How to Buy a Spin Bike: Ultimate Guide

Posted on April 1, 2022 at 3:06 pm.

Are you aware of how good a spinning workout is but don’t know best how to buy a spin bike that suits your needs?

If you’re not, well don’t worry, because we can ensure you that spin bikes are a different beast of a workout compared to an exercise bike.

It’s the closest thing possible to replicating cycling on a track or road, bringing that outdoor cycling experience indoors.

That’s why spinning classes are becoming so popular worldwide.

In this blog, our Home Gym Expert Team member, Emma Kate Harris, tells us about some of the most important features to consider when buying a spin bike.

While she will also give some benefits to spinning.

If spinning is not your thing, some maybe a Beginners Yoga Session is your thing?

How to Buy a Spin Bike Overview

“Hi guys, so the first thing to know is that “pin bikes are different to most of the other kinds of indoor cycle machines we stock as part of our Home Gym range.

“They are designed with the aim of closely replicating what you experience cycling on a road or a track.

“So if you want to bring that outdoor cycling experience indoors and really get that feeling of a tough cycling workout, then a spin bike is for you.

“Here are some of the main features to look out for.

“Before we start, you might enjoy our blog on the Benefits of Fasted Cardio.”

How to Buy a Spin Bike Key Features

Q Factor

“On a Spin Bike, the Q factor is one of the most significant features to consider.

“It’s the distance between the inside of the pedal attachments on both sides of the crank arms, or, to put it another way, the gap between the two pathways your feet take.

“Lower Q factors tend to be a more accurate portrayal of real bikes when it comes to recreating the most authentic riding experience.

“The Q factor of the most popular indoor cycles will be between 155mm and 175mm. A narrower Q factor is more ergonomically efficient and allows the rider to apply more effort to the pedals, according to research.

However, other experts say that riders with exceptionally broad hips are sometimes better suited to a bike with greater Q factor.

Flywheel Weight

“The first thing you should look out for on a spin bike is the weight of the fly wheel, which is generally located at the front of the bike.

“The weight will dictate the motion of the bike, so the greater the weight the smoother the motion. We recommend spin bikes with a flywheel over 6.5 kg, which is more than enough to allow a smooth and seamless workout.

“Spin Bikes are powered by a chain or belt and have an open front flywheel.

“The rolling road bike feel is influenced by both visible rotation and force transferred from the pedals to the wheel. Because of the fixed gear, you can’t coast or stop abruptly like you can on other stationary cycles.

“Magnetic discs are used to produce resistance on traditional recumbent or upright exercise bikes.”

Frame Size and Weight

“Secondly, you want to check out the weight and frame size of your spin bike.

“Not everyone will have a lot of space to work with in their home gym, so you want to find a bike that is light enough to move around and strong enough to provide optimum balance with even the most rigorous use.

“Without wheels at the front of the machine, spin bikes can be difficult to transport and move. They’re necessary for simple, convenient movement, especially at home where room is restricted.

“Today, almost every Spin Bike has wheels attached to the base of the bike for simple transporting. These are crucial for both household and professional users, as the frames and flywheels are large pieces of equipment, weighing around 50-55kg.”

Resistance Type

“You also want to become familiar with the type of resistance on your spin bike. Generally, there will be two types, friction resistance and magnetic resistance.

“Friction resistance works by pressure being put on the flywheel to slow it down and make it harder to spin.

“These bikes will need replacing the long term due to wear but would not be as expensive as their magnetic counterparts that work by bringing a magnet close to the wheel to increase resistance.”

Adjustable Seat & Handlebars

“We’re not all the same shape and size, so having an adjustable seat and handlebars is very important.

“This is key to making sure your time on the spin bike is as comfortable as possible and with the lowest risk on injury from over reaching.

“So, consider whether the spin bike you’re buying has fixed heights and positions on their seats and handlebars, or whether it is a free movement system.

“Handlebars/seats may be moved to accommodate people with longer and shorter arms/legs and upper and lower bodies, allowing users to select their most comfortable riding position.

“This is especially crucial for inexperienced cyclists or those with back difficulties, as riding with low handlebars or a seat in the wrong position is likely to be uncomfortable.”

Small Features

“And finally, there is all the small little features that can really top off your spin bike, such as the display screen, water bottle holder, bike pedals and arms rests.

“All these little features add up to really compliment the perfect spin bike, so take time to find ones that suit your needs.

Benefits of Buying a Spin Bike

Feel Good Factor

“Endorphins are produced by exercise and interact with receptors in the brain to cause happy feelings.

“You’ll leave your class or session physically exhausted, but mentally elated, and this is the sensation to which you’ll grow addicted.

“That is why being active can aid in the treatment of depression and other negative mental and physical health issues, such as stress, in so many people.”

Low Impact Exercise

“Spinning is ideal if you’ve recently recovered from an accident or surgery, or if you simply need to ease back into things.

“Don’t get us wrong: you’ll still get a fantastic workout, but there’s no fear of falling off or colliding with another cyclist because the bike remains motionless.”

Relieve Stress

“There’s no denying it: exercise has been scientifically shown to help people cope with stress.

“Exercise clears your thoughts and allows you to temporarily forget about whatever stressful day you’ve had at work or at home.

“Exercising makes you feel good about yourself and boosts your confidence, which all contribute to a reduction in stress in our daily life.”

Build Lean Muscle

“The development in muscle definition in your legs and core is one of the finest benefits of a spin session.

“We don’t have to tell you how vital core strength is; it’s what keeps your body upright.

“Because muscle weighs more than fat, many are perplexed when they desire to remove their muffin top but notice a weight gain!

“Our recommendation is to get rid of the scales and focus on how you want your body to look rather than a number or a pant size.”

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this blog on how to buy a spin bike.

Make sure to check out our range of leading spin bikes HERE or below.

Enjoy the spinning!

What is the Science behind Fasted Cardio?

Posted on September 21, 2021 at 4:26 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

WE’VE all heard of fasted cardio and the amazing fat-burning affect it is supposed to have. But do we understand fasted cardio science enough to help inspire the motivation to get yourself out of bed and straight into a workout first thing in the morning?

Fasted cardio works for some, and not for others, but after reading this blog we hope you’ll be able to make that decision for yourself.

If you’re new to running itself, why not check out our blog featuring Kilian Byrne of Irish Runner who writes about the health benefits of running.

What is fasted cardio?

It simply entails engaging in a heart-pumping exercise while fasting. (However, you can and should drink water beforehand!) In a nutshell, the purpose of this type of workout is to burn more fat.

This would generally happen first thing in the morning after sleeping overnight, but if you practice intermittent fasting, it can also happen later in the day.

Fasted cardio science is suggested as a strategy to accelerate fat reduction as compared to nonfasted cardio. And, while it sounds fantastic, its efficacy has yet to be established.

Let’s take a closer look.

What are the benefits to fasted cardio?

Fasted cardio science works on the theory that if you fast overnight and work out first thing in the morning, your body will be drained of glucose – its primary source of energy – and will instead turn to stored fat for fuel.

The evidence for this approach’s success is mixed.

Fasted exercise resulted in higher metabolic performance after the workout in multiple studies, according to one review. However, eating before a long aerobic workout improved performance, according to the same analysis – check it out HERE.

Fasted cardio provides some other possible benefits as you will see below, however more research is needed to make more clear claims on the benefits.

If you’re short on time, fasted cardio eliminates the need to prepare, eat, and digest a meal
Fasted cardio allows you to exercise before you eat for the day if you observe intermittent fasting
Fasted cardio may be an excellent alternative if you prefer working out on an empty stomach, especially if you have a sensitive stomach or feel more energized without a meal before a workout.

Is Fasted Cardio safe?

Yes, for the most part.

If you’re in good health, incorporating short or moderate-length steady-state fasted exercise sessions into your training should be fine.

Fasted cardio, on the other hand, can be harmful if you’ll be exercising for a long time or undertaking a high-intensity workout because of the potential side effects of low blood sugar or dehydration, such as light-headedness, dizziness, shaking, or even passing out.

How does fasted cardio affect heart rate?

At rest, most people’s hearts beat between 60 and 100 times per minute.

During exercise, your heart rate rises. The more vigorously you exercise, the higher your heart rate will rise.

When you exercise in your fat-burning heart rate zone, your body uses fat stores instead of simple sugars and carbohydrates for energy. Fat loss occurs as a result of this.

A tempo run might be your ideal workout, read more about What is a Tempo Run here.

Your fat-burning heart rate is currently around 70% of your maximum heart rate.

The maximum number of times your heart should beat during activity is your maximal heart rate. Subtract your age from 220 to get your maximal heart rate.

A 35-year-old woman’s maximal heart rate, for example, is 220 minus 35, or 185 beats per minute. Her heart rate should be 70 percent of 185, or roughly 130 beats per minute, to enter the fat-burning zone.

One of the best ways of tracking your heartrate on the run is with a smartwatch or wrist monitor – check out our range HERE.

Bodybuilders have employed fasted activity to help them lose body fat before competitions for years. This is because fats are the principal fuel source for low-intensity steady-state (LISS) movement below about 70% of your maximal heart rate.

Working out in a fasting condition should focus on LISS, which is when the intensity is low enough that you are sweating but can still chat easily while exercising. Fat, which is digested with oxygen, is the principal source of fuel while you can talk while doing out.

Is it better for weight loss?

Burning more calories than you ingest is the most important part of weight loss.

While the evidence on whether fasting cardio aids fat loss is divided, with research showing mixed results

Fasted cardio, on the other hand, has been shown to improve fat-burning effects throughout a workout in several studies.

While fasting cardio burns more calories during the session than nonfasted cardio, the difference in overall daily calorie expenditure over a 24-hour period is negligible, according to research.

In general, increasing your daily mobility, whether fasted or not, is still the greatest approach for losing weight.

Walking, climbing the stairs, getting up from your desk on a regular basis, and playing with your kids will have a greater impact on weight loss than a 30-minute fasted cardio session.

Or why not take a run through nature, our blog on How to Start Trail Running will help you get started.

The Bottom Line

Cardio, whether fasting or not, is beneficial to your health. While diet is important for weight loss, cardio can also help you achieve your goal.

While data on its metabolic impact is still unclear, fasting cardio may suit your lifestyle or preferences better, so if you’re otherwise healthy, go ahead and try it.

NORDICTRACK T7.0 TREADMILL

Posted on January 10, 2019 at 10:08 am.

Written by Intersport Elverys

The popular and hugely reliable NordicTrack T 7.0 Treadmill has now been replaced by the new and improved NordicTrack S 25i Treadmill.

The NordickTrack S 25i boasts all the same features and more as its T 7.0 counterpart, while also maintaining the same price point for customers.

So enjoy an even greater product for the same price!

Check out the amazing features below.

All our fantastic range of Nordick Track treadmills can be viewed HERE:

NordickTrack S 25i Features

2.75 CHP DRIVE SYSTEM

Train harder for longer with the improved 2.75 Continuous Horsepower (CHP) motor. Built for light or heavy, full on, intense workouts. The motor has a lifetime guarantee once, but make sure you fill out the warranty, which is linked below.

20 PRESET PROGRAMMES

With 20 Workout apps and a custom weight loss centre, apps vary from calorie, intensity, incline and speed based.

DIGITAL QUICK SPEED AND INCLINE CONTROL

Top speed of 22km/h for those of you who have the need for speed and an incline range of 0 to +12%.

Dual 2″ SPEAKERS

Plug any audio source into the console sound system and stay motivated with your favourite music.

HEART RATE MONITOR

Stay in your target heart rate zone with the CardioGrip heart rate monitor. Sensors are built into both handlebars for a quick, accurate reading.

FLEXSELECT CUSHIONING

Stable or double, the choice is yours, one turn will activate the double cushioning isolators which help reduce the impact on knees and ankles.

A half turn again will give you the option of a firmer, more stable surface which will recreate the feel of running on a road.

AUTO-BREEZE WORKOUT FAN

Stay cool and comfortable with the oversized fan that automatically adjusts its speed to match the speed of your workout.

SPACESAVER DESIGN

Once you finish your workout, fold up the deck and create space so you can get in the extra sit-ups or press-ups to maximise your workout.

The EasyLift assist feature provides a powerful shock that helps lift the deck with little effort and the 1.9″ precision balanced rollers make it a joy to move.

It has a max-user weight of 135kg.

Conclusion

For more information call in-store and ask our expert staff or check out the NordicTrack S 25I online at elverys.ie