While having a seat cushion for your exercise bike is necessary if you’re into regular workouts, choosing the right one can often be a hassle. Luckily, we’ve prepared a complete buying guide to summarize everything you need to know about seat cushions for exercise bikes.
What To Consider
Here are all the things you should think about before going out to buy a new seat cushion for your exercise bike:
Materials
The material of your seat cushion plays a major role in determining how comfortable it is during extending riding sessions. You need to make sure that your seat cushion for exercise bikes has a gel lining to soften pressure points and relieve you from back pain while cycling. That said, you can also look for a memory foam seat cushion if you want to step it up a notch in the comfortability department.
Thickness
Many people think getting the thickest possible foam is the most comfortable option; however, this is not the case as thick foam can often be too rigid for comfort. That is why we recommend you get a bike cushion with a thickness of approximately ½ an inch to give yourself the best riding experience possible.
Size
Size is always an important consideration when picking up a seat cushion for exercise bikes. Although most exercise cushions are universally compatible, some issues may arise if your bike has narrower or wider dimensions.
The standard seat size is between approximately 5.3 and 6.3 inches; but, if your exercise bike’s seat differs from these dimensions, we suggest you test the exercise cushion on your bike before purchasing. If you’re purchasing online, you can always go with a universal option that comes with straps to firmly attach your cushion to the bike’s seat.
Grip
Safe to say, you do not want your seat cushion slipping when you are about to beat your high speed. That is why you must ensure that your seat cushion for exercise bikes is equipped with a non-slip material such as leather or lycra. Not only are they extra grippy, but they’re also excellent at conforming to the shape of the rider’s bottom, providing a pain-free experience.
Accessories
If you’re not working with a limited budget, you can also look for some extra features in your seat cushion which may improve your riding sessions. Here are some useful side options you might like:
Cover
If you park your bike outside, it’s ideal to get a seat cover along with your expensive cushion. A waterproof cover does not only prevent your seat from dripping wet after it rains, but also protects it from deteriorating under direct sunlight. Plus, they’re pretty easy to place on your bike’s seat — they work just like a sock, but for your exercise bike!
Hole
If your bottom feels hot while going for extended biking sessions, it’s best to get a seat cushion that features a space in the middle. Having space in the middle of the seat cushion helps regulate your body temperatures while keeping it cool and breezy down there!
Washable
Whether you’re using a seat cushion to ride outside or indoors, your seat is bound to catch dust and sweat after a couple of rides. To be able to wash any sweat or dirt off your seat cushion every once in a while, you must ensure that it is made of washable materials. The most commonly used material for a washable exterior is lycra fabric, which you can easily machine wash with a mild detergent.
Different Seat Covers for Men and Women
While most seat covers are unisex, you should always look closely at the specifications to ensure that you’re not buying the cover for the wrong sex. Men often require a narrower seat cover to support their pelvic bones. Women, on the other hand, can enjoy the comfort of a wider seat cushion for their exercise bikes since their pelvic bones are fairly larger and broader than men, thus requiring minimal support.
Gel vs. Foam Seat Cushions
If you’re in the market for a seat cushion, you’ve likely been met with two major types: gel and foam.
To give you some insight, gel seat cushions are quite soft and adjust to your body’s contours, perfect for casual riding. Foam seat cushions, on the other hand, are great for extensive riding sessions as they provide a soft yet firm sitting experience. Plus, riders who are over 200 pounds prefer foam seats since they don’t compact as easily as gel cushions.
Fortunately, if you want to get the best of both worlds, you can look for a seat cushion for exercise bikes that’s made of a firm memory foam core and is lined by a cool, soft gel on the outside. This will provide you with maximum comfortability for all sorts of riding sessions.
