The exercise bike is popular for many people who want to stay fit while indoors. But when you want to improve your exercise bike routine, you’ll need a few ways to make your next ride worth every pedal. Use these ways to increase your gains on your exercise bike and feel stronger after every workout session.

1. Interval Training

This type of training involves alternating between high-intensity bursts and low-intensity recovery periods. Doing this boosts your metabolism and burns calories in less time. For example, you could cycle moderately for one minute, then increase the resistance and pedal faster for 30 seconds. Repeat this pattern for a set amount of time, such as 20 minutes.

2. Use Music or Podcasts

If you struggle to stay motivated during your exercise bike workout, try adding music or podcasts to your routine. Research has shown that music improves your performance and reduces feelings of fatigue during exercise.

Create a high-tempo playlist that motivates you to pedal harder, or listen to a captivating podcast to keep your mind engaged and push yourself past your limits. Remember to keep the volume at a level where you are still aware of your surroundings to stay safe when working out.

3. Challenge Yourself

If you’ve used the same resistance level and duration for your exercise bike workout, you need to challenge yourself. Set a goal to ride longer or increase the resistance level. Many exercise bikes have adjustable resistance levels to make pedaling easier or harder. Use these settings to enhance your ride and create milestones for future workouts.

4. Join a Virtual Class

Thanks to technology, there are virtual exercise classes you can join from the comfort of your home. Many exercise bikes from brands like Echelon and Spirit Fitness include large consoles between the handlebars that provide streaming services, making it more convenient to attend classes.

Look for virtual cycle classes or live streams to improve your exercise bike routine. These classes will give you a sense of community and encourage you to push yourself harder. Plus, you can choose classes based on your fitness level and goals.

5. Track Your Progress

The only way to know if your exercise bike routine works is by tracking your progress. Numerous apps record your starting weight, cycling duration, and resistance level to gauge your progress in your workout journey. Most spin bikes have tracking that monitors the miles you’ve rode and the speed at which you pedal.

Combine the app’s tracking and the spin bike’s built-in meters for more information to help you advance. Use this information to motivate you and help you stay on track with your fitness goals.

There are many ways to improve your time on your exercise bike routine to make it more effective and fun. Use these methods to make your next workout more beneficial, and pedal toward stronger legs and cardio.