An Exercise Bike Alternative

Those of you who enjoy the exercise bike at the local gym and have considered buying one, might want to consider another option. Do you own a bicycle already? If you do, a bike trainer may be a better route to go. This can save you a lot of money and also a lot of storage space. A trainer attaches to your bike and uses air, fluid, or magnetism to provide resistance similar to biking. One of the largest benefits is the small amount of room they take up in comparison to a traditional exercise bike.

The three types of trainers each have their own unique qualities. You will have to determine which of them is the best fit for your. Wind trainers rely on a fan to create resistance with the air. These are usually fairly inexpensive but can be on the noisy side. They work well for beginners because the resistance can be on the lighters side. Resistance is controlled by how hard you pedal.

Magnet trainers make a great mid level trainer. Comparable in price to a wind trainer, they fit better for a beginner to intermediate rider. The magnet trainers are very quiet compared to the wind and the fluid trainers but you do give up some quality in the resistance area.

Fluid trainers are tht top of the line, feeling similar to riding on the road with your bike. These can be expensive and are not without it’s own problems. The unit uses a "fan" encased in liquid, which creates resistance, however the added complexity of the machine, leads to more wear and tear over time. Some models seem to have a problem with leaking.