Spin Bike vs. Treadmill | Which Is Better!?

So you want to get fit, and you’ve been looking at some home fitness equipment. But beyond the dumbbells and the pull-up bars, everyone knows that one of the most important aspects of a fitness routine is how much cardio you do. 

Just like with a lot of exercise questions, there is no “right” or “wrong” answer – it almost always comes down to personal preference, space, budget, and your ultimate goals. But with that said, there are some specific factors that will influence your choice, and you should be aware of them before you decide to spend hundreds of dollars (or even more) on a new machine. So, let’s talk about it: is a spin bike better than a treadmill?

Spin Bike vs Treadmill for Weight Loss

When people pick up home exercise equipment like spin bikes or treadmills, their primary motivation is generally to lose weight – or at the very least, burn fat and build muscle. This means burning as many calories as possible in the time you have available to work out, but it must also be in balance with your skill level, overall health, and ultimate goals.

So, which burns more calories, a treadmill or a spin bike? Strictly based on efficiency, treadmills can burn anywhere from 50-250 additional calories per hour of time over a spin bike. This is due to the fact that you’re holding your own weight, rather than “resting” on a seat, and moving your upper body more. Combined with features like simulated hills, variable speed, and interval training, this extra burn can really add up. Make sure you’ve got a driptowel ready to go!

However, it does come at a cost – to your body and especially your joints. The repetitive, hard impacts are very tough on your lower body and your knees in particular, and the increased metabolic rate can be too much for many people to handle until they have reached a certain level of fitness.

Is Using a Spin Bike Good for Weight Loss?

In contrast, spin bikes trade some of the high intensity for a more accessible, lower-impact workout. Available in multiple styles for multiple skill levels, relatively economical to buy, and easier to scale up and down, indoor spin biking is an excellent choice for novices and pros alike. With the advent of modern technology, online courses, programmed workouts, and other benefits, they also provide a better social or outdoor feel than many treadmills can. Plus, the lower intensity lends itself to longer overall workouts, which will definitely work up a sweat (so don’t forget your spintowel).

So, is using a spin bike good for weight loss? Really, it all depends on how often you use it. If you have just a short amount of time each day and are able to hit the proper form, a treadmill is a good choice. But if you’ve got more time to spare and are comfortable tweaking your goals and programs to match a bike style, you have the freedom to branch into those as well, which can be easier when getting started on a fitness journey. Realistically, both of them are better than nothing at all.

Working Out on a Spin Bike or a Treadmill

Of course, if you’re already a lifelong fitness fanatic, you’ll already have a preference between doing your cardio on a treadmill or a spin bike – and that’s perfect, as long as it works for you. The most important thing is to stay healthy, hydrated, and ready to beat your personal best every time you turn your machine on!