Exercise bike machines and elliptical trainers are both a popular option if you are looking for a cardiovascular workout at the gym or home.
No matter which type of fitness machine you choose each kind will give you a good workout, but the option you choose comes down to preference. For example, a cross-trainer might be argued to be better for people who want to tone their upper body more, while a basic exercise bike is great for the lower body.
To help you decide which type of exercise machine is right for you, we have compared a spin bike and a cross-trainer below with their pros and cons so as you can see which type of exercise might be more beneficial to you.
Before we can get on to comparing spin bikes and cross trainers, it's important to understand that a spin bike machine is not your typical stationary bike.
A spin bike is classed as an exercise bike but does differ in a few ways when compared to recumbent exercise bikes or your standard stationary bike. For example, a spin bike requires more vigorous effort than other stationary bike options as they tend to have a heavier flywheel for exercise.
Spin bikes are also said to mimic a more natural feel outside and can help your burn more calories than your standard stationary bike.
Now we know the difference between spin bikes and other exercise bike brands on the market, let's compare a cross-trainer vs exercise bike for weight loss purposes and see which machine burns fat faster.
Both types of machines will help you burn calories during a session, however, a cross trainer is often argued to be more effective than a stationary bike due to the fact it works your arms as well as your legs, but this all typically comes down to the level of effort that you put in during your workout.
To see whether or not a stationary bike or a cross trainer is right for you and your home gym, we have compared the two types below with their pros and cons to see which type of machine might be a better option for you.
Cross trainers come with great variable resistance levels and can work up to 80% of your muscles during a workout, these trainers not only work your lower body like a stationary bike but also your upper due to the ski poles you move back and forth with your arms.
We also like this dedicated fitness machine for muscle toning as it allows you to pedal backwards if you want to engage even more hamstring and glute muscles, giving total-body effort. Standing upon this machine requires a moderate effort to keep you balanced too, engaging your core.
Disadvantages of cross-trainers in comparison to exercise bike brands have to be that they often are more expensive on the market, so aren't within everyone's budget for a home gym. These models are often not great for people who struggle with their lower body impact too, and might not be as suitable for cyclists who are looking for a real-life type workout.
Spin bikes on the other hand also come with resistance settings so as you can vary the intensity of your workout and is perfect for people who are looking to replicate outdoor cycling in an indoor environment. For those who struggle with bad back and posture, a spin bike is great too as you are in a sitting position.
These types of upright bikes are great for people who want a heavy resistance lower body workout thanks to the machine being solely focused on the drive from your legs.
Some downfalls of these bikes are that there can be a risk of saddle friction during long periods of use due to the user being in a sitting position the whole time. They also don't work your arms like a cross-trainer does and aren't as beginner-friendly.
Overall, to conclude, we would recommend opting for a cross trainer if you are a beginner and want to try something different to outdoor cycling which will give you a total body workout thanks to the handles of the trainer too.
If you want to take cycling indoors however and you are after a lower-body focused workout then an exercise bike might be a better option, these machines are more affordable too, so are great for budget home gyms.
You can always opt for a hybrid exercise bike or a two in one cross trainer if you want to get an exercise bike and trainer all in one device!
