Choosing The Best Exercise Bike

An Exercise Bike is a device with pedals and saddle attached to handlebars, which forms a bicycle. This equipment is not use a mode of transportation but rather it is used as exercise equipment. This kind of bike can be referred to as exercise bicycle, stationary bicycle and exercycle.

Exercise bike is a special-purpose exercise machine which usually doesn’t possess real wheels, the device however resembles the real bicycle used for transport. Although exercise bike is specially designed for its purpose, you can also make an exercise bike on your own using an ordinary bike. Simply placing the ordinary bicycle on a bicycle rollers or trainer can do the trick. Racing cyclists often use rollers and trainers to warm up before they start their race or when they want to train on their own machine indoors.

These kinds of bikes have different uses, such as for exercise, to increase the general fitness of the person and for training in cycling events. The exercise bicycle has been used for a long time now for the purpose of physical therapy. The main reason it is used for physical therapy is because it is a low-impact, effective and safe cardiovascular exercise. It is the safest exercise since the device does not put much stress on the joints and does not involve some sporadicmotions, which some fitness devices may require.

There are many kinds of exercise bikes these days, which caters to different needs of the user. There are exercise bikes mainly for weight loss, others can be used to counter cardiovascular deconditioning in microgravity environment and many more. Listed below are the kinds of exercise bikes available in the market together with their purpose and disadvantages.

Desk Cycle

The DeskCycle is a device that is useful to all office workers who don’t have the time to exercise because of their busy schedules. Deskcycle makes it easy for individual to have a safe yet effective exercise habits while working. It is the only bike that was specially designed for the purpose of helping workers exercise while working. This device is a handy device that you do not need much space in order for you to use them. Using this device you can be sure of maximizing your time at the minimum space. The Deskcycle can also be used while you’re gaming or typing in your laptop.

Deskcycle helps the largest muscle in the human body move while you are staying in place. It is a device that can negate the harmful effects of working and sitting all day. However it is definitely not a substitute for exercising normally in the gym. The device is indeed helpful, but it is not enough to only use this. It is not a big calorie burner, you might need to add some work outs like jogging, or taking walk in the morning and afternoon.

The great thing about the Deskcycle device is that it does not require Fitness Level. People who do not regularly exercise can use the device right away. It is also not that expensive, some shops sell the Deskcycle for only $120. The price varies from each sellers.

Here are some of the Pros and Cons of the Deskcycle Device:

Pros:

·        Can help you lose weight if partnered with regular exercise and proper meals

·        Improves your health even just using the device for at least 15 minutes/day

·        Extends the lifespan of the user

·        People who use it tends to be happier and more lively than the ones who don’t

·        Minimizes the stress the individual suffers in workplace

·        People who use it at work tend to be more productive and more creative than others who don’t

·        Use be used anytime, anywhere

·        Can be used while typing or gaming in laptop/computer

·        Does not require great physical fitness, anyone can use it

Cons:

·        Does not replace actual exercise

·        To some people it is not practical

Upright Exercise Bike

The Upright Exercise Bike is a device that seems to promise the best cardio workout using a stationary bicycle. Just like any other bikes, the Upright bikes are used by with pedals. However, unlike the other indoor bikes, the upright bikes are not designed for the users to use outdoors but can be used while standing or leaning forward on a virtual speed. This device helps produce lower impact on your body but it has high benefits as a work out habit. This is the best choice for the older people or people that have weaker muscle who cannot undergo intense work outs.

Upright Exercise Bikes are popular these days since anyone of any fitness level can benefit from using this bike. It is also compact, unlike other kinds of bikes, this type of bike does not take much space in your home. It is also a low maintenance device and once you set them up, you can use it for years without much change in the device. Compared to treadmill which requires a lot of lubrication and servicing through time, the Upright Exercise Bike definitely beats that.

Some of the Upright Exercise Bikes that are available in the market are very easy to use and offers quality exercise at a very affordable price. You only have to spend one- time payment of $150 and you can enjoy exercising in your home with great results.

Here are some of the Pros and Cons of the Upright Exercise Bikes:

Pros:

·        Offers more variety of movement than the DeskCycle

·        Offers the best cardio workout using a stationary bicycle

·        Can be used while standing or on a leaning position

·        Using the Upright Exercise Bikes, more muscle groups can be exercised

·        Offers comfortable usage to all the users, users with spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis can be in a forward leaning position

·        Compact and does not take much space

·        Does not require great physical fitness, anyone can use it

·        Use be used anytime, anywhere

Cons:

·        It costs more than Deskcycle

·        Focused on exclusively exercising legs

·        Needs to be paired with Upper body exercise

Recumbent Bicycle

A Recumbent Bike is an outdoor type of bicycle that places its rider in laid back and reclining position. Because of its ergonomic nature, it is chosen by most biker riders. Riders can sit comfortably in the recumbent bicycle since the user’s weight is well distributed over the whole parts of the bike, and it is supported by the buttocks and back.

Almost all of the recumbent bikes have the aerodynamic feature, which makes it better than other bikes. As of the moment, the recumbent bike has the record of world’s best speed for a bike and the bike has been banned from any bike racing competition by the UCI since 1934.

There are numerous types of Recumbent bike available in the market today. There are different variations of this bike type, from short to long wheelbase, there are large and small wheel sixes, and there’s a mix of both sizes, there’s an overseat and underseat type, there’s a rear wheel and front wheel drive.

What’s good about this bike is you can exercise with someone using this bike. This type of Recumbent bike is called tandem recumbent which can cater to be used by 2 persons. There are different types of recumbent bikes such as, Mountain bike recumbent, High racers, low racers, Semi-recumbent and crank forward bicycles, Recumbent tricycles, Tandem recumbent, handcycles and a lot more.

Here are some of the Pros and Cons of the Recumbent Bicycle:

Pros:

·        Does not need much maintenance, just keep the chain clean and oiled up is enough

·        Low impact exercise so there is lesser risk of injury

·        There are different types of recumbent bicycle variations so the user can choose the most comfortable type

·        Can be used to exercise with someone

Cons:

·        Focused on exclusively exercising legs

·        Needs to be paired with Upper body exercise

·            Stationary Recumbent bicycle costs much more than Upright and Deskcycle.

Folding Bikes

                                     

A Folding Bicycle is basically a bike that is designed to be folded into its compact form which also functions as a regular bike. The folding bikes can be easily transported or carried once folded which serves its purpose. It is a portable compacted bike which does not use much space and you can easily board boat, car and a plane.

The Folding mechanisms of the folding bike depend on the folding itself. It may vary from the folding speed, ease of folding, the compactness, weight, ride, durability and its price. However, compared to other normal bikes, the folding bike is quite more expensive. Aside from the price, most people consider the ease of folding in buying bikes. Other factors in choosing folding bikes are the model of the bike, the size, the compact folded size and quick ease folding.

Folding bikes usually come with a much wider range of adjustments compared to other types of bikes, which accommodates different kinds of riders simply because the frames can usually be made in one size. The seat posts and the handlebar of this kind of bike extend four times higher than the regular bikes. Longer after market posts and greater range of adjustments are also available in this kind of bikes. It is similar to a regular bike in terms of the distance of the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle and to the bike’s handlebars.

Here are some of the Pros and Cons of the Folding Bicycle:

Pros:

·        You can carry it around even when boarding another mode of transportation

·        Takes up lesser space in storage compared to other bikes.

·        Have variations depending on the what model the user wants

·        Folding bikes can be accelerated real fast

Cons:

·        Costs more than other bikes

·        It is heavier than the normal bikes

Mountain Bikes

Mountain Bike or mountain bicycle is also called as MTB or ATB which stands for all terrain bicycles; it is created for the purpose of off road cycling. This device is typically ridden on a trip to the fire roads, unpaved environments, logging roads and most commonly in the mountain trails. The kinds of terrain the Mountain Bike can stand include washouts, loose sands, roots, loose gravel, ruts, rocks, and steep grades both for inclines and declines. The Mountain Bike is purposely made to handle these terrain and obstacles.

The structure of Mountain Bike is very different than the regular bikes. The most apparent difference of Mountain Bike from others are suspensions on frame and fork, more durable wheels, heavy duty wheels, powerful brakes, larger tires and the lower gear ratios which are needed for the steep grades that has poor traction.

These days, there are different types of mountain bikes that will serve its specific purpose. The kinds available in the market are Trail Bikes, Cross County, Downhill, All Mountain, Slopestyle, Free Ride, Trials, Single Speed, Dirt Jumping, Mountain Cross, Dual Slalom, North Shore, IndyCross and Circle dirt track racing. Each kind of these mountain bikes are made for their specific purpose, like the Circle dirt track racing which is a hard tail mountain bike with front suspension this feature is commonly seen on the Circle dirt track racing bike.

Here are some of the Pros and Cons of the Mountain Bicycle:

Pros:

·        The best for a rough road

·         Promotes discipline since the riding position is more upright

·        Have a very powerful brakes than other bikes

·        You can use it for a long can distances comfortably

·        Have suspension on front and rear which improves the handling and the rider can ride in comfort on rough terrain.

Cons:

·        Not suitable for person with smaller body frame

·        Not recommended to use while biking on the streets

·        Slower when used on a normal road

There are a lot of bike types that can be suitable for your exercise habits. You need to classify first what you want and what you need to choose the best exercise bikes. Asking some friends who exercise bikes as well may help but at the end of the day, what you want in a bike is different from what your friend wants.