Cycling is one of the most effective modes of aerobic exercise for improving our health. Therefore, it leads us to live a healthy life. In addition, you can perform cycling on many different types of machines. For example, you may cycle using a spin bike or an exercise bike.
However, the two different bikes have a separate and loyal fanbase. Therefore, it isn’t easy to know whether the spin bike or the exercise bike is superior. Worry not, for we will provide you with an in-depth analysis of each type’s benefits, features, design, etc. Perhaps, that will answer the biggest question, “spin bike vs exercise bike: which is better?”
Spin Bike Vs. Exercise: Which One Is Better?
Deciding on whether to get an exercise bike or a spin bike is the first step in achieving your fitness goals. On the other hand, the purpose of both bikes is very similar; that is improving your physique and stamina. However, we would suggest reading on to find out which one comes out at the top.
The Design Of An Exercise Bike
Exercise bikes have been around for over 50 years now. It is also one of the most well-known and oldest cardio machines. Basically, exercise bikes are standard bikes without tires. In addition, the machine comes along with an adjustable seat that is wide enough for sitting comfortably.
These types of fitness machines have pedals, seats, and handlebars which attach to a solid base. This prevents the bike from shaking or moving while you’re working out on it. Moreover, you can ride it in multiple ways: upright and recumbent. Besides, riding in an upright position focuses on pedaling and your leg strength.
What’s the Benefits Of An Exercise Bike?
A surprising number of people are very doubtful of the purpose behind an exercise bike. If you’re one of these people, then you’ve come to the right site. This is the article you were hoping for. Here, we speak about the benefits to your body that the machine has to offer. Therefore, let’s start without further delay.
1. Weight Loss
Having to lose weight requires a lot of effort and hard work. Therefore, it is never a simple job to complete. However, using an exercise bike will definitely aid you in your weight loss journey. Moreover, an exercise bike is an effective way of increasing your calorie burn. In addition, a study shows that you can burn around 200-300 calories from a 30-minute workout.
2. Improves Cardiac Performance
Previously, we have said that cycling is one of the best forms of aerobic training. Thus, cycling on an exercise bike is an excellent way of improving your heart’s functions. Moreover, it helps reduce high blood pressure and prevent heart attacks. Also, using the machine can increase the heart’s ability to pump blood.
3. Strengthens Muscles
An exercise bike works in many different groups of muscles when you’re cycling on it. These muscles include your quads, calves, hamstrings, and glutes. Moreover, your lower-body muscles are constantly working hard during the training session. This causes your muscles to become stronger than before. Besides, you use two majors strokes to improve them.
The two different strokes are the push and the pull—your quads contract when you’re pushing the pedals, making them stronger. In contrast, your hamstrings strengthen when you’re pulling the pedals up. Furthermore, the training doesn’t stress your knees much since you’re cycling on a flat surface.
The Design Of A Spin Bike
Spin bikes first came out during the 1980s and have gone on to become one of the most popular fitness machines. A spin bike has a special wheel and a building design that carries a person’s weight and enables fast-cycling motion. Like the exercise wheel, it has no tires.
However, it only has a single wheel consisting of pedals attached to a flyweight wheel. You can alter the wheel’s tension by using a unique knob present in the middle of the handlebar. Moreover, the pedals have foot straps to lock your foot in place during the workout.
In addition, the framework of the bike keeps it still during the cycling session. Moreover, the bike’s body is made of high-quality steel to withstand the stress of high-speed changes and body movements. Unlike the exercise bike, the spin bike’s seats are smaller and may not be comfortable for some.
What’s The Benefits Of A Spin Bike?
There are many benefits that a spin bike has to offer. Moreover, knowing these benefits is going to help make your spinning workout more efficient. At the same time, it will also help you determine whether it’s the right fitness machine for you. Thus, let’s find out what these benefits are.
1. Less Stress On Joints
During running, your feet are going to come in contact with the surface constantly. This creates a shock that is absorbed by our knees. These can cause a lot of stress on your knees, leading to unwanted injuries and pain. However, that’s not the case with a spin bike.
Spin bikes have pedals with foot straps. This means that you lock your feet onto the pedals using the straps. Therefore, your foot never comes off the pedals or loses contact with them. Thus, your knees and hips absorb little to no shock. Hence, you can protect your beloved joints using a spin bike.
2. High-Interval Intensity Training (HIIT)
High-interval intensity training is a type of workout that consists of intense exercise. Usually, this sort of activity lasts somewhere between 10 seconds to a few minutes at each interval. In addition, the recovery time for the session is very less. However, you can perform HIIT using a spin bike if you want to.
During the training, you push your muscles to their maximum limits raising the spinning workout’s intensity. This leads to burning a greater amount of belly fat and calories. In addition, it has a long-lasting effect on the body even after the workout, which helps tone your body.
Our Verdict
Well, so who came out on top in this ‘spin bike vs exercise bike’ debate here? Keeping personal preferences aside, we couldn’t present you with a winner here. Both types of bikes have unique features that benefit the body differently. Therefore, We recommend selecting a bike that meets your specific needs.
However, if you suffer from backaches or injuries, getting the spin bike would be an ideal choice. This is because it has lower risks of injuries than an exercise bike. This is because a flywheel of the spin bike is much easier to operate and keeps it in motion. Thus, this causes less impact on your joints.
On the other hand, getting an exercise bike is the right decision if you prefer to keep track of your progress. An exercise bike comes with a console, which is one of its defining features. The console keeps track of your calorie-burn, distance traveled, etc. Also, it offers different workout programs for you to try.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Our articles provide a thorough summary of the “spin bike vs exercise bike” debate and which is better. However, it doesn’t offer any solutions to the questions we receive through emails and comments every day. Thus, we are going to answer some of them below-
Is spinning better than running?
Keeping personal opinions aside, research shows that you burn more calories while spinning compared to running. Moreover, an intense spinning session can cause you to burn up to 1,000 calories within an hour of spinning. In addition, it also helps build muscles.
Does spinning get you in shape?
-Spinning can be the right choice for keeping your heart pumping and body fit. Moreover, it does work muscles such as your quads, hamstrings, calves, and glutes to a greater degree. However, it is a much safer option than the other cruel forms of aerobic workouts
Is a spin bike the same as an exercise bike?
No, they aren’t the same. Moreover, the biggest factor that differs between the two different bikes is the flywheel weight’s mechanism. An exercise bike is a good choice for people with joint issues. On the other hand, a spin bike can be ideal for high-intensity interval training.
Is an exercise bike as good as cycling?
This is a matter of personal choice. Outdoor cycling lovers will get better results when riding a bike outdoors. However, an exercise bike workout can get very boring since you’re working out indoors. Moreover, it is going to work the same muscles over and over again continuously.
Why are spin bikes so expensive?
There’s a simple saying- “higher expectations lead to higher prices.” One of the reasons why spin bikes are costly is because companies use quality materials to make them. Moreover, using an expensive one is going to have greater effects on your body.
A Word From Us
We try our absolute best to provide you the answers that you seek on the web. Therefore, we are thrilled that you were able to know about the ‘spin bike vs exercise bike’ and which one is superior from our post. Moreover, we are hopeful that the next time someone brings up this debate, you’ll know what to say. Happy shopping!