A heart monitor, gel saddle, or a cooling fan may seem unnecessary for an indoor cycling beginner. But as you perform more climbs or intervals, these exercise bike accessories become priorities, especially if you want to enhance your workout experience.
Aside from making your levelled-up routines more bearable and comfortable, exercise bike accessories help you progress and stick to your cycling habit.
With so many biking accessories available, which ones should you invest in? Here’s a short list of must-have fitness essentials to amp up your cycling workout and overall experience.
1. Heart Rate Monitor
Heart monitors are crucial exercise bike accessories for enhancing your zone-based or HIIT workout experience.
These devices ensure your heart rate is at the right level to maximise caloric burn every session. For riders with heart health conditions, these monitors also help them stay active and safe.
Some modern and high-end exercise bikes have built-in pulse sensors on the handlebars. You need to hold these metallic plates while cycling, allowing the machine to measure your heart rate.
If your bike doesn’t have one, you can always get an external heart rate sensor. There are devices that you can wear on your wrist or forearm. In-ear monitors that double as earphones are also popular.
For more accurate readings, a chest strap monitor is best. This device rests close to your heart and transmits readings to a compatible data receiver, like your phone or bike console.
Not sure which heart rate sensor to get? Check out this built-in vs external heart rate monitor article.
2. Smartphone or Tablet Holder
Most exercise bikes today now have a built-in tablet or phone holder. This comes in handy when you like syncing your gadgets to a cycling fitness app.
Some riders also use this exercise bike accessory to play music, watch videos, or read articles or posts. Older indoor bikes may not have this feature, though. But it should be easy to buy one from a third-party retailer.
There are also exercise machine manufacturers selling it as an optional accessory. Getting one is a good idea if your indoor bike doesn’t have a console.
At times, an external holder is better as you can set it on a horizontal or vertical view. It’s a multipurpose accessory that you can mount on your car, outdoor bike, or a different exercise machine.
When buying one, make sure it’s adjustable and fits your phone or tablet. Those with stretchable silicone corners are excellent for holding your device securely without scratching it. I prefer holders with clamps and tightening screws for stability.
3. Exercise Bike Computer
Consoles are built-in exercise bike accessories that can significantly enhance your workout experience. These display your cycling performance stats, like your speed and distance.
Tracking your sessions is one way to measure your fitness achievements. You can learn more about indoor cycling console features here.
Most indoor bikes with built-in consoles are expensive and your current machine may not have one. To solve this, you can get an external cycling computer and sync it to your exercise bike. Just make sure that both are compatible.
Ideally, if you also like biking outside, buy one that works for indoor and outdoor bikes. Some computer units can also track your heart rate, so you do not have to buy a separate monitor.
Don’t forget to check the metrics each computer tracks to ensure you are getting one that can help with your goals.
4. Exercise Bike Mat
Indoor bikes are heavy. And pedalling on your bike can make its base move, putting your floor at risk of scratches and dents.
The solution? Put an exercise mat under your bike. This high-density liner can act as a protective layer between your exercise machine and flooring.
Aside from floor protection, this exercise bike accessory enhances your workout experience, too. Exercise mats have a non-slip feature that keeps your equipment stable, especially during intense cycling.
The extra grip should prevent the bike from sliding around or tipping over. These can also dampen noises that exercise bikes usually make as their bases hit the floor.
Plus, they can catch sweat and dust particles, making cleanup and maintenance a breeze. Just make sure that the mat is 7 to 8 cm bigger than the width of your machine and at least 5 mm thick.
You should avoid substituting this accessory with a yoga mat, as it is not big and thick enough for most exercise bikes.
5. Water Bottle Holder
Proper hydration is essential no matter what exercise you are doing. However, easy access to your water bottle is also equally important.
Some place their drink on the floor or table near their exercise bike, but this only can disrupt your workout. It gives you an excuse to skip your water break.
So, before buying an exercise bike, make sure it has at least one water bottle holder. Or, if you already have a bike without one, get a clip-on drink holder instead.
It is a versatile accessory that you can clip on an outdoor bike, wheelchair, or baby stroller. With this drink holder, you’ll perform your best and stay refreshed throughout your cycling session.
6. Saddle Cover
If you’ve been cycling regularly, you know that sitting on the bike seat can get uncomfortable. Some saddles feel hard or too narrow, increasing your risk of getting a sore butt.
One way to enhance your workout experience, particularly during longer rides, is to use a gel saddle cover. This exercise bike accessory cushions your bottom and lessens the friction from pedalling.
A saddle cover also has a non-slip feature, preventing your butt from slipping off the seat. When getting one, look for a dust and moisture-proof option. You can also opt for a versatile saddle cover that also fits your outdoor bike.
7. Rechargeable Clip-On Fan
High-end stationary bikes typically have built-in workout fans to keep you cool during indoor cycling sessions. Some even have automated airflow adjustment, so you won’t have to do it as you shift to intense cycling.
This exercise bike accessory can surely enhance your workout experience. But clip fans are also available if your bike doesn’t have one. Some have adjustable clips, clamps, or flexible tripods you can secure on the handlebar.
Most external bike fans are rechargeable, so you don’t need to worry about excessive power use. If you plan to get one, check if it is easy to position or attach and has variable speeds.
A clip-on fan may not be as strong as an industrial fan or AC, but it’s an inexpensive and handy accessory. Plus, it’s compact and functional even for off-bike activities.
8. Water-Resistant Wireless Headphones
Music has a positive relation with exercise.
In an article from the National Center for Health Research, various studies concluded that music tempo enhances workout performance.
Other researchers also stated that music stimulates serotonin or the feel-good hormone, which, in turn, enhances our exercise experience.
All these findings point to one conclusion: listening to music is integral to your workout routine. Cycling to the beat should be easy if your bike has built-in speakers. You can still enhance your workout experience with good old headphones without built-in speakers.
This exercise bike accessory comes in many forms. Some have wires, while others have noise-cancelling features. The best ones for cycling, I believe, are the wireless models for distraction-free movement. They should be sweatproof and have long battery lives, too.
9. Indoor Cycling Shoes
For various reasons, some people prefer to go barefoot during exercise. However, I think it’s best to wear shoes when cycling for safety. Your shoes will protect your feet from the pedals and prevent accidents like slipping or losing your balance.
The type of cycling shoes you should wear depends on the bike you are using and your usual workout intensity. Some bikes have toe cages or adjustable straps, allowing you to work out with regular trainers or sneakers.
Then, there are also bike models that let you swap their flat pedals with clipless ones. Clipping your shoes in the pedal keeps your feet in place during cycling.
In this case, you’ll need cycling shoes with cleats that match your clipless pedals. Whichever type of cycling shoes you prefer, always wear a good-fitting pair to avoid discomfort or pain.
Conclusion
If you’ve purchased an exercise bike to stay fit and healthy, then it is only practical to have matching accessories to enhance your overall workout experience.
After all, if you’re comfortable and motivated while cycling, then workout consistency should follow.
You don’t have to get every accessory listed in this article for that optimum indoor cycling experience. What you need are accessories that can help you achieve your fitness goals.
Make sure your accessory choices also match your exercise bike. Also, weigh your options according to your budget.
If you are still looking for the perfect exercise bike, consider looking for a model with your preferred accessories. Check out this review and buying guide article and learn more about the best exercise bikes to date.
Related Questions
1. Are adjustable seats and handlebars in exercise bikes important?
Adjustable exercise bike seats and handlebars accommodate our unique body structures. These features make the bike suit our arm and leg sizes, so we do not feel uncomfortable while cycling. To achieve a well-fitted bike setup, the model should let you adjust the seat height, the distance between the handlebar and the seat, and the handlebar height based on your body.
2. Why should I consider heart rate zone-based indoor cycling?
Zone-based indoor cycling is about training at varying intensities based on your heart’s response. And this encourages weight loss. It also prevents you from cycling aimlessly or beyond your fitness level. Cycling according to your heart rate also helps you avoid overtraining.
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