I Bought a Stationary Bike During the Pandemic. Here Is What I Actually Think Now.
March 2020. Gyms closed, outdoor riding felt weird with nobody knowing what was going on with the virus, and I was losing my mind stuck inside. I impulse-bought a stationary bike from Amazon—one of those 300 dollar mid-range ones—thinking I would use it for a few months until things went back to normal.
Four years later, that thing has over 2,000 miles on it. I never expected to become a stationary bike person, but here we are.
The Honest Reality of Indoor Cycling
Let me be straight with you: indoor cycling is boring. I am not going to pretend there is some secret that makes staring at your garage wall exciting. It is repetitive, you sweat an insane amount, and time moves slower than on outdoor rides.
But—and this is a big but—it is incredibly convenient. When it is dark at 5pm and freezing outside, I can still get a workout in. When I have only got 30 minutes before the kids wake up, I can hop on without dealing with gear, route planning, or traffic.
My outdoor riding did not decrease; my overall fitness just got better because I was actually training during months I used to basically hibernate.
The Different Types (And What I Would Actually Buy)
When I was shopping, I got overwhelmed by all the options. Let me simplify it based on what I have learned.
Spin bikes: These feel most like a real road bike. Heavy flywheel, you can stand and sprint, adjustable resistance. If you are a real cyclist and want to maintain your outdoor fitness, this is the move. My cheap one works fine, but I have tried my sister Peloton and the build quality difference is noticeable.
Upright bikes: These are the classic gym exercise bikes. Fine for general cardio, but they do not really replicate cycling. If you are just trying to get exercise and do not care about it feeling bike-like, these are cheaper and work great.
Recumbent bikes: My dad has one because of his back issues. Super comfortable with the reclined seat and back support. Zero resemblance to actual cycling, but excellent for low-impact cardio or people with physical limitations. I would probably get one when I am 70.
For actual cyclists, get a spin bike. It is the only type that translates to outdoor riding.
What I Wish I Had Known Before Buying
You need a fan. Maybe two fans. The lack of wind when you are not moving is no joke. I soaked through everything the first few indoor rides, and my bike was literally dripping with sweat. Now I have a big box fan pointed right at me, and a smaller one oscillating. Game changer.
Put something under it. Sweat corrodes stuff. I ruined a section of concrete floor before I got a mat. Also, if you are on carpet, get a hard rubber mat or the bike wobbles annoyingly.
A tablet or phone holder is essential. Like I said, indoor cycling is boring. I watch YouTube, Netflix, or do virtual riding apps. Without entertainment, I would use this thing maybe once a week instead of three or four times.
Cheap bikes are mostly fine. My 300 dollar bike has held up great. The pedals were garbage, so I swapped in proper SPD pedals from my old bike—took five minutes. The seat was uncomfortable, so I put my outdoor saddle on. Now it feels pretty similar to my road bike for a fraction of the cost.
Making It Less Miserable
The secret to actually using a stationary bike is making it slightly enjoyable, or at least not dreadful.
Zwift and similar apps: These gamify indoor riding with virtual worlds, races, and training programs. I was skeptical, then I tried Zwift during a free trial and got weirdly competitive about fake races against strangers. It adds enough engagement that an hour goes by faster. Not cheap at 15 dollars a month but worth it for me.
Structured workouts: Just spinning aimlessly is the most boring option. Following a workout with intervals—thirty seconds hard, two minutes easy, whatever—gives you something to focus on. I use the TrainerRoad plans, but there are free ones on YouTube too.
Podcasts and audiobooks: For easy-effort days, I catch up on podcasts or read audiobooks. It is guilt-free time where I am getting fit AND being entertained. Some of my favorite podcasts I only listen to on the bike, so it actually motivates me to ride.
TV shows that require attention: I watched all of Breaking Bad during indoor rides one winter. Having a show you genuinely want to watch makes you almost look forward to riding.
The Physical Results
My outdoor riding improved noticeably after a winter of consistent indoor training. Usually I would start spring feeling sluggish, rebuilding fitness. After my first indoor winter, I came out actually faster than the previous fall.
The controlled environment is great for specific training. Want to work on sustained power? Easy—just set it and go without worrying about stop signs or traffic. Hill repeats without an actual hill? Crank up the resistance. It is efficient training time.
Weight-wise, I definitely slimmed down during my most consistent indoor period. The convenience meant I was riding 4-5 days a week instead of 2-3. More riding equals more calories burned, simple as that.
The Mental Health Angle
I will get a bit personal here. Winter blues are real for me. Short days, cold weather, less outdoor activity—I get kind of depressed every January.
The stationary bike helps. Genuinely. There is something about getting the heart rate up and sweating for an hour that resets my mood. I do not know if it is endorphins or just having a productive thing to do, but I come off the bike in a better headspace than I went on.
It is cheaper than therapy. Not that therapy is not also good—but the bike is right there in my garage, ready anytime.
Would I Recommend It?
If you are a cyclist who wants to maintain fitness year-round, absolutely yes. The convenience alone is worth it.
If you are looking for exciting, fun exercise… maybe consider something else. Indoor cycling is a commitment, and if you hate it, that bike becomes an expensive clothes hanger. Plenty of people have bought indoor bikes that they never use.
My suggestion: try a gym spin class or borrow someone bike before you buy. If you can handle an hour on it and not want to die, you will probably stick with one at home.
For me, it has become an essential part of my cycling. Not a replacement for riding outside—nothing beats an actual ride on real roads—but a reliable backup that has kept me fit through winters, busy seasons, and yeah, a global pandemic.
