| Before you buy an exercise bike you must do | | | | Particularly if your bike will have multiple users, it's |
| your homework. You could save yourself $100's | | | | important to have a variety of adjustability |
| and heaps of time by knowing what to look for | | | | options. After all, it does no good to have a well |
| before you start. This guide aims to give you that | | | | equipped home gym if your equipment doesn't "fit |
| knowledge to make your buying decision easier. | | | | you" correctly and you never want to use it.iv) |
| There are two main types of resistance found in | | | | Console Features |
| all types of stationary bikes, belt tension and | | | | This is where a lot of extra money is often spent |
| magnetic resistance.i) Belt Tension | | | | on a stationary bike. On one end of the spectrum |
| Belt tension or manually-adjustable bikes have | | | | there are basic models, which offer minimum |
| basically been phased out by the magnetic | | | | adjustability options and minimum resistance |
| resistance models. However, I'm still including them | | | | options and have no bells and whistles. |
| here because you may run across a "great deal" | | | | On the other end of the spectrum, there are |
| on a bike that offers belt tension - that's why | | | | bikes that have LCD screens that provide virtual |
| you're being offered a lower price. | | | | bike races and off road trails, pre-programmed |
| Belt tension resistance is far inferior to magnetic | | | | workout features, heart rate monitors, fans, book |
| resistance because it relies on friction to make it | | | | stands and the list goes on. |
| more challenging to pedal. As a result, the motion | | | | Here is what you should think about when you're |
| isn't smooth and the more tension you use, the | | | | pondering the wisdom of the built-in air freshener |
| louder the bike becomes. If the stationary bike is | | | | console option - what is it going to take for you |
| simply an every now and then workout choice | | | | to get motivated and for you to get a quality |
| for you, the belt tension "deal" may be a good | | | | workout? |
| way to save some money and still have some | | | | If you hate being uncomfortable or sweaty you |
| added variety to your workout options.ii) Magnetic | | | | may want to opt for the console with the fan |
| Resistance | | | | and the air freshener. If you get bored easily and |
| As the title infers, the resistance on these bikes is | | | | need some extra motivation, look for a bike that |
| increased electronically by increasing opposing | | | | has a wide variety of pre-programmed workouts. |
| magnetic forces. You can find magnetic resistance | | | | If you know that you'll use your bike with or |
| options on the most expensive bikes, as well as | | | | without the bells and whistles and you're capable |
| some of the more inexpensive bikes. If faced | | | | of pushing yourself without using a virtual racing |
| with the decision, magnetic resistance bikes are | | | | option or a virtual trainer, save yourself some |
| the better choice because they're quiet and | | | | money and go with the basic package. |
| versatile and can be very affordable.iii) | | | | Console options are all about finding ways to keep |
| Adjustability | | | | you motivated to use the equipment on a regular |
| Adjustability on a stationary bike is particularly | | | | basis; however, in the end a bike is a bike is a |
| important since, in a seated position, a tall person | | | | bike no matter what you put on the console.v) |
| will hit their knees on the handlebars if the bike | | | | Weight Capacity |
| doesn't adjust correctly and a short person may | | | | The weight capacity consideration when |
| not be able to reach the pedals at full extension. | | | | purchasing a stationary bike isn't as important as |
| If a bike is being purchased for family use and | | | | when you're buying an elliptical trainer or a |
| there are height discrepancies, you'll need to pay | | | | treadmill. The user's weight on a treadmill or |
| very close attention to the adjustability options on | | | | elliptical increases wear on the equipment's motor |
| your bike. | | | | and frame; whereas, the user's weight on a |
| Seat Adjustments | | | | stationary bike increases stress on the frame |
| Ideally, you'll be able to move your seat up and | | | | without directly impacting the motor. However, |
| down and forward and backward. Most spin bikes | | | | any piece of exercise equipment that identifies a |
| offer both options, which is one of the many | | | | maximum weight capacity does so for the safety |
| reasons these bikes tend to be more expensive | | | | of the user and should be heeded. Most exercise |
| than others. Most upright bikes only offer the | | | | bikes have a weight capacity in the 300 pound |
| height adjustment and most recumbent bikes only | | | | range and some more expensive models are |
| offer adjustments forward and backward. | | | | even higher than that.vi) Warranty |
| Since this is the case, it's important that you | | | | One area the stationary bikes don't really differ |
| know what height of user is suitable for the | | | | too much from other home fitness equipment is |
| particular bike. | | | | the warranty. Regardless of what type of |
| Handlebar Adjustments | | | | equipment your planning to buy, if the warranty is |
| Most bikes offer adjustable consoles or | | | | weak, chances are pretty good it's because the |
| handlebars. The height of the handlebars is | | | | equipment is weak. A short warranty usually |
| important for the all important knee clearance, as | | | | indicates that the manufacturer doesn't want to |
| well as for comfort in posture. If the handlebars | | | | go out of business paying for repairs on poorly |
| don't adjust high enough, you'll find your lower | | | | constructed equipment. So, before you make a |
| back is aching after a very short workout. | | | | purchase, make sure you check out the warranty. |
| Conversely, if the bars are too high, you'll | | | | No matter how expensive the equipment may be |
| probably find that your upper back and shoulders | | | | sold for, if it only comes with a 90-day warranty |
| begin to cramp up. | | | | you should be wary of the quality of product |
| "The bottom line to adjustability is, the more the | | | | you're really getting. |
| better." | | | | |