The Covid-19 Pandemic and its resulting lockdowns and business restrictions have seen the temporary and permanent closures of gyms and fitness centers around the world. This has seen an explosion in the number of people looking for at-home exercise options. Many people have used the lockdown as an opportunity to get in shape and so they have started to build their own home gyms.
There are various pieces of equipment that are vital to every effective home gym, but some of the most important is cardio equipment. Treadmills, rowing machines, and cross trainers are all excellent cardio options, but their bulky size means that they are not suitable for the home gym. For this reason, exercise bikes are without a doubt the number one choice for everyone looking to workout at home. There are so many different exercise bikes on the market that choosing the best one is not an easy task.
To help everyone who is looking to get a great cardio workout at home, here is what to look for when buying an exercise bike.
What To Look For in an Exercise Bike
There are various pieces of equipment that are vital to every effective home gym, but some of the most important are cardio equipment. Treadmills, rowing machines, and cross trainers are all excellent cardio options, but their bulky size means that they are not suitable for the home gym. For this reason, exercise bikes are, without a doubt, the number one choice for everyone looking to work out at home. There are so many different exercise bikes on the market that choosing the best one is not an easy task.
To help everyone who is looking to get a great cardio workout at home, here is what to look for when buying an exercise bike.
Size and Portability
The first thing you need to consider when choosing an exercise bike is the space you have available and the size and portability of the different exercise bikes available on the market. Most people do not have the luxury of a huge space dedicated to their workout equipment so it is important to choose an exercise bike that is suitably sized for your home gym. All exercise bikes have more benefits than treadmills as they are far more compact but you will still need to choose a bike that gives you at least a meter of free space around it to exercise safely. If your home does not have enough space to leave your exercise bike out at all times, choose a light bike that can be easily stored away after use.
Functions
The most basic exercise bikes are just like a normal bike without the wheels. You can adjust the height and pedal resistance for an easier or more difficult workout as required. For many people, this is all they want from an exercise, but there are many more sophisticated bikes available. Peloton has been the industry-leading name in high-tech exercise bikes for years but these alternatives provide many of the same functions at a much cheaper price. Top of the range models come with a built-in touch screen that provides a huge range of functions from internet browsing and different visual trails to ride along to, as well as speed, heart rate, and calorie burning analysis. The bike’s computer will log your previous workouts and automatically program your next one so that your exercise becomes incrementally more difficult for maximized fitness gains.
Comfort
As with a normal road bike, comfort is extremely important when choosing an exercise bike as an uncomfortable saddle can cause serious discomfort and chafing. All exercise bikes these days will have adjustable saddle heights so that the bike fits you perfectly as well as sturdy pedal straps to keep your feet securely on the pedals. It is really important that your exercise bike promotes good riding posture or it can lead to back strains and other aches and pains.
Testimonials and Reviews
Once you have found a few models which fit the above specifications, go online and check out some reviews and customer testimonials. These will show you what other people think about the options you have identified so you will know whether the reality is the same as the technical specs. Make sure that any reviews you read are not sponsored by a manufacturer as this may cause a review to be inaccurately biased.
Price
With everything considered, the price of the different models will obviously be a major factor in your final decision. It is worth remembering that a well-built exercise bike will last you a lifetime as long as you look after it, so do not be put off if your favored model is a couple of hundred dollars more expensive. Weigh up your budget with the benefits each exercise bike provides and you will be able to make a considered purchase decision.
Benefits of an Exercise Bike
An exercise bike is a perfect piece of equipment for you if you like to get some cardio in, as anyone can do it. All you have to do is hop on a bike and start peddling. There are many benefits to owning and using a peddling bike. Here are some of them.
It Supports Heart Health
When cycling, your heart rate goes up, and if you keep it up for 150 minutes every week, you lower your chances of developing heart disease. According to health organizations, for optimal heart health, you should pedal with moderate effort for 150 minutes or at maximum effort for 75 minutes per week to see some benefits for your heart health.
Peddling can also help reduce your blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels, lowering your heart attack or stroke risk.
It Burns Calories
Depending on how hard you are riding your bike during a workout, you may burn around 170 to 239 calories. The harder you bike during workouts, the more calories you burn. Therefore, an exercise bike can help you shed all the extra weight you may be carrying. Additionally, the more challenging the ride, the more calories you will burn after you are done with the workouts.
It’s Gentle on Joints
Biking on an exercise bike is gentle on the joints thanks to the smooth and continuous motion. Since biking is a low-impact exercise, it is much easier on your muscles and joints. This makes it a versatile activity that anyone of any age can do. Lower-impact exercises also help reduce your chances of dealing with the strain and pains that come with repetitive high-impact workouts.
It’s Easy To Use
An exercise bike is extremely easy to use, does not require you to have any special training, and is one of the easiest machines to get started. Some exercise bikes come with a user-friendly screen that has programs to help you track your workout. A few even come with pre-installed workouts that you can choose to do.
Conclusion
Choosing the right exercise bike can be very difficult, but if you break down your requirements, then you can systematically make the right decision. Taking into account your available space will enable you to choose the right size of exercise bike to fit your home. Research the functions of different bikes available and check customer testimonials so that you know your chosen options are quality models. After that, compare similar exercise bikes in terms of price, and you will have the ideal bike for your home gym.