Spinning bike or normal exercise bike

Try them first and choose the one that fits you better.
I prefer the spinning bike.

agree try before you buy. If it was me then I prefer spinning bikes because I prefer normal bikes they are more adjustable, but the seats arent as comfy. I would also be looking for a spinning bioke to give me useful data so I had more chance to figure out what I was burning and the effort i was putting in. That said id prefer a real boke to go outside on. If I was going for a piece of cardio then id buy a concept rower.

Its essential you try and know what it is that will suit you. Join a gym for a few days and use the equipment to get an idea of which bit you like.

PopeyeCT wrote: »

For me, one of the best things about cycling is seeing new things. I'm always looking forward to a new trail.

You don't get that on a stationary machine.

Most people would prefer to ride a real bike outside, but that option isnt always available to everyone. A spin bike has a few advantages over a real bike, so its horses for courses.

socioseguro wrote: »

Try them first and choose the one that fits you better.
I prefer the spinning bike.

I totally agree iwas shoping for a spinning bike ended up buying a high quality stable up right gym quality bike and use it everyday!!! Lost 43 lbs in one year using it to burn calories to fit my goals..

HelenWater wrote: »

I use a real bike on a bike trainer with a bike computer and speed&cadance meter. Best of both worlds.

Minus the computer and this is what I did

hipeeps3010 wrote: »

AM even more lost lol but I got one thing that is is a real good fat burner

Well, don't feel to bad. Anything fitness has more options than you can shake a stick at. Maybe this will help, it will be a little long to read.

1. Do you eventually plan on riding a bike outdoors? Either on the road, trails or mountain biking.
2. Do you have a medical condition that would restrict you in the style of bike you could buy?

If the answer to question #1 is YES, then you can buy the type of bike (Road, Commuter, Hybrid or Mountain) you plan on eventually using at one of your local bike shops. Preferably a shop that offers a fitting service, so you can get the right size bike frame but have things like seat and handle bar height adjusted as well as crank length determined, plus a few other variables. This fitting will help give you the most comfortable bike possible. Since you sound as if you are just starting out, if the shop starts trying to push you to the top of the line bikes just walk out and go to the next shop. At your level a bike somewhere below middle of the price and performance line. Since you will have a long way in your journey before the high end bikes of any type make any sense for you to purchase. Now, this same shop should also have what are known as rollers/trainers. These are attachments that allow you to use your bike indoors. When it comes to rollers it would be a good idea to get one that is on the higher end side. The reason is these more expensive ones will have the ability to adjust the resistance settings while you are actually riding on the rollers, simulating the increased effort that would be needed to climb a hill. Others just allow you to adjust the resistance at the beginning of each ride.

If the answer to question #1 is NO, then buy the best type of exercise bike you can afford. The one that gives you all the bells, whistles, feedback and adjustments that you feel supports your goals.

Now to question #2. There actually two styles of bikes you can buy. The First, is the standard "diamond" frame bike. This is the most popular style and the one roughly more than 90% percent of all riders use. It is the two wheeled, rear seat and front handle bars you see nearly everywhere you look. The Second, is the recumbent frame bike. The recumbent bike has a reclined seating position with the pedals placed out front of you instead of underneath you. Recumbent bikes come in two styles, those with two or three wheels. If you do not have any medical conditions that would make sitting in a somewhat leaned forward position than the style or type of real or exercise bike is unlimited and totally up to your personal preferences and the size of your wallet. If you do have a medical condition that would restrict your ability to sit on a normal bike of any kind, such as a back injury than you will need to seriously consider a recumbent bike for your indoor or outdoor use. If your medical condition involves balance issues then your choice of an outdoor bike would need to be limited to one with three wheels, a trike, or an exercise bike that has a wide stable platform.

If a recumbent bike is needed for riding outdoors refer to the first part of my answer to question #1. Realize that you are not going to find a lot of local shops that sell recumbent bikes or trikes since they only have a small market share so you will have to do an internet search or call a lot of shops to find a shop that can help you. Also, a recumbent bike/trike will be more expensive than a traditional bike, again due to that smaller market share as well as most manufactures build a limited number per year depending on demand from previous years. A recumbent can also be setup with a roller/trainer.

A word about riding a recumbent bike or trike in the real world if that is the option you choose or need. There is a persistent rumor out there that you can not climb a hill on a recumbent, false. You can climb any hill that is presented to you. However, you are not going to do it at the same speed as those on a traditional bike since you can not stand on the pedals to put your weight into power on the pedals. What makes up for this is that on the down hill side you can go much, much faster than they can due to a lower center of gravity and lower wind resistance. Also on the flats you can go much faster than the traditional bike due to that lower wind resistance.

A lot of information to take in, I hope it helps. Good Luck with your decision.

Real bike on a turbo trainer. Job done. You can then take it outside whenever you please