Cycling is an effective workout, especially when it comes to weight loss, muscle build-up, and strengthening endurance. Unfortunately, not everyone has the skills to cycle outdoors.
So why not bring cycling indoors?
You have 3 options for indoor cycling workout: spin bikes, upright bikes, and recumbent bikes. I personally recommend the spin bikes (indoor cycling bike in general) because they are better for a reason. Let me show you their unique advantages through this table.
| Spin Bike | Upright Bike | Recumbent Bike |
| 1. Heavy Flywheel | 1. Padded Seats | 1. Comfortable Workout |
| 2. Flexible Workout Options | 2. Affordable Price | 2. Cushioned Seats |
| 3. Effective Fat Burning | ||
| 4. Reinforced Display Frames | ||
| 5. Road Bike Experience |
Don’t get me wrong. All of them will help you lose weight and develop your lower body muscles. However, spin bikes allow you to quickly reap most of cycling benefits.
Flywheel
Spin bikes have heavier flywheel compared to upright and recumbent bikes. This means that you need to exert more effort when spin biking. Of course, this also means that you will burn more calories faster.
Seats
If you’re looking for comfort, then go for upright and recumbent bikes. But, if you’re someone like me who wants to experience outdoor cycling at home; then go for spin bikes.
The seat of spin bikes is similar to road bikes. It’s less comfortable compared to the two, but that’s the point of working out. If comfort is all you’re aiming for, then go to bed and sleep.
Display Frames
Spin bikes, upright bikes, and recumbents have display consoles. The features vary from model to model so you have to decide what features you prefer.
When it comes to material, however, spin bikes promise a sturdier display frame. Due to the fact that spin bikes were built to simulate outdoor cycling, their construction and materials can withstand vigorous workouts.
I have seen a lot of upright bikes in our local gym that have faulty displays, but it’s rare for me to see spin bikes with display issues.
Workout Postures
Unlike upright and recumbent bikes, the spin bike allows you to take control of your cycling efforts.
Do you want to rigidly workout or do you want to establish a consistent pace?
All you have to do is change your posture and voila! You’ll get the cycling experience you really wanted.
Upright bikes will only allow you to cycle in an upright position. Recumbent bikes, on the other hand, will only allow you to cycle with your back at rest. On spin bikes, you have the following options: standing posture, seated posture, and jumps.
Summary
There’s no arguing to the fact that most professional cyclists recommend the spin bikes. Only on spin bikes that you can get the closest cycling experience to that of road bikes. They also allow you to choose your own cycling pace.
Furthermore, the calories you’ll burn from upright and recumbents bikes are the same. You’ll simply burn calories faster on spin bikes.
With all that being said, it is no surprising why spin bikers lose more weight than recumbent and upright bikers.