Guides

Exercise bike guides

Practical, honest guides to getting the most from an exercise bike at home. We ride the bikes we sell, so the advice comes with first-hand notes you will not find on a supplier listing.

Exercise bike workouts

Beginner sessions, a HIIT plan and weekly routines you can run on any exercise bike, with honest notes from riding all five of ours.

Exercise bike for weight loss

Does an exercise bike help you lose weight? An honest guide to calories, belly fat, how long it takes, and the best budget bikes to start with.

Exercise bike benefits

What riding an exercise bike actually does for you, what it does not do, and which type of bike gives you which benefit.

Exercise bike for bad knees

Bad knees are not one thing. What NICE and the NHS actually say about cycling with knee pain, when a bike suits it, and when to see a GP instead.

How to use an exercise bike

Set the saddle height in thirty seconds, turn the bike on, and read the resistance, with the evidence behind the numbers and first-hand notes from building all five of ours.

Exercise bike vs treadmill

A treadmill burns more and loads your bones, a bike is far kinder to your knees. We sell no treadmills, so we have said plainly which reader should buy one.

Exercise bike vs rowing machine

They burn the same calories, so muscle decides: a rower works most of your body, a bike is simpler and kinder to your knees. Which suits you, honestly.

Exercise bike vs cross trainer

On paper the cross trainer does more: calories, bone loading, arms. The bike wins on space, price, simplicity and knees. We have not fudged it.

Spin bike vs exercise bike

A heavy flywheel and a racing position against a light flywheel and a comfy one. We sell both and rode both, so neither side gets the hard sell.

What muscles an exercise bike works

Mainly your quads, measured by an EMG study, with hamstrings, glutes, calves and core in support. And honestly, almost nothing for your arms.

How many calories a bike burns

252 per half hour at a moderate pace, up to 441 ridden hard, and an honest explanation of why your bike's display is flattering you.

How long on an exercise bike

Less than you think: a Lancet study of 416,175 people linked about 15 minutes a day to longer life. The honest case for short, regular rides.

More guides are on the way, including how many calories you burn and how long to ride for.