Exercise bike vs treadmill: Which is better for home gym?

If your daily routine includes exercise, setting up a home gym may be a good idea. This will allow you to do your workout any time of the day, which is very convenient, compared to constantly going to the gym. 

But what type of equipment should you buy to complete your home gym? It depends on your available space at home and your personal fitness goals and needs. But if you have no clue what you should buy first, consider starting with the home gym staples, such as treadmills and exercise bikes. 

Knowing how they differ in this treadmill vs exercise bike guide will help you decide which equipment suits your home gym better. 

What is an exercise bike?

An exercise bike is like an actual bike with a saddle, pedals, and handlebars, except it doesn’t move forward. It stays only in one place, that is why it’s also called a stationary bike. 

One of the benefits of using a stationary bike is that it simulates flat ground cycling and uphill riding by adjusting its pedalling difficulty. So, you’ll feel like cycling on a smooth paved road or tackling a steep mountain, even if you’re only at home. 

Although this exercise equipment is mainly for cyclists wanting to do some training and warm-ups at home, it can also be great for anyone wanting to lose weight or improve their overall fitness. Studies even show that working out using exercise bikes can help burn 600 calories an hour. Not only will it help you lose body fat, but it’ll also strengthen the muscles in your lower body. 

What is a treadmill?

A treadmill is an exercise equipment with a moving platform driven by a conveyor belt and an electric motor wheel, allowing you to walk, jog, and run in place. It can replicate race conditions or specific training regimens, so athletes use them for performance training. 

It works similarly to a cross-trainer, but between a cross-trainer vs treadmill, the former provides a more low-impact exercise because instead of running or walking on a moving flat platform, you’re moving your feet in an elliptical motion, much like climbing the stairs. 

You might have also heard about a treadmill bike. From the name itself, It is a bike that is a treadmill, which allows the user to walk or run on a moving platform while going forward like a bike. 

Treadmill or exercise bike: Which is the ideal choice for a home gym setup?

They say exercising helps release feel-good hormones, which is why many people invest in home fitness equipment such as stationary exercise bikes and treadmills. Although they provide a good cardio workout, having both fitness equipment at home can be problematic, especially if you lack space. 

Check out this detailed comparison guide of stationary bicycles vs treadmills to help you choose the right type of fitness equipment for your home gym. 

In terms of cardiovascular workout

Is a stationary bike good cardio? Yes, it’s actually a low-impact exercise that helps condition the muscles in your lower body by continuously pedalling. 

But, if you want to make your cardio more challenging, an exercise bike can also be used for high-intensity impact training (HIIT). For your cardiovascular workout, you can do a short burst of exercise for 30 seconds followed quickly by a lighter exercise such as walking or leisurely cycling. 

Meanwhile, a treadmill offers a high-impact cardiovascular workout. But unlike an exercise bike, which only conditions the muscles in your legs, hamstrings and calves, a treadmill engages different muscle groups, including the arm and abdominal muscles.

In terms of joint impact

Since exercise bikes offer low-impact exercise, it doesn’t stress the joints much. It’s great for people experiencing frequent knee pain or joint issues and patients still recovering from injuries, requiring exercise to regain muscle strength.

On the contrary, treadmills can strain your joints because it offers weight-bearing exercise. It means you’ll have to support your body weight while walking and running on the moving platform, putting more stress on the joints.

In terms of space requirements

Between a treadmill vs a stationary gym bike, the latter is a better choice if you only have limited space at home. It has a compact, space-saving design that can fit in tight spaces. Some models come with wheels and a foldable design, so you can store them away quickly when not in use. 

Plus, it’s easier to integrate physical activity into your daily routine with an exercise bike due to its compact design. You can place it with your other furniture in your living room, bedroom or home office space so you can exercise any time of the day. 

Conversely, a treadmill isn’t ideal for space-constrained homes because of its bulky frame.  So, before you start assembling your home gym, assess carefully if you still have extra space to add a treadmill. Remember that although some indoor treadmills are foldable, they can still take up much space to operate.

Moving heavy gym equipment like treadmills can also be difficult. It’s best to seek professional help when moving the treadmill to prevent accidents and injuries while setting up your home gym. 

In terms of maintenance

Exercise bikes have a more straightforward design with a stationary bike frame, pedals, and a resistance mechanism. They only have fewer moving parts and less complex electronic components than treadmills, making them easier to maintain. 

Meanwhile, treadmills are typically high maintenance, requiring regular upkeep. You must ensure the belt is properly lubricated and aligned to prevent the belt from drifting or slipping through one side when using the treadmill. 

Additionally, you must maintain the motor correctly to avoid overheating and mechanical failures. This might seem troublesome, but regularly doing these maintenance checks ensures your safety. 

In terms of cost

One of the benefits of stationary bikes is that they’re generally more cost-effective than a treadmill due to having fewer mechanical parts, so they don’t quickly wear out or break down. Even high-end models with connectivity and fitness apps are more affordable, so they're a good choice for homeowners who don’t want to invest heavily in fitness equipment. 

Conversely, treadmills are more expensive, especially high-end models with larger motors, steeper inclines, and more extensive workout programming options. Also, you’ll need regular treadmill maintenance, including belt lubrication and motor care, which makes it more costly. 

In terms of the assembly process

Since exercise bikes have a more straightforward design, they’re easier to assemble than treadmills. Although they have fewer electrical connections and mechanical parts to worry about during assembly, it’s still best to seek help from experts when assembling your stationary exercise bike. This is to ensure that it’s secured and stable after assembly.

Meanwhile, treadmills have a more complex assembly process due to having more electronic components and moving parts. With this, professional help is necessary for assembling treadmills because you need to connect various cables and ensure the belt is properly aligned and tensioned to avoid issues during use. 

Simplify your exercise bike or treadmill assembly with Airtasker

Having experts assemble your treadmill or exercise bikes ensures they’re correctly set up and safe to use. Not only that, but they can also get the job more efficiently, helping you save time. 

At Airtasker, you can find many assembly experts who can help set up your fitness equipment so you can start using your home gym for your daily workout routine!