6 Best Spin Bikes (Review) In 2022

Features To Look For In Spin Bikes

Resistance – The best spin bikes must have some form of adjustable resistance. This resistance can be the manual type or cable resistance. The purpose of the resistance is to make exercising on a spin bike easier or harder, depending on your fitness levels. Many spinners also like to alternate the intensity of their workouts and may do so during a single workout or alternate days of having more or less resistance.

Flywheels – The flywheel is the large wheel that is found at the front of all stationary exercise bikes and these determine the motion of the bike. The heavier the flywheel, the smoother the wheel operates. Some spin bikes, particularly those designed for home use, weigh up to 40 pounds while the spin bikes we usually see at the gym can go up to 50 lbs. The heavier flywheels also mean you have a spin bike that is more stable.

Adjustable handlebars, pedals, and seats – The beauty of spin bikes is that they are suitable for people of all ages, weight, and heights but you still need to have some adjustable aspects to accommodate users of different sizes. Having handlebars, pedals, and seats that are adjustable means you can change them to be comfortable for the height of every user. You can also adjust these aspects of a spin bike to alter the type of workout you are planning.

Holders for water and phones – These elements of a spin bike have very little to do with the way you workout on them. Or do they? Very few people can exercise in complete silence so having a holder for your phone is a good idea for those who like the distraction of music or video while they workout. It stands to reason that if you are being entertained while you work out on a spin bike, you are more likely to stick to your routine. The other advantage of having a phone holder is that you can find spin bike exercise routines on streaming services and use them as a guide.

Water or sports drinks are also recommended during workouts so a water bottle holder is also a necessity. If you find you need to rush to the kitchen every few minutes for a glass of water, you are more likely to prematurely end your workout. Having a place to hold your water bottle means you can stay hydrated without skipping a beat.

Frame – The best spin bikes are only as strong as their frames are. They are possibly the most important aspect of any good spin bike so look for one that is well made with strong durable materials. Some spin bikes are made with a solid frame, while others are made from steel tubing. Both are perfectly fine, as long as they are well constructed with good quality metals.

Weight Capacity – Spin bikes are an ideal piece of equipment for people of all shapes and sizes. However, as with all equipment, there is a limit to how much weight they can safely take. Keep this in mind before you invest in a spin bike and ensure that it can take the weight of the heaviest person in your household who will be using it.

Transportation Wheels – One of the best reasons to have a spin bike in your home is that you can exercise in any room that is comfortable for you. Some people like to set up their spin bikes in the living room so they can spin while watching an exercise video or their favorite TV show. This is great until someone wants to use the spin bike in a private room or you want to move it when you’re expecting guests. Transportation wheels make it easy to move your spin bike to where it’s needed or out of the way when it’s no longer needed in a particular room.

Caged Pedals – If you’ve ever had your feet slip off the pedals of any bike, you know it can be awkward and even cause injury. When you are spinning, you are often pedaling at great speeds so if your feet come of the pedals it can be quite nasty. Caged pedals are a great solution to this problem as they ensure your feet stay firmly on the pedals no matter how fast you are going.

Brakes – When you are spinning at high speeds, the wheel gathers a lot of momentum and you will feel quite invigorated from the workout you can get from this. However, there will come a time when you will need to stop quite suddenly so you will appreciate having a braking system. Spin bikes generally have three braking systems that you can choose from. They include fabric, leather, or magnetic braking systems. If you can, you should opt for a magnetic braking system as these are silent and require little or no contact from the user.

Drive System – Spin bikes are available in two different types of drive systems. You can choose a chain-based drive system or a belt-based drive system. Most spinners prefer a belt-based drive system as they are less noisy and more reliable. Belt based drive systems also require less maintenance and are much easier to adjust.

Display Screen – You don’t actually need a display screen on a spin bike, but they can be incredibly useful for those wanting to track their progress. The displays on most spin bikes allow you to track the speed, time, and distance you’ve pedaled as well as the calories you have burned during your workout. Most of these displays also have an alarm that will let you know when you’ve completed your workout so you don’t need to constantly check the timer to see if you’ve put in enough time.

Spin Bike FAQ

Q: What is the difference between a spin bike and an exercise bike?

A: Traditional exercise bikes have been around for over a century and have proven to be very popular among those who enjoy the cardiovascular benefits of cycling without the need to skip a workout due to inclement weather conditions. While the early bikes were great at the time, they were also quite large and rigid.

Spin bikes are infinitely more comfortable and the seats, handlebars, and pedals are all adjustable. This makes them a great addition to any household where family members are of all different heights and body shapes.

One of the most important differences between a spin bike and a traditional exercise bike is the flywheel. The flywheel mechanism on a spin bike is directly connected to the pedals and it requires the rider to put in more of an effort to get the right level of inertia going. This also means that the wheel will keep turning from this inertia even after the rider has stepped off the spin bike.

Q: What are the benefits of working out on a Spin Bike?

A: There are many benefits that come from working out on a spin bike and although many of the benefits are similar to those we can get from any type of exercise; the spin bike is different because of its convenience. However, the spin bike is a preferred method of working out due to the low risk of injury. Spin bikes are very low impact machines that don’t put a lot of stress on your joints. Best of all, you get a really intense workout that focuses on your legs and hips but as you aren’t putting any weight stress on these joints, you can spin without worrying about injuries these sensitive areas.

The intensity levels you can achieve with a spin bike can help you achieve great muscle definition in a relatively short amount of time. This will, of course, depend on your commitment but even short bursts of exercise on a spin bike on a daily basis will start to turn flabby muscles into nicely toned ones. You will also do much to improve your cardiovascular health. The heart is the most important muscle in your body and when you work out regularly, this muscle works incredibly hard. You can drastically decrease the risk of heart disease and all that is required is to use your spin bike 2 or 3 times a week. Obviously, the more times per week you use your spin bike, the better for your overall health and fitness. You might want to invest in a heart rate monitor in order to keep track of your exercise effect on your pulse rate.

Finally, you can do away with your stress levels with regular exercise and this is accelerated when you exercise on a spin bike. Countless studies have been performed on the mental and physical benefits of exercise and one of the most noted is the release of endorphins during physical activity. These endorphins alter our moods in a positive way and change our sensitivity to pain. Our entire outlook becomes more positive and alongside improving our mental health, this also workout at improving our immunity.

Spin Your Way To Better Health

We live in very stressful times. With work, family, and other commitments, it’s difficult to find the time to focus a little on ourselves. We tend to be working longer hours so the very idea of stopping at the gym for an hour after work seems like just one more chore in what seems to be an endless list. By having a spin bike at home, you have a great piece of equipment available to you whenever it is convenient for you. You don’t need any fancy gear either. All you need is a comfortable t-shirt, track pants or shorts and shoes for spin class.