Indoor bikes provide excellent exercises for cardio, lower-body strength, and heart health. They can even serve as an alternative form of outdoor training as well as taking studio classes and structured workouts at home.
Smart bikes feature computers which display your power output in watts, RPM and trip distance (odometer). A bike equipped with these features enables you to optimize your workout and remain motivated in breaking records set previously.
Resistance
Some bikes use friction-based resistance systems while others feature magnetic resistance. Friction systems rely on leather or synthetic pads pressing against the flywheel to limit its movement when pedaling; magnetic resistance uses magnets that create an electric current between itself and the wheel for a quieter experience than friction systems.
A great spin bike offers multiple resistance levels to accommodate most fitness capabilities. Lowering resistance levels during workouts helps flush lactic acid from muscle cells and recharge energy reserves, aiding your workout’s success and helping your muscles flush lactic acid from their cells more easily.
As resistance level during your workouts is key in engaging muscles and helping the body burn additional calories, raising it can challenge them further and encourage greater metabolic output. When choosing an ideal resistance setting for yourself, use effort (rated on an RPE scale of 1-10), cadence and the instructor’s cueing for classic cycling positions or intervals as guides to decide what setting would work best. Going too low or too high with resistance settings could put strain on hips, knees ankles and lower back which could result in injuries.