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Exercise and Stationary Bikes - Avoid Making an Expensive Mistake
Exercise Bikes (or Stationary Bikes) provide a great way to stay in shape all year long,  provide an excellent low impact, aerobic exercise and are more compact and cheaper than other home fitness equipment but keep in mind that not all Exercise Bikes are created equal.
Finding the perfect Exercise Bike can be a challenge. Prices can vary from $200 or less to $1000 or more and there are different types of exercise bikes (below). You don't want to buy a low quality exercise bike that will not last or buy a model that you will not use and end up with an expensive cloths rack!
To get you moving in the right direction, we've put together a number exercise bike reviews, recommended online exercise bike resources, and have provided informational articles on Best Exercise Bikes and Bike Trainers.
See the links on both sides of this page for reviews of many of the most popular exercise bikes available online and where you can purchase these bikes at the lowest prices.
Exercise Bike Reviews and Ratings
The Importance of Exercise Bike Warranties
One of the best indicators of the quality of an exercise bike is the extent of the warranty. The warranty lets you get beyond the hype and reveals the degree of confidence that the manufacturer has for their products. Compare warranties when choosing your Stationary Bike. See Exercise Bike Warranties at a Glance for review and comparisons.
Types of Exercise Bikes
There are quite a few different types of Exercise Bikes, Stationary Bikes, and other indoor cycling and exercise equipment available. Below is a summary of the most common types of indoor exercise bikes and cycling equipment.
Upright Exercise Bikes
These bikes are similar to traditional upright bicycles, provide a good lower body workout (and in some cases an upper body workout) and take up less space than recumbent exercise bikes (in length but are usually higher).
The Upright Exercise Bike category usually refers to the upright bikes with magnetic resistance mechanisms and electronic display panels to adjust the resistance, set workout programs and monitor workout information.
Although Dual Action Fan Bikes and Indoor Cycling Bikes (or Spinning Bikes) are also upright exercise bikes but they really fall into their own specific categories.
Indoor Cycling (or Spinning) Bikes
If you are looking for an upright exercise bike for serious training and workouts you will probably be most interested in this category.
Indoor Cycling bikes are upright bikes that are mostly mechanical and use a friction based resistance mechanism (although some models have electronic panels to monitor your workout).
These bikes are usually provide easy access to unlimited resistance levels and easy riding position adjustments.
Dual Action Exercise Bikes
This is the category that you will want for an full body workout. Dual action exercise bikes provide additional aerobic exercise due to the upper body workout.
The most common Dual Action Exercise Bikes (such as the Schwinn Airdyne) are upright bikes with arm handles that move along with the pedals and fans that are used as the resistance mechanism and for cooling (to some degree).
There are also a few dual action recumbent exercise bike models (like the Stamina 15-9003) but these are not nearly as common as the upright fan bikes described above.
Recumbent and Semi Recumbent-Exercise Bikes
The biggest advantage to recumbent stationary bikes is that they are more comfortable then upright models. Recumbent bikes have a chair like seat and many models have handlebars next to the seat as well as in front of the seat.
Recumbents provide better back support, a good lower body workout and promote more efficient blood flow to the body.
Semi-Recumbent exercise bikes are the same design as recumbent except the seat position is higher you are in a more upright (less recumbent) position.
Mini Exercise Bikes
Mini Exercise Bikes do not have seats or handlebars and are, therefore, much more compact and cheaper than full size stationary bikes. These "bikes" can be pedaled by sitting in a chair or sofa and may also be pedaled with the arms. It can be difficult to keep these bikes in position while working out.
Bike Trainers
If you are looking for an exercise bike stand (stationary bike stand) to use with your regular bike for indoor exercise in the off season, when you can't be outdoors or for training purposes then you will want to review Bike Trainers.
Bike Trainers are bike stands that attach to your normal (outdoor) bicycle so you can exercise or train on your bicycle indoors.
Common Electronic Display Features and Functions
There will be a number of different display features and functions from different manufacturers and on various stationary bike models but most exercise bikes computers will provide:
- Speed in mph or kph
- Calculated distance
- Workout time
- Resistance Levels
- Calories and/or fat burned
- Pulse and Heart rate (select models)
- Various program modes (select models)
- RPM (cadence), Watts, METS, Miles (or kilometers) per minute
Exercise Bike Benefits:
If you are still reviewing other home fitness equipment options and are not sure about the benefits of Exercise or Stationary Bikes, here is a listing of some of the benefits of Exercise Bikes.
- Exercise bikes provide an excellent low impact, aerobic exercise and are more compact and cheaper than other home fitness equipment.
- You can watch TV, listen to music (many models have mp3 jacks and some have iPod attachments) and on many models your hands are free (for reading magazines or books, etc.).
- Exercise/stationary bikes are used for fitness, aerobic exercise, weight loss and training for various kinds of cycling events.
- Most stationary bikes have pedal clips that provide a push and pull motion that works out the leg and thigh muscles including the hamstrings, quadriceps and calf muscles.
- Exercise Bikes primarily include upright exercise bikes and recumbent (generally meaning lying down or reclining) exercise bikes. Recumbents are more popular mostly because most people consider them more comfortable.
- The aerobic exercise of an exercise bike improves cardiovascular health and circulation. Exercise bikes provide a safe, low impact aerobic exercise that has been used for physical therapy for years.
- An exercise bike is easy on the lower back. Many people with lower back pain have trouble finding exercise equipment that provides a good aerobic workout, is low impact and is easy on their backs.
Recommended Online Exercise Bike Resources
See Exercise Bikes at Amazon for a good
selection of Stationary and Exercise Bikes (recumbent exercise bikes, upright bikes, mini exercise bikes and more) at very competitive prices.
www.amazon.com
See Horizon Exercise Bikes for the latest Horizon Exercise Bikes at very good prices.
www.horizonfitness.com
See ProForm Bikes  for excellent quality recumbent and upright Exercise and Stationary Bikes.
www.proform.com
See LIVESTRONG Fitness Equipment for the best Indoor Cycle (upright exercise bike) for serious training and workouts or for treadmills and elliptical trainers. Your online purchase will ensure ensure a contribution to the LIVESTRONG® Foundation for the fight against cancer.
See Exercise Bikes at Walmart.com for a good selection of exercise bikes in all price ranges including some very inexpensive stationary bikes.
www.walmart.com
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