Exercise bike upright types provide a riding experience much like a road bicycle. The seating position is upright with handlebars and a seat much like a conventional bicycle.

This is a good starting point for equipment if you are just looking for a cardio machine to add to your workout. This will give you an option for an indoor workout even in bad weather. The lower priced exercise bikes are often found in this design. But even many of the lower priced machines are very useful and well made.

Those with injuries or severe limitations may find these bikes hard to use. Also the lower priced exercise bikes are not heavy enough for very vigorous stand-up pedaling. But for moderate level workouts for most of us, the moderate priced upright bikes may be all you need.

One advantage to upright exercise bikes is they have a small footprint. They do not take up much space so are useful in most any home and are fairly easy to move.

Another consideration for a bike is the noise level. Most of the upright exercise bikes have a quiet magnetic resistance system. The resistance system provides the load against which you pedal. Listen to music or videos with no problem if your bike uses a resistance system. With an air resistance machine, there's much more noise, but you get the cooling breeze from the fan.

A final major consideration in choosing an exercise bike is the workout programming. Most of these bikes have a performance monitor tracking time, calories burned and miles covered.

Do you want other functions? For extra motivation you can get bikes that vary resistance levels and simulate workouts over varying terrain. This should make your workout time fly by. You can even get machines that let you play video games as you ride for a real diversion to make the workout time rush past. Consider getting a heart rate monitor.

Choose an upright exercise bike as a starter machine and you can get a very useful machine at a moderate price. A higher priced upright bike may be right for you if your bike will be punished by very vigorous workouts. Higher priced upright exercise bikes can stand very hard use for many years.