the equipment you’re eyeing can handle the setting you require to perform optimally.
Distance
Learning distance per minute is another way to maximize a fitness bike. Your fitness equipment should have a precise odometer that displays the distance you’ve covered. Manufacturers program this feature based on their formula. Compare distance and speed and maximize your biking.
User-friendliness
The last thing you’d need in your fitness journey is equipment that you can’t operate smoothly. The same is also true for a bike. Thus, in choosing what to buy, make sure to check if the brand provides a simple interface that allows users to manipulate settings easily.
The best fitness bikes
The interest in fitness bikes continues. It becomes even more popular in the cold weather. Thus, it is not surprising that different fitness bikes grace the market each time. Among the positively reviewed ones are the following:
Best Recumbent Bike: Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike
Rating: 5 stars
Price: $649
Users love to call the Schwinn 270 the best Recumbent Bike that you can get from the market. It is adaptable for both novice and fitness gurus and includes functional features to elevate your workout. If you are up for challenging programs and levels, this equipment has 29 different workout modes with precise heart rate control.
Schwinn 270 also features 25 levels of workout intensity and resistance, high speed and inertia system with a 17-pound flywheel for a smooth and consistent workout, in-sole speakers, useful Bluetooth and USB data transfer, media shelf, cooling fan, water bottle, and transport wheels.
Its DualTrack LCD window system allows you to see relevant data in your ride like speed, time, distance, heart rate, calories, level, resistance, and revolutions per minute. Schwinn has a comfortable seat that you can ride for an hour while watching Netflix without noticing the time. Overall, this fitness bike is more affordable with positive customer reviews.
Best Value Smart Bike: Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike
Rating: 4.6 of 5
Price: $599.9
The Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike is a piece of generous equipment considering its price.
This model is the entry-level bike of the said brand. Its highlight is its diverse workout programs, resistance levels, and Bluetooth connectivity.
There isn’t any remarkable difference between this and the high-end R618. The upgrades are subtle, such as the gel seat cushion and the adjustable backrest. Other than those, the R616 still competes with its solid pros like the durable step-thru frame, comfortable seat, 29 workout programs, 25 resistance levels, easy set-up, dual LCDs, and the 30-lb weight capacity.
Most reviews praise this unit for its wide and cozy seat. Its modern and sleek design is also notable. You can train without programming! You can make your cycles even more challenging by setting your resistance level. The RideSocial App is also a feature that walks you through various scenic routes around the world.
Most Flexible Bike: NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
Rating: 5 out of 5
Price: $1,499
The NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle boasts a massive rotating touch screen, a responsive resistance control system, and an automatic incline which are friendly to both first-timers and pros. Its 22-inch HD touch screen will take you for a ride, and its 360-degree adjustable viewing angle won’t make you feel alone in your workouts.
Riding in stationary bikes often feels like you’re going nowhere, but that’s what sets this fitness bike apart from the rest. With NordicTrack, you can cycle in the Colorado mountains, wander in the waterfalls of Hawaii, and stroll in the century ruins of Turkey. This is an opportunity for you to enjoy trainer-led outdoor activities that would advance your rides.
If you need motivation, the on-demand cycling classes with iFit will help you with that. It will allow you to mix your routines once in a while. This fitness bike is also not only for spinning as it also includes upper-body exercises with a pair of three-pound dumbbells upon purchase.
Best Smart Bike: Bowflex VeloCore Bike
Rating: 4 out of 5
Price: $1,699 – $2,199
Bowflex VeloCore Bike doesn’t only focus on your legs, but your full body as well. This fitness bike provides features beyond indoor exercise.s For instance, you can sway your ride side-to-side through the Lean Mode as if you’re riding a traditional bike. This allows you to engage your arms and core.
While you’d have to pay an extra for the membership, Bowflex has a platform for an evolving library of trainer-led videos, with Adaptive Workouts so that you can exercise based on your fitness situation. It also includes rich entertainment options that are the best for people who easily get bored exercising constantly.
Most Sophisticated Experience: Peloton Bike
Rating: 4 out of 5
Price: $1,895
If you are looking for a premium experience throughout, the Peloton Bike is an extraordinary piece of equipment for you. This comes with a top-notch display with a 24-inch screen. Besides its engaging instructors and immersive classes, the unit also has a saddle that swivels as you exercise. This opens an outdoor virtual world to get you even motivated.
Peloton has effortlessly become a household name since the pandemic. The company advanced its features and backs it up with a high-quality streaming service to support its users. You just need to be willing to spend more on the membership to access this.
The Best Peloton Alternative: MYX II Fitness Bike
Rating: 4 out of 5
Price: $1, 399.00
MYX II is a high-tech exercise bike that will not only work out your legs but your whole body too. This brand is the closest rival of Peltron, however, the difference is that it costs less. The magnificent quality of the touch screen is what will provide you the personal trainer feel that would help you maximize your ride.
Almost half of the price of its competitor, MYX II lives up to the expectations of fitness buffs. It has revolutionized monitoring as it makes it more personalized. Thus, the unit comes with heart-rate-based workouts that best fit individuals who want to stay in shape with the help of an instructor who will lead the activity.
Train your body and mind with MYX II Fitness Bike. Enjoy its sleek and interactive 21.5” touchscreen tablet to enhance your workout experience. Maximize its additional accessories, exercise gear, and monthly subscriptions that will get you the most of the equipment.
Best Bike System: Assault AirBike Elite
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Price: $1299
One of the highlights of the Assault AirBike Elite is that it increases resistance as you turn up its speed which further engages your upper and lower body during the ride. This brand has a forward and backward pedal function to give your cycling more variation.
If you love to monitor where you have been in your fitness journey, the Assault AirBike Elite is the right bike for you. The two front wheels are interactive enough to replicate the feeling that you are moving around a house or a gym. The multiple position grips is also an engaging inclusion as it provides more comfort when you pedal.
With the Assault AirBike Elite, expect a bike with a solid steel frame, a spacious and supportive seat, a durable unit that holds at least 350 pounds, and an integrated LCD that accurately projects your performance data. You can stretch your workouts with its hiiit programs too!
Best home exercise bike for streaming workouts: ProForm Studio Bike Pro
Rating: 4 out of 5
Price: 1,299.00
ProForm Studio Bike Pro has a detailed 10” touchscreen that projects sharp graphics. iFit Health and Fitness powers this durable and well-engineered machine that balances price and quality. This high-end model with a 22” Smart HD Touchscreen Display is useful in your rides, and it swivels so that you can adjust it when you want to warm up, meditate, or work out.
The iFit Coach comes with LiveCast spine class videos that are effective in getting the right guidance from a trainer. ProForm has a 30-day Family Membership that comes with your purchase. Its HD Touchscreen Display is also one of the biggest in the market. This results in an interactive display that smoothly integrates Google Maps Street Views in your rides.
The advanced cycle trainer of this bike serves as its selling point. Your instructor will not only be there to show you what to do, but they’ll also have control over your resistance level and location. You just have to download the app on your iOS or Android device. The coaching also includes early wake-up notifications and estimated calorie burn while you are asleep.
Most Innovative Smart Bike: Rogue Echo Bike
Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Price: $795
The Rogue Echo Bike features a pair of movable handlebars and pedals that are also effective in full-body workouts. This durable and strong model is made of a steel frame that has a smooth, coating finish to match the experience. Since a belt-drive system powers Rogue Echo, it runs quietly.
If you love stationary workouts but want the idea of moving, this brand is simply maneuverable. Its wheels will give you the experience that you are not just stuck in the same place. Moreover, its LCD console effortlessly projects heart rate, distance, and calories out. You can customize its interval setting to plan your workouts according to your needs.
This air bike is far from the usual stationary indoor bikes. While it is effective for low-impact cardio, its movable handlebars will change the experience for you. Its rower will push you to give your best. If you want it faster, pedal harder! You can do this with its resistance adjustment!
Best Air Bike: Concept2 BikeErg
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Price: $1,163.97
This model is the perfect fitness bike for traditional cyclists who want to replicate the ride they have outdoors in the comforts of their homes.
BikeErg is durable and efficient equipment that applies the principles of a traditional bike to powerful equipment. This sport-based ergometer uses the Performance Monitor and flywheel that result in a smooth and quiet ride.
Its sophisticated and stylish Performance Monitor provides instant feedback to your performance, and it effectively displays the workouts you can pick from. This screen has undergone calibration so that you can compare your rides from your previous exercises and evaluate if you are making progress. This unit is suitable both for professional and commercial use!
How do you choose the best fitness bike for you?
In the end, your choice of fitness bike is still greatly affected by your personal goals in mind. All of these brands would help improve your cardiovascular health, tone your muscles, and burn your unwanted fats. What are your objectives from these? One model may be an expert of a certain aspect over the other. Choose well! Keep calm and pedal on!