The Best Exercise Bikes of 2018

Finding the right exercise bike can be an intimidating task. It seems like every product sells their features as if they are the only thing that matters, but if that were true, there wouldn't be a gazillion different designs on the market. This review will cover all types of exercise bikes so you can get a better idea of what's on the market today.

Benefits of Owning an Exercise Bike

There are so many benefits to owning an exercise bike that it would be easier to list the reasons not to have one (hint: there aren't any!) Here are a few of the reasons I chose to include an exercise bike in my home gym.

Rain or Shine, Snow or Sleet

Rain or shine, snow or sleet, it'll deliver your fitness! I first bought a stationary bike ten years ago. It rained almost every day during the winter while my beloved bike lay collecting cobwebs in the garage. By the time the rain stopped, I had about three weeks to enjoy it before my hometown began feeling hot as the bowels of Hades again. After nearly giving myself heat stroke trying to bike at 9 AM in the summer, I drove my air conditioned car to the local sporting goods store.

You Won't Get Squished

I have no less than three close friends who have been plowed over at intersections or in the bike lane. In each of those cases, my friends were following all traffic laws and wearing safety equipment. None of them died, but all three had massive hospital bills and long recoveries.

Safer at Home

Stationary biking is also safer for those who have physical problems. They can exercise even with balance problems or joint pain. It's much easier to check and maintain the heart rate at the doctor recommended level, and you won't be in the middle of nowhere, away from your family if you have a sudden problem. It doesn't matter what age you are or what your level of fitness is, you can achieve your fitness goals safely at home.

Cheaper Than the Gym

Stationary bikes are cheaper than a gym membership in the long run. Considering that most gym memberships have rates of over $50 a month and come with draconian cancellation fees, even a thousand dollar machine will pay for itself in no time.You'll Use it MoreThis isn't just because it's right there staring at you. Gyms can be inconvenient. We're always too busy or getting called away in the middle of a workout. All of this is no problem when you have a bike at home. Even on busy days, I just grab five or ten minutes whenever I can. It adds up over the course of the day.

You Don't Need a Babysitter

Whether you ride on the road or go to the gym, you'll need someone to babysit your younger kids while you work out. Some gyms include daycare, but it's expensive. If you have a stationary cycle at home, you can keep an eye on your little ones and workout without spending a dime. Plus, if you kids see you engaging in a healthy workout routine from the start, they will naturally incorporate it into their lifestyles. I gained my love of fitness from jogging with my father, and they are some of the happiest memories of my childhood. Those memories are also personal proof of the longevity benefits that exercise provides because he's still alive and active at the ripe old age of 86. Does motivation get any better than that?

Multitasking

I'm a big fan of zoning out with distraction free exercise for at least half an hour a day because it's a huge stress reliever. Some days, I like to go longer. If I don't have the time for an extended workout routine, I'll get my laptop and work while using my bike. As a matter of fact, I'm listening to M83 and riding my bike this very moment, while typing this post. (Road Blaster is the perfect biking song.)

Your Hubby Can Use it Too

The first time I saw my beautiful but beer-gutted better half jump on my recumbent bike, I almost fainted. Now his beer gut is almost gone.

No Germs!

I don't even want to touch the handles on the bikes and the gym--or sit on them for that matter. No matter how much cleaning equipment they set out, there's always some inconsiderate, sweaty jerk that thinks his particular brand of sweat is God's gift to the world, so he must share it. Eww!

Privacy

I've had people look at me funny when I've shown up at the gym in old sweats and a ponytail instead of my cute little workout getup. Why do I have to dress up to go work out? At home, I can be as stinky and frizzy as I want with no repercussions. Furthermore, no one is looking at my butt from behind my back while I work. I can add goofy arm exercised to my workout and listen to guilty pleasures on the radio while I work out to my heart's content with no audience. It's bliss.

It Makes Your Tush Look Awesome!

Biking is one of the best exercises in the world to tighten your calves, thighs, and glutes--those are the nice muscles on your backside.

Exercise Bike Buying Guide

Stationary bikes are popular and have evolved to meet different needs. There are now four different types of indoor cycles to choose from:

Standard Upright

This was the first kind of exercise bike that became popular. Uprights have a very simple design that usually includes an LCD screen with a tracking system. These monitors track the distance you've peddled and the calories burned. We often sit on them like we would a beach cruiser, and the peddling method is very similar too. They are among some of the most modern machines. They're inexpensive and easy to repair if something breaks, and they rarely break. Some standard uprights from the 80's still work great.

Spin Cycles

These are the kind of machines you're going to find at the gym for spin classes. They come with a flywheel mechanism that disengages when you coast and re-engages when you start peddling again. The feel is very similar to what you experience when racing your bike on the road. You have to lean over the handlebars to peddle just like you would your racing bike too. You can get some of the most intense cardio workouts in the world on a spin cycle.

Dual Action

These bikes have moving handlebars instead of a pair stationary ones. Some models have both. The handlebars move a lot like those on a skiing machine, working your arms out too. Some models allow separate adjustments for the arms and legs, so the bike is suitable for any athlete, novice to expert. Most of us have stronger legs than arms, so our noodle arms may need time to catch up to the resistance level that our legs can handle.

Recumbent

Recumbent stationary bikes are my personal favorite for multi-tasking because they are so comfortable. They have back supports just like a chair, and they're perfect for reading a book while peddling. Unfortunately, the only arm workout I get is turning the page unless I put down the book and pick up the weights. They also employ different muscles than standard bikes. You'll notice that they require more of a pushing motion with the thighs than a peddling motion engaging your legs and backside.

Whichever type of bike you choose, make sure it's one you will enjoy using. Some of us just like to pedal vigorously on a recumbent, and some of us enjoy the racing feel of a spin machine. Some people want the full-body workout that we can only get with a dual-action bike. There isn't a wrong choice here. It's all about what best suits your needs.