How to Choose an Exercise Bike – Some Tips
One of the most prevalent fitness exercise machines is the exercise bike but purchasing one is not as easy as going to the shop and choosing one. There are lots of things to consider before you do this. You will want to think about not only the outlay, type of bike, whether you prefer a recumbent or upright exercise bike, and how comfortable and effortless it is to adjust.
How Much Do You Want to Spend?
Evidently this is always the most important consideration but you do not want to go for the cheapest bike you can find as it may not last very long, be easy to use or even give you a good workout. An entry-level bike at a minimum will set you back on the order of $200, and though this will be adequate it won’t have any of the features that can be found on costlier exercise bikes. For not much more, between $300 and $600 you will get a better quality exercise bike with many features such as magnetic resistance, heart rate control, a comfortable seat and generally quiet and efficient operation.
For around $600 you will be able to purchase a first-rate exercise bike with all the features you may need. For this cost you ought to expect loads of built-in workout programs, simple to use resistance control and LED display console, handlebars that are easy to change and a good guarantee.
Comfort of the Exercise Bike
Evidently your exercise bike needs to be comfortable as you will be spending quite a lot of time on it! You will want a well padded seat and handlebars that adjust easily. Are you going to obtain an upright or recumbent exercise bike? Many people find that recumbent exercise bikes are more comfortable to use than upright exercise bikes as you sit in a more reclined position which puts a reduced amount of strain on your back. Upright exercise bikes, even though they are not nearly as comfy, do have the benefit that you can simply increase the level of the workout by pedalling standing up just as you would do on a regular bike.
Changing the Resistance
Exercise bike resistance is variable in two ways. The majority of the lower cost models use tension and a belt, more costly models use magnetic resistance which is quieter and more reliable. For those using magnetic resistance it is adjusted either by a knob or a pushbutton, which most people find easier to use.
Heart Rate Monitors
It is extremely crucial to be able to check your heart rate while training since the aim of the exercise is to increase the heart rate. Always obtain an exercise bike with a built-in heart rate monitor so that you can alter your training accordingly. Practically all the exercise bikes do have this although cheaper bikes will often only have a pulse rate monitor built into the handlebars. The high-priced exercise bikes will have exercises that are controlled by your heart rate so they adjust automatically to keep your pulse rate at a level that you set. This is a very nice feature but not vital if you can’t afford it.
Built in Training Programs
Several of the cheaper exercise bikes do not have exercise integral programs. Even though you may think this is not too much of a disadvantage you will find that simply sitting on the bike and riding will grow to be wearisome very quickly! With exercise programs you can change your workout and the feedback you get will help with your enthusiasm. Displays that give you feedback on calories burned, distance covered and tour heart rate etc. really do aid your motivation and keep you exercising longer. The majority of the exercise bikes in the middle range i.e. between roughly $300 and $600 will give you a realistic collection of built-in workouts and a fairly good display. More high-priced exercise bikes i.e. in the $600 and over range will have a large number of workouts and first-rate console displays with a whole range of feedback information.
Conclusion
Evidently, with exercise bikes, as with other fitness exercise machines, you get what you pay for. It isn’t really a very good idea to purchase the lowest cost exercise bike you can find as it might not last very long and you won’t be pleased with the training that you get. It is not obligatory to buy a very expensive bike but we recommend buying one for around $300 which will give you good exercise and keep your motivation high. Read more at Buying a Fitness Exercise Machine
July 29 2009 09:08 am | Natural health care
