Our Top Three Spin Bikes
Our top three favorite indoor cycle trainers score high on comfort, performance, and value. In my experience, those are the Big Three when it comes to shopping bikes. I’m a fan of spin classes and have been for years. If you’re looking to blend cardiovascular exercise with resistance training, spin classes are hard to beat. These top-rated bikes also provide essential workout feedback. The first model is the NordicTrack S22i, which first gained popularity in commercial gyms. Spin enthusiasts are bringing this trainer home thanks to its great adjustability, durability and selection of data screens. Our second recommendation is the Echelon EX3. It’s a well-made, versatile spin bike that’s ideal for any fitness level. Third, the Sole SB900 lets you bring home an affordable combination of exercise intensity, comfort and useful data feedback. All three feature apps I’ve used and love, whether it’s the iFit program with NordicTrack, the Echelon Fit app, or the Sole+.
An Important Note: The Difference Between Exercise Bikes and Spin Bikes
Many people use the words “Spin bike” and “indoor cycle” interchangeably, but there’s an important distinction that needs to be made here. I’ve seen more than one disappointed customer who thought they were getting something they weren’t. All of the following words are actually trademarked terms owned by Mad Dogg Athletics: SPIN®, Spinning®, Spinner®, and Spin Fitness®. So, anything related to Spinning—whether you’re talking about Spin bikes or Spin classes—actually refers to a specific brand of exercise bikes and indoor cycling classes. In other words, not all indoor cycling is “Spinning,” and not all indoor bikes are Spin bikes, even though this is a common mistake.
Also, Spin bikes themselves are unique because of their large, heavy flywheel. This is what helps them stand out against other indoor cycles because it allows a Spin bike to mimic the experience of riding your bike in the great outdoors, rather than in an indoor, controlled environment. And that’s what helps you move through a higher intensity workout that builds stamina and strength. There’s no question you can still earn the burn with an upright, stationary bike, but if what you’re wanting is a Peloton-like class with the ups and downs of energetic cycling, my advice is to seek out the words “spin.”
Why You Should Trust Our Review Of Spin Bikes
At ExerciseBike.net, we bring you comprehensive reviews of exercise bikes so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the exercise bikes we review. We install them, ride them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every exercise bike we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles riding. We listen and record the sound of the flywheel, try out all aspects of the console and try the bike’s features.
Every exercise bike we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think.
Our reviewers are exercise bike and fitness experts. Brian, the author of this review, is a competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He is an expert at exercise bikes, has been on this bike, and you can trust his opinion on all of the bikes he reviews.
WHY YOU SHOULD CYCLE
I have to say, cycling is a blast. It’s also a very effective form of exercise. Contrary to popular belief, cycling doesn’t just work your legs. If you crank up the resistance, get up out the saddle, and either sprint or climb up a steep hill, your entire body gets in on the action. If you want strong legs and toned arms, cycling can work wonders. It’s also good for the environment. Other than exhaled carbon dioxide, cyclists produce no pollution. A bicycle is also cheaper to buy than a car, and much cheaper to run.
Good for developing fitness and burning fat, cycling is a low impact form of exercise which means it’s much easier on your joints than running. That’s good news if you are a little on the heavy side or you have any pre-existing foot, ankle, knee, hip, or even lower back problems. When you run, your feet hit the ground with a force equal to about eight times your bodyweight. That’s a lot of stress if you weigh 140lbs. and could lead to serious injury if you tip the scales at closer to 200lbs.
Let’s face it, heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes all stand as the most prominent chronic diseases facing people today. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some six in 10 adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic disease. Alcohol abuse, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise serve as the primary lifestyle risks, and exercise on a treadmill has demonstrated success in both prevention and treatment.
Whether you’re looking at a high-priced bike or budget friendly, I just can’t ignore the evidence that exercise is a good place to start getting healthy. As the Harvard University Medical School reports, the benefits cannot be overstated. If combined with the counsel of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, it’s a win-win situation for sure. In addition to helping to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and LDL, research affirms that exercise can help lower blood glucose levels and boost the body’s sensitivity to insulin, which in turn counters insulin resistance. Even for those individuals who don’t lose weight while exercising, the activity has been shown to lower HbA1c values by 0.7%.
And if you’re interested in reading up on the actual studies involved, below is just a sampling:
Before engaging a workout routine to battle any kind of medical condition, it’s always advisable to consult a medical professional. But don’t be surprised if the doctor recommends a spin class. The great thing about indoor spin bikes is they’re ready rain or shine, seven days a week, and can be purchased for less than gym membership.
HOW CAN I MAKE CYCLING SAFER?
One way to make cycling safer and more effective is to do your cycling indoors. How? Although you could try to convert your regular bike into an exercise bike by mounting it on a set of rollers or what is commonly called a turbo or fan trainer, it’s a far from ideal solution. For starters, these devices don’t usually offer enough resistance for most exercisers and they may even damage your bike. A bike frame is designed to flex as you ride it but, when locked into a set of rollers or a turbo trainer, this can’t happen. The result? A lot of stress on the welds of your bike and a real risk of frame damage. A much better option would be to buy a dedicated exercise bike for indoor use.
GO WITH AN INDOOR CYCLE
Indoor cycling bikes are also known as indoor cycle trainers and spin bikes. Compared with traditional stationary bikes, they’re better at simulating the feel of outdoor cycling. They also allow for more intense workout sessions and are ideal for high-intensity interval training. You might choose an indoor cycling bike to train for races, to get challenging cardio workouts, to manage your weight, or build lower body strength. You can also combine training on an indoor bike with simple bodyweight or strength training exercises for a fun and effective workout in the comfort of your own home. If you have an indoor exercise bike, there is no need to join a gym.
The resistance system on an indoor cycling bike is largely responsible for its on-the-road sensation. The flywheel will generally weigh at least 40 pounds (which is double what you’d get from a traditional exercise bike) and is engineered to build inertia like a road bike. The flywheel delivers very smooth, instantly adjustable resistance. On an indoor cycle trainer, you can actually sense that you’re climbing hills, and you can stand on the pedals to isolate different muscle groups.
INDOOR BIKE BENEFITS
Indoor bikes are also very quiet when in use. Many do not need to be connected to an electrical outlet, and usually they are easy to move around. For those that don’t need to be connected, you could take your bike out to your garden to exercise there or pop it in front of the TV to enjoy some shows while you work out. These might seem like unimportant features, but one of the keys to successful exercise is enjoyment. If you enjoy your workout, you are much more likely to do it consistently. On other hand, if your workout is boring, time-consuming, or otherwise inconvenient, you are much less likely to stick with it for long.
Additionally, indoor cycles usually have racing-style handlebars, and it’s likely you can customize the pedals and saddle. They’re also usually fully adjustable. You can alter the seat height, the height of the handlebars, and most will also allow you to move your saddle and handlebars fore and aft. This means that you can customize your bike to perfection, and your riding position will be optimized according to your height, leg length, torso length, and arm length. In return, your workout will be as comfortable as possible. As for data feedback, the best indoor bikes have wireless heart rate monitoring to guide your workout intensity. Data and workout programs tend to be absent or streamlined compared with the variety found on traditional stationary bikes. Exceptions are pointed out in our spin bike reviews, which look at cycle trainers part-by-part.
ALL INDOOR CYCLES (SORTED BY HIGHEST RATING)
Indoor spin cycles closely replicate the feeling of riding a bike outdoors. Compared with other indoor exercise bikes, they also support especially intense training and can provide greater resistance. This is why they are becoming more popular than ever before. Check out our in-depth reviews below to explore the inclusive range of indoor cycles currently on the market. Expect to find indoor cycles in every budget, from elite models to bargain-basement gems. Discount brands offer some enticing deals too. The most inexpensive yet durable indoor bike we’ve seen is from Sunny Health & Fitness; it’s simply named the Indoor Cycle Trainer.
