Which stationary bike to choose for yourself?

25 / 11 / 2022

A stationary bike is a versatile and very practical piece of exercise equipment, ideal for both home and gym workouts. Which stationary bike should I buy and what should I consider when choosing one? Stationary bikes are the perfect solution if you want to train your fitness and improve your performance. In addition, an exercise bike gives you the opportunity to exercise at home, that is, whenever you feel like it, without wasting time commuting to the gym. When considering how to choose a stationary bike, you should first of all take into account your own needs, your body's capabilities and the goal you want to achieve. In this way, you can best choose the equipment in terms of functionality to meet your needs and expectations.

How to choose a stationary bike - what to look for?

When considering which stationary bike to choose for yourself, define your expectations and needs with regard to this equipment: do you intend to exercise recreationally, do you want to lose weight with it or do you want to train for a competition? When choosing a stationary bike for yourself, take several factors into account:

training intensity,

that you intend to carry out - the choice of the bike's resistance mechanism, i.e. whether it will be a mechanical bike or a magnetic exercise bike, depends on it

type of bicycle

Stationary bike models vary in both resistance mechanism and design. You can choose between upright, horizontal and spinning bikes

additional features

if you are looking for the simplest model, you do not need to focus on choosing a high-tech bike; it is important that you know which functions you want to use and which will be helpful for your training (such as the ability to save your training with all measurements or route simulation)

adjustable

concerns both the height of the saddle and the handlebars and the distance between them; this makes it easier to adjust the stationary bike to your height

funding opportunities

how much does a stationary bike cost? The price range here is large and each sports equipment manufacturer offers many models, so you can easily choose one that meets your financial expectations

Which stationary bike to buy? Types of bicycles

When deciding to buy a stationary bike, you need to know that there are several types of exercise bike:

stationary upright bike

It is the most popular and most common type of exercise bike. Exercising on it is similar to riding a dirt bike - depending on your preference, you can adjust the settings to adopt an upright or more reclined posture

stationary horizontal bicycle

provides excellent support for the back, reducing strain on the spine. Training on this type of equipment helps to work the abdominal muscles, and due to its design it is recommended for people who are overweight or have back problems.

stationary spinning bike

its massive construction forces the body into a slouched posture, so it is particularly suitable for people who are already experienced in training on stationary bikes and for anyone who is looking for a high intensity workout (e.g. winter cyclists)

Magnetic or mechanical stationary bike - which one to choose?

In the division of stationary bicycles, it is still important to distinguish between mechanical and magnetic bicycles, among others. In this division, they differ not by the position taken during training, but by the type of mechanism. What are the characteristics of each?

Stationary mechanical bicycle

The resistance felt when pedalling is generated here by the physical friction of the flywheel, and the resistance is adjusted by a dial. It is a simple mechanism in design and operation, and makes the mechanical stationary bike much cheaper than magnetic models

magnetic exercise bike

Here, the resistance is induced via a magnetic brake, giving you a much greater range of load adjustment than on a mechanical bike. You can therefore better adapt the resistance range to your needs, and this mechanism is also much quieter than a mechanical one. Magnetic bikes are very often models of HMS stationary bikes

Bike with air resistance

An air resistance stationary bike is a very simple construction in which the exerciser only overcomes air resistance - the faster you pedal, the greater the resistance. An incredible advantage of this equipment is the movable handles, thanks to which you also train your arms!

Electromagnetic bicycle

In this case, computer-controlled electromagnets are responsible for wheel braking. This makes bicycles with an electromagnetic system very accurate and quiet, which is an excellent choice for professionals and fitness club owners.

More mechanically advanced bikes still include electromagnetic stationary bikes and air bikes. These are usually equipped with a range of options to aid training and are popular choices for advanced exercisers.

In summary, a stationary bike is a piece of equipment that will provide you with a wealth of benefits, provided you fit it properly to your needs. Depending on your possibilities, you can equip your home gym with other fitness equipment - elliptical trainers or running treadmills, for example, will work well to complement your cardio training. Regular training will not only help you burn unwanted body fat, but will also strengthen your body, increase your fitness and overall fitness.