Types of Exercise Bikes

Upright exercise bikes vs. recumbent bikes

There are two main types of exercise bikes: upright and recumbent. An upright exercise bike looks like a regular road bike, with a vertical orientation. Upright bikes allow for more movement, such as riding while standing on the pedals, or in a racing position, which can give you a more strenuous workout but also be harder on your back. On a recumbent bike, the rider is seated against a backrest, with legs out in front.

Experts differ about the comparative health benefits of upright vs. recumbent exercise bikes. Most like recumbent bikes for their comfort and ease of use, especially for people with back pain or those who are new to exercise, but some fitness experts also point out that recumbent bikes encourage a slower, less intense workout.

Overall, most reviewers agree that the upright vs. recumbent choice is more a matter of personal comfort than health benefit. Most exercise bike manufacturers will offer both styles of bike in any one series, with the recumbent models fetching a higher price. It's a good idea to try out a bike in a store to ascertain whether an upright bike or a recumbent is most comfortable for you. You may also want to consult with a fitness and/or medical professional about your goals and the machines you're considering for purchase.

Exercise bikes and video game technology

The biggest news in stationary bikes is the attempt by manufacturers to fuse biking technology with video gaming technology to keep workouts exciting for users. Many bikes have preprogrammed workouts for variety, and the bike-based option of spinning (where you go on a virtual ride with an instructor and a room full of classmates) has become popular at gyms.

The Gamebike GB-200 (*Est. $400) plugs into a Sony PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Nintendo GameCube or PC and works best with racing or driving games. It can be used with over 40 different racing games, but instead of sitting on the couch with a hand controller, the player controls on-screen action by riding the bike. The Gamebike is even being used in some school physical education classes to help combat childhood obesity.

Along similar lines, Fisher-Price and Richard Simmons teamed up to create the inexpensive Fisher-Price Smart Cycle (*Est. $80), which is available at Amazon.com, Walmart.com and other retailers. The stationary bike hooks up to a television screen, where kids pedal their way through virtual roads, mountains and race tracks. Additional software cartridges that feature Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob, Hot Wheels and Barbie are also available.

The Expresso S3 (*est. $5,200, plus *est. $225 for installation), is a bike with the same idea, albeit for adults. The S3 has a built-in TV, Internet connection and music channels, along with competitive virtual riding courses complete with opponents and scenery. The Expresso S3 is available in upright and recumbent models, both of which have a 19-inch screen, a computer system and built-in TV tuner. In addition, there are 30 virtual courses and a dual-belt resistance system for quiet operation.