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Exercise and a healthy life go hand in hand. Nowadays, though, accessing your favorite gym and all its resources is the crux of countless fitness enthusiasts’ training regimen worldwide. A viable solution to this is investing in a workout machine at home that will keep you healthy, no matter what happens outside.
Two machines that are finding their way into the homes of many are the spin bike and treadmill. Unlike smaller items such as workout bands and dumbbells, having a giant object in the middle of your living room takes up both space and costs a lot of money, so most people will only get one of the two. Now, the ultimate question is this: which one among the two is your best bet? Is a spin bike better than a treadmill?
Let’s analyze the benefits and strengths of each machine to see which one is right for you.
In This Post:
The Spin Bike
Calories Burned While on a Spin Bike
For a 160-pound adult, a spin bike can burn up to 260 calories in a 30-minute session. Depending on the length and intensity of your spinning session, you can burn up to 600 calories in one go!
Compared to exercising while standing upright, spinning lets you rest the majority of your weight on the seat. To increase the burn and torch more calories, it is popular to cycle between a comfortable seat and a standing bike position.
Spin bikes are manual systems, and it’s entirely up to you to keep up the pace and intensity of your workout while building resistance to reach your goals. This can be quite difficult for those who tend to prefer a lower intensity.
The Joint Impact From Spinning
Spinning is a low-impact and gentle form of exercise, especially when it comes to your joints. A spin bike doesn’t affect your lower body and is ideal if you are prone to lower back pain. You may experience some butt pain from staying seated for a prolonged period of time.
Spinning Form
Your spinning form, or the posture you hold while on the bike, is of the utmost importance to prevent injury and maximize your workout. Keep your spine neutral, and don’t hunch to maintain a healthy spine.
Target Muscles for Spinning
Spinning is a full-body workout, engaging your quads, hamstrings, calves, shins, glutes, core, biceps, and lats.
Spin Bike Maintenance
Spin bikes require relatively little maintenance. You only need to clean it and ensure that the bolts and nuts are properly fastened. You can replace the resistance pad every year and lubricate the chain on occasion. After a few years of consistent use, you may need a technician to change the belt drive.
The Spin Bike We Love: Schwinn
Schwinn, a high-quality and established brand, has streamlined the spinning experience with their affordable Schwinn spin bikes. These spin bikes are a cheaper alternative to Peloton bikes, with prices starting at $600 and easy financing options available. The Schwinn spin bike lineup is equipped with connected fitness capability, allowing you to communicate, take classes, and more through its interface.
The Treadmill
Calories Burned on the Treadmill
The treadmill burns more calories than the spin bike per minute. Compared to the 260 calories burned by the spin bike in a 30-minute session, the treadmill can burn up to a whopping 350 calories for a 160-pound adult.
Additionally, interval training on a treadmill significantly increases the number of calories you are likely to burn per session and kicks up your metabolism rate, even after you are done working out.
Motorized treadmills allow you to set the pace and intensity of your workout session, while the moving belt helps you maintain your desired speed.
The Joint Impact From the Treadmill
If you are experiencing knee, ankle, or hip pain, running on a treadmill can cause greater stress on your joints because of its high-impact nature. While running, it is crucial to ensure that you plant your forefoot on the floor first, then roll your sole to kiss your heel to the ground.
Target Muscles for the Treadmill
The treadmill mainly works on building your lower body, engaging your quads, hamstrings, calves, shins, glutes, and core.
Treadmill Maintenance
Most treadmills are motorized, and the electric motor needs some extra care to keep in good shape. You may have to get more involved in treadmill maintenance. The electric motor and console require maintenance by a skilled technician. Additionally, the treadmill needs to be cleaned, with all bolts and nuts correctly fastened.
The Treadmill We Love: Horizon Fitness
Like Schwinn spin bikes, the award-winning Horizon Fitness treadmills utilize connected fitness to revolutionize your home workout experience. Horizon Fitness offers payment plans as low as 0% APR and starts at $599. Gym goers and those at home alike trust the reliability of a durable Horizon treadmill. Another great alternative available with Splitit financing is the Mobvoi treadmill. Payable in 6 easy, interest free installments.
The Bottom Line
Whichever machine you opt for, both spin bikes and treadmills are equally valid for your fitness goals. Each has its own array of benefits and potential to contribute to your fitness regimen. And, who knows, maybe one day you’ll have both a spin bike and treadmill in your home!