Finding a good indoor spin bike can be difficult when buyers are rather new to the style of workout, or already are used to the more high end forms of spinning exercise bike in their classes. A well designed stationary bike for the home should have a blend of features that suit both types of user, while offering other features and performance elements that suit the home environment. On the one hand, it has to be accessible and stable for use without an instructor nearby. At the same time, it has to have enough features and settings to help users progress with their fitness goals.
The following top rated bikes for indoor cycling have good blend of attractive, helpful hardware and useful software. The intensity of the session comes from the resistance, the weight of the flywheel and the different programs. The best then offer great data on that session, including pulse readings and calories burned. Some of these bikes are streamlined with just the basics, while others have helpful extras. Some are more geared towards first timers, and others towards experienced users. By comparing these top spin cycles, you can get a better idea of the best exercise machine for your needs.
Best Indoor Exercise Bikes
1. Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
The Schwinn IC4 is a great Peloton bike alternative that comes with magnetic resistance and 100 resistance levels that you can micro-adjust. It has a sleek, sporty style down to the race-style seat that easily adjusts for comfort. The full-color LCD screen is illuminated with backlighting and clearly displays your calories burned, distance, heart rate, speed, RPMs and time.
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The additions of the ergonomics and padding on the seat add to the appeal for those looking for comfort and style. This is a Peloton-compatible fitness bike, so you will have full access to all Peloton features once you log into the app. It’s also compatible with the Zwift app, JRNY memberships, and Explore the World subscription service. These programs require paid memberships beyond purchasing the bike, but they expand your workout options to ensure you never get bored while cycling indoors.
This Schwinn indoor bike comes with two main accessories. One is a built-in cradle that holds a set of 3-pound dumbbells. The second is a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate tracker complete with armband.
2. YOSUDA Indoor Spin Bike
Are you looking for an indoor spinning bike that won’t hurt your bank account? If so, this YOSUDA fitness bike is a good option. While it’s offered at a reasonable full retail price, it still offers a durable steel frame and is belt driven for a quiet, smooth ride without shaking or wobbling.
This spin bike is also adjustable from the handlebars and resistance to the foot pedals. Those pedals are fitted with cages to keep your feet secure even on an aggressive ride. There are multiple resistance levels, ensuring you have room to improve your fitness level without outgrowing your home spin bike.
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While this bike is equipped with an LCD console, it doesn’t have backlighting. That may make the screen more difficult to read in dim lighting. The console tracks your heart rate, speed, calories burned, distance, and time during each workout. It also has a built-in odometer.
There are a couple accessories built into this affordable spin bike. One is a tablet holder that allows you to pedal longer with the entertainment of your choice. The second is a built-in water bottle holder to ensure you stay hydrated.
3. NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle (S15i and S22i)
Everything is a little bigger with the NordicTrack Commercial Studio indoor cycle. It starts with a maximum user weight limit of 350 pounds, which is much higher than most home spin bikes. While this spinning bike was designed for commercial use, it’s suitable for in-home riding if you want the benefit of a large HD display console and the higher weight capacity.
The 22-inch console features a touch screen and rotates up to 360 degrees for convenience. It provides all the usual feedback on your workout from speed and calories burned to distance.
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This commercial spin bike had adjustable feet, which makes it easy to find a secure, stable position against the floor. Along with the silent magnetic resistance, that makes for a smooth ride with less noise than you might expect from a stationary bike.
NordicTrack throws in a 30-Day iFIT Family Membership. Keep in mind that you will need to renew that membership at your cost after one month if you decide to keep using it.
4. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike
This home spin bike features a durable steel frame that can hold up to 300 pounds. That’s a higher weight capacity than most cheap spin bikes, which explains why this one slides into the market as a mid-priced option. It features a belt drive system, magnetic resistance, and a 44-pound flywheel. Taken together, those features create a smooth ride that is extremely quiet even on more aggressive rides.
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The flywheel on this bike is heavier than on many competitors. That allows you to add more resistance and challenge your lower body much like you would on an outdoor bike going up and down hills or through difficult terrain. Heavier flywheels help you build momentum but are also more difficult to bring to a stop.
For entertainment, this indoor bike comes with a large built-in tablet holder. You can use it to hold an electronic device, magazine, book, or anything else that makes the miles go by faster.
5. Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle Bundle
If you’re looking for the best spin bike but don’t have a lot of space to spare, this Keiser indoor bike is a good option. It has a compact design but still accommodates users up to 350 pounds. The frame is shaped like a V and is the first of its kind to hit the market. It looks and performs much like an outdoor bike, allowing the handlebars and seat to adjust simultaneously.
What’s great about this frame is it allows the bike to comfortably accommodate users up to 7 feet tall. It’s also the only spin bike currently made in the USA.
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While it sells at the high end of the market, this Keiser spinning bike does come with an assortment of accessories. The floor will protect your floor and may save you some money, since many indoor bike users purchase mats. Other accessories include a built-in tray to hold our phone or other items and stretch pads. It also comes with a heart rate monitor.
6. Cyclace Exercise Bike
Don’t judge the Cyclace exercise bike by its price tag alone. With a steel frame, adjustable resistance, and belt drive system, it is remarkably stable and easy to ride even for the low price range. It comes with a reasonable size LCD monitor, which tracks your distance, time, speed, and calories burned. The console also has a built-in odometer and small holder for a phone or tablet.
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While most users have no trouble setting this stationary bike up in well under one hour, some have more trouble getting it together. The frame is mostly assembled when it arrives, so you need to connect the handlebars and other external components before riding. That means fewer installation steps than you may have with some other spin bikes.
While there are no spin classes or live programming apps associated with the Cyclace bike, you can use your own Peloton app or other paid membership programs. Just pull the workouts up on a tablet or another electronic device.
7. Echelon Smart Connect Fitness Bike
The Echelon is a fierce Peloton competitor. It offers its own paid membership program that allows you to pedal through a variety of effective cardio workout routines. The membership program is unique in that Echelon partners with music industry leaders to provide a variety of popular music. You don’t need your own phone or tablet to play your favorite tunes during a workout.
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This home exercise bike is also a fierce Peloton competitor when it comes to design and performance. It features a sturdy alloy steel frame with silent magnetic resistance and adjustable toe cages on the pedals. From the extra-large cushioned seat that adjusts easily to the 32 resistance settings, this is a smooth ride that a chain drive bike cannot beat.
Whether you pedal to your own beat to get in a great cardio workout or join spin classes through the membership app, this is a high-quality spin bike for your home or office.
8. Concept2 BikeErg 2900 Stationary Exercise Bike
While this isn’t the best spin bike at the higher end of the market, it is a great way to get your indoor exercise on a routine. The aluminum frame accommodates users up to 300 pounds, and users of various heights can adjust the seat and handlebars for comfort.
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This is an air resistance spin bike that allows you to coast just as you would on a road bike outdoors. While the air flywheel isn’t as quiet or smooth as many belt-driven exercise bikes, it is efficient and does offer a smooth ride. The ability to take your feet from the pedals and maintain some resistance for the next pedal session is also convenient for some users.
Many Concept2 spin bike users are also huge fans of the brand’s rowing machine. This bike offers the same quality and excellent performance while catering to those who want to burn calories in a new way.
How To Choose the Best Spin Bike - Our Buyers Guide
Spinning is one of the best ways to get fit, but if you don’t know much about spin bikes, choosing the best one for your needs can be a challenge.
If you’re struggling with the decision to buy a spin bike, this article is for you. When you’re done reading this spin bike buyer’s guide you’ll know exactly how to pick your first exercise bike.
Most fitness trainers recommend spin bikes as a way for someone to ease into cardio exercises. It’s safe, simple, and there are practically no risks.
What are Spin-Bikes?
Spin bikes (or exercise bikes) are stationary cycling machines. These machines work much like a regular bicycle, except they’re fixed in one place.
You have probably seen exercise bikes in commercial and home gyms, they’re one of the most popular machines for cardio exercises.
Are Exercise Bikes Worth It?
Cycling has been proven to be one of the best cardio exercises, but there are some disadvantages too.
Spin bikes have all the benefits of cycling outdoors without the downside or risks. For example, the dangers of traffic and other vehicles on the road, hazardous weather, accidents, and more.
If you regularly use a spin bike not only will you lose weight, but also build muscle and strengthen your core. The best part of this type of cardio is it hits most major muscles groups in your body, even your arms.
Overall, if you’re looking to lose weight, build muscle, and improve your overall cardiovascular health, a spin bike is worth it.
Keep in Mind
In most cases, the pedals on a spin bike are fixed to the flywheel. In other words, when the wheel spins, so do the pedals.
Another point to keep in mind is that all spin bikes have clipless pedals. Clipless pedals come in 2 hole or 3 hole models. So make sure the spin shoes you wear are compatible with the pedals, enabling them to lock in securely. If you wear regular sneakers, then your feet will have a tendency to slip off the pedals which can break your exercise rhythm.
When people ask me if they should buy a spin bike, I always tell them to try one first. You can usually find them at gyms or exercise equipment stores. Take one for a test ride to see if it suits your needs.
What to Look for in an Exercise Bike?
Below are some factors to consider when purchasing your first exercise bike.
Price
As we know, exercise equipment can be quite expensive. The prices for exercise bikes can range from a couple of hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars.
Generally, if you’re a fitness enthusiast and looking for an intense workout, the commercial grade exercise bikes would be a good fit for you. Commercial-grade spin bikes usually have more features and difficulty levels. Not to mention they’re made from higher quality materials and less likely to break down.
On the other hand, if you’re just looking to lose a bit of weight and stay fit, the cheaper models would be more suited for your needs. Expect to pay between $200 - $500 for a moderate exercise bike. These are great for beginners, although you shouldn’t expect the absolute best performance.
Display
Most people can agree the display on exercise equipment can be quite motivating especially when you can track calories burned.
Not all exercise bikes have a display, many don’t, although the commercial-grade models usually do. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if a display is worth it.
In my opinion, I recommend buying an exercise bike that has a screen, so you can track the number of calories you burn each work out session. Some models will save workouts too, so you can start where you left off, as well as many other useful features.
Friction & Magnetic
There are two types of resistance systems; Friction, and Magnetic. The latter tends to be quieter, while the former is more common, albeit slightly louder.
On the subject of noise, most spin bikes are quiet. However, the magnetic models with a belt drive tend to be the quietest. Chain drives are a bit louder, similar to the chain on a regular bicycle, and they require more maintenance too.
So if you’re idea is to use the bike in the early morning while your partner or kids are asleep, a model that uses magnetic resistance would be the best choice for you.
Otherwise, if you’re not worried about the noise, any resistance system will work. Once again, I recommend testing various spin bike models to find one that suits you.
Height & Weight Requirements
When it comes to buying a spin bike, height and weight requirements are the most important factors to consider. Make sure to note the maximum weight before you buy one. In most cases, the maximum weight will be over 200 pounds.
Just like with weight, every exercise bike has an ideal height range, which can be changed by adjusting the seat.
To see if a spin bike matches your height, stand next to it, and adjust the saddle to your hip bone. Next, test out the bike to see if you can comfortably spin the pedals. If everything feels comfortable, it is a good fit.
The vast majority of spin bike models will allow you to adjust the seat, but not all have adjustable pedals. Keep that in mind when looking for the best spin bike.
Conclusion
To summarize, spinning is one of the best ways to stay in shape, but you need to make sure your bike model meets your requirements.
The pricier models tend to have more features and customization options, while the more budget-friendly models only provide basic functions.
Overall, the best way to pick a spin bike is to try it out. Look for models that have a refund policy too, so you can return the product if it’s not a good fit for you.
Once you find the right cycling machine, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one. They make it so much easier for you to stay fit.
Thanks for taking the time to read this spin bike buyer’s guide. Leave a comment below if you have any questions.
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