Skip to main content

Stationary bike benefits: Cardiovascular, weight loss, and more

With so many advantages, check out the numerous stationary bike benefits right here

Man riding exercise bike.
Westend61/Adobe Stock

Riding an exercise bike can be a great workout with quite a few physical and mental health benefits. From upright stationary bikes and recumbent bikes to indoor cycles and spin bikes, exercise bikes are safe, low impact, and easy to use. Much like a treadmill, an exercise bike can also be used by people of varying fitness levels, as the intensity and resistance can be modulated. Moreover, because there are different types of exercise bikes, the range of potential stationary bike workouts is vast.

So, whether you’re a fan of vigorous high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a Peloton or indoor cycle, crank the exercise bike pedals in challenging spin classes, or ride a stationary bike for an easy cardio warmup before a hard weightlifting workout at the gym, keep reading to learn about stationary bike benefits.

A man in red T-shirt using an exercise bike, surrounded by several exercise bikes and other fitness equipment in a gym
Image Source Trading Ltd/Shutterstock

What is an exercise bike?

It may seem like an obvious answer, but the term “exercise bike” actually can refer to a range of different pieces of exercise equipment that all share bike characteristics but have their own subtle differences. In general, an exercise bike refers to a stationary bike used for indoor cycling workouts. Like a traditional outdoor bicycle, exercise bikes have some form of pedals and seat, but usually only have one wheel, often which isn’t even visible.

The primary types of exercise bikes include upright stationary bikes, recumbent bikes, and indoor cycles (also called spin bikes). Some people also consider riding an outdoor bike on an indoor bike trainer to also be a form of an exercise bike.

A man riding an exercise bike with headphones on.
Ivan Samkov/Pexels

Benefits of riding a stationary bike

Though there are notable differences in each of these categories of stationary bikes, the benefits of riding exercise bikes are generally universal and across the board. That said, some types of stationary bikes are better for achieving certain goals than others

1.  Stationary bike workouts improve cardiovascular health and fitness

Riding an exercise bike can increase your aerobic fitness and improve the health of your heart and lungs. A stationary bike is an easy way to improve your endurance by gradually increasing the duration of your rides.

2.  Stationary bike workouts increase leg strength

Stationary bikes can increase the strength of your quads and hamstrings. Your glutes, calves, and core can also be worked to some degree. To boost the muscular demand, be sure to crank up the resistance.

3.  Stationary bike workouts burn calories and can promote weight loss

Studies have found that stationary bikes are an effective way to burn fat and lose weight, as well as reduce waist circumference, a measure of abdominal fat or “belly fat.” Though the benefits of exercise go far beyond weight loss, you can’t argue with the metabolic perks of a good workout. Exercise bike workouts can burn upwards of 400-600 calories per hour, depending on your weight and the intensity of your effort. Moreover, if you cycle at a vigorous effort or engage in intervals, your metabolic rate may stay stoked for several hours after you’re done exercising.

4.  Stationary bike workouts are low impact

One of the primary benefits of stationary bikes over other treadmills and lots of other exercise modalities is that exercise bikes are great for people with joint pain or musculoskeletal injuries. Cycling is a great form of low-impact exercise, so an exercise bike can be a pain-free workout option for those with acute and chronic joint pain. Moreover, if you are a runner or play high-impact sports, stationary bikes can serve as a perfect adjunct to training by reducing stress on the joints while still providing a workout.

5.  Stationary bike workouts can improve markers of health

Studies have found that regularly engaging in stationary bike workouts can improve markers of health. For example, exercise bike workouts can reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol and blood lipids, and improve blood sugar regulation. As such, riding an exercise bike can reduce your risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.

6.  Stationary bike workouts improve your mood

Have you ever stepped off your exercise bike after a tough workout and felt blissfully happy? If so, you’re familiar with the powerful effect of endorphins, the feel-good chemicals produced by the body in response to exercise. Riding a stationary bike can boost your mood, lower the risk of depression, decrease stress and anxiety, and improve feelings of overall well-being.

7.  Stationary bikes are approachable for all levels of fitness

One of the best things about stationary bikes is that they can be used by almost anyone, no matter where they are on their fitness journey. Old, young, fit, novice, overweight, or muscular, most people can adjust the intensity and settings on an exercise bike to dial in an appropriate workload on a stationary bike. For example, a beginner battling knee pain and looking to lose some weight may start by building up endurance on a recumbent bike. A fit triathlete may use an exercise bike for high-intensity training during the off-season to boost overall fitness.

8.  Stationary bikes are great for HIIT training

Exercise bikes are perfect for HIIT training because you can easily ramp up and down the intensity of your effort by changing the resistance and pedal speed (rotations per minute). You can also use the same exercise bike for easy warmups and cooldowns, so it’s a very versatile piece of equipment.

9.  Stationary bike workouts are safe

Outdoor biking is inherently risky. Riding in traffic and the risk of falls introduces the chance of incurring a serious injury, or even death. Exercise bikes can provide the same fitness benefits of outdoor cycling in a much safer way. Particularly for seniors, people with poor balance, or those that live in cities or high-traffic areas, riding a stationary bike can be a smarter alternative than risking an outdoor bike ride.

10.  Stationary bike workouts are more efficient than outdoor biking

If you’re a cyclist or simply looking for the most efficient workout, rest assured that you can almost always get a more efficient, challenging workout on an exercise bike than cycling outdoors. Without the need to stop at stoplights or the welcomed coasting breaks on downhill, indoor cycling workouts provide a more consistent, reliable hard effort.

11.  Stationary bike workouts are more versatile than outdoor biking

With an exercise bike, you have the flexibility to work out at your convenience, regardless of the weather conditions. It provides a safe and convenient option for early morning or late-night workouts and even short bouts of exercise throughout the day, making it versatile and no-excuse fitness equipment. Added bonus: If something comes up mid-ride, you can simply stop and hop off, as opposed to having to bike all the way back home or to your starting location.

Man riding an exercise bike.
Nadir Keklik/Shutterstock

FAQs about stationary bike workouts

Is 30 minutes on a stationary bike enough?

Depending on your health goals and the intensity of your workout, 30 minutes on a stationary bike can be enough to improve your fitness and lose weight. Adults should aim for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week to reduce the risk of lifestyle diseases like cardiovascular disease. Therefore, riding a stationary bike for 30 minutes five days per week at a moderate intensity can help lower your risk of certain health conditions.

How long should you ride a stationary bike?

Stationary bike workouts can be anywhere from just a few minutes to a couple of hours, depending on your fitness and health goals. If you’re just getting started, aim to ride a stationary bike for 10-20 minutes and slowly build up to 30 minutes or more.

Are exercise bikes good for belly fat?

Exercise bikes can help reduce belly fat when combined with a nutritious, calorie-controlled diet. Harvard Health Publishing reports that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity stationary biking burns about 210 calories for a 125-pound person, 252 calories for a 155-pound person, and 292 calories for a 185-pound person. A 30-minute vigorous stationary bike workout burns approximately 315 calories for a 125-pound person, 378 calories for a 155-pound person, and 441 calories for a 185-pound person. If you weigh more than that, you’ll burn even more calories.

A father and his son using exercise bikes in a gym on a sunny day.
VGstockstudio/Shutterstock

Concluding thoughts

With an overwhelming number of various advantages exercises bike benefits their riders, it is a no-brainer as to why someone would want to add these sessions into their training on a consistent basis. From cardiovascular to mood, 10 minutes to an hour, an exercise bike is a great tool for those looking to improve their overall well-being.

Editors' Recommendations

Jeff Turbett
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jeff Turbett is a health and wellness coach with over three years of experience transforming clients lives and physical…
Push-up training tips: Give your upper body strength a boost
Take your push-ups to the next level
Man doing push-ups at a gym.

Fitness is one of the most important aspects of a well-balanced wellness lifestyle. With fitness comes exercising and working out, and one of the most rewarding experiences of working out, whether you're starting out fresh or are a lifelong athlete, is achieving set fitness goals. Some prefer to have access to a home gym, while others prefer their favorite fitness centers with a full range of equipment. No matter how you train, utilizing your own body weight to challenge yourself by completing standard fitness tests is the perfect way to test out your relative strength. One such test is the push-up. 

The average middle-aged man should be able to do around 20 push-ups. To some, this will be easy, but to others, this may be challenging. But if you're not at that level, no worries. We've compiled a list of tips to help you improve your push-up performance. The easiest way is to simply start doing push-ups regularly. Over time, this will help you increase your overall number. However, it's also important to train individual muscle groups involved in performing a push-up. This means hitting the triceps and core is just as important as the chest. Read on to see how you can start to master the push-up and take your max number to the next level. 

Read more
This is how many calories you burn on an exercise bike
What you need to know about this kind of exercise and calories burned
Stationary bike

There are numerous benefits exercise can have on an individual's health, such as reducing diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, among others. Another benefit of exercise is that it burns calories and can help promote weight loss. Physical activity of any type increases your energy expenditure, which can contribute to creating a calorie deficit necessary for losing weight. That said, the number of calories you burn in a given workout depends on various factors, one of which is the activity you partake in.
There are various bikes, including stationary bikes, also known as upright bikes, recumbent stationary bikes (which simulate sitting on a chair and peddling), as well as indoor cycles, which are also called spin bikes. Exercise bike workouts are a great way to improve your aerobic fitness and strengthen your legs while minimizing joint stress. You can also potentially burn a fair number of calories in an exercise bike workout.
Curious to know how many calories you burn on an exercise bike? Continue reading and check out our pro tips to burn the most calories on a stationary bike!

Factors that affect how many calories you burn on an exercise bike
Unfortunately, there’s not an easy answer or simple formula you can use to determine exactly how many calories you burn on an exercise bike. Numerous factors impact the actual number of calories burned in an exercise bike workout. Taking these factors into consideration can help you get a more accurate estimation of your actual energy expenditure. The primary factors that impact the number of calories you burn riding an exercise bike include the following:

Read more
These beach body workout tips from a pro will help you get in shirtless shape fast
Summer is here! You want to be in good enough shape so nobody confuses you for the inflatable pool toy.

Here’s the good news: As of about a week ago, summer is here! The bad news: You’ve been living the “Netflix and Chill” lifestyle all winter. You will probably want to take your shirt off at some point, but even if you only strip down to a tank top, you’ll at least want to be in good enough shape so nobody confuses you for the inflatable pool toy. It's time for a proper beach body workout. Here's a knockout summer body workout plan to get you in shirtless shape fast.

Set realistic goals
Remember safety above all else. With the right workout, you can whip your body into shape fast. But you want to be realistic to minimize injuries and maximize gains. Start with small, achievable goals and build up your strength and stamina over time.

Read more