Is it time to find the best stationary bike for the money?
It’s not easy to find a good fit and most people end up going with an inferior solution. Instead of doing this, it’s best to understand what a stationary bike offers, how to find the right fit, and what to look for before sealing the deal.
This detailed guide is a great way to find the best stationary bike for the money. You will learn the ins and outs of the buying process along with which bikes are the best right now.
Best Stationary Bike For The Money: XTERRA Fitness FB150
Key features:
- 3-piece Pedal Crank
- 2″ x 1″ LCD
- X-Frame Design
- Foldable
The XTERRA Fitness FB150 is an all-encompassing stationary bike and has a wonderful set of features that will impress. Whether it is the compact size, multiple resistance settings, or the aesthetic appeal, everything about this stationary bike brings a smile to your face.
This is a stationary bike that is going to be a tremendous investment as soon as it is bought. It is often cited for being the best stationary bike for apartments and rightly so. It is lightweight, foldable, and works well in tight spaces.
PYHIGH Indoor Cycling Bike
Key features:
- LCD Display
- 48 lbs. Flywheel
- Adjustable Resistance
- Oversized Saddle for Comfort
The PYHIGH Indoor Cycling Bike is a one-of-a-kind stationary bike because of its unique set of features, impressive build quality, and general consistency. The sleek, black-colored look is going to appeal to you right away and that is just the beginning. It is jam-packed with elite riding features that will make your cycling experience ten times better.
Whether it is the LCD display or the fascinating adjustable settings, you can customize this to your experience and enjoy it for years.
YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike
Key features:
- Adjustable Handlebar (2-Way)
- iPad Mount
- 35 lbs. Flywheel
- LCD Monitor
The YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike is one of those silky smooth cardio machines that is full of life, quality, and consistency. It offers one of the finest flywheel setups that is easy to enjoy and works well for beginners. Whether it is the elegant LCD monitor or the refined iPad mount, this is a stationary bike that has a little bit of everything.
Riders will enjoy the sleek design as soon as it is set up. The sophisticated build quality is something that impresses in a matter of seconds.
Tips for Buying a Stationary Bike
Measure the Room
For the best stationary bike money can buy, it’s important to look at the room. Yes, the room matters when it is time to buy a high-quality stationary bike.
Sometimes, a person will take a look at the bike’s features and forget about where it’s going to go. Remember, the bike has to be placed in your home gym and it needs to fit properly. Otherwise, the entire exercise is useless and you will end up with a wasted machine.
This is why you want to step away from the computer and measure your room. Look at where the stationary bike is going to go, how it will be positioned, and whether or not it’s going to fit the way you want it to.
Until you do this, you shouldn’t be making a purchase.
The goal should be to go with something that is a perfect fit and is going to allow you to hop on without worrying about getting cramped for room. This happens all the time when you aren’t careful enough.
Take the opportunity to focus on something as useful as this because it does matter. Along with the dimensions, you should also think about whether or not the bike folds up once you’re doing. This is just as important if you are going to store the bike away in a separate room.
Look at the Seat’s Quality
When you sit down on a stationary bike for the first time, there’s nothing worse than a hard seat. This becomes uncomfortable in a matter of seconds and is going to leave you bruised. This is why you want to take the time to determine whether or not the seat is in good shape.
In general, you should look for seats that are large in size and well-padded.
This is the bare minimum and is going to allow you to sit for long durations. A high-quality stationary bike for home is one that is going to be cozy and doesn’t bother you as the workout session stretches out.
Imagine having to sit on a hard seat for 30+ minutes. It quickly becomes unbearable.
This is why you want to settle in and look at how the seat is shaped. If the seat isn’t large enough, you are not going to want to sit on it.
Along with the seat’s padding and general size, you should also look at adjustability as a key factor. This means the bike should be easy to adjust in multiple directions (up, down, forward, and back). If not four ways, it should at least move up and down with ease.
Consider Build Quality
It’s the build quality that is going to matter over the long-term.
You have to make sure the stationary bike is designed for sustainable use. This means it needs to be made of aluminum, steel, or other similar materials that are great for enduring regular stress. Otherwise, the parts are going to start to break down and it’s not going to be easy to maintain.
A lot of new-age stationary bikes promise the world but end up breaking down as soon as they’re used regularly. To avoid a situation such as this, you have to make sure to go with something that is made of well-established materials.
Along with looking at the materials, you also have to assess how the materials go together. The best stationary bike for home gyms isn’t going to have loose components. Everything is going to flow together and work as necessary.
This can become a serious concern if you don’t keep one eye on how the components work. By choosing a good stationary bike brand, you can save yourself some of the trouble and end up with a great stationary bike for home.
Assess the Resistance Levels
A major detail that cannot be overlooked is the resistance.
What type of resistance is the stationary bike offering? If your bike doesn’t provide enough variation in this regard, how are you going to enjoy a good workout session? The results can start to stagnate because there isn’t enough resistance to make your session worthwhile.
This is why you want to take the time to see whether or not there are enough resistance levels to change between while working out. In general, you want something that offers at least 3 different resistance levels (if not more). This is how you are going to make the most of your session and push your body to the next level.
In some cases, you can end up with a bike that offers different resistance levels but doesn’t make them easy to adjust on the fly. You should always look for a simple knob-like adjustment setup that is easy to change during the workout. Otherwise, you are going to have to get off the stationary bike to do this and that is often frustrating.
Look at this detail and make sure the stationary bike offers enough resistance to make it a worthwhile addition in your home gym. Remember, the top stationary bike for the money is always one that is going to offer a range of features including elite resistance.
Don’t Forget the Additional Features
What types of features are available with the stationary bike?
You always want to go with a stationary bike that is going to be equipped with multiple features. In general, each rider is going to have a particular set of requirements when it comes to using their bike and this can often include specific features. You have to make sure the bike can keep up with your demands for it to be worthwhile.
These additional features can include:
- Water Bottle Holders
- Smartphone Holders
- Heart Rate Monitors
A top stationary bike for home workouts is always going to offer a multitude of features. In fact, you shouldn’t settle for less when making an investment because it will matter in the long-run. Sure, you may not want it right away but what happens when it does become a priority? It is never a bad idea to get a bike that has all of these features built-in. It saves you a lot of trouble later on when you have to settle for less!
Keep things simple and look for all of these additional features and make sure they are a part of your new stationary bike for home.
Understand Your Cardio Needs
Your cardiovascular needs are going to vary in comparison to someone else riding a stationary bike. This is normal and it’s something you can expect going into the process. However, a top-rated stationary bike for home gyms is one that works well for all cardiovascular needs without breaking down.
To assess your options, look for something that offers multiple resistance levels and is easy to adjust on the fly.
Never go with something that is going to impede your results or become a nuisance after a while.
This happens when you go with an inferior bike and assume that is enough. The best stationary bike for the money is always going to be one that is built for your cardio needs and is going to remain great for years to come. Anything short of this isn’t going to justify the price you are paying.
Take the time to assess your vision, what your goals are, and then make a purchase. If you are someone that is practicing for a professional race, it is best to go with a bike that has a lot of resistance settings to play around with. You will need something that can keep up with your demands.
Think About the Grip
A lot of people end up thinking about their feet and the resistance levels. Yes, these are essential components of a good stationary bike bu they are not the only parts that matter. You have to think about the entire picture before making a purchase.
A top-rated stationary bike for home is one that is going to come with tremendous grip.
The grip matters because you are going to be holding on while pushing through a workout session. If your hands are always slipping, you are not going to have enough energy to keep going and that takes away from your workout session.
Along with having grip for your hands, it’s also important to assess the pedals.
The best pedals for a stationary bike are the ones that have a bit of traction. This ensures you can keep pedaling without having to look down every few seconds. A seamless cardio session is what you are after and the best bikes offer this as long as you keep an eye out on the grip.
Look at the different stationary bike reviews to see what people have to say and whether or not it is on par with what you want.
Check for Storability
How are you going to store the stationary bike when it is time to do so?
The average person is going to get a stationary bike for apartment workouts and assume it is okay to store it away easily. While this may be the case with some stationary bikes, it is not always possible with others. Only the finest stationary bikes are going to offer enough value for you to store them swiftly.
This is why you have to keep one eye on how the stationary bike is going to be stored away. This can include wheels, foldability, and general dimensions. Look at each detail and make sure it does work for the purpose you are bringing it in for.
In some cases, the new stationary bike isn’t going to be easy to put away and that will become a nuisance quickly.
If you are working out in a tight space, you need the bike to settle into a closet at the end of the day. This is why it is highly recommended to only go with a bike that is designed to be stored away and is marketed as such. This will simplify the matter over the long-term.
Determine the Bike’s Noise Production
The amount of noise a stationary bike can generate is annoying.
You are never going to want to go with a noisy stationary bike because it will ruin your workout session and bother others in the home. Plus, if you are someone that is residing in an apartment, you will realize how important it is to be quiet. When you start working out in the middle of the night, your neighbors aren’t going to be too happy.
The beauty of going with quiet stationary bikes for home is that they are almost impossible to make out as soon as they are running. This is ideal for those who love working out at odd hours of the day and still want to get their workout session without bothering anyone. If you are one of those people then only go with the top-rated stationary bikes.
This is the only way you are going to get something that works without making a tremendous amount of noise.
Take a look at the reviews and see what other riders have to say about the bike and its noise production. This can give you a gist of what the bike has to offer and if it is going to work for your setup.
Read the Reviews
Reading the reviews is one of the most important things a person can do as they try to figure things out and go with a high-quality stationary bike for home. If you are someone that is picky and have a long list of needs then the online reviews will help.
The reason to go through these reviews has to do with the amount of information that’s available.
When you are trying to learn how a stationary bike works, you will want to see what users have to say about their experiences. They will let you know how it works in a particular setting, the amount of noise it makes, and a long list of details that would otherwise be ignored by the manufacturer.
Don’t get bamboozled by the marketing nonsense that is released online. You have to dig deeper and that is where online reviews go a long way.
With stationary bike reviews, you are going to start to learn more about how the bike works and whether or not it is ideal for your setup. The amount of information you can find online is often empowering.
How to Use a Stationary Bike Properly
Create a Routine
You have to start by creating a seamless routine that is personalized based on your schedule and your workout goals. Each person is unique and that is what makes sitting on a stationary bike not as simple as it needs to be.
When you have a routine in place, it will become a lot easier to use a stationary bike. You will start to learn the ins and outs of what’s needed and that is going to allow you to focus on the session in front of you. Otherwise, a person continues to struggle with putting together a meaningful routine and often go through the motions.
To avoid this, you want to sit down and pen a consistent routine.
This means you want to focus on how much time is going to be allotted to the stationary bike, when you are going to work out, and how often you are going to work out. It’s also important to think about the resistance settings that are going to be used during the session. Even something as simple as this matters.
Don’t assume you can hop onto a stationary bike and get started. It may work for a few days but the results won’t come as quickly as possible.
Start with Minimal Resistance
With the best stationary bike for the money, you will want to focus on the resistance.
When it comes to the resistance settings, it is best to start with minimal resistance. This is the only way to learn how the stationary bike works, where the feet go, and how your body responds to the added workload. It is not smart to jump in headfirst and assume the stationary bike is going to be easy to use.
In most cases, the stationary bike is going to be difficult to use and is going to put a tremendous amount of stress on your body. This isn’t an easy cardio machine to get used to and it’s something you have to take seriously.
By starting on a lower resistance setting, you allow the body an opportunity to get used to the workout before going all out.
This is a recommended tip for all riders including those with years of experience. You should also take the time to get in a bit of stretching before starting. This will allow your muscles to loosen up a bit before you get started.
Ensure There’s Enough Space
Is there enough space for you to move around in the gym?
Let’s assume you have a separate home gym and there is a limited amount of space for the new stationary bike. You will want something that is going to be a seamless fit and isn’t going to get in the way of other gym equipment.
Sometimes, you can imagine the stationary bike to be a good fit but it doesn’t work out that way.
The reason has to do with how you are going to pedal, where you are going to face while pedaling, and how you are going to get onto the bike. Each detail is important and there has to be enough space where you don’t even think about this.
For those working out in an apartment, you will want the best stationary bike for beginners that works well in a tighter space.
Remember, if you are cramped for space, this is going to ruin your overall workout. You are going to start making unnecessary adjustments and that may even lead to injury! Keep things simple and measure beforehand.
When you find the right spot for your new stationary bike, it will deliver better results. In most situations, the stationary bike isn’t going to need a lot of space but it still requires a bit for you to move around without interference.
Fluctuate Speeds
When you start to work out, it is important to play around with the speeds as much as possible. When it comes to a stationary bike, the speeds will make a noticeable difference in your workout and how it pans out.
Let’s assume you start to find it a bit easy on the lowest resistance setting. Why not push things up a bit? Why not start to put in a bit more effort during the workout? This is how you are going to burn calories using a stationary bike at home.
Anything short of this is going to lead to you hitting a plateau.
Always play around with your speeds and try to fluctuate between slow, medium, and all-out. This is when you are going to start to see serious results and getting on the stationary bike will become a great way to burn calories.
For those with years of experience, you always want to take this tip into account. This is the right way to maximize what the stationary bike does for your body and how well it works over the long-term.
Listen to Your Body
Always take the opportunity to listen to your body.
There are several examples where a person goes all-out and then their body breaks down. Remember, you are a human being and the stationary bike is going to let you go all-out even if that means it will lead to injury.
There has to be enough time for you to recuperate between sessions as a beginner. For those with experience, you can also end up doing too much with a new stationary bike. Try to listen to your body and how it responds to the new bike.
If your body is aching a bit, it might be time to cut back and start to reduce the duration of your sessions.
It is also a good idea to increase the number of “rest days” between workouts. This can be a neat way to make it easier on the body while you build up your endurance. There is nothing wrong with doing this and it is going to make you a better athlete.
It is these little things that will teach you how to make the most of a stationary bike when it is set up.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to finding the best stationary bike for the money, you are going to want to take a detailed look at this comprehensive stationary bike guide.
The bikes mentioned here are some of the finest on the market right now and are going to go a long way in delivering meaningful results.
Whether you are a beginner or someone that has been around for a long time, you will always want something that works.
With the best stationary bike for home gyms, you will end up with a solution that is compact, professionally designed, and in line with your vision.
For more, please feel free to read our guide on the best bicycle for beginners.
