Exercise Bike Facts

Exercise bikes provide a way to stay in shape while remaining indoors, at home or at a gym. They allow you to get a healthy, low-impact cardiovascular workout and participate in other activities, including reading a book, listening to music or watching television. The features of exercise bikes vary according to price and type.

Upright Bikes

Upright stationary bikes provide a similar riding experience to traditional bikes. Unlike other types of cardio equipment, they take up little space. The seating position is upright and the pedals may or may not have clips. The seats are adjustable, padded and wider than on a traditional bike. The base of an upright bike not only keeps it in place but also provides stability for the rider. Some upright bikes are "dual action" with movable arm bars that provide an upper body workout as well.

Recumbent Bikes

Recumbent stationary bikes are longer than upright bikes because they allow the rider to exercise in a reclining position. This provides back support and is more comfortable than an upright bike for those with lower back pain. The pedals are located in front of the body. The seats of recumbent bikes are wide and adjustable. There are handles on the side of the bike to help give the rider support if needed during exercise. Some bikes also have handlebars in front of the seat.

Resistance

Stationary bikes provide different types of resistance depending on the model. Older and low-end models of exercise bikes use fans for air resistance. Other types of resistance include belts, magnets and hydraulics. The controls on the bike allow you to adjust the resistance to increase workout intensity.

Features

You can monitor your workout progress and get readouts of information on the dashboards of bikes. Less expensive bikes may just offer basic details like time, speed, distance and calorie information. More expensive bikes let you select the type of workout you want, have a pulse monitor, show your heart rate, have consoles with LCD screens and include heavy-duty frames for more stability.

Price And Warranty

Pricing for stationary bikes can range from a little more than $100 to several thousand dollars. While higher-end bikes may offer more comfort and entertainment features such as integrated TV tuners and disc players, they may not necessarily be a better deal if you are just looking for a stable piece of equipment for an effective workout. Make sure to check consumer reviews of equipment before purchasing and compare bike features. Warranties on bikes may vary. "Consumer Reports" recommends purchasing equipment that provides two to three years of coverage and a year for labor.