How to Choose an Exercise Bike – Some Tips

One of the most popular fitness exercise machines is the exercise bike but buying one is not as easy as going to the store and picking one out. There are several things to take into account before you do this. You will want to take into account not only the price, type of bike, whether you prefer an upright or recumbent exercise bike, and how comfortable and easy it is to adjust.

What is Your Budget?

Obviously this is usually the most important consideration but you shouldn’t go for the lowest cost bike you can find as it may perhaps not be long lasting, be comfortable or give you good exercise. An entry-level bike at a minimum will set you back about $200, and even though this will be acceptable it probably won’t have any of the features that can be found on more expensive training bikes. For not much more, between $300 and $600 you’ll get a better quality exercise bike with some features such as heart rate control, magnetic resistance, a comfortable seat and typically quiet and efficient operation.

For around $550 you will be able to purchase a first-rate exercise bike with all the features you may require. For this cost you ought to expect plenty of built-in workout programs, simple to use resistance control and LED display console, handlebars that are straightforward to change and a very good warranty.

Exercise Bike Comfort

Of course your exercise bike should be easy as you will be spending quite a lot of time on it! You will need a well padded seat and handlebars that adjust effortlessly. Are you going to buy an upright or recumbent exercise bike? Many people find that recumbent exercise bikes are more comfy to use than upright exercise bikes as you sit in a more reclined position which puts not as much of pressure on your back. Upright exercise bikes, although not nearly as comfortable, do have the benefit that you can simply increase the level of the workout by standing up to pedal just like you would do on a regular bike.

Adjusting the Resistance

Exercise bike resistance is amendable in 2 ways. A good number of the cheaper models use a belt and tension, higher-priced models use magnetic resistance which is quieter and more consistent. Magnetic resistance is usually adjusted with a knob or a pushbutton. Most people find it easier to use a pushbutton.

Heart Rate Monitors

It is particularly important to be able to check your heart rate while exercising as this is the whole aim of riding your exercise bike in the first place! Always obtain an exercise bike with an integrated heart rate monitor so that you can adjust your workouts appropriately. Virtually all the exercise bikes do have this although less expensive ones will frequently just have a pulse rate monitor built into the handlebars. The more expensive exercise bikes will have workouts that are controlled by your heart rate so they adjust themselves to keep your heart rate at a level that you decide. This is a very nice aspect but not essential if you can’t manage to pay for it.

Built-In Workout Programs

A lot of of the less expensive exercise bikes won’t have exercise built-in programs. While you may think this is not too much of a disadvantage you will discover that just sitting on the bike and pedalling will grow to be wearisome very rapidly! With exercise programs you can vary your exercising and the feedback you get will help with your enthusiasm. Display consoles that give you feedback on calories burned, distance covered and tour heart rate etc. actually do aid your enthusiasm and keep you exercising for longer periods. A large amount of the exercise bikes in the mid-budget range i.e. between roughly $300 and $600 will give you a reasonable collection of integrated workouts and a reasonably good display. More expensive exercise bikes i.e. in the $600 and above range will have a much higher range of workouts and excellent LED displays with a complete range of feedback information.

Conclusion

Naturally, as with other fitness exercise machines, when buying an exercise bike, you get what you pay for. It isn’t really a very good plan to buy the cheapest exercise bike you can find as it might not last very long and you won’t be happy with the exercise that it gives you. It is not obligatory to buy a very high-priced bike but we endorse buying one for approximately $300 which will give you excellent exercise and keep your motivation high. Read more at Buying a Fitness Exercise Machine