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What To Look For in a Stationary Bike
This entry was posted on September 16, 2022.
Stationary bikes are becoming a hit when choosing exercise equipment for a home gym. Bikes can help you achieve your fitness goals like increasing leg strength and losing weight. They are a great choice if you have limited space in your home where you would like to do daily exercise.
But not all stationary bikes are manufactured with the same features that would help you with your fitness goals. To get the best experience and the most from your investment in a fitness machine, we gathered the best tips on what you should look for when shopping for the best stationary bike that you can bring home.
Stationary Bike Evaluation and Testing Criteria
When comparing stationary bikes, you will recognize that each will vary depending on the features you are looking for. These features also impact the price of the stationary bike you would like to buy. Most customers would score ratings on a stationary bike based on ease of use, build quality, and value for money.
Here’s what the experts suggest that you base your decision on which stationary bike will best fit your fitness needs:
1. Comfort
The most important criteria you should consider is the comfort of use. You will not be able to reach your fitness goals when you are not comfortable exercising on a stationary bike. Comfort using a stationary bike will include the ideal feel when you sit on the seat. This means the seat should not be too hard or too soft.
You should be able to get details about the material used for the seat when you order. When checking on the seat in a store, there’s no harm in trying the machine for a minute or two to check if you can comfortably cycle with no pain and numbness.
You can also consider buying stationary bike models that allow you to swap out the seat to a more comfortable one when all other bike features are desirable.
2. Adjustable Seat and Handlebars
Stationary bike manufacturers should be able to provide an adjustable seat and handlebars for stationary bikes because owners will have varying leg length, height, and arm length.
Adjustable seats and handlebars will contribute greatly to the comfort of the user when doing exercises on the machine. A good stationary bike will have a seat that is adjustable both vertically and horizontally so that you can get into a proper position when doing your exercise.
Handlebars should also be adjustable vertically and horizontally to allow you to get into the right and comfortable position. The more personalized and specific the adjustments you can make on a stationary bike, the better.
3. Handlebar Style
Stationary bikes are manufactured with different handlebar styles which depend on your fitness goals and your plans on how you will use the machine. When you want to focus on building upper-body strength, you can choose a stationary bike with a sturdy handlebar and a weight rack feature.
If you want a stationary bike that simulates the movement of a road bike, you can get a bike with drop-down handlebars. Either way, you can do your exercise the way you want to.
4. Adjustable Resistance
If you want to improve while you do exercises on your stationary bike, choose a bike with resistance control. It will usually have a knob that you can turn to make your workout harder or easier. Some models include a magnetic resonance on a flywheel that simulates a more realistic ride on a bike.
The two main resistance systems on a stationary bike are
- Brake-based Resistance Systems: also known as friction-based or magnetic, where a flywheel stores rotational energy and will rotate for a short while when you stop pedaling right away after pedaling fast.
- Magnetic Resistance System: changing the ‘difficulty’ mode affects the position of the magnets inside the flywheel. You will feel more resistance when there is more force slowing the wheel down when the magnets are closer to the flywheel.
5. Stability
A stable stationary bike will allow you to do vigorous biking without falling off. Stability is important when choosing a stationary bike because it will provide safety and comfort during exercise.
You will know that the stationary bike is stable when the bike does not sway but remains sturdy. It should be able to support your weight and stay firmly planted on the floor no matter the intensity of your exercise or how fast you pedal. One way to check if the stationary bike will be stable enough is its weight. Heavier stationary bikes tend to be more sturdy and stable.
6. Ease of Use
There are stationary bikes that include features that allow you to do exercise with stream classes. These are bikes with video and touch screens with a simple user interface to make it easier for you to use and navigate through.
If you are not into large video screens on a bike, you can choose stationary bikes that have mounts where you can position your cell phone or tablet above the handlebars. Built-in mounts should be adjustable so that you can position your choice of the screen at a comfortable eye level while you exercise.
Other Favorable Features
1. Ability to Attach a Heart Rate Monitor and Headphones
You must have connectivity during exercise. This allows you to monitor your heart rate and listen to instructions on a video and to music to make your workout more pleasurable instead of stressful.
2. Digital Display
You can look at your stats on a digital display screen if your stationary bike has this feature included. There are bikes manufactured with a small digital tracker that shows your speed, RPM, distance, and wattage. Tracking your stats can be helpful if you have specific goals whenever you do your exercise on your stationary bike. It will help you know if you are doing better and what you need to improve on.
3. Water Holder
Water is essential during any workout. Stationary bikes allow you to exercise for longer periods and this will require that you have sips of water so that you remain hydrated. This is especially important if you have goals that will require you to ride longer and more often.
A stationary bike has its pros and cons similar to any other type of workout equipment. With a stationary bike, you can get a cardio workout while losing weight. Make a smart decision in choosing the best stationary bike that fits your needs by considering the most important features that you should be looking for.
Remember though, that any fitness routine, whether on a stationary bike or other exercise equipment will work out if incorporated with a proper diet and other fitness activities.
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