Among fitness equipment, the exercise bike is a must-have for anyone looking to work out at home. Whether your goal is to lose weight or to train without having to subscribe to a gym, an indoor bike is a good investment. We will explain why and how to choose an exercise bike.
The exercise bike is designed for whom?
The exercise bike is a versatile piece of equipment that caters to a broad audience. Even if you never learned to ride a bike without training wheels, you can still pedal on this stationary model to lose weight and improve your fitness level.
Unless there are specific health issues, this activity is accessible to everyone and can be practiced at any age. Therefore, this piece of fitness equipment is a good investment for the whole family.
Note: all indoor bikes come with an adjustable resistance system. This adjustment allows you to tailor the intensity of the workout to each individual's physical abilities and desired goals.
Why choose an exercise bike?
An exercise bike allows you to work out without leaving the comfort of your living room! This way, you can train throughout the year without depending on the weather or paying for a gym membership.
If you're still hesitant to start, know that indoor bikes are more comfortable than a traditional bicycle. Some models are equipped with padded seats and non-slip pedals for added comfort.
All that's left is to get in the saddle! To motivate yourself to pedal, it's recommended to place your indoor bike in front of a window with a nice view or in front of your TV screen…
This physical activity also has the advantage of being very versatile. Cycling offers numerous health benefits and can help achieve various goals such as:
• getting back in shape after surgery or a break from physical activity.
• burning calories to lose weight or maintain your ideal weight and slim down your figure.
• gently working on cardio and improving cardiovascular endurance.
• strengthening leg muscles without risking joint damage. When pedaling, you engage your quadriceps, calves, hamstrings, and gluteal muscles.
• warming up before a home fitness session.
Whatever your goals, this equipment also allows you to track your progress. Indeed, most models come with a display that shows distance traveled, speed, calories burned, and the user's heart rate.
How to choose an exercise bike?
It's not easy to make a choice among the rather extensive offerings of exercise bikes. Before heading to a sports store, start by measuring the available space for this equipment in your home. Also set a budget to adhere to before comparing different models.
Finally, consider your training objectives, as some models are more suitable than others depending on whether you want to improve your fitness, lose weight, or simply stay active.
To select the best exercise bike, ask yourself the following questions:
• Is it stable enough to be used safely?
• Is it suitable for your weight?
• Is this model foldable?
• Is this model durable and likely to last over time?
• Is it comfortable to use, with an adjustable seat and non-slip pedals?
• Is the pedaling silent?
• Does this model offer features that allow you to track your progress?
In conclusion, note that the prices of exercise bikes vary greatly depending on their complexity. They range between €200 and €600 on average. Depending on the budget you have, you can find entry-level models for under €150 and high-end models for over €1000.