Stationary exercise bikes are an incredible way for you to burn fat, build strength in your legs, and have a great time working out. Out of all the fitness tips and ways to exercise you see in a given day, using an exercise bike is by far one of the most effective.
But knowing which exercise bike to purchase is a completely different story. No matter what company you talk to, they're going to try and convince you that their bike is the best.
Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. The only way you can know for sure is if you know exactly what you're looking for.
The first thing you need to know, before I mention the 5 aspects of a stationary exercise bike that are vital to you being satisfied, is that you look only at stationary exercise bikes with magnetic resistance.
The older exercise bikes that simply turn from resistance due to the wind from the wheels are simply not as reliable or effective as the bikes today.
But enough of that, let's get into the meat and potatoes of this article.
The 5 Qualities Stationary Exercise Bikes Should Have
1. Comfort - Since you'll be sitting on the bike for a good amount of time each day, you want it to be as comfortable as possible. There's nothing worse than being uncomfortable the entire time you're working out. The main aspect to look for in this is figuring out if you want a recumbent or an upright exercise bike. If you have lower back problems, you'd be better off with a recumbent exercise bike which allows you to lean back slightly. For a more natural riding exercise, go with an upright bike. A major difference between good stationary exercise bikes and bad ones is comfort. Just remember the axiom - "you get what you pay for".
2. Resistance - Stationary exercise bikes with magnetic resistance are your best bet today. With these you can vary the level of resistance so you can't cheat yourself and work less hard than you think you are. Also, magnetic resistance also makes the ride much more smooth and quiet - which is always a great quality in a bike.
3. Display - Some cheaper exercise bikes have lousy display screens. They wear out quickly to the point where you can hardly see them. They're small. They break or scratch very easily. Some cheaper versions also don't show exercise feedback such as revolutions per minute, miles per hour, calories burned, resistance levels, and other options you can look at. Getting what you pay for plays out again in this area, so make sure you spend the proper money to get the proper bike.
4. Pre-Planned Workouts - I've been exercising long enough to know that it's very easy to workout at a lower intensity than you think you're at. By having pre-planned workouts, the exercise bike will automatically change resistance so you don't have a choice in how hard or easy you want to workout. It should contain various workout plans for different fitness levels - from a complete beginner to an advanced fitness level.
5. Adjustability - This quality is very similar to comfort. Adjustability simply means that the bike will allow you to change seat position and height. As mentioned before, it's very important to be comfortable through the entire workout. If you're in an awkward position it's possible you can develop injuries. It's your body's way of telling you not to sit in that position anymore. If the bike isn't adjustable, don't even consider it.
There are many fitness tips and programs thrown around in the health industry today, but stationary exercise bikes will always be a great way to have an incredible workout.
With just a little knowledge you can purchase an exercise bike that will last you years with no problems and help you burn that stubborn fat you're dying to lose!
