What are the benefits (or not) of indoor cycling?

- ICI staff

Stationary bicycles, also known as exercise bikes, studio bikes or static bikes, have been a popular piece of fitness kit for decades. They provide a low-impact cardiovascular workout that can be done in the comfort of your own home or at the gym or cycling studio. However, like any fitness equipment, there are advantages and disadvantages to using a static bike.

Advantages of using a static bike

• Low-impact workout: One of the biggest advantages of using a stationary bicycle is that it provides a low-impact workout. This means it puts less stress on your joints than other forms of cardiovascular exercise like running. This makes it an excellent option for people with joint pain or injuries, those who are seeking weight loss, and those who are just starting out on their fitness journey.
• Cardiovascular health: Using a stationary bicycle is a great way to improve your cardiovascular health. It can help to lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk of heart disease, and improve your overall cardiovascular fitness.
• Convenience: Another advantage of using a stationary bicycle is that it is convenient. You can use it in the comfort of your own home or at the gym, and you can use it at any time of the day or night. This makes it an excellent option for people with busy schedules who struggle to find time to exercise.
• Customisable workout: Indoor cycling workouts are highly customisable, which means you can adjust the resistance, speed, and intensity of your workout to suit your fitness level and goals. This makes it an excellent option for people who are just starting with fitness or for those who are looking to challenge themselves. You add more of a challenge as you get fitter and stronger.

Disadvantages of using a stationary bicycle

• Boredom: If you’re just riding looking at a wall, you’re going to get bored. You can circumvent this by attending scheduled classes (either live or online) with a reputable indoor cycling instructor. You can also use the free Intelligent Cycling app — download and search for Indoor Cycling Institute workouts and you’ll find a great selection of workouts that really do work. These will keep you motivated and help you get great results.
• Cost: Stationary bicycles can be expensive, which may be a disadvantage for some people. While there are affordable options available, they may not have all the features that you want or need. Definitely try out before you buy to make sure you can set yourself up comfortably on the bike. If you’re going to be riding seriously, then a power meter is good, but if you’re just starting out and want to see if indoor cycling is for you, then you can choose a more basic option.

Stationary bicycles are an excellent option if you’re looking for a low-impact cardiovascular workout that can be done in the comfort of your own home or at the gym. Indoor cycling workouts are highly customisable and can be adjusted to suit your fitness level and goals — we strongly recommend using Intelligent Cycling (free app) and selecting our Indoor Cycling Institute workouts. The disadvantages of boredom, and lack of variety can easily be overcome in this way. Considering what features you need in a static bike and what you’re hoping to achieve will determine what sort of a bike you need, which will help to reduce the cost. Indoor cycling done right is fun and a convenient way to train and gives great results when