Regardless of wind, weather, and time of day - take your endurance training to the next level with our high-quality bicycle ergometers!
The bicycle ergometer is one of the most popular pieces of fitness equipment for the home. No wonder, because now there are countless models, so you can find something for every age group and every fitness level.
To help you find your way through this ergometer jungle, we will explain below which models are available, who they are suitable for and what advantages they offer. You can also find out more about what you should consider when buying a home trainer. You will then be well prepared to start your cardio training in your own living room.
Ergometers, home trainers and fitness bikes all belong to the category cardio equipment and are often used as synonyms. However, there is a crucial difference.
Ergometers are electric and offer the clear advantage that the wattage can be set and thus measured very precisely via the computer. This is particularly interesting for performance-oriented athletes.
The conventional home trainer or fitness bike does not offer this function. Here, the resistance is set manually in steps via a rotary wheel. Strictly speaking, cross trainers, rowing machines and the like also belong in the home trainer category. In our home trainer category, you will only find fitness bikes.
Basically, we distinguish between the following models for our indoor bikes:
The "classic" bicycle ergometer or fitness bike resembles a conventional bicycle with an upright sitting position, a comfortable saddle, and high handlebars. Natural and relaxed cycling is simulated here. The classic bicycle ergometer is an excellent choice especially for hobby athletes and beginners.
Foldable exercise bikes are often called X bikes because of their shape. Also known as F bikes, they are easy to stow away and are particularly space-saving - ideal for limited space and small flats.
The seating position of the recumbent ergometer is similar to that of an outdoor recumbent bike. A high backrest, the wide seat, a low entry, and the backward inclined seating position make training even more comfortable and easy on your joints. This is why a recumbent bike is particularly interesting for rehabilitation training, senior citizens and people who are overweight.
Speed bikes provide a racing bike feeling within your own four walls. Instead of an upright sitting position, the upper body is inclined forward over the handlebars. This puts additional strain on muscle groups in the back and abdominal area. A speed bike can therefore be used for more intense and performance-oriented training.
Arm and leg exercisers have the advantage of being particularly compact and easy to transport. The mini bikes are ideal for the living room or office - the perfect, seated workout while working or watching TV.
And last but not least: the rowing ergometer. This special model is a recumbent ergometer and rowing machine in one and thus ideal for training the upper and lower body. A true all-rounder: the Vinur rowing ergometer - and it even comes with an additional multi-gym!
Due to different construction and adjustment options, there are models that are better suited for shorter or taller body sizes. For example, our Morpheus model is particularly suitable for tall people thanks to the vertical construction of the handlebars. Another exercise bike for tall people is the Atlantis model. Our X bikes and the Wiry ergometer, on the other hand, are particularly suitable for shorter people because, for example, the saddle can be set at a particularly low level.
Cycle ergometers are ideal for training endurance regardless of wind, weather, and time of day. The training strengthens the cardiovascular system and helps to improve general fitness and thus one's own general well-being. The leg muscles in particular are put to the test. Depending on the model and seating position, the back and abdomen can also be activated. Being one of the easiest forms of endurance sport on your joints, ergometers are interesting for every age group. This is also thanks to their simple and easy-to-understand operation. Just get on and start training straight away. The training load can be individually adjusted depending on your fitness level and training goals. This means that not only hobby athletes, but also performance-oriented athletes get their money's worth.
The choice of the right model is crucial: from a recumbent ergometer to a speed bike - at Skandika you will find exactly the right exercise bike for you!
With an ergometer you mainly train your leg muscles. In addition to the calf and thigh muscles, the gluteal muscles are also worked. Depending on the seating position – for example on the speed bike – you can also train other muscle groups in your back and abdomen. Regular endurance training with a cardio bike also strengthens your cardiovascular system, promotes the blood flow to your organs, increases your lung capacity in the long term and improves your physical fitness.
In principle, you can lose weight with an ergometer. To do this, you should set a low resistance and increase the cadence. However, other fitness equipment is much more effective for this training goal. Exercising on a bike ergometer mainly works the leg muscles, which alone do not use enough energy to lose weight quickly.
If your primary goal is to lose weight, a rowing machine or cross trainer will suit you better. In addition to exercise, you should also eat a balanced and healthy diet in order to lose weight effectively and sustainably.
Ergometer models differ in maximum user weight and are designed for different body sizes. You will find an exact recommendation for each model.
Does the ergometer have a permanent place at home, or should it be stored away after training? All Skandika ergometers are easy to move thanks to their transport wheels. If space is limited, a foldable exercise bike or a mini leg trainer might be a good choice. These are very compact and easy to store.
The higher the flywheel mass, the smoother and more comfortable the movement. Furthermore, the intensity of the workout increases as the flywheel mass increases.
The resistance can be adjusted in steps. A high number of resistance levels indicates that the resistance can be set very precisely, not necessarily that the resistance is particularly high.
You should choose training programmes that match your training goal. If you want to train with apps like Kinomap, make sure that the fitness bike has Bluetooth and is compatible. In principle, all Skandika ergometers are equipped with Bluetooth. A list of all Skandika devices that are Kinomap compatible can be found here.
For a correct sitting position, it is important that the saddle and handlebars can be adjusted to your individual size. Several Skandika ergometers offer different saddles to choose from, so you can select the saddle that best suits your needs, in terms of comfort or design.
In principle, an ergometer can be braked with air resistance, induction, or magnetic brakes. All Skandika ergometers have a magnetic brake system. The advantages are that this is very precise, low-maintenance and quiet.