Types of exercise bikes

The exercise bikes is rightfully considered the most popular cardio machines in the world today. This remarkable fitness equipment combines efficiency, ease of use, versatility and modest dimensions. These are ideal devices for both home workouts and serious workouts in fitness clubs. Many people think that nothing can be simpler than an exercise bike and buying an apparatus is as easy as shelling pears. But when choosing, it turns out that there are many nuances. We will tell you what exercise bikes are and how they differ in operation.

Professional, home and semi-professional

You need to start with the fact that modern exercise bikes are produced in two types: professional and home. Sometimes semi-professional models are also allocated to a separate group, occupying an intermediate position between the main types. Professional exercise bikes, or as they are also called commercial, are equipment designed for the most intensive use. They are assembled on the basis of a reinforced frame and have hardy working units. Brand models of this type can work non-stop and offer a wide range of options.

Home exercise bikes are designed for moderate loads. This is a technique for the home, where they are used for a couple of hours a day. Many of these machines offer a wide range of training programs and additional features, so they come very close to professional exercise bikes. However, their use for commercial purposes or in the training of athletes quickly leads to wear and tear of parts and failure.

Semi-professional exercise bikes are more durable than home-made exercise bikes, but still fall short of commercial-grade models. They are purchased for use at home, for offices and small gyms of hotels and educational institutions. This cardio equipment can work up to 5 hours a day, and often its capabilities are comparable to professional models.

How to create a load

An important point when choosing an exercise bike is the method of creating a load. The simplest models for home and office receive a belt or shoe mechanism.

  • Belted exercise bikes create a load using a belt that drives the flywheel. The force is regulated by its tension, and the switching occurs mechanically.
  • Shoe exercise bikes are equipped with a flywheel and pads that compress it. The tighter the pads fit, the higher the load. Switching in this case is also mechanical.

Mechanical exercise bikes are reliable and inexpensive. But they cannot offer precise load adjustment and are noisy during operation.

A more modern and functional option is magnetic exercise bikes. In them, strong permanent magnets interact with the flywheel. By changing the location of the magnetic elements, the user selects the load during training. Switching in this case is also mechanical, but the cardio machine is quieter, and the tuning accuracy is higher.

The most modern bicycle simulators are equipped with an electromagnetic mechanism. It also uses magnets, but with variable strength. Adjustment occurs by changing the current parameters. Electromagnetic exercise bikes offer up to 30 levels of resistance. They are also extremely smooth and quiet.

Vertical and horizontal exercise bikes

There are two types of bicycle ergometers according to the user's landing method: vertical and horizontal. Upright exercise bikes offer a classic cycling fit. This is the most popular type, which is considered universal. When training with them, not only the legs and buttocks are included in the work, but also the lower back and abdominals.

Recumbent exercise bikes are equipped with a seat with a backrest, and their pedal assembly is moved forward. They provide a comfortable position for the user and relieve the load from the back. In this case, mainly the muscles of the legs work. Recumbent exercise bikes are well suited for people with low physical fitness, older users and those with health problems. In this regard, they are often used in rehabilitation centers, dispensaries and physiotherapy clinics.

Spinbikes cycles

Sometimes it happens that the loads offered by classic bicycle ergometers are not enough. Then you should pay attention to spinbike exercise bikes. This is a special class of cardio-bicycle simulators that imitate riding a sports bike as accurately as possible. Spinbikes provide the user with a “racing” seating position in the saddle, and their mechanism allows the athlete to feel the loads, just like cyclists experience.

The main part of the spinbike is a massive flywheel, the weight of which can reach 40 kg. For comparison, in conventional exercise bikes, this part is rarely heavier than 15 kg. These accurate bike simulators are equipped with mechanical force adjustment, and their frame is extremely strong. Professional spinbikes are an excellent tool for fighting excess weight, developing endurance and strengthening the muscles of the whole body.

Airbikes

Airbikes are a special category of exercise bikes. This is an unusual hybrid of a bicycle ergometer and an orbit track with an aerodynamic principle of operation. Airbikes have pedals, handles and a seat, and you can train with them both standing and sitting, using your hands or just working with your feet. What's more, the pedals of this fitness machine can be reversed.

The load in airbikes is created by a large and light flywheel with blades. During the operation of the simulator, a stream of air is supplied to it, which acts on the impeller. The more vigorously the athlete pedals, the stronger the resistance. We can say that the capabilities of a professional airbike are limited only by the capabilities of the user. The device allows you to infinitely accelerate and quickly change the pace of training, without switching modes. These unique features make aero bikes popular in CrossFit.

Rehab exercise bikes

But not everyone is suitable for the extreme loads of airbikes and spinbikes. There are categories of users for whom even a classic recumbent exercise bike is not suitable. These are people with disabilities, patients of clinics who have undergone serious illnesses and operations, those who are in old age. For them, rehabilitation exercise bikes of a special design are produced.

This cardio equipment usually has a horizontal layout with a seat and back. Additionally, armrests and handrails are installed, providing the user with comfort and safety. Such simulators are most often magnetic or electromagnetic. It is these two operating principles that ensure accurate selection of loads and smooth running. Some exercise bikes for rehabilitation are additionally equipped with a crank with handles. With its help, in the process of training, you can include hands in the work.

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