For athletes confined to the indoors during the winter months, a stationary bike is a great way to stay fit. If you're a runner, it lets you use a different set of muscles and lets you get your weight off of your feet. If you're a cyclist, a bicycle trainer lets you keep your flow and strength for the spring season. And if you're just looking to get fit, even while you watch TV, stationary cycling is a great workout for your heart.

Fortunately, since stationary bikes are so popular, manufacturers now make a wide variety to suit every need and budget. Before you plunk down at least several hundred dollars, make sure you're getting what you want. Often gym rats are sorely disappointed when the nice bike at the gym turns out to be cost two thousand dollars. But if you do what you can to replicate the type of resistance it uses and the style, you may at least get a similar feel at home.

Resistance mechanisms are either magnetic, air-based, or flywheel-based. Naturally, the most expensive, magnetic-based bikes are the quietest and often the smoothest. Air resistance bikes work on a fan principle, deriving resistance from the fan blades. Flywheels give you resistance based on a heavy wheel inside the bike.

Another choice you'll have is what type of position you're in when you're on the bike. There are uprights, semi-recumbent, and recumbent. For both the type of resistance and the type of positioning, the key is to try them all out side by side. You may be surprised with which combination works best for you and even more pleasantly surprised that it's not the most expensive option.