By Aritra Laha / 10 Apr 2021
We have all heard that cycling is extremely good for our health. Not only does it help in commuting from one place to another, but at the same time, it helps us get in a killer workout. Cycling helps in various ways. From weight loss, and toning of muscles to basic cardio, cycling is one of the best exercises to have in your daily life. Though it is often not possible for people to have an actual cycle and travel distances simply for the sake of getting exercise done. This is why commercial and home gyms have stationary bikes that simulate the experience of riding a cycle and much more
Exercise bikes have long been used by many to lose weight and build muscle and have a plethora of benefits. It is also one of the best ways to build stamina and endurance. In an effort to make exercise as beneficial as possible, different types of exercise bikes have been developed. One such bike is the spin bike. As opposed to regular upright exercise bikes, spin bikes have a more natural feel to them. So, right about now, you may be wondering what is the difference between a spin bike and other exercise bikes, and which one you should buy. Worry not for all your burning questions will be answered.
Difference between Spin Bike and Exercise Bike
Flywheel: one of the biggest differences between spin bikes and other exercise bikes comes down to the flywheel. More accurately, the weight of the flywheel. Usually, a general exercise bike will have a flywheel that will weigh a few kilos. This helps in keeping relative smoothness. Along with that, when you stop pedalling on an exercise bike, the flywheel will continue to turn much like how a bicycle would coast for some time after you have stopped pedalling. Spin bikes, on the other hand, have a much heavier flywheel and the pedals are bolted to it. This means that even if you stop pedalling, the flywheel will continue to turn under its inertia, but it will make the pedals turn with it. This means, that to come to a complete stop, you will have to slowly decelerate as the flywheel slowly loses its momentum. Also, due to the heavier flywheel, more effort needs to be exerted making it ideal equipment for a more effective training session.
Position: spin bikes are designed to emulate the posture and position of a racing road bike rather than a simple commuter bike. The handles are more inclined which causes the user to lean much forward than one would usually do on normal exercise bikes. The spin bike also offers a wider range of adjustments in its seat height and handlebar inclination compared to traditional exercise bikes. This makes them more customizable to your workout.
Intensity: as mentioned earlier, spin bikes tend to have heavier flywheels. This causes the user to exert more effort in pedalling and puts more stress on body joints compared to normal exercise bikes which also have changeable resistances. This helps in having more rigorous and intense training sessions. Those who are serious about their training and are looking for more substantial results are likely to benefit more from spin bikes. Regular exercise bikes are ideal for those who wish to make exercise a healthy addition to their current lifestyle. Having a heavier flywheel makes spin bikes ideal for high-intensity interval training and good for overall workout and weight loss as well.
Price: If you have a home gym, then you may want to upgrade to a better exercise bike. Here, the first thing that comes to mind is the price and quality balance. A spin bike is generally more expensive than regular exercise bikes. These bikes can come with a monitor display but are more oriented toward the mechanical side which can make them less fancy than other exercises bike. But with price comes quality. Though having a higher price, spin bikes are more durable and are of better quality these bikes require comparatively less maintenance. Exercises bikes on the other hand are slightly on the lower side and come with many fancy attachments depending on the model. These are perfect for those who wish to have a casual exercise routine and want to keep a meticulous check on their progress. Exercises bikes are built to make the training session a more enjoyable experience while spin bikes aim to push your body’s capability.
Buy the Bike According to your Exercise Level
Choosing which type of fitness bike can be a cumbersome task. With the sheer number of types and models, you as a consumer are spoilt for choice. But this also means that you need to carefully consider which type of bike is best for your fitness regime.
When choosing a type of bike, the type of exercise you wish to do on a daily basis must be the first and foremost criteria of consideration. This will determine what kind of experience you will have. Being swayed by excitement or overconfidence may lead you to buy a bike that may not be suited to you. If you are going to have relatively low-intensity training and are looking to get your recommended amount of daily cardio done, then a regular spin bike is more than enough.
If you are looking for intense workout sessions and wish to keep training your body or already have experience in vigorous cardio and HIIT training, then a spin bike will be the more beneficial option. Getting cardio done each day is something that everyone should do. With jobs nowadays being desk jobs or with minimal movement, it is important to give your body that moves. This is not only for weight loss and muscle toning but also for the simple reason of keeping the mode and its joints lubricated and healthy. Spin bikes and exercise bikes, with their health benefits, have made staying in shape that much easier from the comfort of one’s own home or local gym. So, there is no reason for you to skip out on it.
