!#71# What Are the Most Common Exercise Bike Types and Indoor Cycling Equipment?

!±8± What Are the Most Common Exercise Bike Types and Indoor Cycling Equipment?

Exercise Bikes are a great way to stay in shape all year long, they provide an excellent low impact, aerobic exercise and are more compact and cheaper than other home fitness equipment. Finding the right stationary bike, or bike stand, can be a challenge but if you know what you are looking for and how much you would like to spend the process can be easy. Prices can vary from 0 or less to 00 or more (for higher end models) and there are a number of different types of stationary bikes (and some other cycling work out equipment categories) to choose from.

Types of Exercise Bikes

Below is a summary of the most common types of indoor cycling equipment along with the common electronic display features and functions.

Upright Bikes (or Stationary Bikes)

These bicycles are similar to traditional upright bicycles, provide a good lower body workout and take up less space than recumbent exercise bikes (in length but are usually higher).

Recumbent and Semi Recumbent-Exercise Bikes

The biggest advantage to recumbent stationary bicycles is that they are much more comfortable then upright models. Recumbent bikes have a chair like seat and many models have handlebars next to the seat and also in front of the seat. Recumbents provide better back support, a good lower body workout and promote more efficient blood flow to the body. Semi-Recumbent exercise bikes are the same design as recumbent except the seat position is higher you are in a more upright (less recumbent) position.

Dual Action Exercise Bikes - Dual Action Fan Bikes

Dual Action Bicycles are upright bicycles with arm handles that move along with the pedals and often have fly wheels (fans) for cooling and as the resistance mechanism. These bikes provide additional aerobic exercise due to the upper body workout.

Mini Exercise Bikes

Mini Exercise Bikes do not have seats or handlebars and are, therefore, much more compact and cheaper than full size stationary bikes. These "bikes" can be pedaled by sitting in a chair or sofa and may also be pedaled with the arms. It can be difficult to keep these bikes in position while working out.

Bike Trainers

If you are looking for an bike stand (stationary bike stand) to use with your regular bike for indoor exercise in the off season, when you can't be outdoors or for training purposes then you will want to review Bike Trainers. Bike Trainers are bike stands that attach to your normal (outdoor) bicycle so you can exercise or train on your bicycle indoors.

Common Electronic Display Features and Functions

There will be a number of different display features and functions from different manufacturers and on various stationary bike models but most exercise bikes computers will provide:

Speed in mph or kph Calculated distance Workout time Resistance Levels Pulse and Heart rate (select models) Calories and/or fat burned Various program modes (select models) RPM (cadence), Watts, METS, Miles (or kilometers) per minute