Summary
In the sports hall, there is sports equipment for every taste and for every purpose. Among them, we can test different types of bikes: the classic, the elliptical bike, or the spinning bike. It is on the latter that we will focus in this comparison.
With a use and a concept quite different from its peers, the spin-bike is a fitness machine with its own characteristics, but above all a unique context!
For effective cardio training and intense muscle strengthening, discover our selection of the best spinning bikes.
🏆 Spin bikes bestsellers 2021
What is a spinning bike?
The spinning bike, also called spin-bike or RPM, is a concept of cardio-training invented in the 90s. Static version of the road bike, it is designed for those who love bike racing, speed and intense effort. It was first planned and used for group lessons in the gym, before being enthusiastically taken up by individuals. Enemy of fat, it’s all about training on the ergometric bike, in rhythm with the music. During a session, music is crucial, as it is the conductor of your workout. Speed, rhythm, sitting or dancing, you have to follow the tempo and focus your attention on it to get your body in condition. Training to the music and focusing on it not only stimulates your body with different exercises and intensities, but also helps you forget your pain a little and pass the time a little faster! By varying your effort with several levels and several strengths in one session, the spinning bike is one of the devices that allows you to burn the most calories, up to 900kcal in one hour!
What are the differences with a classic exercise bike?
On a classic exercise bike, the sitting position is rather upright, with the handlebars higher than the buttocks, just like on a city bike. The ergometer bike aims to imitate the road bike: lying down, lighter, more ergonomic and more streamlined. It’s more fluid than a simple flat bike, and is really more suitable for regular racing cyclists, or if you want to train intensively, alternating rhythms and pedalling forces to ride on flat ground, go up a hill, do a big sprint, go down etc.
In terms of training conditions, the RPM bike is much richer and more developed. With its wheel, called the flywheel, and its electronic assistance, your training is much more advanced and personalized to your goals. It also has many more settings, to get as close as possible to the road bike, and adapt to the morphology and level of each user. Its control screen displays basic data such as speed, distance covered, calories lost, etc., as well as your heart rate and the power developed during the effort. The most developed models offer an ergometer, an automatic system that adjusts the intensity of the exercises according to your heart rate and the goals you have programmed into the bike’s on-board computer.
Our selection of the 4 best spinning bikes
ISE SY-7001 Cardio Biking Bike from ISE
An entry-level model, this spin-bike is well thought out and adapted for occasional use. Rather complete for its price, it is adjustable at all levels to adapt to your size, even for the tallest! Set up in 30 minutes, it nevertheless has some shortcomings in the cardio data on the screen, with unreliable heart rate and number of calories burned. The saddle is also to be reviewed, a little hard, opt for a saddle protector if you choose this model! Unbeatable value for money for simple and affordable use for everyone
Associated accessory :
ISE’s SY-7001 spin bike in pictures
Sportstech SX200 ergometer bike from Sportstech
Once again, this brand of sports equipment is part of our selection, for its quality and performance. With its dedicated iBiking application and the integrated tablet holder, you can train in a realistic context, and have a follow-up and results of your race to improve your performance. However, the application seems to be quite difficult to operate and not very functional. Very fluid thanks to the weight of its intermediate wheel and adjustable to your size, you can enjoy a solid and silent bike for races in complete peace of mind.
Already very fast reception well before the announced deadline, then the transport company is very competent, frankly it’s a pleasure.
Assembly of the bike is extremely simple and quick, there is even a video montage with the QR code on the box.
As for the bike, it’s perfect for my use, for the moment 1 hour every 3 days and no problem, the saddle is quite comfortable, the pedals adjustment is great, it does the job, it almost feels like on a real bike.
Being very satisfied I recommend this product without any problem.
Associated accessories :
Sportstech’s spin bike SX200 in pictures
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Sportstech SX400 ergometer exercise bike from Sportstech
Ranging above the previous model, this spinning bike offers the same physical conditions as an outdoor workout, in terms of resistance and accompanied by realistic application. Stable and sturdy, it will take a few hours and patience to successfully assemble the device, with unclear instructions. But once assembled, the bike is really powerful and of high quality, for a very comfortable intensive use. Be careful, even if it is adjustable, it adapts much better for sizes from 1m75.
The SX400 bike meets my expectations of sturdy, high-performance equipment. The triathlete handlebar is comfortable. Add to that the fact that it’s a beautiful device. The aesthetics of the bike contribute to the beautification of my small gym.
Sportstech’s after-sales service has also proven to be effective. When unpacking, I noticed that the handlebars had a defect. Less than 24 hours after I requested the after-sales service, I already had a return. Three days later, I was delivered a spare part. That’s great.
Associated accessories :
Sportstech’s spin bike SX400 in pictures
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Spinning bike from Homcom
No products found.
Again with an entry-level model, this bike is more for smaller riders. Its handlebars and padded saddle will allow comfort of use to avoid being badly installed on your bike. Quite light and not very bulky, it is suitable for occasional or regular practice. Very good value for money!
I recommend without hesitation.
The HOMCOM spin bike in pictures
How to choose the right spinning bike?
As explained above, the spin-bike is a more powerful and more complex piece of equipment than a regular bike, so it is important to choose your model carefully, by observing a few criteria.
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The use of
As with any device, the features, performance and options of the RPM bike will depend on your goals, but more importantly on how you use it. For occasional practice, a fairly simple entry-level model will suffice. For a regular activity, you will have to start turning to higher ranges with better performing bikes. If you are already a great cyclist and expect intensive practice, choose the most complete and resistant models, for more comfort and challenge.
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Your morphology
Most fitness equipment has weight limits. If you are looking to lose weight due to overweight, check the maximum weight and avoid low-end models, which are rather light and not very strong. With regard to size, make sure that all parts of the bike are adjustable to fit your height and ensure comfortable riding.
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Dimensions and weight
Small details that are nevertheless important, think carefully about where you want to put your spinning bike to choose a model that fits. You can find some more or less bulky and heavy ones, even if this type of indoor bike is less imposing than a classic apartment bike.
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The weight of the flywheel
This criterion is very important, to be studied according to your objectives. The heavier the wheel, the smoother and more comfortable the pedalling will be. The wheel must weigh at least 8kg for low use, ideally a flywheel between 18 and 25kg.
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Strength and stability of the frame
Lying down will give you less stability than sitting upright. As the principle of spinning is to vary the efforts and intensities of exercises, you will pedal sometimes lying down, sometimes as a dancer (standing), and practice explosive accelerations. It is therefore important that the bike is stable, and that the frame is solid, to avoid falls at the first movement.
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Type of transmission
You will find 2 types of transmissions: chain or belt drives. The choice is entirely up to you and your preferences. A chain drive is noisier, and requires regular lubrication, but the pedalling sensations are closer to a real bike. A belt drive will be quieter and require less maintenance.
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Type of braking
As far as the different brake systems are concerned, you will have the choice: buffer, magnetic or electromagnetic. The brake pads are the same as on a road bike, suitable if you are looking for the same sensations. Magnetic brakes exert resistance through magnets around the wheel with a manually adjustable force. This braking mode is very quiet. Electromagnetic brakes work in the same way with an electrically controlled electromagnet. Very precise, fluid, and controllable by the console, it is the most advanced braking system.
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Comfort and settings
As mentioned above, you need to be able to have a comfortable position when you train. It is therefore necessary to check that the saddle is adjustable, not only in height but also in depth and orientation, so that it can be properly installed without pain after 5 minutes. Likewise, the handlebars must be adjustable in height and depth.
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Screen and features
You will find several options and features in addition to the basics. The screen connected to the bike can be more or less complete and display more or less information. Regarding functionality, prefer pedals with footbraces, to be able to work the legs in pushing, but also in pulling. Some on-board computers are connected and offer Bluetooth options with speakers, or pre-recorded workout programs. You can also find spin bikes with bottle holders, saddle tops, padded handlebars, supports for smartphones..
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The price
The choice of your RPM bike model will also depend on your budget! For the lowest prices, the entry-level price is €200, but don’t expect many features. On the other hand, the most successful ones, at the professional level, will be able to go up to more than 3000€. For a robust, quality and efficient device, it will cost between 500 and 1000 €.
How to use a spin-bike?
The use itself is quite simple, just sit down, start your recorded workouts, follow a program or pedal as you wish. However, there are a few precautions to follow for safe and comfortable use.
For a good practice, the ideal is to do 2-3 sessions per week, for 45 minutes. The objective will not necessarily be to increase the practice time, but the number of kilometers for the same time! Be careful, if you are a little fragile at the level of the heart, or if you are not used to cardio training, start more slowly! Trying a steady pace from the start won’t do much good, and can even be dangerous. Familiarize yourself with exercise, movement, with reasonable intensities to begin with!
Whatever your goals, level or intensity of your workouts, it is important to start with a 5-10 min low-intensity warm-up (60-80 RPM – rotations per minute) to awaken your muscles, gently stimulate your heart rate and prepare your body for exercise.
Likewise, after your training, don’t stop suddenly! You should gently bring your heart rate back to normal by pedalling again for 5 to 10 minutes at low intensity.
The equipment
With a more intense rhythm than on a classic bike, and a much more physical training, it is necessary to plan a good equipment, similar to that of a racing cyclist.
- The shorts, to avoid heating and burning from skin rubbing, and to have a more comfortable seat.
- Good shoes, at least good sneakers.
- A towel, to wipe your perspiration as you go and avoid getting wet. A cotton or elastane t-shirt, to help the sweat wick away.
- Water! It is important to have a bottle of water nearby or on the bottle holder provided, to dehydrate you when you are thirsty. Drink in small sips to avoid bloating.
To find out a little more about how to ride a biking bike, here is a short video explaining how to do it safely and efficiently!
The benefits of spin-bike
An excellent way to work on cardio, spinning bikes have not only benefits in terms of weight loss and slimming. In addition to toning your muscles without shocks, and stimulating your cardio, it is a real asset for your health
Having a good physical condition through fitness, helps prevent cardiovascular disease, and stabilizes blood sugar levels, essential for good health. The movement of the bike also allows for better blood circulation, and therefore better irrigation of the vital organs.
Very important, when we do sports, our brain secretes dopamine and oxytocin, happiness hormones, which make us happier!
Where to buy a spinning bike?
If you want to buy a spinning suit and want to try it out before you start, you can turn to sports equipment stores, such as Decathlon, Intersport, Go Sport, FitnessBoutique etc.
Online, you can go directly to the e-commerce sites of the brand you want, and you will be able to find spin-bikes with a better quality/price ratio.
To find a spinning bike cheap or at the best price, you will find your happiness on Amazon or Cdiscount
Best spinning bike: why trust us?
Thank you for reading this article! Because we know that it is not always easy to make the best choice without trying, each of our recommendations is the result of a long work of analysis of consumer opinions on flagship and little-known products on the market, of comparison of prices and technical characteristics, but also and above all of tests by a team of men and women constantly renewed in order to keep a real objectivity to help you in your purchasing process.
All the purchasing criteria are scrutinized for the realization of our comparative guides: budget, level of range, functional and practical aspects, design, pack and accessories, safety… All this in order to help you choose the products best suited to your needs, desires and constraints on a daily basis, at the best price!
