Riding a bike is a great way to exercise. You can burn a lot of calories while on a bike and you can tone your muscles too. Unfortunately, sometimes you may not be able to ride a bike due to weather conditions or because you do not have time to set up an outing just to ride a bike. If you frequently deal with such situations, then it may be time to start considering turning your regular bike into a stationary one for indoor use. Not a lot of people are aware that this is even an option. Often people believe that they need to purchase a stationary bike just to experience bicycle riding indoors, or that they need to join a gym to get access to such equipment. This guide will walk you through what parts you need, and how you can set up your own stationary bike without ruining your bicycle.

1. Have the Right Space

Before going out to buy any kind of parts that you will need to set up your stationary bike, you need to figure out if you even have the space needed. Look around your home and decide where you want your bike to be. If you feel like you do not have the space, you should consider clearing up some furniture or moving aside some belongings so that you can have ample space for your bike. This step is crucial because if you do not have enough space around the bike, it may become a hazard that you simply do not need to deal with.

2. Choose the Perfect Bike stand

Once you have the area set up, or even the moment you decide where you want to place your bike, it is time to do some online research. The main piece of equipment or part that you will need to turn your normal everyday bike into a stationary one is a bike stand.

There are so many different bike stand options out there, so you need to find out which one to choose. Professionals at this link state that the kind of stand you buy can change your biking experience radically. Some of the factors that you will need to consider when looking for a bike stand are size, cost in relation to your budget, and difficulty of setup. Having these factors as a checklist of sorts can help you make an informed decision.

3. Install Your Bike

After purchasing a bike stand, you need to install your bike properly. It is extremely important to read the instructions provided to you by the company you bought the stand from.

Most bike stands have the same kind of mechanism for hooking up your bike. What you need to do is attach the back end of your bike to the stand securely and as tightly as possible. Keep in mind that it will not look perfect since you still haven’t hooked up the front of the bike yet. After you ensure that the back end is secured into place, you should move to the front and do the same, being extra careful to keep the bike in a straight position in order to guarantee balance when you are using it.

4. Equipment to Make Your Biking Experience Better

Basically speaking, you just need the bike stand and your bike, however, if you want your indoor biking experience to be top-notch, then there is some additional equipment that you can use. For example, you can get an adjustable stationary bike desk. This piece of equipment allows you to work, or entertain yourself by watching your favorite series or movie while exercising. Just make sure that it is adjustable and that it is not at an awkward level that will cause you eye strain or muscle pain.

5. Protecting Your Floors

Do not forget that your bike stand and your bike are not light in weight. Add to that the weight of a human being and there is a lot of weight on your flooring concentrated in one area. If you have a home gym, then your flooring will be suitable for heavy exercising equipment. However, if you do not then this may ruin your flooring especially if the bike stand is not secure and scratches your floor when you use it. To ensure that your floors are not damaged in any way, you should consider getting a fitness equipment mat. This will give your bike a place to stand on without causing your flooring irreparable damage.

Now that you are aware of how easy it is to set up your stationary bike, without breaking the bank, you can go ahead and start thinking of which room you want your bike to be in, and how you need to adjust furniture to fit your new exercising equipment.

Following these steps when converting your bike is going to make for an enviable indoor biking experience.