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Making exercise part of your daily routine is essential for your health and well-being. Although it can be tricky to factor in a workout every day, home gym equipment makes it easier than ever before. What’s more, the best spin bikes under $500 make working out at home challenging, effective, and affordable.
Why Choose a Spin Bike?
Spinning is one of the most popular forms of exercise for a good reason – it’s a great way to burn calories and even build muscle. A moderate spin session lasting just 45 minutes burns over 500 calories, so if you want to lose weight or stay trim, it could be the perfect workout.
In addition to this, spinning is an exercise that almost everybody can do. By varying the intensity of your workout, you can respond to your body’s individual needs while still maintaining your workout regime. For me, this is a great aspect of spinning. On days when I’m struggling, I lower the intensity a little, instead of missing a workout altogether.
For people who need a low impact exercise to keep fit without exacerbating injuries, spinning can be a top choice. After injuring my knee in a car accident, I had to abandon my usual running routine. Even after months of recovery, I’d still experience pain if I tried to jog or run. After switching to spinning, however, I can train hard without feeling any discomfort.
Do You Need a Spin Bike at Home?
If you already have a gym membership, you might be umming and ahhing about whether or not to get a spin bike for home use. If you’re anything like me, the trickiest part of working out is actually convincing myself to get off the couch and get to the gym! Now my spin bike is conveniently situated in my apartment; I only have to take a few steps to start my workout.
Having a spin bike at home has made it so much easier to hit my targets and workout regularly. If you’re short on time, having the equipment you need to work out at home makes exercising every day far more realistic and enjoyable.
With the best spin bikes under $500 offering a variety of workout options, you might even decide to cancel your gym membership, save yourself some money and see better results from your at-home training!
Features to Look for When You’re Choosing a Spin Bike
Choosing the best spin bike means deciding what features matter most to you. When you’re selecting your next piece of fitness equipment, be sure to consider the following:
Chain vs. Belt Drive
The wheel of your spin bike will move either via a belt or chain mechanism. Which one you choose will determine how the bike feels, so it’s an important feature. Chain spin bikes feel more like outdoor cycles, but they do tend to require a little more maintenance. On the plus side, if you’re familiar with maintaining standard bikes, you should find this easy to do. A belt drive is noticeably quieter than a chain and creates a smoother feel, so you may prefer this option if you’re looking for a quiet bit of kit.
Resistance Systems
The resistance on a bike determines how hard you’ll have to pedal to gain distance. The higher – or heavier – the resistance, the harder work it’s going to be. Spin bikes feature either a magnetic or mechanical resistance system. Magnetic systems tend to be quieter than mechanical options, but they’re also a little pricier.
Adjustable Seat and Handlebars
Most spin bikes come with adjustable handlebars and a moveable seat, but do check what the minimum and maximum heights are. Adjusting these features to suit your needs will enable you to get a better workout and reduce the risk of injury, so it’s important that your chosen bike accommodates your size, shape, and weight.
Flywheel Weight
The weight of the flywheel affects the resistance, so if you want a harder workout, opt for a heavier flywheel. If you’re more focused on speed, a lighter flywheel might be a better option. Flywheels typically weigh between 30-50 pounds, and as a fair novice rider, I find using a 30-pound flywheel challenging enough to work up a sweat!
Choosing the Best Spin Bike Under $500
Now you know why you need a spin bike at home, and what to look out for, you’re ready to choose the perfect model for you. With some great options on the market for 2021, you can get an impressive piece of kit without blowing your budget. If you’re eager to get started, take a look at this pick of the best spin bikes under $500 in 2021:
#1 YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike Stationary
With a sturdy steel frame and smooth belt drive, the YOSUDA indoor cycling bike is a great option if you want a spin bike that’s going to last. Although the 35-pound flywheel may not be the heaviest out there, the adjustable mechanical resistance system ensures you can modify the intensity of your workout at any time.
This model from YOSUDA weighs approximately 86-pounds, which is considerably lighter than many other options out there. Combined with transportation wheels at the front, this makes the bike easy to move from one area of your home to another. If you live alone or don’t have a permanent place to house your spin bike, this could be an important feature for you and one which might make the YOSUDA indoor cycling bike the perfect choice.
Pros
- Quiet belt drive
- Durable steel frame
- 35-pound flywheel
- Adjustable mechanical resistance system
- 2-way adjustable handlebars
- 4-way adjustable seat for supreme comfort
- Cage-style, non-slip pedals
- 1-year replacement parts warranty
- Poor wool brake pad reduces noise
- Transportation wheels ensure the bike is easy to move around
- Multi-function monitor with digital LCD screen
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Seat is padded but fairly small
- Bolt must be fully unscrewed to adjust the seat or handlebars
- Uses a mechanical resistance system, rather than magnetic
- Many users find that there is some give in the handlebars, even when fully tightened
#2 pooboo Indoor Cycling Bike
Designed to deliver a ‘true road feel,’ this pooboo indoor cycling bike could be a great option for regular cyclists who want to recreate the sensation of riding on the road. The maximum user weight of 330 pounds ensures it’s a great choice for the majority of people, regardless of whether you’re an avid cyclist or you’re just starting out. However, some heavier users have felt a little unstable while using the bike, so you may want to factor this in when you’re choosing the best spin bike for your needs.
The cage-style pedals are a particular plus point, as I find they make it easy to increase your speed without losing your footing. In addition to this, you don’t have to worry about straps breaking or cracking as you do with traditional style pedals.
With black and bright yellow contrasts, the pooboo indoor cycling bike looks as impressive as it feels. If you want a bike that will look the part or your spin bike is going to take pride of place in your living area or dining room, this model is certainly going to be at the top of your list!
Pros
- Belt drive for super-quiet operation
- 35-pound bidirectional flywheel
- LCD monitor to track distance, heart rate, speed, calories and time
- Floor levelers to ensure stability
- Wheels for easy movement
- 4-way adjustable seat
- 2-way adjustable handlebars
- 1-year limited parts warranty
- Adjustable cage-style pedals
- Elbow supports
- Slim profile, with dimensions of 43.8*21.6*48.1In
- Resistance adjustor includes a braking system for safety
- Cushion standpipe offers more comfortable seating
Cons
- Handlebars can be adjusted up or down but not brought closer or further away to the seat
- Some users prefer to swap the seat for a more comfortable alternative
- Mechanical, rather than magnetic, resistance system
#3 JOROTO Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike
Combining a magnetic resistance system and a belt-drive, the JOROTO indoor cycling bike is about as quiet as they come. If you live in an apartment or you want to exercise while youngsters are in bed asleep, for example, the whisper-quiet technology is certainly an advantage.
Furthermore, both the seat and the handlebars are 4-way adjustable, which means you can create a custom setup that suits your style. If you plan to do higher intensity workouts on your spin bike, such as incorporating press-ups while cycling, the 4-way adjustability of the handlebars will definitely come in handy. Similarly, if you’re on the shorter side and tend to find that the handlebars on most bikes are situated too far in front of you, the adjustable handlebars on the JOROTO spin bike might make it the ideal choice for you.
Pros
- Magnetic resistance system for whisper-quiet operation
- Belt drive for smooth riding
- 4-way adjustable seat
- 4-way adjustable handlebars
- 35-pound chromed flywheel
- Four adjustable knobs underneath the front and rear stabilizers ensure you can use the bike on almost any surface
- Emergency stop brake for safety
- 1-year free replacement parts
- Steel cage-style pedals
- Digital multi-function monitor
Cons
- Maximum weight capacity 280-pounds, which isn’t as high as some other models available
- Monitor features an LCD display which records distance, time, calories and speed but doesn’t feature an in-built color screen
#4 Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike
If you’re looking for a bike that offers increased resistance, this model Sunny Health & Fitness is well worth a second look. With a magnetic resistance system and a 44-pound flywheel, it’s well-suited for experienced cyclists or people who want to build strengths in their legs and lower body.
The heavy-duty steel frame supports a maximum weight of 300-pounds, and the bike feels as sturdy as it sounds. While the heavier flywheel will make the bike trickier to move, the addition of wheels under the front stabilizer makes it easier to transport the bike from one room to another.
Although the 44-pound flywheel might be a little heavy for novice cyclists, this could be a great bike for people who are already committed to a fitness regime. If you’ve spent time building muscle and you want to continue gaining strength, the functionality and design of the Sunny Health & Fitness indoor cycling bike make it a great choice.
Pros
- 44-pound flywheel offers added resistance
- Belt drive for smooth operation
- Magnetic resistance system requires minimal maintenance
- Adjustable caged wheels
- 4-way adjustable seat
- 4-way adjustable handlebars
- Device holder
Cons
- Doesn’t feature a built-in monitor but you can use your own device to measure your progress
#5 PYHIGH Indoor Cycling Bike
The PYHIGH indoor cycling bike combines functionality, safety, and great design, which makes it a standout choice when you’re looking for the best spin bikes under $500. The bike is belt-driven but also features a PK Anti-Loosing belt system to minimize the risk of the belt slipping. In addition, the felt pads offer adjustable resistance, while the 35-pound bidirectional flywheel ensures the bike is suitable for beginners and experienced riders.
Although the seat is 4-way adjustable, the handlebars on the PYHIGH spin bike are only 2-way adjustable. This may be disappointing for some potential buyers, but the overall quality of the bike still makes it a great choice, particularly for the relatively low price.
Pros
- SGS certification for enhanced safety
- 12-month warranty
- LCD multi-function monitor
- 4-way adjustable seat
- 2-way adjustable handlebars
Cons
- Multi-function monitor features an LCD display but no color display
- Maximum user weight is 280-pound, which is lower than some other models
Conclusion
With plenty of options to choose from, finding the best spin bikes under $500 in 2021 is no easy feat. Ultimately, all the bikes featured to provide a great workout and offer a lot of bang for your buck.
If you really want to grab a bargain and up the ante when it comes to your workout, however, the JOROTO Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike might be the bike that catches your eye. 4-way adjustability on both the seat and handlebars ensure a custom experience, while the emergency brake offers enhanced safety. Furthermore, the magnetic resistance system and belt drive mean it can be ridden almost silently, which is definitely a plus when it comes to working out at home.
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Last update on 2021-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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