Cycling can be a low-impact cardio workout that’s easier on your joints than running. But in order to maximize its potential, you need the ideal indoor bike.
Adjustability is key in finding an exercise bike that best meets your needs, creating a relaxing cycling environment.
Weight capacity
Finding an indoor bike that best meets your needs involves several key considerations, starting with weight capacity – make sure the machine can accommodate you! Next comes adjustability; most quality machines should feature some form of adjustment for handlebar height, seat position and saddle setback – plus make sure its flywheel is relatively light to ensure a smooth ride!
Adjustable seat
An effective indoor cycling bike should feature an adjustable seat to provide a more enjoyable and rewarding experience for every user. Although this feature isn’t essential for every cyclist, having it available makes working out on the bike even more engaging and motivating!
Some bikes feature pre-set modes to help create the optimal workout. Although this feature may not be as important, it can help guide your decision when purchasing an indoor bike.
Some indoor bicycles feature displays that show your power output in watts, RPM and pedaling time, making it easy to track progress and stay motivated throughout your workout. Although these features aren’t required for an effective workout session, they’re nice-to-haves that may keep you pushing harder and faster to reach your fitness goals more quickly.
Resistance mechanism
Adjusting resistance is key to an engaging workout for beginners or pros alike, whether they use indoor bikes or not. Adjusting resistance using either a knob or lever on the bike, however the mechanism varies between indoor bikes; depending on personal preferences, there are two vastly different resistance systems: frictional and magnetic resistance systems to choose from.
Friction systems work by applying cotton pads to the flywheel, creating an audible “whooshing” when turning the knob. However, this method can lead to sweaty hands and wear on key mechanical parts if done incorrectly.
Magnetic resistance systems use magnet-to-flywheel contact to generate resistance and are quieter than friction systems, with only a short delay between when you turn the resistance knob and when you feel its effects kick in – something which may prove frustrating for riders who are used to friction systems.