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Exercise Bike Workout Programs, Apps and Motivation

Most exercise bikes (other than the cheapest models) come with at least a few Built-in Workout Programs and/or Workout/Training modes. The benefit of the built-in workout programs is that they provide more variety and motivation to your exercise routine.

Rather than just setting the resistance levels a few times and cranking out a homemade routine, workout programs add much more variety and challenge to your workout. Some programs have built in goals or, on some models, you can set your own target goals and compete against yourself.

If you do use the internal training and workout programs that come with your exercise bike, and workout often, you may actually want more variety in your routine or need more challenge or motivation.

High-Tech Workout Apps and Interactive Training Programs

Interactive apps and streaming workouts (virtual classes and scenic location workouts) for fitness equipment has really taken off in the last few years.

This goes way beyond the workout routines that are built-in to the exercise bike and to a whole new level. This is where the higher end models and higher quality brands provide you with additional benefits.

For example products from  Icon Health & Fitness (the largest fitness equipment manufacturer in the world) which include NordicTrack, Proform, Feemotion, Weslo and other brands  often come with iFit Interactive technology built-in to their products.

When iFit is built-in to your exercise bike the interactive workout programs and destination apps adjust your machine to match the workout and/or terrain. With Fitness Bikes this means that the apps can control the Bikes Resistance and on some models the Incline and Decline automatically. You can override this option if you choose, of course, but when you let the app make the adjustments the workout is hands-free (unless you are using them for your workout).

Before I get into the rest of the other iFit features, I have to mention that there are also tons of other workout apps available for just about any kind of workout that you want to do.

For example, I use the Nike app for walking and running and the Garmin app (built-in to their GPS bike computers) for outdoor riding and I have also used other apps on my phone for various workout stats and programs.

There are also plenty of apps that you can use with your fitness equipment (i.e. Exercise Bike)  or independently such as Aaptiv, Peloton, Fitbit, multiple Nike apps and many more.

It's hard to keep up on what the latest fitness app available is but the independent apps do not actually sync with and control your machine to match your workout (like iFit does). At least at this time and to my knowledge (this will probably change in the future (like maybe in minutes :-)))

Old School Hardware and Motivation Tools

Just as a reminder, I have to mention the Old School motivational tools that are still available. 

Workout Music! Whether you use your phone with the latest headphones or ear buds ,an iPod, an old MP3 player, home stereo system, music videos on TV, etc.., there are plenty of ways to get inspired and/or entertained during your workout with music.

There are of course, music options built-in to many fitness bikes such as built-in speakers, music player ports, memory card ports and Bluetooth capability.

Have a TV available nearby for your workout. Just ap lain old TV can really help pass the time while working out. Along with motivation, you don't want to underestimate the advantage of entertainment for boredom relief.

Laptop options - You may want to some of the many options available on your laptop or home computer for your workout, such as fitness apps, photo displays, videos, social media options, etc.

Also remember, that if you are planning on using your laptop or cell phone with your exercise bike make sure that there is a good Laptop and/or Cell Phone Holder or convenient place for your devices on your equipment.

Workout Apps, Entertainment and Motivation Summary

So as you can see, there are plenty of options that you can get built-in to your exercise bike, independent of your machine or just everyday devices that you already have that can be used to help with Motivation and/or Entertainment during your workout.

For a better experience and more long lasting results, please do not underestimate the importance of Motivation and Entertainment  during your workouts.

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