Is a stationary bike the same as a spinning bike?

Although many confuse a stationary bike with a spinning, the truth is that it is not the same model and they cannot be used indiscriminately for any activity.

They also differ in terms of performance and handling, despite talking about two types of bikes that don't move and are designed for similar exercises. Let's see why they are not the same and what precautions to take before starting to exercise with them.

Differences between stationary bike and spinning bike

All spinning bikes are stationary, but not all stationary bikes are suitable for spinning. This maxim sums up the solution to what for many is the biggest dilemma of their daily exercise routines. It is surprising how many athletes using these machines confuse a simple stationary bike with one specifically designed for spinning.

To understand the nature of these differences, you need to know exactly what spinning is. It is a specific type of indoor exercise carried out on a spinning bike to simulate the course of a mountain route. These routes are full of climbs and descents, with sections of resistance on foot and descents with little load.

It is a very complete cardio exercise that allows you to tone the lower body while training the entire cardiovascular system.

Spinning performance is subject to the frequency of the music rhythm used to mark the pedal strokes. In fact, you can't do spinning properly without varied music, which must be played following a series of very specific parameters to meet the session's requirements.

The high intensity of these exercises is an innate characteristic of spinning, and considering the very high frequency with which some sections require pedaling, it is no surprise that a spinning bike has an almost skeletal structure.

Spinning bikes are designed to give the athlete just the right amount of support to move. Some say spinning is like dancing on the bike, and it's true, since the standing sections require coordination and a movement that a conventional stationary bike is not capable of facilitating.

While a standard stationary bike has a much wider and more pronounced support, the base of a spinning bike is minimal. It barely has four points of support basic, leaving the wheel exposed and the rear part of the saddle reduced to the minimum.

On the other hand, a conventional stationary bike has a thicker handlebar, a wheel that is sometimes covered by a casing, and pedals that are not designed for pedaling at high speeds. In fact, even the exercises are different: on a spinning bike you can pedal very fast if the rhythm of the music demands it. On a stationary bike, no, since the exercises on this type of bike are based on resistance, not frequency.

Can you do spinning on a stationary bike?

The answer is no. Spinning can only be done on a stationary bike specifically designed for this exercise, precisely for what we mentioned: conventional stationary bikes are designed for resistance exercises exclusively, since their structure is more rigid and they are not designed to facilitate pedaling at high speed.

However, the question is a bit tricky. Spinning bikes are a very specific type of stationary bike, so, in fact, if we are picky about language, we could say that you can use a stationary bike for spinning... as long as the model is designed for this sport.

The problem is the terminology: we use the term "stationary bike" to differentiate conventional stationary bikes from spinning bikes, when in reality these are just a subtype of stationary bike.

But, to be clear, you can only do spinning with an indoor cycle bike, specifically designed for this sport. It is important to keep in mind that these types of bikes have been designed based on certain criteria, as they have a very different balance compared to other models. It is not a matter of comfort: it is also a matter of safety.

Tips for correctly using a spinning bike

Although they are very similar, mounting a spinning bike is not the same as on a regular stationary bike. To practice spinning without surprises, the key is to know how to mount it to enjoy the maximum comfort and minimize the risk of injury.

To start, pay close attention to the position of the saddle and the handlebar. The first must be at waist height, and the second should be placed slightly higher than the saddle to enjoy a support point strong enough to let the body weight fall.

Regarding pedaling, it is best to use specific indoor cycling shoes to place them on the back part of the pedal. The anchoring is done very easily, simply letting the foot drop and allowing the sole to fit the pedal.

If specific indoor cycling shoes are not used and a more generic model is chosen, they can be placed on the front face of the pedal to take advantage of the support provided by the strap. But be careful: the fixation level must be very measured, since different types of injuries can occur if the foot feels too tight or, on the contrary, is loose and moves during pedaling.

Before starting the class, and as a warm-up, it is advisable to try different positions to make sure the bike is in perfect condition for an intense exercise session.

If you are interested in doing spinning exercises and are looking for recommendations to choose the right product, you can take a look at our catalog. We recommend our Formentor spinning bike to learn more about the qualities of this bike and adapt it to your needs.