There are several benefits that are associated with using indoor exercise bikes such as peloton. Along with giving people a great way to stay fit and healthy, these bikes are fun. However, when you spend a substantial amount of time on them, you may feel some discomfort on the peloton seat. The good news is that there are many ways to make the seat more comfortable and make riding much easier.
Reasons for Discomfort
Whether you have just started riding a peloton bike or are a professional rider, it is not unusual to feel uncomfortable due to the saddle at some point. The main challenge is that when you are on an exercise bike, the only points of compression are your hands, feet and bottom. In regards to how a person’s weight is spread across the body, your bottom area is the most vulnerable to pain.
The hands are primarily used to maintain your balance and bear a minimal amount of weight while the feet support more weight but have the benefit of knees acting as effective shock absorbers that cushion the impact when you ride. Unfortunately, your bottom is responsible for carrying most of the weight and if the saddle it is resting on does not have sufficient padding, this can lead to an immense amount of strain.
In some situations you can ease the discomfort by adjusting the saddle in two ways. These include moving the saddle away from or towards the handlebars and lowering or lifting the saddle according to what works best for you.
Sitting on the Bike
After adjusting the saddle appropriately and ensuring that it is in the correct position the next step is to make sure that your place your body properly on the bike. If the way you position your body is not right, this can also result in pain and discomfort.
Sitting in an extreme forward position can exert a lot of pressure on the lower region and cause a lot of pain. It is important to ensure that your sit bones are completely back in the saddle. This should be on the most cushioned and widest part.
Once the saddle has been properly set up and you are sitting on it in the right way, you can consider other simple yet effective options for making your peloton seat as comfortable as possible. These options include changing the saddle, soothing cream, seat cover and padded shorts.
Getting another Saddle
Getting another saddle may be regarded as an extreme measure but it might be necessary if other techniques are not helping you boost your comfort levels. The saddle that is provided with your exercise bike may not be comfortable enough for you and luckily, you are not restricted to using it. Consider getting another type of saddle and replace the one you have.
Features of a great saddle include sufficient width, which is vital for riders who have wide hips and need extra support. They should also come with all the required tools to fit them easily and suspension springs as well as enough cushioning for effective relief. One of the ways to figure out whether or not a particular saddle is worth trying out is to go through customer reviews online.
It is important to note that the right bike saddle for your needs is not based on popular brand names or trends. Buying a saddle that will yield the desired outcome involves ensuring that it is capable of accommodating your weight and distributing your weight evenly. Take a look at our guide on the best saddles for the peloton bike.
Soothing Cream
Chafing between the inner thighs is a common challenge that many exercise bike riders constantly battle with. It happens when the skin on the thighs rub together when your legs move downwards as you ride. The friction from this motion usually causes a burning sensation that is extremely painful.
One of the effective ways to deal with this problem is by wearing tight spandex shorts that help to protect your skin and prevent direct contact between your inner thighs. Alternatively, you can use a cream that is specially formulated to create a soothing effect. These types of creams are typically easy to use and have a long lasting effect that can make your next riding session much more enjoyable.
Seat Cover
Slipping on a padded seat cover is a great way to make your peloton seat comfortable. Choose a cushion that is strategically padded, preferably with gel to ensure a smooth riding experience. Before ordering, estimate the width of your saddle.
Seat covers are ideal for exercising at home or attending a class elsewhere because they are easy to fit and all you have to do is slip them on and fasten them to the saddle. They are also beneficial for people who want to maintain a hygienic environment if they share the bike. Padded shorts work well with saddle covers as they help to prevent the padding from moving around each time you change your position on the bike.
Padded Shorts
Padded shorts are great for cycling and keeping sore inner thighs and behinds at bay. The padding in these shorts is designed to help prevent these problems, which is why they are highly recommended for both indoor and outdoor riding enthusiasts.
Shorts are available for both men and women and they typically feature a spandex or Lycra exterior that goes right about the knee. This means that when you pedal, the fabric of the shorts rubs together instead of the skin on your inner thighs. The padding also provides amazing cushioning for the bones that carry most of your weight and are susceptible to pain when you sit on a saddle. Check out our detailed guide on the best cycling shorts for the Peloton.
Cycling while Standing
When you are riding and having a good time, you may suddenly realize that despite your amazing cycling gear and adjusting your saddle, your seat still feels uncomfortable and you are no longer enjoying the experience. In this type of situation you might just have to lift your bottom off the seat, get up and exercise those leg muscles.
Continue Riding
After purchasing a new bike, you can expect the saddle to be slightly hard or not as comfortable as you want
it to be. Since it is still new, think about giving the seat a chance by riding the bike for as long as you can until you get used to it. As long as you adjust the seat accordingly, it is a good idea to keep trying it out to determine whether or not it gets better with time.
However, if the seat still feels uncomfortable after a couple of days, it may be a problem that will never go away unless you do something about it. Possibly, the saddle is not a good fit for you, which leads to it placing a lot of pressure on your sit bones and bottom. Under these circumstances, it is advisable to purchase a new saddle.
Wearing the right Gear
If you do not make an effort to dress appropriately for your cycling sessions, do not be surprised when your bottom starts to hurt. Items such as loose fitting shorts will lead to friction in between your thighs and cause chafing. While the impact may not be instant, you will eventually feel the discomfort as time goes on and this will make it difficult for you to ride the bike.
In this situation, how you dress for your rides is the issue, not necessarily the saddle. This is why it is important to dress properly every time you want to ride. For instance, the right shorts are designed to regulate the contact between your body and the exercise bike. They should be smooth and rub against your saddle without exposing you to prickly friction or heat.
If you identify that the actual problem arises you from wearing ill-fitting clothes for cycling, you should change your attire promptly. The correct workout gear is a worthwhile investment that will make a significant difference in the long run. Virtually any kind of tight cycling shorts will be helpful but sufficient padding takes your comfort to the next level.
Practice
Many riders tend to sit extremely upright and this usually leads to complaints of soreness and fatigue. Your body’s entire weight should not be placed on the saddle. Aside from the pain that comes from an uncomfortable saddle, sitting in an upright position for extended periods of time can make your whole body ache.
Handlebars are designed for the purpose of enabling you to distribute your body weight correctly in order for you to maximize on the benefits of cycling. Although most of your weight is supposed to be on the saddle, a substantial amount of it should be supported by the handles. If you practice this approach regularly, your bottom will not hurt because your body weight is spread out efficiently.
This is not a one size fits all situation, which is why you need to practice how you sit on your bike and adjust
your handlebars and seat until you identify a suitable angle that you are happy with. Ensure that your entire bottom is on the seat instead of leaning too far ahead and exposing yourself to the risk of injury. In addition to discomfort and pain, failing to sit properly on a bike compromises the flow of blood.
Thinner Seat Padding
People normally opt for thick padding because they associate it with increasing comfort. However, this is not always the case, and depending on your situation, you might need to consider a seat cover with thinner padding if thick padding exerts more pressure on your bottom and makes it hard for you to cycle effectively. A saddle with thin padding can be sturdier and offer more cushioning than its thick counterpart.
Consistency
Working out consistently can have a positive effect on your comfort. On the other hand, if you rarely use your bike or ride it sporadically, this can adversely affect how you feel when you get on the bike. When your behind does not a get a chance to become familiar with the surface of a saddle, sitting on it from time to time will probably be uncomfortable.
Making the decision to ride your bike on a regular basis will help you get used to it over time and prepare your whole body for longer workouts. You can achieve this by setting up a consistent cycling schedule that will make rides more effective and you will certainly look forward to your sessions when you are not worried about discomfort.
Engage your Core
People usually place all their weight on their lower body when they cycle but when your legs are working hard as you ride, you can easily forget that the rest of your body needs to be conditioned. Paying attention to your core can help to ease the pain in your bottom and strengthen your body during cycling. This is a great way to give your muscles a workout as well as to make the seat of your bike much more comfortable.
Other Solutions
Every cyclist expects a comfortable bike ride but the standard saddles are not always suitable. It is common for people to experience immense pain after an intense workout because their seats were not comfortable enough to deal with a long session.
Feeling sore can be distressing but there are different ways to minimize or get rid of the risk completely. Even slightly tweaking your seat can go a long way towards preventing soreness and making longer rides more productive.
Conclusion
Cycling creates an invigorating and liberating feeling and nothing compares to the triumph of getting off a bike after an energizing workout. However, no one enjoys the pain that accompanies an uncomfortable cycling seat. There are different ways to reduce the compression that your body deals with when you ride and make sure that your seat is comfortable throughout.
