Photo: Michael @ NW Lens

Are your trousers a little tight around the waist? Wondering how you are going to fit into your summer clothes? Fitness bicycles are a great way to lose pounds and get fit. They come with a lot of nifty features like calorie burners, timers, and settings for different fitness levels. They’re also quite compact, compared to treadmills and other home exercise equipment. Just half an hour of pedalling can burn about 245 calories – that’s a slice of pizza. So get on that bike and ride.

Which one is for me?

There’s a range of exercise bicycles on the market, so before you make that purchase, think about what you need from your bike. If you’re short on space, get a foldable exercise bike. If you are looking for an intense workout, you’ll need a training cycle. Get a recumbent bicycle if you want to be comfortable cycling for a long time.

Features to look out for

Photo: n8kowald

In general, the more expensive fitness bicycles are, the more features they have. Most exercise bicycles have digital displays that will help you monitor your heart rate, how many calories you have burnt, and the distance you have travelled. But you can also look out for more great features: electromagnetic braking for quiet performance and the highest resistance, weighted pedals that are always the right way up, and enough different levels to keep improving your fitness.

What to wear when you cycle

Photo: selfhatingotaku

Just because you’ll be at home and out of the elements, doesn’t mean you don’t have to wear good clothes to exercise in. Exercise outfits should be light-weight and breathable, and wearing comfortable clothing will help you exercise longer. You won’t have the excuse of stopping because your outfit isn’t working out for you. At the very least, invest in a good pair of cycling shorts, and don’t forget a good pair of shoes to keep your feet comfy.

Whether you prefer to exercise watching TV, listening to music, or even reading a book, fitness bicycles are a great way to get fit, and lose pounds and inches, from the comfort of your own home.