Many of you may get confused to choose the right bike for meeting your requirements. Therefore, we have come up with an elaborate comparison between the stationary bike and spin bike which will help to choose the ultimate one to achieve your fitness goals.
Having an exercise bike at your home will give you ease of time also you don’t have to be worried about your monthly gym fees. However, to get the best result choosing the appropriate exercise machine is very much important.
By reading this article you will get to know the exact features, pros, cons also will be able to do a comparison between the two bikes.
Both stationary or upright bike and spin bike have some benefits and drawbacks. So it is quite impossible to conclude which one is the best.
But we have tried our best to mention the nut and bolts of these two bikes so that our audiences can take the right decision.
A Basic Idea on Spin and Stationary Bike
Spin Bikes: The spin bike will give you a more natural biking experience than that of a stationary bike and the movement will make you feel that you are having real road riding.
Also in spin bikes, you will get more exercise options than upright or spin bikes. The pedals of the spin bikes are highly adjustable and you will be able to pedal in both standing and sitting position.
Upright or Stationary Bike: Another name of stationary bike is Upright bike which comes with a padded seat. The padded seat ensures extra comfort and makes indoor cycling more enjoyable for you.
Moreover, these bikes are the most popular ones as well as budget-friendly. For establishing a home gym, this bike is one of the best options.
Comparison Based on the Features
There are many similarities and dissimilarities between these two bikes and people often get confused to pick any one of the two.
Therefore we have done a comparative analysis based on the individual features for a better understanding of our audiences.
Type of Workouts
Spin Bike: The spin bike is the best one for doing an intense workout as it will allow you to pedal in both sitting and standing position.
The intense workout increases your stamina and helps to reach your goal efficiently. You will get the feelings of a real bike also this bike will allow you to lean forward into a bent position which will make your workout more intense. Spin bikes are excellent for achieving cardio fitness.
Upright Bike: The traditional stationary or upright bike is more adjustable than spin bikes and the users can easily personalize these bikes according to their requirements.
There will be a central console on the upright bike which will allow you to set your goals also your fitness requirements. You can design the bike according to your preference which will make your workout more effective.
Riding Position
Stationary Bike: The position of the handlebars of the upright bike is much higher and you need to bend forward a little while cycling and you won’t be able to stand while riding.
The padded and wider seat will provide more comfort while riding than that of a spin bike.
Spin Bike: The spin bike will mimic real road riding and bikes and you have to be in a bent forward position during your exercise because the position of the handlebars is a bit lower than the seat.
You will also be able to stand on the pedals which will make your workout more powerful.
Resistance Mechanism
Stationary Bike: Stationary bikes come with a magnetic, electromagnetic or fan resistance system which allows the users to adjust the resistance level according to their fitness level that makes the ride more effective. These bikes have a flywheel instead of pedals.
Spin Bike: The spin bike also comes with a flywheel and use the flywheel to replicate the real feeling of pedalling on a real cycle. Thus the spin bike mimics the real feel of cycling on a bike.
Technology
Stationary Bike: Stationary or upright bikes come with additional technological features, such as monitoring and applications that measure the workouts, heart rate, distance, and calories burnt every session.
Spin Bike: When it comes to technology, spin cycles are relatively basic to imitate the experience of riding a road bike. In comparison to upright exercise bikes, spin cycles are significantly simpler in construction.
Worked Muscles
Though the movement may seem similar to your spin bike and stationary bike affects muscles differently.
Stationary Bike: This bike works on glutes, quads, calf muscles and hamstrings. Mainly upright bikes focus on the legs muscles more.
Spin Bikes: Spin bikes affect the back, shoulders, biceps, triceps, core, glutes, quads, calves and hamstrings. Spin bikes generally affect most of the muscles of the body.
Main Use
Upright or Stationary Bike: These bikes are most appropriate for cardio fitness and building muscles, developing the fitness level as well as losing weight.
Spin Bike: On the other hand, spin bikes are more suitable for fitness classes and professional cyclist because it mimics the real ride feeling on the road.
Moreover, these bikes make your life more convenient in winter as you can be at your home. Also, you can lose weight and build muscles with this bike.
Comparison Based on Burning Calories
Burning calories is one of the basic goals of doing exercise on indoor workout bikes so this parameter is one of the important issues while choosing an indoor bike.
Recumbent Bike: Recumbent bikes offer most comfortable and relaxed workout experience than other bikes. Also, these bikes come with a larger seat and padded backrest.
Usually, recumbent bikes burn more calories than upright bikes which mean you can burn more calories by riding on the recumbent bike than the other ones.
Normally people don’t want to go for the recumbent bike but this bike has many benefits on your fitness and health as well as burn a lot of calories.
Upright or Stationary bikes: Upright bikes don’t come with a comfortable and large seat and backrest. These bikes have a quite smaller seat which is close to the regular saddle. The beginners may find the seat less comfortable but with more cycling, this discomfort will disappear eventually.
There are many similarities between regular outdoor bikes and upright bikes. Also, some stands will make your regular cycle an upright bike.
Spin Bike: In spin bikes, the weighted wheels coupled with a belt to the pedal transmission system give friction and magnetic resistance that varies in strength and helps the users to have a more intense and powerful workout experience.
Spin bikes are the most popular in spinning classes which is an ongoing trend nowadays. You can mimic your spinning class at your home with the help of a spin bike.
Though spin bikes don’t burn equal calories as a recumbent or stationary bike based on fitness goals usually you will lose weight faster on a spin bike compared to the other two.
The heavy-weighted flywheel of the spin bike offers a different position in your workout. Also, you can do pedalling both in standing and seating position which will help you to burn more calories as well as lose weight.
As the spin bikes don’t have a backrest they will offer more benefits to your health by strengthening the core muscles. You can stabilize more muscles on a spin or upright bike than that on a recumbent bike.
If you are willing to have a full-body workout spin bike is a brilliant choice. Also, a spin bike is the most appropriate one for the spinning classes.
Pros and Cons
Upright Stationary Bike:
Pros: Generally, spin bikes come in an affordable price range and offer customizable workout to the users. This bike affects the lower and core body especially your glutes, quads and legs. Your body is straight while pedalling and it places more resistance on the lower body.
Cons: Stationary bikes don’t affect the whole body muscles and the session can be quite tiresome as it will only target your lower body muscles. Stationary bikes burn fewer calories.
Spin Bikes:
Pros: Spin bike replicates the real ride movements and supports both standing and seating positioned pedalling. It allows doing intense workout and affects almost all the muscles of your body.
Cons: Spin bikes have uncomfortable seats which are inappropriate for longer time workout. Also, there can be a strain on the lower body while cycling.
Before getting an exercise bike you should consider several factors regarding your budget, fitness level, fitness goal and health. If you are interested in indoor cycling an appropriate exercise bike is essential for you.
You can compare your needs and requirements based on the above-mentioned factors of both of the bikes. Both spin and stationary bikes have some specific pros and cons so you have to decide which one is the most suitable one for your needs.