Spinning Bikes: Get In Shape and Have Fun Doing It!

Whether you’re a cyclist, a runner, a triathlete, a weightlifter, or you’re just looking for a good way to get some more cardio in your life without paying for a gym membership every month, a spinning bike is a great asset for your home gym. Unlike old school stationary bikes, these machines are a lot more high-tech, and they’re designed to give you a more realistic workout that mimics getting on a bicycle and hitting the open road. Cycling gives you a great cardiovascular workout to help lose fat and maintain a healthy body weight, but finding the time and space to go ride can be tricky. That’s where a spinning bike comes in handy – you can enjoy all of the benefits of riding a bike, but you can do it in your own home. You can even watch TV while you work out. Of course, there are numerous spinning bikes to choose from, and you don’t want to spend a chunk of money on the wrong bike. So how can you decide which model is right for you and how much you really need to spend on a bike for your home gym? To answer this question, we tested out a lot of different spinning bikes and found the five best models that you can buy for your home gym.

The Contenders

• Keiser M3 Indoor Bike Trainer

• Dimensions: 45" X 26" X 49"
• Total Weight: 85 lbs.
• Weight Limit: 300 lbs.
• Pros: Only spin bike on our list that offers a road-like ride that increases resistance as you pedal faster.
• Cons: High price point makes this spin bike an option only for serious cyclists.
• Price: ~$1750

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ListofFit Best Pick

• Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike

• Dimensions: 31" X 19" X 46"
• Total Weight: 39 lbs.
• Weight Limit: 300 lbs.
• Pros: This affordable spin bike is able to be folded making it great for those who live in apartments or other tight spaces.
• Cons: The pedals are too far forward on this spinning bike making it a poor choice in regard to biomechanics
• Price: ~$149

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ListofFit Best Value

• Bladez Fitness Fusion GS II Indoor Cycle

• Dimensions: 47" X 20" X 43"
• Total Weight: 85 lbs.
• Weight Limit: 275 lbs.
• Pros: An advanced LCD system on the Bladez tracks your speed, time, distance, and calories burned
• Cons: Some users mentioned that the handlebars wobble slightly even when fully tightened.
• Price: ~$300

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• Ancheer SP-4013 Indoor Cycling Bike

• Dimensions: 48" X 20" X 43"
• Total Weight: 106 lbs.
• Weight Limit: 220 lbs.
• Pros: Resistance bands are included on the Ancheer Spin Bike offering a more versatile workout
• Cons: At 106 lbs, the Ancheer is on the heavy side and not a good choice for those who will be have to move their spin bike on a regular basis
• Price: ~$450

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• Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike

• Dimensions: 47" X 20" X 48"
• Total Weight: 97 lbs.
• Weight Limit: 275 lbs.
• Pros: At fast speeds the Sunny Health and Fitness Spin Bike is quiet enough to listen to the television while spinning.
• Cons: Some testers mentioned the seat on this bike is a bit wobbly
• Price: ~$250

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Spinning Bike Quiz

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In Depth Best Spin Bike Reviews

1. Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike

Materials

With a heavy-duty steel frame, this spinning bike is a good option for almost any home gym. It’s sturdy, and it’s rated to hold users weighing up to 275 pounds. The 40-pound flywheel gives enough resistance to get a good workout, and the chain drive mechanism is fully enclosed and gives a smooth feel as you pedal. Wheels on the front end of the base allow you to easily roll your spinning bike from one place to another so that you can rearrange your home gym when you need to. The bike weighs almost 100 pounds, though, so you may not want to move it around too much.

Value

At around $250 with free shipping, this is one of the more affordable spinning bikes we reviewed. It doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it basically does everything that you would want a spinning bike to do, and you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get a good cardio workout at home.

Performance

Basically everything on this bike is adjustable. You can adjust the seat up, down, back and forth, and you can adjust its angle, as well. The handlebars can be easily adjusted up or down, and you can change the resistance while you’re riding the bike to get more of a workout or to cool down and relax a little bit. This spin bike does require assembly, so be prepared to invest a little time to get the Sunny Health and Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike up and running. Some testers did mention that the seat post is a bit wobbly, which can be distracting to your workout. Another addition that Sunny Health and Fitness could add is a water bottle cage.  If you want to buy this spinning bike and want a water bottle cage, you can easily buy one separately. At fast speeds, the spin wheel is quite smooth and quiet.  However, at slower speeds you may notice a slight vibration.

2. Ancheer SP-4013 Indoor Cycling Bike

Materials

This isn’t the first time that the Ancheer brand has made a ListofFit list.  They also have one of the best vibration machines.

As for the spin bike, the Ancheer SP-4013 is a solid piece of equipment with a frame made of heavy-duty steel. That said, it isn’t rated for weights as high as the Sunny Health & Fitness model. It’s still recommended for users up to about 220 pounds, so for most buyers this spinning bike will meet their needs.

The belt drive system is quieter than most chain drive mechanisms, and it comes with an LED monitor so that you can track your workout.

Value

The SP-4013 lists at around $450 with free shipping. At around $90 more than the Sunny Health & Fitness spinning bike, it does come with a couple of features that the less expensive model does not include, such as an LED monitor and heart rate sensor pads on the handlebar.

Depending what your specific spinning needs are these extra features could easily make the Ancheer a better value.

Performance

Ancheer offers full adjustability of the seat and handlebars on this model, and it has a spring-controlled shock dampening system under the seat for a smoother, more comfortable workout.

The resistance bands attached to the front of the bike also allow for a more versatile upper body workout, perfect to add some resistance to your cardio routine.

We especially liked the LED monitor and the heart rate sensors on this model. A good cardiovascular workout really depends a lot on intensity and heart rate, so having these monitoring tools available right in front of you is a really useful feature for this model. In fact, we might even say that it more than makes up for the extra cost.

Like the Sunny Health & Fitness spinning bike, the SP-4013 is a bit on the heavy side, weighing in at 106 pounds. Its wheels make it easier to move around if you need to, but you may want to find a good spot for it and leave it there for your morning or evening workout routines.

3. Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle Stationary Indoor Trainer

Materials

Keiser offers one of the few spinning bikes that’s made in the USA. The M3i is lightweight, durable, and quiet. Plus, it requires almost no maintenance at all and will continue to run smoothly and efficiently for years to come. The handlebar and seat are adjustable in four directions for maximum comfort and the best fit, and the design is sleek and modern, so you can put it in your basement gym, but it’ll look just fine in the living room too.

Value

At around $2,000 with free shipping, the M3i is the most expensive spinning bike we reviewed for this article. While the price might scare some buyers away, for the avid cyclist or triathlete, this is the most advanced and best spinning bike on the market.

Performance

In addition to being a lot quieter than most indoor spinning bikes, the M3i is also much more advanced. It now has Bluetooth wireless capabilities, so it can transmit your workout information to your computer, phone, or another screen if you want. It’s compatible with a number of fitness tracking apps, so you can apply your spin workouts to your training log and get all of the feedback you’d get for a ride out on the road, too. At 85 pounds, the M3i is much more easily portable than other spinning bikes, and it’s more compact than others without sacrificing fit or comfort. Whether you’re looking for the best spinning bike on the market for your home gym or you’re starting a professional gym, if you can justify the cost, the M3i will give you a lot of bang for your buck. In terms of the actual riding experience, testers noted that this spin bike is exceptionally quiet.  In fact, many mentioned that your breathing is louder than the bike itself. Unlike cheaper spinning bikes, the Keiser M3i Indoor Trainer utilizes special magnets and specific design components to recreate the actual cycling experience.  With the Keiser resistance increases exponentially, which is what it is like to ride a regular bicycle outside on the road. Another wonderful feature of the Keiser spin bike is the seat.  It is very soft and actually feels a bit like memory foam.  This allows for longer rides with less soreness and chaffing. Overall, this is a great choice for the advanced cyclist who plans to train through the winter months to get ready for the next racing season.

4. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike

Materials

With a sturdy frame like the other spinning bikes we’ve reviewed, the Exerpeutic folding magnetic upright bike has a feature that none of the others have – it folds up into a much more compact space than any of the other bikes we tested out. So, if you live in a small apartment or your home gym space isn’t very big, you might want to consider this model. It’s also a good option for larger users, as it has a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds.

Value

At around $150, Exerpeutic’s folding spinning bike is the most affordable bike we reviewed for this article. This bike is simply much less expensive than any of the other bikes on this list. Not only that, but it also features heart rate sensors and an LED screen that shows you your time on the bike, heart rate, calories burned, distance, and speed.  These are things we didn’t expect to find on such an affordable spin bike.

Performance

Because its resistance unit is magnetic, it’s quieter than some other models with chain drive mechanisms. That said, the resistance tends to be pretty linear, so it won’t give you the same realistic road-like feel that you’d get from some other spinning bikes. However, with eight levels of tension on the magnetic resistance system, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one that works for you on any workout. We especially liked that this model folds up easily. Like most spin bikes, it’s not the lightest piece of equipment, but because it can be folded up to such a small size, you don’t have to worry about moving it getting in the way or having to move it or store it. As far as ride quality, most users were pleasantly surprised by the comfort of the seat and the overall stability of this spinning bike.  This is due to the Exerpeutic being made from heavy-duty steel with precision welding. On a more negative note, the pedals on the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike are too forward for our taste and may put undue pressure on riders’ lower backs. Also, the foot pedals and straps are on the cheap side, and have a tendency to break over time.  This appears to be where Exerpeutic cut a couple corners to offer such an affordable spinning bike.

5. Bladez Fitness Fusion GS II Indoor Cycle

Materials

Made of sturdy steel and durable materials, the Bladez Fitness Fusion GS II indoor cycle has a 40-pound flywheel. At 95 pounds, it can be rolled easily on the wheels on the front of its base, but you might want to find a dedicated space for it. The handlebars and seat are full adjustable, and it has an LCD display to show you everything you need to know about your workout.

Value

At around $300 with free shipping, the Fitness Fusion GS II falls in the middle of the range of spinning bikes that we reviewed. It’s far more affordable than the M3i, and it has very similar features to the SP-4013, but at a less expensive price. In regard to price, the Bladez spinning bike is perfect for the intermediate rider.

Performance

The LCD display is one of the best features of the Fitness Fusion GS II, as it shows speed, time, distance, and how many calories you’ve burned, as well as your heart rate when you grip the sensors. The forty-pound flywheel offers varying resistance levels so that you can go all-out or spend an hour pedaling along at a relaxed pace if you want. Assembly for the Bladez Spin Bike is required, but is very easy.  So rest assured that you will be spinning your way to fitness in no time. Riders of the Bladez Fitness Fusion GS II Indoor Cycle noted that it is a very quiet system.  You will easily be able to watch television while enjoying your workout. A couple weaknesses noted by testers was that this spin bike has handle bars that do wobble a bit, which can persist even after tightening.  The other complaint is that the Bladez bike has a fairly uncomfortable seat compared to some of the other spinning bikes we’ve listed in this article.

ListofFit Best Pick: Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle Stationary Indoor Trainer

The task of picking “the best” spinning bike is really next to impossible.  Your individual needs will determine what spin bike is best for you.  To get a personalized recommendation please take our best spin bike quiz. With that in mind, our goal is to pick the spin bike with the best components and ride that money can buy.  Without a doubt the Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle Stationary Indoor Trainer meets this criteria. Truly made for advanced cyclist who plan to train year round, the Keiser offers exponential resistance as your speed increases, which accurately mimics cycling on the road. You will also not find a quieter spin bike than the Keiser M3i.  If you plan to watch television while riding, or need to listen for a little one waking up from a nap, then you will likely appreciate the quiet nature of this spin bike.

Get Latest Price and Reviews of the Keiser M3 Indoor Spin Bike Trainer

Considerations When Buying a Spinning Bike

While our top pick might be the Keiser M3i, it’s definitely not the only quality spinning bike out there, as you can see from our reviews. As you think about what you want and what will work best for you, you should consider a few things. First, what are you going to be using this bike for? If you’re starting a professional gym or you’re going to be following along with spin class DVDs, you might want to get a model with resistance bands for your hands, like the Ancheer SP-4013. If you’re a serious triathlete training for an Ironman race, you might want to go ahead and spend a little bit of extra cash on the Keiser M3i. If you don’t have a lot of space and/or you’re a bit heavier, your best option might be the Exerpeutic. Next, consider the materials and how much maintenance your spin bike will need. Is it made to last, like the ones we reviewed here? Or is it a low-end piece of equipment that’s made to work well for a few months before it starts to break down (after any warranty it had runs out, of course)? The materials and performance of a spinning bike will have a lot to do with whether or not you like it and choose to use it regularly. Finally, look at the price and consider the value that you get for the money. All of the bikes we reviewed here offer a lot of value, but each one has different features that will work better for some users than others. Keep these things in mind, and you’ll be sure to make the right purchase for your needs.