Indoor cycling has been a fitness staple for many years – and only continues to grow in popularity. Perfect for new exercisers to elite athletes, an indoor stationary bike can be beneficial for just about anyone and any fitness goal.
Benefits of Indoor Cycling
Aside from allowing you to train indoors in cases of inclement weather, stationary bikes also allow for those recovering from injuries or participating in active recovery to have an exercise outlet. Indoor cycling is considered a low-impact sport, making it more gentle on the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back while still allowing you to increase your heart rate and improve overall cardiovascular conditioning.
Indoor cycling is also a full-body workout, strengthening the legs and the core muscles while also targeting the upper body while supporting yourself on the bike. While some bikes have adjustable handlebars, the level of support on the upper body can vary.
While the handlebars on indoor bikes are an important factor to consider when purchasing a bike, there are several other things to think about; seat adjustability, technology capabilities, and workout programs, just to name a few.
Although the choices of indoor bikes are plentiful, let’s take a look and compare the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 and the Schwinn IC4. Both brands are popular fitness companies, and provide excellent equipment. So if you’re on the lookout for an indoor bike – which one would work best for you?
ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22
The Studio Bike Pro 22 from ProForm comes in at $1,299, and includes a membership to the iFit community that is good for the entire family for a month. This allows everyone in a family to stream fitness classes and workouts, keep track of their exercise and progress, and engage with a virtual trainer to reach fitness goals!
These workouts and trainers are viewed on a 22” high definition touchscreen that can swivel 180 degrees, allowing you to perform other exercises off the bike if desired. The ProForm also comes with two 3-pound dumbbells so that you can incorporate strength training into your workout routine as well!
The ProForm can be adjusted through both the seat and the handlebars, allowing for a range of heights to use the bike. The pedals are also interchangeable and allow for toe cages. Wheels on the base of the bike’s front are used to easily move the bike around, letting you pull it out when ready to exercise and moving it when it’s not needed.
Schwinn IC4
The Schwinn IC4 has a price tag of $999 and includes a six-month membership to JRNY. This membership gives you access to virtual coaching, worldwide destination workouts, and streaming classes. Peloton and Zwift can also be connected to the IC4, pending digital subscriptions.
These apps – and the JRNY membership and subsequent classes – are viewed on your tablet or iPhone, which can be placed on the media holder. The console is below the media holder and is a backlit metric LCD. A set of 3-pound dumbbells are included and are stored in cradles that are easy to access.
With clips for those that want to wear cycling shoes and optional toe cages for regular athletic shoes, the IC4 is adjustable for the whole family. The seat and handlebars can be adjusted for multiple heights, and a set of dual water bottle holders are within arms reach as you’re riding so you can stay hydrated. The IC4 also comes with a Bluetooth heart rate armband, allowing you to track heart rate during exercise and stay within targeted heart rate zones if desired.
Both bikes provide a high-quality workout that will last for years to come. Decide which one fits your lifestyle and budget and go from there!
