Round here at Studio SWEAT onDemand, we’ve made a name for ourselves as the home of Spin, the purveyors of the pedal, the barristers of the bike. Yes, we’ve been called cyclepathic — and no, we’re not ashamed to admit it. That’s because we’ve built our reputation on offering a never ending variety of live and virtual cycling classes — everything from Spin Fusion classes that weave yoga, strength training, and core work (among many others) with the great spinning science; to scenic virtual cycling classes that have our members spinning around the globe; to heart-thumping Spin bike workouts set to punk, rap, and even disco soundtracks. So yeah, our credentials are pretty well-founded. 

So we thought we’d use our en-cycle-pedic knowledge of Spin to give you an introduction to the many types of fitness bikes you can choose from, to get your butt in the saddle, in style. Each type of fitness bike serves various purposes, styles, and goals — so choosing the right one for you is crucial. Ready for a little sped-ucation? Let’s ride!

Exercise Bike #1: The Upright

First up, we’ve got the upright bike. This type of exercise bike sees you in an upright position with a straight back, with handles pretty close to you to keep you there. The pedals sit directly beneath your body to promote the upright position, and the seat lies in the middle of the comfort zone (some are wider and cushier, and some harder and slimmer). This is a great home cycling option for those with little space, as its vertical construction means a smaller footprint in your living room.

Pros: Comfy seat, fits in tight spaces, great for high intensity workouts.

Cons: Slight discomfort for some riders. 

Exercise Bike #2: The Folding

Next we look into the folding exercise bike. The name of the game here is convenience. Lightweight, sleek, slim, plus it’s got the added feature of being able to be collapsed and stored out of the way. These are basic, basic exercise bikes — nothing but the necessities here. And with its high center of gravity, you’re not going to be able to hit those high-intensity Spin classes with these ones. Well, not without falling over at any rate. But for a daily cardio infusion, these skinny minnies do the trick. 

Pros: Tiny footprint, simple storage, affordable. 

Cons: Not designed for high intensity training, somewhat unstable.

Exercise Bike #3: The Recumbent

Time to get chill, real chill. Recumbent exercise bikes are designed to have the rider almost reclining, with the pedals out in front of them. These bikes take up probably the longest footprint, and a super comfy saddle provides the most plush riding experience. These factors have both positive and negative effects. For those with lower back issues or injuries, this much support can make the difference between getting in a workout, and not. But for those more experienced and high-intensity riders, this comfortable position lends itself to underperforming in your workouts. 

Pros: Great for injuries and lower back issues, the most comfortable exercise bike, very stable.

Cons: Hard to do high-intensity workouts, only works one set of muscles. 

Exercise Bike #4: The Air

From plushy to punishing, we now move to the air bike. You may have heard of this monster under its other names: the fan bike, assault bike, aerobike. However you wish to call it, just as long as you recognize the absolute carnage that lies within. The air bike is one of the most challenging exercise bikes around, using a simple, sophisticated design to inflict as much intensity as you can handle. Using a simple fan in the wheel of the bike, the pedals connect to the handles, so that you’re hitting both upper and lower body at the same time. This thing was built for high-intensity, but longer rides are nearly out of reach. 

Pros: Challenging, great for high-intensity, upper body functionality, durable design, affordable. 

Cons: Noisy fan, large footprint, cannot adjust resistance, low tech monitor. 

Exercise Bike #5: The Indoor Cycle

Last but not least (and in our opinion, kind of best) we come to indoor cycling bikes. We must admit these beauties come with the best of multiple worlds: they’re challenging (but difficulty can be modified), adjustable (for all body sizes and abilities), kind of comfortable (but not too comfortable), easy to understand (for beginners), and capable of both low and high-intensity exercise. The indoor cycle comes in a variety of models, each with their own pluses and minuses. Some models feature high-tech monitoring capabilities, plus you can get add-on gear like clip-in pedals and water-bottle holders. The style of riding has you leaning forward, which is perfect for standing up and sitting back down with ease. This is our all-around choice for the best home exercise bike. 

Pros: Affordable, adjustable, many choices on the market, smaller footprint, great for high-intensity.

Cons: Some riders find it uncomfortable, not as much upper body workout.

Glad you came with us on this ride through the many types of exercise bikes. We hope we’ve helped you narrow down your choice. Once you make your decision, you may be asking yourself how to start on your cycling journey. Well, we’ve got you there too. Just sign up for a Free Trial with Studio SWEAT onDemand! We’ve got an endless library of indoor cycling classes that include fusion workouts that bring in Yoga, Pilates, Body Sculpting, Core, Barre, and so much more! And unlike some other competitors (not naming names), you can do our virtual workouts on any bike you like! So sign up today, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime.