Choosing An Exercise Bike

When you decide to purchase an exercise bike, you should first make sure you have a place in your home where you can put it.  If you don't have a lot of space, or just don't want to keep it sitting out, you'll want to look for one of the foldable models. Then, you'll need to think about whether or not you want an upright exercise bike, a semi recumbent bike, or a recumbent exercise bike.

Stationary exercise bicycle. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Once you have made the decision of which type of bike you want, check out the reviews that are available in bike magazines and also on the internet - Amazon.com is a good place to check, even if you don't plan on buying from there, as they have a lot of models, and an active user review community. You may also want to check with family and friends who are currently using an exercise bike, to see what their experience has been. Another good resource is personal trainers who have experience.  The reviews on exercise bikes normally rate their performance and the functions that they have, as well as the type of material that is used for construction.

The exercise bike that you select should be very comfortable to sit on and the seat should be easy to adjust.  If the height of the seat is wrong, it can put a lot of pressure on your groin and lower back.  To find out more about these types of features, it is very important that you read some reviews for valuable information from those who already own the equipment.  Often you can learn about flaws as well, which can save you a lot of time and effort.

Going to local gyms is also a great way to find out about exercise bikes.  And of course, if you don't want to buy one or if you don't have the space to keep one at home, you can always join a local gym and use one there.  But even if planning to buy one, you may wish to try out some at the local gyms and see what you like the best. There are usually several different types available at your local gym, with everything from standard exercise bikes to the newer electronic versions.

Whether you choose to buy one for home use or use one at the gym, an exercise bike can help you stay in shape.  All you need to do is ride it a few minutes a day, and you'll be amazed at just how much it helps you lose weight and gain strength and stamina. An exercise bike can be a very beneficial part of your cardio interval training workout.

A Few Well-Reviewed Exercise Bikes: