Best Exercise Bikes

Exercise bikes have been a popular choice for those wanting to exercise at home for many years, and modern manufacturers stock a massive range of types and sizes, priced to suit all budgets, needs and tastes.

There are several advantages that exercise bikes have over other types of home exercise machines, such as treadmills: -

Compact
Exercise bikes take up little space in your home, meaning your spare room still has a little spare!
You can even get a folding exercise bike - Gold's Gym do a model that is perfect for light use.

Inexpensive
Prices start below $150 for the basic machines, pedal-powered with resistance levels that you increase by hand. Plug-in models cost more, but come with heart rate monitors, drinks holders, variable resistance levels and personal training programs. These electronic bikes have smooth, fluid movement and are very comfortable to use.

Easy to use
Even if you can't ride a real bike, you can ride one of these! And there's no chance of hitting the sidewalk and falling off or getting hit by a lorry either, making exercise bikes a lot safer than the real thing.

Versatile
Whether you are just looking to drop a few pounds or train for the Tour de France, there is an exercise bike to suit you; simulate riding up hills or just smoothly sail along at your own pace. Most modern exercise bikes have extremely comfortable padded saddles, making sore butts a thing of the past!
All models have saddle heights that are easily adjusted to suit the length of your legs, so are perfect for everyone.

Riding an exercise bike is a great way to burn fat - around 600 calories/hour - so 20-30 minutes most days will soon make a difference to both your weight and your waistline, and as cycling is cardiovascular, it also strengthens your heart and lungs. Just what the doctor ordered!
Cycling tones and shapes your leg and butt muscles; the front of leg muscles (quads) on the downward push and the back of leg and butt muscles (hamstrings and glutes) on the return. For added calorie burn, stand up on the pedals and pretend you are powering uphill for a minute or so.

Exercise bikes are perfect for seniors and those new to exercise who may be afraid of falling from a treadmill or elliptical, as they are safely seated on the bike and holding the handlebars - they will feel safe, comfortable and confident, and the exercise will benefit them enormously.

There are even exercise bikes with backrests - called recumbent bikes - which take up a bit more space but are ideal for those recovering from injury or who just have back problems. These are supremely comfortable and still give a great leg and butt workout.

Whichever type of exercise bike you choose, you will get a great calorie-blasting low impact workout that's easy on your joints and fun to do. So get on and get pedalling!