Exercise Bikes

If you need to get in shape but don’t feel inclined to lift weights or go for a jog first thing in the morning, then an exercise bike could be just what you’re looking for.

Exercise bikes come in two basic formats, the upright version and the recumbent style. Both are effective in helping you burn off calories and clock up those miles but each does so in its own particular way.



Upright exercise bikes are similar to traditional bicycles in shape and design, except that they don’t actually go anywhere. You sit on the seat or saddle and hold on to a fixed pair of handlebars, pedalling downwards as you would on a normal bike. There’s no back support on these designs, so you need to take that into consideration when you purchase one. Also, because it’s stationary, you need a comfortable seat and to be able to adjust the handlebars to a height that’s convenient for your size and reach.

Recumbent models are more comfortable generally having a seat like an office chair and with the pedals forward and just lower than the seat. The seat provides back support as you pedal and you sit much closer to the floor than you would on an upright, so these are easier to use for people with knee, back or leg problems. On the other hand, recumbent designs take up more space than uprights, which can often be folded away when you’ve finished exercising.

As well as the upright and recumbent styles of exercise bike, you can also purchase a dual action cycle which features moving pedals and synchronised moving handlebars. This provides for a more extensive cardiovascular workout, although many models have the facility to switch to pedal-only mode. Dual action bikes are similar in shape and size to uprights with a triangular seat and pedals in the centre and below.

Many of the better designs include fitness monitors that measure your pulse (through a sensor on the handlebars or a clip-on finger hood), tell you how many calories you’ve burned, and calculate your speed, time and the distance you’ve travelled.

Whichever model you go for, make sure the pedals can be moved easily enough and that you can make adjustments quickly and in a straight forward way. Some cycles include resistance systems to give you more of a realistic ‘riding’ effect and a more strenuous workout. Magnetic resistance is the smoothest and quietest type.

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