Which exercise bike is right for you?
Are you still not sure which exercise bike is right for you? Take the test and find out whether you are a team classic, foldable or recumbent exercise bike.
Suitable accessories?
Are you looking for the right accessories for your rowing machine? Whether floor protection mat, chest strap or balance board, we have something for you!
Sweat on the exercise bike at home
The classic exercise bike has established itself as one of the most popular devices for endurance exercises at home. And hey, at SportPlus you will find a huge selection of exercise bikes to find the perfect machine for you!
The classic exercise bike has established itself as one of the most popular devices for endurance exercises at home. And hey, at SportPlus you will find a huge selection of exercise bikes to find the perfect machine for you!
Exercise bike, that sounds versatile, right? For us we mean a fitness device with pedals that is used like a bicycle. But the term is also often used as a generic term for a whole range of home fitness equipment, such as cross trainers, steppers, rowing machines and so on.
The different types of exercise bikes all work on the same principle, but there are of course differences between the models. Here are some criteria you can use to differentiate:
- The sitting position during training
- The flywheel and the braking system
- The foldability and transport wheels
- The training computer and the functions
Sitting position when in use
When using each exercise bike, the seating position is slightly different. The saddle is usually adjustable so that you can easily reach the pedals. It's important that you feel the same on the exercise bike as you do on your bike. The legs should not be bent too much. Similar to a bicycle, an exercise bike also has a “handlebar” that you place your hands on. Sometimes during long training on the exercise bike it is relaxing to leave this position and ride "hands free". Some models have special handles next to the saddle that allow you to pedal while standing upright.
By assuming different positions on the exercise bike, you can avoid incorrect strain and ensure that different muscle groups are targeted during training. This gives you a more comprehensive training effect. A backrest can be helpful in finding the right position on the exercise bike. It also offers more safety and increases comfort, so you can enjoy training on your fitness machine day after day.
Flywheel and braking system
The heart of the exercise bike is the flywheel. It is a weight that is kept moving during training. The heavier the flywheel is, the smoother pedaling usually feels. The flywheel mass results from the weight of the flywheel and the weight of other moving elements during training. Each manufacturer has a slightly different definition of what this entails. At SportPlus we want to convey a transparent picture and not artificially increase the flywheel mass!
Danger! It does not make sense to use the flywheel alone as a comparison criterion for comfort on the exercise bike. The quality of the pedals, crank, pulley and many other components also has an impact. In addition, it is not advisable to compare models from different manufacturers based on this information, which can be interpreted variably.
The intensity of the exercise - i.e. the level of difficulty of the training - can be regulated using resistance levels on most exercise bikes. Some devices also allow almost infinitely variable resistance adjustment by specifying a wattage. These exercise bikes are called ergometers.
In practice, a manual resistance adjustment system is sufficient for beginners to train effectively. However, if you want to train as precisely as possible, I recommend an ergometer. At SportPlus we offer both models: ergometers and manually adjustable exercise bikes.
To set the desired resistance, all you have to do is brake the flywheel on the exercise bike. There are band brake systems on the market that, although inexpensive, wear out over time and are friction-intensive. That's why we at SportPlus rely on so-called magnetic braking systems.
We use particularly quiet and maintenance-free magnetic brake systems on our SportPlus exercise bikes. The flywheel is braked using a magnet that can be individually adjusted. You can set the resistance either via the computer or manually with a knob. This is even possible at any time during training.
Foldable and transport wheels
It can sometimes be difficult to integrate fitness equipment into your everyday life. Although exercise bikes are generally not particularly large, folding models are very popular. At SportPlus you will find a good selection of foldable exercise bikes that can be stowed away to save space. However, we have also designed our non-foldable devices to be as compact as possible.
Some of our devices are also equipped with transport wheels so that you can easily move them from A to B when you don't need them. This makes the slightly heavier, non-folding models in particular more comfortable.
Training programs and computers
Nowadays, modern exercise bikes are usually equipped with a computer that keeps you informed about your current training at any time. You can read data on the display that gives you information about your workout.
Here are some examples:
- Training duration
- Distance traveled
- Calories burned
- revolutions per minute
- Current heart rate
There are also models that have pre-installed training programs. These enable, for example, a varied interval workout or adjust the resistance according to your target heart rate. The prerequisite for this is that the computer can regulate the resistance.
Some of our exercise bikes can also be connected to our own app to get even more information about your workout and unlock additional training options. Every calorie burned can be synced to the app on your smartphone. Of course, problem-free training is also possible without an app.
Discover the diverse possibilities!
Training on the exercise bike
Before you start your workout, it is important that you get into a comfortable sitting position on the device. Make sure the seat is adjusted correctly so you can pedal comfortably without bending your legs too much.
Home trainer for losing weight:
How many calories do you burn while exercising?
The number of calories burned on the exercise bike
depends on the set resistance level and the cadence (revolutions per minute). If you want to lose weight as effectively as possible, you should choose a lower resistance and aim for a higher cadence. This allows you to complete longer workouts without having to exert too much force.
With a low resistance level and high cadence, you can burn approximately 400 to 600 kcal per hour
calculate. With a high resistance level and a consistent cadence, you can burn up to 900 kcal per hour. However, it is difficult to maintain this level of exertion for a period of 60 minutes or longer.
This is how effective training on the exercise bike is
Although exercising on an exercise bike allows for different sitting positions (bent over or upright), not all of the body's muscles are trained at the same time. The main stress is on the leg muscles, which are specifically strengthened through this training.
Nevertheless, the exercise bike is ideal for building endurance and getting rid of excess pounds. Many people find training on the exercise bike pleasant because they can assume a sitting position and can therefore last longer.
Die richtige Belastung und Trainingsdauer bestimmen
Beim Training auf dem Fahrrad solltest du sowohl den Widerstand als auch deine Trittfrequenz im Blick behalten. Es gibt grundsätzlich zwei Möglichkeiten, die Belastung auf dem Heimtrainer zu steuern: konstantes Training oder Intervalltraining.
Konstantes Training:
Beim konstanten Training besteht das Ziel darin, eine gleichbleibende Belastung beizubehalten, die sich aus Widerstand und Trittfrequenz zusammensetzt. Du kannst deinen Trainingsfortschritt beobachten, indem du darauf achtest, wie sich deine Herzfrequenz von Trainingseinheit zu Trainingseinheit entwickelt und ob du mit der Zeit weniger schnell außer Atem gerätst.
Intervalltraining:
Beim Intervalltraining wechselst du zwischen Belastungs- und Entspannungsphasen während deines Trainings. Du könntest zum Beispiel 5 Minuten lang bei geringer Belastung fahren und dann 2,5 Minuten lang eine hohe Belastung wählen. Anschließend kehrst du zur niedrigen Belastung zurück.
Achtung!
Unabhängig von deinem Trainingsziel solltest du nie sofort mit hoher Belastung starten. Gib deinem Körper ein paar Minuten, um sich aufzuwärmen, und steigere dann den Widerstand schrittweise bis zum gewünschten Level.
Choosing an exercise bike
What you should pay attention to
When choosing an exercise bike, it is important to carefully consider which functions are particularly important to you in order to achieve your training goals. However, the range of functions alone does not determine your success in endurance training.
In addition to the equipment and functions of the home trainer, individual factors such as body size, body weight and the space available in your home play a decisive role in the choice. There are also other features that apply to many of our SportPlus exercise bikes.
Equipment and functions of the exercise bike
Our SportPlus exercise bikes all have a solid flywheel that ensures particularly even movement. So you can look forward to a comfortable workout that feels very natural. In addition, most of our exercise bikes offer the following features:
- Training computer (some with electronic resistance control, pre-installed training programs and
app support) - Holder for a tablet on the training computer
- Hand pulse sensors for measuring heart rate or pulse measurement with a chest strap
- comfortable and adjustable saddle
- Grab handles on the side of the saddle
- comfortable backrest
- Poly-V belt drive for particularly quiet training
- extra non-slip pedals with straps
- practical transport wheels or foldable design
- and much more!
Height and body weight
As a rule, our exercise bikes are designed for a wide user group. People between 1.60 and 1.85 meters tall can easily train on most machines. At SportPlus we even offer exercise bikes that can be used by people up to 2.20 meters tall. You can find detailed information about this in the product descriptions.
People weighing over 100 kg can also use our exercise bikes. Some of our models are for people with a weight
of 110, 130 or even 150 kg. This means that almost everyone can work on their fitness at home with our devices.
Size of the exercise bike
The dimensions of the exercise bike are of course an important factor when making a purchase decision. However, compared to other fitness equipment, bicycles are quite space-saving. If you have limited space, our foldable models are an excellent choice. After training, they can be stowed away to save space.
If you're struggling to find enough space for a large exercise bike in your home, the SportPlus leg trainer could be the right solution for you. This compact device can be placed under a desk, for example, and enables effective training with 8 resistance levels.
In addition, you have to make the important decision whether you prefer an ergometer or a manually adjustable exercise bike. A SportPlus ergometer also offers preset training programs and offers an even more professional training option. However, as a beginner, a conventional exercise bike is enough to get you sweating.
Tip:
It's best to find out about the special features of each model on the product pages after you've found out which features are particularly important to you. This way you can quickly find your personal favorite!