- This is the most popular device for keeping the body in shape at home. Riding on the unit is no different from a street walk, classes are carried out safely, regardless of weather conditions and time of day.

No need to lift the bike up the steps or be afraid of getting into an accident. The simulator will help get rid of excess weight, increase immunity, strengthen the respiratory and cardiac systems.

Types of exercise bikes for home

By landing type

• Upright bike. The simulator imitates a track bike. The user is guaranteed a full workout as after riding a standard vehicle.

The main characteristic feature of the unit is that the pedals are located vertically, allowing you to train the muscles of the body. This is the most popular model in the world, which does not take up much space, but is contraindicated for those who have an injured spine.

• Horizontal exercise bike. This type is the most convenient to use, because it can be used by people who have health problems, including diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Due to the horizontal landing, exercises on the simulator do not heavily load the spine. The device is recommended for use during rehabilitation to restore leg muscles and work out the cardiac and respiratory systems.

• Portable exercise bike. The unit is indispensable for frequent trips, because it can be easily transported. It is suitable for home use if the room is small.

The main disadvantage is that the simulator is less effective compared to other models, since the load on the leg muscles is distributed differently.

• Hybrid exercise bike. The device includes a vertical and horizontal exercise bike. Thanks to the adjustment of the chair, classes are held reclining and sitting. This option is the least in demand, so it is difficult to find it.

By type of load

• Belt. These are characterized by inconvenience of use, increased noise, compactness and reliability. Cheap price range.
• Shoe. The device consists of blocks and a flywheel, which, when exposed to each other, create an additional load during training.

According to its characteristics, the simulator acts like a bike with reinforcement, which is suitable for professional activities.

• . The load system consists of magnetic plates that are placed near the metal flywheel. The closer the wheel is to the magnets, the harder it is for the user to pedal.

The athlete can independently change the load using a special device that is installed under the computer. The simulator is characterized by a long service life, noiselessness, affordable cost and ease of use.

• Electromagnetic. The unit is equipped with additional functionality such as a heart rate sensor and a choice of training programs. Multimedia devices are connected to the simulator, allowing you to watch your favorite movie or listen to music while driving.

For the price, exercise bikes are more expensive than standard models, but they are multifunctional and durable.

• Portable. This is an unusual version of home exercise equipment, because it consists of a stand and pedals. A full-fledged workout on it will not work, it is recommended to use it as a device to strengthen the muscles of the arms and legs after injuries.
• bicycle ergometer. Models of devices for driving at home have an electromagnetic load system and an electric drive for its adjustment.

These are expensive high-tech equipment. Thanks to the computer, the required level of load is set, allowing you to maintain it most accurately during the entire workout.

A bicycle for home use is simple, it simulates riding on the street. Most models are equipped with an on-board computer that shows the user about his progress, distance, training time, heart rate and calories burned.

When tracking the dynamics of classes, it is allowed to create your own programs to improve your previous results.

The mechanical part of the simulator is divided into several types of drives: inertial, belt and magnetic.

The former is considered the most realistic method for simulating cycling. It is popular with athletes and works by braking against the flywheel with pressure pads.

Available models of exercise bikes are equipped with a belt drive, when the rotation of the pedals and the flywheel depends on the belt. The disadvantage of such a drive is that after a while the pass is replaced due to stretching.

The magnetic drive device is powered by a user-adjustable flywheel action on a permanent magnet. Compared with a belt drive, such models are efficient and comfortable to use. Modern exercise bikes accommodate an electromagnetic braking system.

Home exercise equipment that simulates cycling has a number of advantages:

• the compactness of the device allows you to easily place it in the apartment without disturbing the general appearance of the room and without taking up much space;
• you can train at the right time, regardless of weather conditions;
• classes are held in comfortable clothes and a comfortable home environment;
• the load level is adjusted by the user independently;
• classes help to get rid of excess weight and improve metabolism;
• on the home simulator, the load on the ankles and knees is reduced;
• with regular training, endurance increases, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are strengthened.

The home exercise bike has several drawbacks, such as a large size that does not allow you to hide the device in a closet and the need to change belts and pads often, but this applies to cheaper models;

How to choose an exercise bike for home

A device for home training must be chosen not only in appearance, but also in additional options. The first thing you should pay attention to is convenience, which is checked immediately in the store.

You should sit on the device and turn the pedals for a couple of minutes, after adjusting the seat height and steering wheel. The unit must be stable so that there is no staggering during the ride.

The reliability of the design depends on the manufacturer and his reputation. Immediately inspect all the main parts, their connections for damage.

Extended functionality depends on the cost of the product, the higher the price, the more options in the exercise bike. There are models with a sensor, where the sensor is placed on the handrails, put on the ear or wireless. The sensors will help you monitor your heart rate during your workout.

It is recommended to use chest heart rate sensors that measure the pulse and do not hinder movement. The device should be purchased in specialized stores, where the seller will talk about the features of each model and provide documentation.

When choosing a unit, you should find out what weight it is designed for, this parameter is important for users with a weight of more than 100 kilograms. For a comfortable ride, the type of seat and its fastening are important.

It is better to give preference to an exercise bike with seat adjustment for location and height, allowing you to set for people of different weight categories.

The price of a home bike directly depends on the manufacturer. This also applies to the reliability of the unit, because popular brands produce high-quality goods.

When buying a product from popular companies, you can be sure of a long service life and compliance with the declared characteristics.

Pedals with spring clips on the outer edge securely fix the foot. The size of the pedals is selected based on the size of the user's foot. It should be borne in mind that some models create noise that drowns out music, TV, and a phone call.

Noises are annoying, so at the time of purchase, you need to sit on an exercise bike and pedal to make sure that it works with minimal sounds.

The main load element of the simulator is the flywheel, which must be heavy. This component is a rotating disc that resists pedaling.

The best models are equipped with a flywheel with a weight of seven kilograms. The smoothness of its operation shows how high-quality the unit is, which depends on the belt drive with tension adjustment.

If the device is chosen exclusively for burning calories and losing weight, then you should pay attention to the presence of special programs. Modern models are equipped with programs for intensive fat burning.

Faults

Eliminating such a problem as not pedaling depends on the type of simulator. If the electromagnetic element breaks down, it is difficult to fix it yourself. The maximum that a user can do is check the wiring contacts.

If the simulator breaks down, the load is absent or reduced, the warranty card for it is checked. If the warranty is still valid, you cannot fix the problem yourself. When opening the case, the service center will not agree to repair the malfunction.

With tight pedaling, you need to open the exercise bike, clean and thoroughly lubricate the main components. For magnetic models, a cable is checked that regulates the force of the magnets on the flywheel.

Often the cable gets stuck, and it becomes difficult or impossible to pedal. Sometimes the problem is that they forgot to switch the intensity of the load.

You can achieve results with regular exercise. You can not bring the body to exhaustion, you must gradually increase the load. The first session on an exercise bike does not exceed 20 minutes, the next two days the time increases by 10 minutes.

Those who have problems with the heart or other organs should consult a nutritionist who will tell you the level of load. Only a selected training plan will help improve health and tighten the body without harming the body.

The back is kept straight, because the simulator is designed to strengthen the muscles of the lower body, and the top should be relaxed. The load on the pedals is distributed evenly over the surface of the foot. Pedaling with your fingers increases the risk of cramps and pain in the leg muscles.

Clothing for classes should not hinder movement, the best option would be lightweight material. The training time is selected depending on the daily routine. It can be morning, afternoon or evening.

Operation of exercise bikes for home

• The unit is used for training and is placed in the places provided for it. It is installed on a flat hard surface, where there should be an additional space of 50 cm on the sides.
• It is dangerous for health to exercise on a faulty device. It is required to regularly check the connecting elements of the surface structure.
• It is necessary to change the batteries in the on-board computer in time so that they do not deteriorate and do not damage the computer.
• Installation is carried out according to the instructions to avoid malfunctions.
• If the user feels unwell during a workout, the workout is immediately terminated.
• Do not abruptly stop driving if the set heart rate is reached. The workout ends gradually.
• The saddle is installed so that the user's leg at the lowest point is half-bent at the knee or straight.

Compliance with these rules will help you enjoy your purchase to the fullest. The instruction will allow you to consider in detail the correct assembly and installation. It contains a list of elements and parts of the simulator in an illustrated form.