Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Spin Bike

Stationary bikes are staple choices if your daily workout includes a heart-pounding cardio exercise. Indoor cycling is one of the most sought-after cardio exercises that people turn to in order to strengthen their body, improve their performance, and yes, lose weight! Of the three main types of stationary bikes you may see in the market, spin bikes are relatively the go-to choice for gym enthusiasts and professional athletes because of their ability to replicate the real feeling of cycling outdoor, but in the safety and comfort of your home. Having so many brands and models that you can find great candidates to be the best stationary bike may be a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. Hundreds of choices make you identify which type can address your needs and budget, but it can also be confusing when comparing all of them and settling for just one. Let Home Gym Australia give you some information on what to look for in a spin bike so you can be sure that whichever brand or model you choose is the most suitable for your needs and your home gym space.

What to Look for in a Spin Bike

Let us divide the factors that you need to consider into three: the budget, the design, and the features.

Budget

Let’s face it: buying your own home gym equipment can never be considered cheap, especially if you are looking for high-quality products. Not that we are saying that affordable ones are substandard. There are actually very good spin bike models that are more affordable than most. What we can generally claim is that the exercise machines that provide better features and higher adjustment/adaptability levels would, more often than not, require higher price tags. Take, for example, spin bikes. For a spin bike to be able to hold additional features and functions, the materials it will use and the design to accommodate these would require higher expenditure compared to a basic spin bike. You can expect that spin bikes can cost you around $300 to $2000. For you to know which one you should choose based on your budget, here are a few questions for you to consider:

Is your workout centred on cardio exercise alone? (This affects the number of other machines you need to fit your gym allowance.)
How often are you going to use it? (This affects the durability and warranty of the bike.)
Is the spin bike the right type of stationary bike for your needs? (This will give you an idea to look at other options, like upright or recumbent bike brands and models.)
Do you prefer a basic or a state-of-the-art spin bike? (Basic spin bikes are essentially more affordable than fully-packed and heavy-duty spin bikes.)

Framework

Materials. The design and build of any exercise machine should definitely be considered when choosing one, and spin bikes are never an exemption. The materials used should be durable, able to withstand pressure and tension brought about by the stress of riding and the maximum weight of the rider. Although some may claim that assessing the materials and framework of a spin bike is difficult when done online, you can research on reviews and feedbacks from other users of a specific model so you can get an idea if they are worth your time and money.

Flywheel. Much like regular outdoor cycles, a spin bike has a flywheel that dictates the movement and pressure of your pedaling. The logic is, the heavier the flywheel, the smoother your pedaling and glide would be. So when choosing a spin bike, take note of the flywheel weight so you can be sure that the motion of your indoor cycling is smooth and seamless.

Brakes. If you are to choose an outdoor bike, one of the first things that you need to check is the brakes, right? This is also what you need to check with your stationary bikes, even if you are not really riding in terrains and pathways outside. The most recommended braking system you would want to have is the magnetic brakes, as they are easy to maintain and is the quietest type. But you can also consider fabric or leather brake pads which can also be ideal for indoor cycling.

Adjustability. This factor in your spin bike is very important if you have other family members or loved ones who would want to use your chosen exercise bike at home. The seat, handle, pedal, and height of the spin bike should be able to address your different height, weight, and use for your exercise, so you can ensure safety, comfort, and accurate workout for your target muscle groups.

Resistance. The pressure that you exert every time you use your spin bike will determine the amount of energy you are also spending during your workout. If you are a beginner who plans on using your spin bike until you are an expert cyclist, choose one that has wide ranges of resistance. It may be derived from a cable system, manual screw operation, electronically operated, or magnetic/electromagnetic resistance.

Functions and Features

Monitoring functions. Most high-end spin bikes have a heart rate monitoring system connected to their LCD display, so you can monitor your heart’s function as you push yourself to stay active. The accuracy of these sensors allows you to monitor your health status while exercising, ensuring your safety while keeping fit, and pushing to achieve your best physique. While this is somewhat modern for some, you also need to have an idea about the calories you have burned during your workout session, the distance you travelled, the speed of your cycling, and the length of time you exercised. These pieces of information will inspire and motivate you to push further and continue your workout consistently even when you are just attending your spin classes online.

Display screen. While almost all spin bike models from different brands and manufacturers have display screens, it would depend on your preference which one you would favour. Would you want an LCD screen that can allow you to track your performance and view pre-programmed workouts over a basic console display that can only show digits and other important data about your cycling session?

Connectivity. This is sometimes the make-or-break factor that many people consider when choosing a spin bike, or any stationary bike for that matter. It certainly could be nicer to connect your phone or tablet to your indoor bike so you can hear music or work and ride your bike simultaneously, but this would definitely cost you some additional bucks. These may also be important when you want to monitor and track your performance, even when you are not using your spin bike. Take into consideration other functions and features of your spin bike on top of these modern specs so you can get the most out of your indoor bike.

Convenience. You might be spending quite a few hours in your personal home gym, so you may want your fitness machines to have a holder or place for your gym essentials. These may make your cycling workout session convenient and worthwhile. Water bottle holder, phone tablet holder, as well as transportation wheels may be some of the convenience features that you can look for in your ideal spin bike.

We hope that we somehow made it easier for you to narrow down your choices when picking out your most suitable at-home spin bike. Home Gym Australia thinks the best for their valued customers, so we ensure that our online store carries the highest-quality gym machines and accessories to make it more convenient for you to make a shortlist of your choices. We promise that when you choose to trust Home Gym Australia as your fitness supply store, what you will purchase has been chosen out of the best options that you can find in the market, offered at the best deals and promos! Contact us or visit our website to know more!