Spinning / Stationary Biking

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Beginner
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Low-impact cardio exercise on a stationary bike that targets quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves to build endurance and burn calories; commonly scaled by resistance and cadence adjustments.

About Exercise

Equipment

Others

Difficulty

2/5 • Beginner

Primary Muscle Groups

Quads, Hamstrings

Secondary Muscles

Abs, Hip Flexors

Popularity Score

9

Goals

Endurance
Conditioning
Fat Loss

Training Style

Cardio
HIIT

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Quads

9/10

Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis

Hamstrings

8/10

Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus

Glutes

7/10

Glute Max, Glute Medius

Calves

6/10

Gastrocnemius, Soleus

Abs

4/10

Rectus Abdominis

Hip Flexors

4/10

Iliopsoas

Programming

Typical Rep Range

20-60 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-180 seconds • Shorter for intervals, longer for endurance

How to Perform

Adjust the stationary bike so seat height allows a slight knee bend at bottom pedal position and handlebars are reachable with relaxed elbows; secure feet in pedals with balls over spindles.

  1. Start pedaling smoothly at low resistance to warm up.
  2. Maintain even circular pedal strokes, pushing through heels on downstroke and pulling up with hamstrings.
  3. Engage core and keep neutral spine throughout.
  4. Increase resistance for climbs or cadence for sprints as needed.
  5. Transition smoothly if standing on spin bike, hips over pedals.
  6. Cool down by reducing resistance and pedaling lightly.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Relax shoulders down.
  • Core tight, spine neutral.
  • Push through heels.
  • Smooth circular motion.
  • Light grip on bars.

Breathing

Inhale through the nose on easier efforts and exhale through the mouth during intense pushes; brace core lightly for stability.

Tempo

2-0-2

Range of Motion

Complete 360-degree pedal rotations with knee slightly bent at bottom and hip flexed at top; avoid full knee lockout.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Ensure proper bike fit to avoid knee or back strain.
  • Hydrate frequently during sessions.
  • Stop if sharp pain occurs in joints.
  • Use secure foot straps to prevent slips.
  • Warm up and cool down to prevent muscle pulls.

Spotting

Not required; self-supported exercise with built-in resistance controls for safe stopping.

Common Mistakes

  • Hunching over handlebars.
  • Locking knees at bottom.
  • Gripping bars too tightly.
  • Uneven pedaling cadence.
  • Excessive weight on hands.

When to Avoid

  • Acute knee pain
  • Lower back injuries
  • Recent hip surgery

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate hip flexion
  • Ankle dorsiflexion for full pedal range

Build Up First

  • Basic balance on bike
  • Familiarity with pedal straps

Also known as

Indoor Cycling, Spin Class, Stationary Cycling, Exercise Bike Ride

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