An exercise bike for home workouts helps save time spent on the road to the fitness center. Yes, and its one-time purchase allows you to significantly save on subscriptions, but at the same time stay in shape. We suggest you take advantage of our tips for choosing an exercise bike for your home. With their help, you will not waste your money and become the owner of reliable, durable, functional sports equipment.
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The best exercise bikes for home | ||
| 1 | CLEAR FIT CROSSPOWER CS 1000 | Reliable assembly |
| 2 | SVENSSON BODY LABS CrossLine BHM | The optimum ratio of price and quality |
| 3 | SVENSSON BODY LABS CrossLine BTA | The most affordable bicycle ergometer |
| 4 | SPIRIT-CU800 | Exercise bike for maximum load |
| 5 | BELBERG MINI-BIKE BE-11 | Universal compact trainer |
1. Price
Which exercise bike is better for home: budget or expensive?Prices for sports equipment for cycling in an apartment start from 1500-2000 rub. and higher.But for this money, a minimum is offered both in terms of functionality and load. Among inexpensive exercise bikes, mini-bikes are considered the most popular: compact devices that do not have a frame and a seat. The cheapest of them have a belt / inertial type of load, do not show the number of calories burned and the distance covered.
Budget compact equipment cost from 3000 to 9000 rubles looks more attractive. Models from this group have a belt load system, are equipped with a small screen, count calories, current speed and distance.
Prices for mid-range equipment vary within 10,000-30,000 rubles. Exercise bikes are equipped with a seat, a stable frame and pedals. Of course, they take up more space than compact mini-bikes, but for more serious loads, these devices are a suitable option.
But if you want to carefully control the process of training and use the exercise bike with maximum comfort, then it is better to pay attention to more expensive devices - bicycle ergometers.. Such bikes for the home are equipped with a reliable computer, equipped with sensors to monitor heart rate and pressure.
BELBERG MINI-BIKE BE-11
Universal compact trainer
2. Max speed
What should be the speed of an exercise bike for home?Decide on the duration of your workouts and their intensity before purchasing equipment. And do not forget to assess the level of your physical fitness: it depends on what maximum speed you are ready to handle. If you are a beginner, do not chase high speeds, otherwise your body will not say thank you. As a standard, the pedals of the simplest exercise bike spin at a speed from 14 km/h to 30 km/h. The optimal indicator for training at home: 17-24 km/h.
3. Type of exercise bike
Which exercise bike is better for home workouts: mechanical or magnetic?
Sports equipment for training in a city apartment or a private house differs in the type of drive and purpose.
Belt (mechanical) exercise bikes - an inexpensive type of device for home workouts. The mechanical system is responsible for the operation of the equipment. The resistance here is created by tensioning the belt that connects the pedals and the flywheel.
Inertial exercise bikes - equipment with pressure pads. The second name of such devices is block devices. Braking here is performed by gripping the flywheel pads.According to the form factor, both mini and full-fledged inertial spin bikes are produced.
Magnetic exercise bikes - stationary sports equipment for the home, the load in which is regulated by approaching / moving away permanent magnets relative to the flywheel. These devices are considered the most reliable and popular among amateurs. If you are in doubt about which exercise bike to take: mechanical or magnetic, give preference to the latter option. Equipment with such a drive will serve you for many years without any complaints.
Electromagnetic exercise bikes and bicycle ergometers Depending on the features of the model, they require a network connection. According to the principle of operation, they are similar to magnetic equipment, only here an electromagnet is responsible for resistance / braking. Equipped with a flywheel with optimal weight and an on-board computer.
Comparison of exercise bikes
View | pros | Minuses |
Belt | + Inexpensive + Can be repaired and assembled by yourself | - Over time, the belt will have to be replaced - Built-in sensors sometimes show inaccurate data |
Inertial | + Perfectly simulate riding a real bike + Soft braking and smooth running | - Heavy and bulky - noisy |
Magnetic | + Work silently + Designed for a long service life + Have a compact size + Allows fine adjustment of the load | - Repair only in a specialized service |
electromagnetic | + Large number of built-in training programs + Constant health monitoring + Smooth running | - Expensive - Consume a lot of electricity |
SVENSSON BODY LABS CrossLine BTA
The most affordable bicycle ergometer
4. User weight
What is the maximum weight that an indoor exercise bike can support?Mini and foldable equipment rated for weight up to 100-120 kg. Such simulators are less stable, but have more compact dimensions. Semi-professional and professional devices can withstand users weighing up to 120-200 kg.
Tip: When looking for a suitable model for training in your home or apartment, add 10-20 kg to your current weight. The resulting indicator is the guideline that you need to rely on when choosing an exercise bike for your home.
Weight is not the only indicator when choosing sports equipment. It is also important to consider your height. Inexpensive stationary bikes are suitable for users of average height: up to 175 cm. But compact and mini-bikes, equipment from the middle price segment are quite suitable for tall athletes 180-200 cm.
5. Functionality and equipment
Which model to choose: with advanced or minimal functionality?
The more functions in the built-in computer of the simulator, the easier and more interesting it is to practice on it. The standard package of inexpensive devices usually includes a small set of programs and functions: counting calories, distance, time. In addition, even the simplest mini-bike has an arm training function. Some affordable exercise bikes are equipped with cup holders and smartphone/tablet stands.
More expensive stationary bicycles and bicycle ergometers have body fat assessment. With its help, the firmware calculates the body mass index, the percentage of body fat in the user's body, the optimal daily calorie intake. Also, such exercise bikes have from 10 to 20 different training programs, built-in heart rate monitors on the handlebars. In addition, sensors can be connected to them to monitor pressure and other physiological indicators.
It makes no sense to pay extra for other functions: Body Fat gives approximate results, and not all users need the ability to connect additional sensors. It is better to leave such models to professionals and those who love technological bells and whistles.
6. Landing
Which model is better: vertical or horizontal fit?Exercise bikes differ not only in the type of drive (electromagnetic, magnetic or mechanical, inertial). They are also divided according to the type of landing into 3 groups: horizontal, vertical and hybrid. Each group has its own purpose.
Equipment with a horizontal fit suitable for weight loss, recovery after surgery, muscle strengthening. The seat here is large and has a back, like a chair: it can be pushed back and unfolded. The pedals are under the steering wheel. Training can be carried out both sitting and reclining and lying down.
Upright Exercise Bikes equipped with a familiar bicycle seat, under which there are pedals. Training is carried out only sitting or standing. The load falls on both the legs and the spine.
hybrid equipment combines the functionality and form factor of a vertical, recumbent exercise bike. Allows you to train in any position.
Comparison of landing simulators
View | pros | Minuses |
hybrid | + Allows you to train both in gentle and intensive mode + Equipped with comfortable seats | - Very expensive |
vertical | + Intense workouts like riding a regular bike + Compact dimensions + Affordable price | - Severe overload of the knees and spine is possible |
Horizontal | + Ideal for beginners and people with musculoskeletal disorders + Do not overload the spine and knees | - Can't train standing up - They cost more than vertical trainers |
7. Softness, shape and seat adjustment
What should be the seat of an exercise bike?When choosing sports equipment for the home, be sure to check and feel the seat. It should be moderately firm and as comfortable as possible for you.
A very soft seat will not add to your health. Yes, at the beginning of the workout it will not be as hard as on a hard saddle, but after a while, due to the compression of soft tissues, blood circulation will slow down, which will lead to numbness and discomfort.
Also note the possibility changing the height and position of the seat. Advanced models have the possibility of horizontal and vertical adjustment. The seat of such exercise bikes can be lifted and moved, adjusting to the parameters of your body.
Another important parameter is saddle width. On a narrow one, you won’t last long, because during training, strong pressure will be exerted on the perineum, which provokes pain. Yes, and on a very wide one you may become uncomfortable.
The best option is an exercise bike with a saddle, the width of which corresponds to the distance between the ischial bones of the user. After all, it is with them that you will sit on the bike, and not a “soft spot”. Permissible difference between the width of the seat and your individual parameters: + 2-3 cm.
8. compactness
Which simulator for an apartment is more suitable: compact or overall?
Do you need a training model that will take up a minimum of space? In such a situation, it is better to give preference to folding exercise bikes or compact mini-bikes. Devices with a folding mechanism can be easily removed to the far corner of the room / pantry, and portable equipment can be stored in a small closet or under the bed: wherever it is convenient for you. Compact and foldable exercise bikes do not take up much space in the apartment, while helping to keep the muscles in good shape, and some of them even give a load on the arms.
Mini-devices, of course, will help you keep your figure in shape, but they will not give you a good load. The best option for weight loss is a folding exercise bike.
And if the area of the apartment allows, then we recommend that you take a closer look at the full-fledged stationary equipment. It is more reliable, multifunctional and comfortable to use. True, it needs enough space.
9. Safety
What is responsible for the safety of home training on an exercise bike?
A strong frame, high-quality assembly, the correct location of the pedals and seat, fastenings and fixators for the feet - all this is responsible for safety during classes. True, no reliable exercise bike will protect you from injury during training if the user does not follow certain rules.
When "riding" on the seat, it is important not to exceed the speed at 100-120 rpm, and during classes, standing up, do not accelerate up to 80-90 rpm.
Also, many trainers advise to keep the core muscles tense during training, and, on the contrary, relax the shoulders and chest. Then there will be no strong load on the spine.
Tip: to avoid overloading while standing, you need to control your legs. Do not straighten your knees to the end, each movement should be smooth and at the same time springy.
The safest exercise bikes are stationary horizontal and hybrid models. They are equipped with a strong stable frame and, subject to the rules of operation, rarely lead to injuries during training.
SVENSSON BODY LABS CrossLine BHM
The optimum ratio of price and quality
10. Which brand to look for
Which manufacturer produces the best exercise bikes for the home?BELBERG is one of the most popular German manufacturers among budget and mid-budget brands. True, this company specializes mainly in the production of medical devices, but also produces exercise bikes for rehabilitation. They can also be used for weight loss even for those who have problems with the spine, recovering from operations, fractures.
Svensson Body Labs is a brand of the Swedish company JOrgen Svensson LLC. It became popular due to the high quality of the assembly of simulators and adequate cost.
UK manufacturer Spirit Fitness (Hastings) produces semi-professional and professional simulators.Yes, their price is far from the budget, but they work out their cost with a vengeance. Even mid-budget devices from Spirit have good functionality: built-in software, heart rate sensors, 10-15 training modes.
Russian brand CLEAR FIT no less popular among amateurs and professionals. Models of exercise bikes from a domestic manufacturer are medium-budget devices, therefore they are in rather high demand. CLEAR FIT equipment is actively purchased not only by ordinary users, but also by fitness centers.
The best exercise bikes for home
The selection contains the most popular and proven simulators for home workouts. The TOP of sports equipment included inertial, magnetic, electromagnetic models, as well as compact mini exercise bikes.
Top 5. BELBERG MINI-BIKE BE-11
An electromagnetic drive exercise bike designed by a German brand for rehabilitation after operations and various diseases. But for weight loss, it will fit perfectly: with its help, you can train not only the legs, but also the arms. There are 5 built-in programs and a display showing calorie consumption, distance and current speed. The model is designed for weight up to 120 kg. You can ride the MINI-BIKE BE-11 in any position, while the pedals can spin in the opposite direction. The device is controlled from a wired remote control. Disadvantages: the drive itself pedals and it is impossible to reconfigure it. Therefore, the model is not suitable for serious sports loads.
Top 4. SPIRIT-CU800
A professional exercise bike that can be used not only at home, but also in a fitness center. The model is equipped with a built-in generator, can withstand up to 204 kg / 200 cm, has 40 load levels. There is also a heart rate sensor on the steering wheel and the ability to connect a wireless sensor, 10 training programs, 2 of which are pulse-dependent. For more comfortable training, the exercise bike has a cup holder and the ability to adjust the seat vertically / horizontally. The downside of the model is one - a very high price.
Top 3. SVENSSON BODY LABS CrossLine BTA
Inexpensive bicycle ergometer that can withstand weight up to 150 kg. Equipped with a 13 kg flywheel, it has 16 load levels and 10 workout programs. Also in the arsenal of the model there is Body Fat: a program for assessing the state of the body. The bicycle ergometer reads the user's pulse using a sensor on the handlebar, displays information about the included programs on the LCD display. In addition, additional sensors can be connected to it for monitoring. Judging by the reviews, the simulator works silently and is quite comfortable to use. True, there is a minus here - periodically coming across a marriage.
Top 2. SVENSSON BODY LABS CrossLine BHM
An inexpensive exercise bike from a Swedish brand, but Chinese assembly compares favorably with other upright models. There is a fairly heavy flywheel that provides smooth operation of the pedals and ease of adjustment. In addition, the model is completely autonomous and does not require a network connection.There are also training programs by time, distance and fitness assessment. The display shows the frequency of rotation, the number of calories burned, speed and distance in the process of exercising. The maximum user weight / height that the model can withstand is 130 kg / 195 cm. The equipment has only 2 drawbacks: a hard saddle and no horizontal seat adjustment.
Top 1. CLEAR FIT CROSSPOWER CS 1000
An exercise bike with a fit like a professional bike. Popular with experienced trainers and novice users. There is a built-in Quick Start program, a display that shows data on cadence, calories burned, distance and current speed. The flywheel here is very heavy - 20 kg, which means that the pedals spin as smoothly as possible. The seat is comfortable, the frame, according to reviews, is highly durable. Yes, this exercise bike does not know how to read the pulse, but it is so simple and reliable that there is simply nothing to break.
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