Tips to Buying the Right Exercise Bike For You

You've decided to buy an exercise bicycle, but there are so many on the market to choose from that you just don't have a clue where to start. It's a very daunting task, but if you follow these tips and put some careful thought into it, you will make the right decision.

Price. As with any purchase, the first thing to consider is the price. How much money have you got available to invest in an exercise bike - which also means "how much money have you got to invest in your health and wellness"? You can get an exercise bike of decent quality for as little as $150. A bike in that price range will allow you to adjust the tension and the seat, plus it will have a digital meter for time, speed, distance and maybe even calories used - the basics. However, if you really want something high tech with all the bells and whistles, get ready to fork out upwards of $1000, but an exercise bike in this price range will be built to last a lifetime.
Space. How much space have you got for your exercise bike? The actual footprint for bikes varies, but anywhere from about 32" x 20" (80 cm x 51 cm) for a more compact model to 55" x 25" (140 cm x 64 cm) for a recumbent bike, and that's just the footprint. You need to be able to use it comfortably without having to reposition it too much - if the bike becomes a nuisance to actually use chances are you will be less inclined to use it regularly, so ideally, the location of the bike should allow for full use whilst watching TV or looking out a window - no one wants to look at blank wall while they exercise.
Weight. Exercise bikes do have maximum weight limits for users, anywhere from 250 lbs to 350 lbs, so bear that in mind when choosing your bike. Add another 100 lbs or so for the weight of the machine itself, which may be of importance depending on where you are going to place it in your home.
Recumbent or Upright. The main difference between recumbent and upright exercise bicycles is position and comfort level. The cyclist using an upright bike mimics the position of a cyclist using an actual bicycle including the smaller seat and with the pedals under your body, whereas a recumbent bike is designed for comfort with a larger seat and back rest providing back support, the pedals in front of you and an even distribution of your weight on the larger seat. On average, the footprint of an upright bike is also significantly smaller than that of a recumbent bike. Anyone with back or neck issues would be advised to purchase a recumbent bike.

There you have it. It's not that difficult after all, and with the above tips in mind, you should have no trouble finding the right exercise bike for your needs.

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