One of the most popular fitness exercise machines is the exercise bike, but purchasing one is not as easy as going to the mall and choosing one. There are a lot of things to think about before you do this. You will want to bear in mind not only the cost but the type of bike, whether you prefer an upright or recumbent exercise bike, and how comfortable and effortless it is to adjust.

This is often the most significant consideration but you shouldn't go for the lowest cost exercise bike available as it may not last very long, be comfortable to use or give you good exercise. A beginner's bike at the lowest will set you back approximately $200, and although this will be acceptable it probably won't have many of the features that can be found on higher priced training bikes. For not much more, say between $300 and $600 you will get a better quality bike with some features such as magnetic resistance, heart rate control, a comfy seat and typically quiet and smooth operation.

For about $550 you will be able to buy a first-rate exercise bike with all the features you may require. For this cost you should expect a lot of built-in workout programs, simple to use display console, and resistance control, handlebars that are simple to adjust and a good warranty.

Naturally your exercise bike needs to be comfortable as you will be spending quite a lot of time on it! You will want a well padded seat and handlebars that adjust without problems. Are you going to buy an upright or recumbent exercise bike? Many people think that recumbent exercise bikes are more comfortable to use than upright exercise bikes as you sit in a more reclined position which puts less stress on your back. Upright exercise bikes, even though they are not nearly as comfortable, do have the benefit that you can effortlessly increase the level of the exercise by pedalling standing up just like you would on a normal bike.

Resistance on exercise bikes is variable in two ways. Most of the cheaper models use a belt and tension, higher-priced models use magnetic resistance which is quieter and more dependable. Adjusting magnetic resistance is easy and usually done with a pushbutton or knob.

It is very important to be able to observe your heart rate while exercising as this is the whole aim of riding your exercise bike in the first place! Always purchase an exercise bike with an integrated heart rate monitor so that you can adjust your training accordingly. Practically all the exercise bikes do have this although less expensive ones will often just have a pulse rate monitor built into the handlebars. The costly exercise bikes will have exercises that are driven by your pulse rate so they adjust automatically to keep your pulse rate at a level that you set. This is a very nice aspect but not vital if you can’t afford it.

Many of the less expensive exercise bikes do not have exercise incorporated programs. While you may believe this is not too much of a disadvantage you will discover that simply sitting on the bike and riding will become monotonous very swiftly! With workout programs you can vary your exercising and the feedback you get will help with your enthusiasm. Display consoles that give you feedback on your heart rate, calories burned, distance covered etc. actually do aid your motivation and keep you exercising for longer periods.

The majority of the exercise bikes in the mid-budget range i.e. between about $300 and $600 will give you a realistic collection of included workouts and a reasonably good display. More high-priced exercise bikes i.e. in the $600 and over range will have a very wide range of workouts and first-rate LED displays with a complete range of feedback information.

The Schwinn Airdyne Exercise Bike has 6 preset programs provide workout variety. 8 levels of computer controlled, eddy current resistance. Belt drive system ensures quiet operation and a smooth ride. Grip Heart Rate enables you to monitor your fitness level. Adjustable fore/aft seat allows you to easily determine the setting that's most comfortable for you. Handlebars are adjustable to suit your riding position. Integrated leveling feet offer enhanced stability while protecting the floor. Operates on AC power.

Click here for more information on the Schwinn Airdyne Exercise Bike

Certainly, with exercise bikes, as with other fitness exercise machines, you get what you pay for. It is not a good idea to purchase the lowest cost exercise bike you can find as it might not last very long and you won't be happy with the workout that you get. It is not necessary to buy a very high-priced bike but we recommend purchasing one for at least $300 which will give you good quality exercise and keep you motivated.