This Exercise Bike Puts a New Spin on Everyday Workouts
My indoor exercise routine has never been more exciting—or challenging!
Photo: amazon.com
Diversifying your workouts keeps things interesting. It works muscles differently and improves overall performance. So, although running is my first love, as I’ve grown older and lived through a few running-related injuries, I’ve moved my workout indoors to a treadmill. The workout is still fun, but after a while, it loses its challenge. The scenery stays the same, and I lost my hills and paths.
Pre pandemic, I took a few spinning classes, and I remember how the loud beats, the energy in the room, and the instructor’s enthusiasm created an almost living power throughout the room. I wanted that feeling back—so I began my search.
Adding Something New to My Workout
I hate change. I’ve been running for about 17 years, and each time I try something different—say, join a class or get a gym membership—I last less than a month.
Yet doing the same thing day after day gets boring. Also, being forced to stay inside can change a person’s perspective, especially in the colder months. As much as I enjoy running on my treadmill, it lost all excitement for me—reason number one for wanting a spin bike.
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Photo: amazon.com
Loving the Challenge
When you look back on something, do you recall only the good, or maybe only the bad? As far as spin classes were concerned, I remembered only the good things. The energy, how time flew by, how I felt after the workout, and, well, my sore buttocks, which wasn’t a great feeling. But I completely forgot how difficult it was. So different from running.
Sit; stand; look, Ma, no hands! What?! But I honestly look forward to demanding routines, and I’m grateful to be behind closed doors where no one can see the struggle.
Digital Doesn’t Always Mean Better
You can find spin bikes with LCD screens that display different classes and keep a record of exercise times, speed, distance, calories, and pulse, so you can track your progress and set goals. But even as a beginner, I knew I didn’t need all that to get a decent workout.
Whenever I need to find a spin class to get me going, all I need to do is find one on YouTube and watch it on my phone or smart TV. I’ve even incorporated spinning into my circuit training, using some of the moves I learned online.
Photo: amazon.com
Fierce Sprints and Agonizing Climbs—What’s Not to Love?
The recommended flywheel weight for an indoor bike is between 40 and 44 pounds. The flywheel on the Sunny Health exercise bike is even heavier, weighing in at a hefty 49 pounds. Those extra pounds have their benefits: When working on climbs, the bike stays steady and doesn’t bounce around, so you get a smooth, excruciatingly great climb. As well, the heavier flywheel means more resistance and momentum, and it also means a quieter ride.
With the heavy flywheel, the bike might not spin up as quickly as you’d like, but you can lower the resistance to get started and increase it as you go, just as you would while climbing.
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Why the Sunny Health and Fitness Spin Bike
In addition to all of the pros mentioned above, the Sunny Health exercise bike was also a good fit for my budget. Coming in at a little more than $350, this entertaining and effective bike is just right for those who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on home gym equipment.
