An Exercise Bike Alternative

If you find yourself enjoying the exercise bike at the gym and are considering purchasing one, you might want to consider a second option. Do you own a bicycle already? If you do, you should consider purchasing a bike trainer instead. This option can save you both storage space and money. A trainer is a stand you attach your bike to that provides resistance similar to biking through the use of air, fluid, or magnetism. One of the largest benefits is the small amount of room they take up in comparison to a traditional exercise bike.

There are three different types of trainers each with their own qualities. You will need to decide what works the best for you. Wind trainers use 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. The harder you pedal the more resistance you will gain at least to a point.

Magnet trainers make a great mid level trainer. Similar in price to a wind unit, they work exceptionally well for a beginner to intermediate rider. Quiet in comparison to a wind trainer, they don't quite match the same level of resistance that a fluid provides.

Fluid trainers are considered to be the best, and create a more realistic feel to that of riding on the road. However they are generally more expensive, and do have their 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.