Buying your exercise bike

Upright bike, recumbent, or dual action?
Resistance? Workout feedback? Warranty?
Your exercise bike is the one that will be your
trusted companion for many 'miles' ahead.

Exercise bikes or stationary bikes (both terms apply) give you a great cardio and lower body workout. But how do you find your ideal bike from such a selection of bike types, resistance formats, performance sets and price tags? Not easy. Our Guide looks at the most important considerations in selecting your best-fit exercise bike.

If you already have a good idea what you’re looking for…
If you know from experience what type of exercise bike suits you best, or which features you need, our fitness experts at your local Leisure Fitness Equipment Store can show you a range of trusted-name exercise bikes.

First… what type of exercise bike is right for you?
Our best advice — don’t buy an exercise bike that you haven’t tried out personally. Take nobody’s word for comfort. Visit a reputable fitness equipment store and test-pedal every model that looks like it fits with your plan. It won’t matter how many features a particular model has, if it doesn’t feel right when you use it.  If your stationary bike will have more than one user, most bikes accept a wide range of height and weight. However, some exercise bikes do have a maximum weight capacity.

Test-driving an exercise bike
Test it the way you’ll use it. Don’t be rushed by a salesperson. Set the exercise bike up for your body. Adjust the seat height so that, when your leg is fully extended at the bottom of each rotation, the knee of your extended leg remains slightly bent. The pedaling motion should feel rhythmic and fluid… resistance should be at a comfortable setting …and the handlebars should be easy to reach.

Resistance and your workout
Stationary exercise bikes create resistance, making it easier or harder for you to pedal. Resistance is created in a variety of ways.

What do you want your exercise bike to tell you?
What do you want or need to know during and after your workout? Most stationary exercise bikes tell you how many miles you've pedaled, your speed, and how long you’ve been riding. If that’s all the information you need, your search for your exercise bike becomes simpler.

If you want to monitor your exercise heart rate, know how many calories you burn, use pre-programmed workouts that simulate rides in the hills or park, or create your own custom rides, your exercise bike will have an on-board computer and multiple LED displays keeping you informed at any second of your workout.

Be sure to check and compare warranties
Exercise bikes carry varying warranties — from 90-day to lifetime coverage on different parts of the bike. For example, parts and labor may be covered for 6 months, electronics for 1 year, and the frame for a lifetime. In general, keep in mind that a longer warranty is indicative of a higher quality machine.

Come in and chat — and let’s talk exercise bikes
Make your local Leisure Fitness Store your personal fitness information centre. Bring your questions on stationary bikes — or any aspect of fitness and exercise. Our certified fitness specialists are walking encyclopedias of information and you’ll have all of their attention. They’ll be glad to share their knowledge and help you make informed decisions that will get you the results you want.