Most fitness experts agree that riding a bicycle is one of the best cardiovascular and muscular endurance/strength exercises people can do to lose weight or improve their health. Are you someone who has longed to ride a bike but has been discouraged by inclement weather or safety concerns? A stationary bike makes it possible for you to get a challenging workout without ever having to leave the comforts of home. While you may already be aware of a stationary bike as an option, you may not know that not all indoor bikes are created equal. The results you get may differ greatly depending on whether you use an indoor traditional exercise bike or an indoor cycle bike.
Traditional Exercise Bikes
Traditional exercise bikes resemble moving bicycles without tires. The pedals, seat, and handlebars are attached to a solid base that keeps the bike from moving while the rider pedals. With comfort at the forefront of its design, the adjustable seat is typically wider than a regular bicycle seat and the rider can either stand upright or be recumbent depending on the bike. When cyclists ride in an upright position more focus is placed on pedaling and leg power than on any other part of the body. This can be particularly beneficial for those with back injuries.
Many traditional exercise bikes also include digital meters that monitor speed, heart rate, and calories burned as well as feature computerized riding programs geared toward endurance and fat loss. These programs can be used to maximize the effectiveness of an exercise routine. This is a great benefit for those who prefer exercising alone, but do not have a personal trainer to provide support and motivation.
What Is A Spin Bike?
Since the Spin bike’s introduction in the 1980s by the athlete Jonathan Goldberg, known better as Johnny G, it has been a popular tool for fitness and training and is now taught in over 35,000 fitness facilities worldwide. As a stripped down version of the road bike, the Spin bike keeps the feel of a conventional bicycle, while adding the convenience of all-season, all-weather usage due to its indoor setup. Spinning simulates indoors, the same high-energy bike ride you would get from racing an outdoor bike. Since nearly everyone already knows how to ride a bike, spinning can be learned quickly by almost anyone after learning some basic bike and ride safety tips.
Spin Bikes or Indoor Trainers
Indoor cycle bikes are much newer development in the world of exercise equipment and were first designed as training bikes for professional cyclists. And just like traditional indoor exercise bicycles, Spin bikes are stationary and allow people to enjoy the cardiovascular benefits of cycling in the privacy of their homes. However, as mentioned above, the experience of riding a spin bike more closely simulates that of riding on various types of outdoor terrain. These cycling trainers are designed in such a way that the rider must maintain an upright position. The adjustable seat is narrow and very similar to a regular bicycle seat and gives the rider the ability to cycle both on and off of it if they choose. This adds the advantage of working the stability muscles in the legs and back more than is possible with an upright or recumbent exercise bike. Although spin bikes sometimes have digital displays, many of the best designs avoid fancy gadgets.
The biggest difference between a regular exercise bike and a Spin bike is in how the flywheel mechanism operates. The flywheel is typically heavier on a Spin bike and connected directly to the pedals with a chain. The rider must work harder to get the bike moving, but inertia keeps the pedals spinning even when the rider stops pedaling. This allows the same type of variable resistance control found in an outdoor bicycle and can result in a much faster/higher pedaling cadence as well as a better quality workout.
The decision between choosing an exercise bike or a Spin bike for your home gym is an important step towards achieving your fitness objectives and gaining overall satisfaction. If you are looking for an indoor bike for our new Cycle Max video that simulates the feel and ease of a road bike, then a Spin bike is for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for an exercise machine to build your cardio and endurance, but prefer the luxury of programmable workouts and a calorie counter, then an exercise bike is probably more your style. Either way, incorporating cycling into your workout routine is always a good idea and is guaranteed to provide results.
I have been asked many times if you can modify my new Cycle Max video using a stationary upright or recumbent bike. My answer is that you can always modify any workout and still get some benefit from it, but in order to get the absolute best results/benefits from Cycle Max (or any official Spin based workout), you should use an indoor Spin bike. As far as using Cycle Max on the elliptical or treadmill… again, anything can be modified to get something out of it, however, your results, benefits and overall experience will be entirely different. My guidance, coaching, terminology, drills, intensity levels will all not align properly with that of the modified piece of equipment, hence, the integrity of the intended workout will be lost. So, if you’re looking to experience one of the most intense zero impact workouts ‘on the planet’, give Cycle Max a try, but make sure to start by purchasing the best spin bike for your budget.
Top-Rated Indoor Cycle Bikes
Spinning and indoor cycling does require a financial investment and depending on your budget, bike prices start at about $199 for a low-end home unit and run the gamut up to around $1700 for a top of the line commercial unit. In addition, you may want to consider purchasing a good pair of cycle shoes as well as a gel seat for your bike.
We have used Star Trac V-Bikes at our health club for the last five years and have nothing but good things to say about these bikes, but at over $1000 each, V- bikes may understandably be too pricey for many people. The good news is you really don’t need a commercial quality bike for your home and much cheaper alternatives are available. Fortunately for customers, some of the top rated bikes for home use are also among the most practical and economical. Our discussion forums are a great place to get consumer reviews on almost any fitness product, including Spin bikes. Here is a list of just some of the websites that sell Spin and indoor cycle bikes that have been recommended by our forum members.
1. Nordic Track – GX2 Bike
2. QVC – Stamina CPS 9200 Indoor Cycle
3. StudioCycles – Various Spin Bikes (including Star Trac)
4. Bike Tek USA (Reviews of numerous indoor cycle bikes)
Related Articles By Cathe:
Indoor Cycling for Fitness: 5 Reasons to Try a Cycle Workout
Is Indoor Cycling Harder Than You Thought? – Cathe Shares Her Story
Hi Cathe, do you have anything for an elliptical. I have a very expensive precoe elliptical. It cost around $1,800.00. A soin bike is not in my budget. I wish you would make a dvd for all exercise equipment like cardio coach does.
Thanks,
Deb
Hi Cathe, I meant to type exercise bike is not in my budget. I have a Precor elliptical with moving arms, it is very nice.
Deb
While i don’t own a dedicated spin bike, I do have a very good quality CycleOps trainer for my outdoor bike. As my bike is a custom fitted road bike and the trainer is a high quality variable resistance model, i believe this will serve the purpose just as well, if not better than a spin bike, as I can still take my bike off easily to ride outdoors and don’t have to make the investment in a spinner.
i also have a trainer for my road bike.. however, i have a little bit of a tough time with the resistance on it.. but, believe this should work pretty well..
I also would love to have an eliptical workout:)
Linda
I also have a high quality indoor trainer for my road bike which I prefer to cycle on since that has been fitted to me specifically. This is going to rock!
I have owned my own spinning bike for 10 years. Yes they can be expensive but it was the only reason I went to the gym as I did all my Cathe weight workouts at home. I have saved tons of money by buying the bike and not paying gym fees. There are so many great dvd’s available out there. I was so excited that Cathe is finally making a spin video.I have both my knees replaced and cannot tolerate high impact. I own a Greg Lemond Spinmaster. Very low maintenance. I change the brake pad and belt a couple of times a year.
Hello, could you help me to distinguish between Stationary Bike and Spin Bike. Or are they the same?
They’re totally different animals. A Spin bike is made for indoor cycle classes which are also known as spin classes.Spin bikes usually feature a heavy fly wheel that is always kept under at least some tension.
You cant compare spinning bike to exercise bike because spinning bike IS an exercise bike. You could compare it to recumbent bikes, uprights bikes etc since those are all are different kind of exercise bikes.
One of the most common challenges I have with home fitness equipment is forming the habit of working out on a regular basis. Training videos, music programs, and the like all seem to wear off. What do you suggest?
I think a lot of people mistakenly assume that they are both the same, but both the positioning and the feel of the spin bike is a lot different to the type of home exercise bike that many people will be familiar with.
Just thought I’d mention I personally own the GX2 Spin Bike and have had great results with it. Use it all the time!
I really appreciate the information you shared, I’m looking for a bike his match fitness. Thank you very much
Good post! I love my spinning, and never use exercise bikes.
To me the key difference is the fixed wheel of the spin bike. My favourite bike is the Lifestyle Fitness GX. Its not cheap at £1999. But my gym has them and they are excellent!
Thanks for such an helpful article. I myself consider the recumbent exercise bikes to be the best. I don’t think any other bike can match the comfort level they provide. Plus they provide a much better exercise to glutes. And even riders with back/neck pain or even pregnant women can ride them without any hustle.
Thanks for the post, I’ll search the blog for more!
Can I use the spinner like a stationary bike? Such as listen to music at 140 rpm for awhile
then 160 rpm ? Wtc etc
I agree with your list of the best models – the GX2 is a great option as it really gives you a good workout. I’ve owned it for a while and it still kicks my butt!
Good bikes very important for each other.
Thanks for good article!
Im a huge Spin fan, and just recently got a bike to workout at home. I think Spin bike is a kind of exercise bike. Thanks for posting!
Great post! I have some ideas about the different between spin bike and exercise bike after reading the post!
Great post! Choose a suitable spinning bike is very important. Use spin bike exercise really great!
Thank you for sharing information. I am looking for about spin bike. With my opinion, spin bike is a good choice to workout at home.
I’m a spin instructor and my biggest tip is to get there early the first couple of classes to meet the instructor and get help with bike setup. You can really hurt yourself with an improper setup, we are taught all the proper angles and stuff. Never be embarrassed to ask for help, that’s what we are there for!
In fact, it is not easy to choose the best exercise nowadays, Spin bikes are my favorite.
So many more benefits, apart from the obvious ones, from using an exercise bike at home to keep fit.
Consider getting home from work when it’s dark. You may live in a high traffic or unsafe area so a cycle is not an option.
Too expensive, or shift worker, or too far to get to the gym.
Exercise is so very important to our overall health and exercise bikes help us to improve this.
Do you guys Think we can lose weight at home with treadmills ?
http://www.homebestgym.com/best-exercise-bike/
2016’s Best Exercise Bike Reviews
When it comes to fitness, there are two paths you can take: the first is to sign up for a gym membership and diligently go day after day to work out on machines and watch TV. The second path, however, is to exercise at home, either using your own machine, a weight set, or by running. If you opt for the second path, one of the best machines to have in your home is an exercise bike. Biking burns a lot of calories, and you can do it while watching TV or reading a book (depending on how hard you ride). Today I’ll be discussing the benefits of an at-home best exercise bike as well as show you some of the top models available.,,,,,
I quite like the idea of the spin bike for adding a bit of realism to the exercise. Would love to see this post updated with your thoughts on the latest crop of bikes and your recommendations…
The difference between an an Exercise Bike and a spin bike is that the last most nearly imitates the real outdoor cycling experience. On the other hand, exercise bikes are intended for low force exercise inside the home.
thanks for sharing. The second path, however, is to exercise at home, either using your own machine, a weight set, or by running. If you opt for the second path, one of the best machines to have in your home is an exercise bike. Biking burns a lot of calories, and you can do it while watching TV or reading a book (depending on how hard you ride).
Great post! I have some ideas about the different between spin bike and exercise bike after reading the post!
I also own a recumbent bike (sole fitness) and had great results with it. Thank you for sharing this article.
thanks for sharing this amazing posting.
I was very confused about exercise bike vs spin bike. I thought both are same with different name. But after reading the article I am now clear about these. Thanks for the sharing.
Among the products listed on the site, which one is the best? : https://rainydayfitness.com/best-exercise-bikes/
I think spin bike is better as I have already experienced a spin bike and it really helps to perform extra workouts. I have bought a new spin bike that is X-bike https://www.inthemarket.ie/product-category/gym-equipment/ellipticals-and-bikes/ and it is better than my other exercise bike.
Hi Cathe – I am 62 years old and want to get in to shape again. I’m not strong in the legs anymore. Would you suggest I get a spin bike or upright exercise bike?
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