If you have always kept a soft spot and a love for cycling in your childhood, you may find yourself looking for a device that can let you relive those memories while getting all the beautiful things that come with it. With the most popular bikes in the market, it can be quite challenging to find the best one for you.

You may have thought, which one should I go for? A bike trainer or an exercise bike? Do you want a bike for fitness, or do you want one to get you into competitions and professional biking? The answer will be in your hands, and before you can come up with one, you must ask yourself your purpose. As you read on, you will better digest the difference between the two and know which one is the most suitable for you.

Getting to Know More about a Bike Trainer and an Exercise Bike

While these two devices can make you fit and hone your pedaling skills, each one has features that make it ideal for different settings and users. Let us get to know them better and find out what each one has in store for you.

What is a Bike Trainer?

A bicycle trainer is a device that lets you ride an actual bicycle while it remains stationary. This involves the use of a frame and clamp to secure the bike. As you pedal, a roller will push against the rear wheel and create resistance so you can go on pedaling without moving out of place. This is commonly used by athletes who want to prepare for their rides or if it is impossible to go cycling outside. This allows personalization of steepness and inclines to give a realistic feel of when its user wants to cycle in mountains and hills. For some bike trainers, sensors and monitors can be used to get the user’s speed, heart rate, power output, and cadence.

What is an Exercise Bike?

When we speak of an exercise bike, also known as a stationary bicycle, we are talking about a device used for indoor cycling. Its mechanism is like a regular bike, and the only difference is that this one has no wheels. Exercise bikes come in different designs; some come with handlebars to allow exercise for both the upper and lower bodies. Its resistance can also be adjusted to cater to weight loss, fitness, and cycle training purposes. This has also been a choice for people who need to engage in low-impact exercise for rehabilitation, recovery, and added physical activity.

The Good in Bike Trainers

Let us start by acknowledging the capability of training in a controlled setting; this frees you from the hurdles that outdoor factors bring. It lets you ride your actual bike. This means being able to exercise regardless of the weather, climate, or traffic in your area. This also lets you concentrate on the thing you want to improve, like posture, form, intervals, and more. It is also safer than cycling outdoors as you can go on for hours without fearing the risk of being hit and run or falling off and getting injuries in an accident.

The Downside of Bike Trainers

Many people consider the process of setting it up complicated as you must do it every time you use it. This can be a bit expensive because it will need to have an actual bicycle clamped to its frame to work. Since you are to use your bike, it may not be ideal or comfortable for different types of users. Another complaint most people have would be having to hear some models make loud and uncomfortable noises.

The Good in Exercise Bikes

When you decide to workout on a spin bike, you get to reap benefits like strengthening your muscles, heart, and lungs. This means you get a stronger immune system, improved functioning, more energy, and lower stress levels. This burns a good deal of calories in an hour, making weight loss more effective. The best thing about it is that it facilitates a low-impact workout, giving you lesser risks of injuries and accidents. It can be utilized for interval training and rehabilitation for people recovering from health issues. With exercise bikes, you get the same benefits of cycling in a more comfortable, safer, and controlled environment.

The Downside of Exercise Bikes

Just like any other device, exercise bikes may have some downsides too. One would be that since it is usually used indoor, you may miss out on what makes the outdoors exciting, like the scenery, the wind, and more. To some, spending time indoor cycling can be monotonous and boring because it takes you nowhere. This also does not get you actual training for bike competitions and events because you will miss out on inclines, various terrains, and the actual feel of moving wheels.

Conclusion

There is more to these bikes than you think. Both devices are great for fitness and cycling practice; however, each has unique features that make it ideal for different settings. If you are a pro cyclist who wants to recover or get ahead in the game, you will opt to get a bike trainer. Meanwhile, if you plan to save more while losing weight or getting your blood pumping in a controlled and private environment, you can take an exercise bike. As we mentioned earlier, your purpose will dictate the right one for you, so make sure to consider all the information mentioned above.