Australia is one of the top 10 fittest countries in the world. How does something like this happen? The Aussie government recommends 2.5-5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise per week, and having a home gym certainly makes doing this easier. But what makes a good home gym? 

One of the best ways to burn fat, improve cardio, and strengthen your legs is with an exercise bike. There are countless types of them: spin bike, air bike, and recumbent bike. With so many options, you must choose the right one for your needs. 

Today, we'll give you an exercise bike buying guide for your home gym. A great home workout starts with cardio exercises—which you can get on a quality exercise bike. Keep reading, and we'll go over some important tips from which exercise bike brands to look out for and how to create your ultimate home gym setup. 

Benefits of Buying an Exercise Bike for Home Workouts

There are countless benefits to having an exercise bike in your home gym. For one, they allow you to do cardio exercises without leaving the house. But there are also benefits to improving your cardiovascular stamina, like losing weight and improving your heart health, sleep cycle, blood pressure, and mood. 

A stationary bike will also strengthen your leg muscles, whether you're doing an intense workout or a leisurely ride. It's safer to bike indoors than outdoors, and most exercise bikes are relatively affordable compared to other home gym equipment. 

What One Should You Get: Spin Bike, Recumbent Bike or Air Bike? 

 Choosing the right type of exercise bike depends on your fitness goals. So the best place to start is to ask yourself what you want in a workout. Are you trying to do a HIIT workout, light cardio work, get into shape or simply just trying to move more? 

If you want to be a more leisurely rider, you would prefer a recumbent bike. These are low to the ground and allow the rider to recline while pedalling. For something that works out both the upper and lower body, a spin bike gives you the best of both worlds by combining an exercise bike with an elliptical machine. 

In narrowing down your exercise bike choices, it helps to look at the different features. Some of the must-have exercise bike features include:

• - A comfortable, adjustable seat
• - Different resistance levels
• - Comfortable pedals with strapping to prevent slippage
• - A built-in computer to show workout stats 

You may also find other optional features valuable, such as a water bottle holder, a built-in fan, and a magazine stand. Figure out which features are most important to you, look at online customer reviews and create an exercise bike budget to find the best one. 

Buying the Best Exercise Bike for Your Needs

It can be overwhelming to look at all the exercise bike options, but once you've figured out your needs, it can be easy. 

One of the best options for a classic upright exercise bike is the NordicTrack S10i Studio Bike. NordicTrack is one of the top stationary bike manufacturers. The S10i has all the features and positive online customer reviews you could ever want at an extremely fair price point. 

If you're looking for something more targeted, Southern Cross Fitness has a wide selection of spin, air, and recumbent bikes, in addition to high-end upright bikes. 

Completing Your Home Gym

Now that you know how to look for the perfect exercise bike for your home workouts, you can finally complete your home gym. Choosing an exercise bike is a big decision; whether it's a spin bike or a recumbent bike, we are sure you will be ready to cycle up a storm. 

To find all your fitness equipment needs, visit Southern Cross Fitness today.