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The Best Places to Buy Replacement Prescription Lenses Online

The Best Places to Buy Replacement Prescription Lenses Online


Buying a new pair of glasses can be expensive, but if you have frames you love and they’re still in good condition, you might be able to save money by simply replacing the lenses. This is something you can easily do online. I would know, as I’ve replaced lenses in 15 pairs of glasses myself and can confirm that the online lens replacement process is more affordable, easier and faster than you’d think.

Although it offers full-frame/lens packages, Lensabl puts its lens replacement service front and center and ranks highly in search results for “lens replacement.” Its motto is “Your frames, our lenses,” with prices starting at $97 for a basic pair of single-vision lenses. The budget new lens options are decent enough, but it does make a difference (in terms of sharpness and clarity) to step up to lenses more in the $150-plus range.


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Pros

  • Decent pricing
  • User-friendly site
  • Online vision test

Cons

  • No fast turnaround option

As its name implies, Overnight Glasses can make you a new set of prescription glasses quickly — and really quickly if you’re willing to pay extra for a new pair of glasses. For lens replacements, you get free USPS round-trip shipping. For orders over $150, you get free two-day air shipping. (It takes slightly longer for progressive lens and bifocal lens types.) The quality of the lenses I got was as good as that from other replacement lens sites, so there’s no sacrifice of prescription eyewear quality for speed.


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Pros

  • Fast turnaround times
  • User-friendly site
  • Good selection of lens types


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Pros

  • Huge selection
  • Helpful filters

Cons

  • Selection can be overwhelming

It’s had shops in the New York area for a while, but ReplaceRxLenses is somewhat new to the online replacement-lens arena. My experience using this retailer was smooth, with a relatively quick turnaround time (about a week, but I was in New York). Its prices are competitive and slightly cheer for some lens types, starting at $55.


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Pros

  • Will replace lens for a wide variety of frame types
  • User-friendly
  • Collects specific info to help expedite order

LensDirect says it can make quality lenses for a wide array of frames — “practically any frame unless it just absolutely doesn’t make any fundamental sense like putting a +7.5 prescription on a semi rimless frame” — and has its own machine in-house that can cut the lenses anytime (other retailers have this as well). “We make lens replacement more affordable than our competitors without sacrificing quality,” a rep told me.


Jump to details

Pros

  • Good pricing
  • Good lens quality
  • User friendly site

Cons

  • No expedited shipping option

To help you find the best places to buy replacement prescription lenses, I tested different services by ordering midrange lenses, sometimes multiple times. I then evaluated the companies for lens quality, price, user-friendliness and turnaround time.

We have Lensabl at the top of our roundup for the best place to buy replacement glasses lenses, thanks to its user-friendly interface and competitive pricing. Qualifying customers can even renew their eyeglass prescriptions online with them.

If you’re looking for fast service, Overnight Glasses is a great pick. I had good experiences with all the other online lens-replacement shops on this list. Note that all of them also sell frames and full prescription eyeglasses and sunglass packages.

Pros

  • Decent pricing
  • User-friendly site
  • Online vision test

Cons

  • No fast turnaround option

Although it offers full-frame/lens packages, Lensabl puts its lens replacement service front and center and ranks highly in search results for “lens replacement.” Its motto is “Your frames, our lenses,” with prices starting at $97 for a basic pair of single-vision lenses. The budget new lens options are decent enough, but it does make a difference (in terms of sharpness and clarity) to step up to lenses more in the $150-plus range.

You upload your prescription online and pick the type of lens you want, and then Lensabl sends you a box with a prepaid return shipping label. You simply mail in your old frame in the box (shipping is free). First-time prescription lens customers get 15% off.

Lensabl does make prescription lenses for Bose Frames and other audio sunglasses.

Notable site features: For $25, you can renew your prescription online through the vision prescription platform Visibly. Not everybody qualifies to take the online eye exam — you have to answer some questions to see if you qualify — but if you do, Lensabl says, “All you need is your computer, [your] smartphone and about 15 minutes of time.” Your results will be reviewed by an eye doctor or optometrist licensed in your state who will then issue you a new prescription via email.

Current deals and coupons: All of Lensabl’s deals and promo codesare displayed on its homepage.

Pros

  • Fast turnaround times
  • User-friendly site
  • Good selection of lens types

As its name implies, Overnight Glasses can make you a new set of prescription glasses quickly — and really quickly if you’re willing to pay extra for a new pair of glasses. For lens replacements, you get free USPS round-trip shipping. For orders over $150, you get free two-day air shipping. (It takes slightly longer for progressive lens and bifocal lens types.) The quality of the lenses I got was as good as that from other replacement lens sites, so there’s no sacrifice of prescription eyewear quality for speed.

As for new lenses for your current frame, you ship your frames to Overnight Glasses, and it’ll replace your lenses with new ones in as few as five days. The service can do polarized, blue light, transitions and many other types, although progressives require additional time.

If you’re looking for a truly overnight option, there is a 24-hour rush service. Bifocal, no-line bifocal and progressive lenses can take an extra day to manufacture.

Overnight makes lenses for Bose Frames and Amazon Echo Frames audio glasses.

Notable site features: The site has a clean, easy-to-navigate design. There are multiple shipping options.

Pros

  • Huge selection
  • Helpful filters

Cons

  • Selection can be overwhelming

Pros

  • Will replace lens for a wide variety of frame types
  • User-friendly
  • Collects specific info to help expedite order

It’s had shops in the New York area for a while, but ReplaceRxLenses is somewhat new to the online replacement-lens arena. My experience using this retailer was smooth, with a relatively quick turnaround time (about a week, but I was in New York). Its prices are competitive and slightly cheer for some lens types, starting at $55.

The site says what differentiates it from competitors is that it doesn’t have an assembly-line format for fulfilling orders, where one worker is responsible for manufacturing the lenses, another is responsible for tracing the frame and edging the lenses to fit the frame, and another might handle the final eyeglass inspection. “With us, one technician works on a customer’s order from start to finish,” a rep told me. “We believe this format results in a better end product, because there is almost no chance of information being lost or mistakes being made along the way.”

ReplaceRxLenses says it can do a replacement for prescription eyewear or replace nonprescription lenses for Bose, Amazon Echo, Snchat Spectacles and many other audio/smart frames.

Notable site features: The site says it has experience working with frame types and lenses that some other places can’t handle. “We have plenty of experience working with sports frames, wraround frames, vintage frames and extended range prescriptions,” a rep told me. “Many other online replacement services can only work with certain frame types and up to certain prescriptions.”

The site tries to get as much information about a customer’s frame beforehand so it can begin working on the order even before receiving the frame, which helps expedite the order. (I submitted a photo of my frame.)

Current deals and coupons:10% off for new customers in exchange for your email address.

Pros

  • Good pricing
  • Good lens quality
  • User friendly site

Cons

  • No expedited shipping option

LensDirect says it can make quality lenses for a wide array of frames — “practically any frame unless it just absolutely doesn’t make any fundamental sense like putting a +7.5 prescription on a semi rimless frame” — and has its own machine in-house that can cut the lenses anytime (other retailers have this as well). “We make lens replacement more affordable than our competitors without sacrificing quality,” a rep told me.

LensDirect now makes replacement lenses for Bose and Amazon audio glasses, although it does require you to sign a waiver to work on them.

My lens replacement took about a week, and the lens was of high quality. After using discount codes, the cost for the lenses I got was a bit less than that from some competing sites like Lensabl.

Notable site features: The site has a virtual try-on feature if you’re buying a frame and lens package.

For an older audience (people who wear progressive or bifocal lenses), lens options tend to be more affordable (with discount codes plied), especially for the 1.67 high-index lens, which is 40% thinner and lighter than a standard CR39 lens.

“Even to a younger audience who wants to take a che eyeglass frame and get exactly the lens they need, our CR39 and Polycarbonate lenses start off more affordable even for them,” a rep said.

Best replacement prescription lenses compared

Lensabl Overnight Glasses ReplaceRXLenses LensDirect
Shipping Info Free, takes 2-5 business days (after processing and receiving the glasses) Free, takes 2 business days (after processing and receiving the glasses) Free, 1-6 business days (after processing and receiving the glasses) Free, takes 2-7 business days (after processing and receiving the glasses) Free, takes 1-3 business days (after processing and around two weeks to make the lenses)
Return Policy No returns/refunds. All sales final. If lens were incorrectly made, customers have 30-days to request a remake. 7-day free returns or exchanges 30-day free returns or exchanges 30-day free returns or exchanges 90-day free returns or exchanges on unopened products. DIY lenses have a 30-day return policy.
Insurance Accepted No (reimbursement available depending on insurance company) No (reimbursement available depending on insurance company) No (reimbursement available depending on insurance company) No (reimbursement available depending on insurance company) No (reimbursement available depending on insurance company)
Features Offered Use your own frame, blue light filter, anti-glare (polarized), anti-scratch, UV protection Anti-glare (polarized), anti-scratch, UV protection, water-repellent Anti-glare (polarized), clip-on sets available Anti-scratch, anti-smudge, UV protection Anti-scratch, anti-glare (polarized), UV protection

Most of the prescription eyewear sites highlighted here for eyeglass lens replacement offer a discount for first-time customers. They also sometimes have codes for lens upgrades. Make sure you check for any deals before purchasing.

Some eyeglass lens-replacement sites will ask you to send a description or photo of your frame (and perhs ask for a model number if you have one), so they can prep your order and process it faster. Most but not all existing frames can accept new prescription lenses.

Read the fine print about returns before you purchase replacement lenses. Often, sites will accept returns, but only if they messed up your order in some way or a flaw was created in the lens production process.

We test online replacement lens services by ordering a set of replacement lenses from a site. We tend to order midrange lenses and, in some cases, we’ve ordered multiple times from the same site. We mainly evaluate the lenses for quality (how good they are comparable price points), turnaround times and how user-friendly the site is.

If you currently have a frame with prescription lenses, you should be able to replace those lenses with a fresh pair. Certain types of glasses that have more curved lenses — such as those found in some sports glasses — may be harder to replace. Just make sure you check with the company you’re using before sending in your frame.

You can put old lenses into a new frame as long as the new frame is the same as the old one and the lenses are still in good condition. Some eye care providers may be able to she old lenses into the new frame, but it’s not always possible.

Depending on the quality and type of lens you get, it can be expensive to put new lenses in old frames. If you are just getting basic lenses, it can be quite affordable, especially when buying from an online retailer.

For pure clarity, a glass or mineral glass lens is the best. Most people prefer polycarbonate lenses, which are lighter and more durable. High-index lenses are good for those who have strong prescriptions that would normally require thicker lenses. These high-tech plastic lenses end up being the same thinness as standard plastic or polycarbonate lenses that have a lighter prescription. You do have to pay more for high-index lenses. Arguably the best lenses are Trivex lenses, which are lightweight and durable and offer slightly better clarity than polycarbonate lenses. They are more expensive than plastic (CR-39) and polycarbonate lenses.

Most eyewear retailers make prescription lenses foraudio glasses, like the Amazon Echo Framesand. Only a few have officially partnered with Bose, like Lensabl and the Bose Tempo sports model. Aside from the Tempo, most other audio glasses have pretty standard frames that accept prescription glasses. You can always call and ask whether the company can make lenses for whatever audio glasses you have based on your particular prescription.

Delivery times vary by retailer, but you will typically get your replacement lenses in 5-14 business days. This includes the time it takes to mail your frames to the company, have new lenses made and installed and ship them back to you. Some services have expedited shipping options available too.

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Ansel Adams trust says AI-colorized version of his work was exhibited without permission – Engadget

Ansel Adams trust says AI-colorized version of his work was exhibited without permission – Engadget


The AI-generated version of ‘Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico’ was on display at AIPAD’s The Photogrhy show.

The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust released a statement this weekend condemning the unauthorized use of the photogrher’s name and work for the creation of an “AI-generated color version” of Adams’ “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico.” According to the trust, the piece was up for sale last month at the Association of International Photogrhy Art Dealers’ (AIPAD) The Photogrhy Show. The exhibit by Danziger Gallery “exploited Ansel’s name, reputation, and his most iconic image, while failing to identify any human artist responsible for its creation,” the statement says.

Interestingly, the trust didn’t take issue with the involvement of AI, noting that Adams “was remarkably prescient about—and excited by—the potential of computers to transform photogrhy.” The issue is that the exhibitor allegedly just straight up ripped off the artist’s work to make money off of it.

“The Trust was not consulted or notified before the work peared,” the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust said. “Once alerted, we reached out to James Danziger in real time, notifying him of the Trust’s rights, and asking for the work to be removed. Correspondence shared with the Trust shows that, despite our formal notice, Mr. Danziger subsequently leveraged Ansel’s name, ‘Moonrise,’ and the AIPAD presentation while pursuing a proposed commercial AI colorization venture involving other artists’ estates.” The statement goes on to denounce the nonconsensual use of an artist’s name and work for commercial purposes, calling the incident “a gross failure of ethical and professional judgment.”

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Ayaneo reveals yet another Game Boy remake but this one has AI – Engadget

Ayaneo reveals yet another Game Boy remake but this one has AI – Engadget


The Konkr Pocket Block will be smaller than the company’s previous vertical handhelds.

Ayaneo debuted the Konkr Pocket Block during one of its streaming sessions, where the company’s CEO, Arthur Zhang, did side-by-side comparisons with the handheld and Ayaneo’s previous devices, like the Pocket Vert and Pocket DMG. However, instead the sleek and minimalist look of its other vertical handhelds, Ayaneo went with “retro aesthetics” and a pocketable form factor for the Konkr Pocket Block.

As usual, Ayaneo only showed off what the Konkr Pocket Block looks like and said it will reveal more details about the handheld in the future. The biggest question surrounding the upcoming handheld is its price, but it should be more affordable than Ayaneo’s Pocket Vert that starts at $269, since the Konkr Pocket Block will be released under the company’s budget sub-brand.

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Nicolas Cage's 'Spider-Noir': How to Watch the Premiere on Prime Video

Nicolas Cage's 'Spider-Noir': How to Watch the Premiere on Prime Video


With new seasons of The Boys, Invincible and now Spider-Noir, Prime Video isn’t at all void of superhero shows in 2026. You can stream the new live-action Spidey series starring Nicolas Cage in just a few days.

In Spider-Noir, Cage plays Ben Reilly, an aging private investigator in 1930s New York who abandoned his superhero alter-ego after a tragedy, according to Prime Video. The show also stars Lamorne Morris as Robbie Robertson, a journalist and Ben’s best friend; Li Jun Li as nightclub singer Cat Hardy; Karen Rodriguez as Ben’s secretary, Janet; and Jack Huston, Brendan Gleeson and Abraham Popoola.

The new series is based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, and it isn’t a spin-off of the animated Spider-Verse films, although Cage voiced Spider-Noir in 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse. You can stream the eight-episode season in either “Authentic Black & White” or “True-Hue Full Color.” Unsure what you prefer? Here are trailers for theformer andlatter versions to help you choose.

When to stream Spider-Noir on Prime Video

Viewers in the US can watch the complete first season of Spider-Noir as early as 12 a.m. PT (3 a.m. ET) on Wednesday, May 27.

The default, ad-supported version of Prime Video comes with a Prime membership, which runs $15 per month or $139 per year. A standalone Prime Video subscription without Prime costs $9 per month. You can opt to pay anextra $5 per monthto remove commercials.

Other ways to watch Spider-Noir

If you want to watch Spider-Noir ahead of its Prime Video launch, you’ll also be able to tune into the first season via the MGM Plus linear broadcast channel (but not the MGM Plus streaming p) on Monday, May 25.

If you don’t have cable, you may be able to access the ad-free MGM Plus channel with a live TV streaming service such as Philo or YouTube TV, which offer an $8-per-month MGM Plus add-on. This route may be worth it to you if you want to watch Spider-Noir two days before its Prime Video drop.

Alamo Drafthouseis also screening the first two episodes in some locations on May 25, but as of this writing, I only spotted a handful of seats left in Raleigh and San Francisco. You can reserve a spot by purchasing a refundable food and beverage voucher.

Prime Video

Amazon recently rebranded its ad-free offering toPrime Video Ultra, effectively raising the price of commercial-free streaming by $2. Additionally, 4K UHD streaming is now exclusive to those paying the extra fee. Here’s more about the change and what to watch with your subscription.

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Best TVs for 2026: Expert Tested and Reviewed

Best TVs for 2026: Expert Tested and Reviewed


Sony Bravia 8 II sits on a TV bench

The Sony Bravia 8 II is a new flagship OLED.

David Katzmaier/CNET

With all of the TVs available today, and all of the technical terms and jargon associated with television technology, it can be tough to figure out what’s important. Here’s a quick guide to help cut through the confusion.

Picture quality: Broadly speaking, the type of display technology helps dictate how good a TV’s picture quality is, but OLED is typically the best display technology, and this is followed by LCD (including QLED, and Mini LED). OLED tends to have the best picture quality because it doesn’t need a backlight and every pixel can be either on or off, leading to great black levels. In comparison, each LED in a backlight looks after multiple pixels at a time so it isn’t as precise — it’s not yet 1:1. Among midrange models, look for a feature including full-array local dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh rate, which (unlike some other extras) do help improve the picture in my experience. Additionally, If a TV uses Quantum Dots it often leads to better color performance, whether it’s an OLED or an LCD.

Screen size: Bigger is better in my book. I recommend a size of at least 43 inches for a bedroom TV and at least 55 inches for a living room or main TV — and 65 inches or larger is best. More so than any “feature,” stepping up in TV screen size is the best use of your money. One of the most common post-TV-purchase complaints I’ve heard is from people who didn’t go big enough. And I rarely hear people complain that their TV is too large. It’s worth adding that while TVs can get really big indeed, 4K resolution is sufficient for even the biggest models, and CNET doesn’t recommend any 8K TVs as they represent a poor comparative value.

Price: TVs range in price from $100 to more than $2,000. Smaller screens are cheer, well-known brands are more expensive and spending more money can also get you better image quality. Most entry-level TVs have a good enough picture for most people, but TVs last a long time, so it might be worth spending more to get a better picture. It’s also best to shop for a TV in the fall when prices are lower.

Sound quality: Every TV has some sort of built-in speaker, but in my twenty years of reviewing AV equipment the sound of modern TVs has been routinely terrible. While I do test the audio on each model, if you are serious about sound quality then buying a separate soundbar (from $100) or home theater system will instantly improve vital aspects such as speech and bass reproduction.

Smart TV: Among entry-level TVs the most important feature is what kind of smart TV system the TV uses, and while some are proprietary to each brand (Samsung and LG) some models do offer Roku and Google TV.

For more TV buying advice check outHow to Buy a TV.

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Stop Making These 9 Mistakes With Your Exercise Bike


An exercise bike is a great tool if you’re looking to get cardio in at home or at the gym. However, if you don’t properly set it up or do too much too soon, it can ruin progress. Even if you’ve been cycling for years, it helps to get a refresher on the best cycling practices.

To make sure you’re using an exercise bike properly and doing the right workouts, I spoke with several cycling experts. They break down the common mistakes you’re likely making on an exercise bike and how to fix it.

One of the first lessons I learned when I started taking group cycling classes was that you need to properly adjust the seat height. Aviron coach and certified indoor cycling instructor John Steventon says the right seat height is key.

“[If the seat is] too low, they won’t be able to get full extension of the legs, often needing to cycle with their knees splayed outward to make room for them,” Steventon explains. This leads to a loss of potential power and a compressed and uncomfortable pedal stroke. “If the seat is too high, the rider will risk bouncing from side to side as they lean off the side of the saddle, trying to get the right extension of the legs.”

According to Matt Wilpers, the saddle should be positioned high enough that your knee is slightly bent and not locked.

Erik Isakson/

Peloton instructor Matt Wilpers offers a couple of tips to keep in mind when setting up your seat. “When riding, bring your one foot to the bottom of the pedal stroke (6 o’clock),” he says. “The saddle should be positioned high enough that there is a slight bend in the knee so that the knee is soft and not locked.” This will prevent you from feeling cramped or having to reach for the bottom of the pedal stroke.

Steventon points out that how the foot sits on the pedal is important, too. “The center spindle that the pedal rotates around should be underneath the ball of the foot because I’ve seen people who ride on their toes, and people who ride on their heels — both reduce power and efficiency of the stroke.”

Wilpers advises trying the “heel test,” which is when you unclip the foot at 6 o’clock to see if your heel can touch the pedal when your leg is straight.

You don’t want the seat too far or too close to the handlebars.

Andrii Borodai/

Another factor to consider when setting up your exercise bike’s saddle is its distance from the handlebars. Wilpers says the goal here is to get the knee stacked over the pedal, especially when the pedal is at 3 o’clock. “I usually start with the saddle pushed toward the handlebars and then adjust accordingly when I ride,” he recommends. The problem is that when your seat is too far forward, your knees take on the pressure, and if it’s too far back, the stress lands on the heels.

Besides the seat, make sure the handlebars are at the right height. “In general, it’s recommended to keep the handlebars at the level of your saddle or just above,” says Wilpers. “Many competitive cyclists like their handlebars at or slightly below saddle height because it better optimizes both performance and aerodynamics when cycling outdoors.”

Make sure the handlebars are aligned with the saddle on your bike.

Konstantin Ushakov/

However, Wilpers says that in some cases, such as if you have back problems, raising your handlebars even further is advised.

If you’re eager to jump on your bike and get a quick workout in, chances are you’re skipping a warm-up or cool-down. Steventon says that if you want to get your body ready for your workout, spending 10 minutes increasing resistance and cadence before a longer or more intense ride will prime the muscles.

“Rather than slowly working up from 60 revolutions per minute to 110 rpm during the warmup, 30-second bursts at gradually higher reps in between 30 seconds of easy pedalling will allow the warmup to be effective without draining energy before the main workout,” he explains.

Some warm-up exercises Wilpers recommends include:

  • Hip openers like 90/90s (a stretch that uses internal and external hip mobility), pigeon pose and lateral lunges
  • Quadruped thoracic rotations (this exercise stretches out your spine)
  • World’s Greatest Stretch (a full body mobility exercise that targets hips, hamstrings, and spine)
  • Exercises to wake up the ankles and feet, such as ankle-controlled articular rotations (slow rotational movement of the ankle to improve ankle mobility) and performing the downward dog stretch while pedaling out the calves
  • If you skip a warm-up or cool-down, you’re missing out on some important steps.

    Wera Rodsawang/

    The cool-down shouldn’t be neglected either. “In some cases, after a particularly hard workout, stopping suddenly can cause the blood to pool in the legs, and the cyclist may get dizzy,” warns Steventon. He recommends spending 5 minutes slowing your cadence to help the muscles keep pumping blood and oxygen as you ease out of the strain of the main workout.

    You should also stretch the muscles used during a ride, such as your hamstrings, quads, hip flexors and calves. “Triceps, shoulders and wrists shouldn’t be ignored either,” Steventon says. “These muscles are soaking up the mass of the upper body, bouncing up and down, left and right on the handlebars.”

    If you’re riding a bike with a screen, the screen’s position can sometimes lead to neck pain. In those circumstances, Steventon recommends gentle neck stretches to ease off the tension after a workout.

    If you don’t have a general workout program or structure, you may be using your bike inefficiently. It’s important to make sure that you’re riding with intention if you want to get the most out of it. “Everyone has the same three training variables to manipulate in order to get what they want out of their training: frequency, duration and intensity,” Wilpers says.

    Frequency relates to how often you work out, since it’s important to have a consistent riding schedule. “Cycling is great because it’s low impact, meaning it’s easier to recover from it and therefore you can ride more often without much fear of injury,” Wilpers says.

    Once you have a riding schedule established, you can focus on duration. This is when you start increasing the length of your sessions.

    Finally, once you’ve become comfortable with your bike, you can increase the intensity to improve your fitness. Steventon says more experienced riders are cable of putting in four to five workouts a week.

    “The importance of foundation building zone 2 heart rate [exercise performed at 60% to 70% of your maximum heart rate] during longer rides is the same for all riders, but with three more workouts to play with,” Steventon explains. “They can add in some tempo and sprint interval workouts too, pushing the cardio harder, and working at a mix of cadence and resistance through these workouts.”

    Below are different ways you can structure your workout depending on your goals:

    You should have a plan, whether cycling is your main form of cardio or your choice of cross-training.

    Westend61/

    If cycling is your main focus, Wilpers recommends riding three to five days per week, with one to two intense days, one long day and the remainder as easier rides. Aim to ride for 30 minutes to 2 hours or longer.

    If you’re prioritizing strength training but want to include cycling as your preferred form of cardio, Steventon and Wilpers advise aiming for two to three sessions at a zone 2 heart rate for 20 to 45 minutes.

    You can also use an exercise bike for cross-training. This could be ideal for runners or other athletes who want a hybrid workout schedule during the week. Steventon says, “Cross-training utilization of cycling can be a very effective way to keep cardio topped up without the impact problems of constantly running.” Wilpers recommends cross-training once or twice per week for 20 to 45 minutes, as long as you’re healthy.

    If you have injuries or certain aches from running, you can shift your training to cycling two to four times per week for 20- to 45-minute sessions. Steventon recommends that runners cycle whenever their bodies need to recover from running. “Long, slow rides will keep your fitness foundation strong, with harder sprint intervals tping into VO2 max improvements,” Steventon says. VO2 max is the maximum rate at which your body consumes oxygen during exercise.

    Riding distracted is just as bad as doing too much during a ride.

    DaniGonzalez/

    One of the biggest mistakes people make when riding an exercise bike is either doing too much too soon or coasting while distracted. “Many people seem to think that unless they wake up sore, nothing was accomplished, and on the other end of the spectrum, I see people just pedaling and texting,” says Wilpers.

    When riding, remember to focus on the workout at hand. Distractions like texting or answering emails can get in the way of making progress. “Have a purpose and plan before getting on the bike so that your time is structured,” Wilpers suggests. “This will help you stay focused and get the most out of your time.”

    Steventon notes that the best way to use a bike or any fitness machine is to mix up the intensities to avoid hitting a plateau. “Long, slow rides, short sprint intervals and tempo rides (moderately hard ride) including hard, long intervals will improve the mitochondria-building, zone 2, foundation end of fitness, while the shorter sprints will help improve the VO2 max end, and the tempo rides are where mental resilience is built,” he says.

    Wearing the right cycling shoes can improve your riding experience. Depending on the bike, you may need specific cycling shoes, like carbon-fiber cleats, road bike shoes, clip-in shoes, mountain bike shoes or even everyday shoes.

    When choosing a cycling shoe, you want to make sure it’s comfortable because they don’t come che. Steventon recommends mountain bike shoes if you aren’t sure what to pick. “These are a little bit more flexible and have recessed cleats, making it a lot easier to move around, providing stability in situations where ‘off bike’ moves like squats or weights are included in a cycling class.”

    The right shoes can improve your cycling experience.

    Wilpers favors clip-in cycling shoes because they’re stiff and lead to better energy transfer from the body to the bike. However, the shoe you pick will depend on the type of bike you’re using, and most importantly, you want the shoe to fit well.

    Steventon says everyday gym sneakers are acceptable, but that they may not be the best option. “The pedal efficiency may be compromised even with toe clips that hold these shoes in place on the pedal,” he explains, pointing out that because these shoes tend to be soft-soled, it can be uncomfortable to use for long periods of time.

    Wilpers notes that some cycling shoe brands are much narrower than others, so it depends on your needs and comfort. “Lastly, I think it’s worth noting that a good set of road cycling shoes can cost hundreds of dollars, but these shoes typically last up to five years,” he says.

    Usually, when you stop an exercise bike, you’re either pressing down the emergency brake or using the resistance knob to slow it down. “Trying to suddenly stop the flywheel or unclip feet while the heavy flywheel still wants to turn has great potential for injury,” warns Steventon. “Always use the resistance knob or emergency brake to slow things down properly, and wait until the flywheel has stopped before unclipping.”

    If you aren’t properly braking, you risk injuring yourself.

    D_Zheleva/

    It’s easy to forget that you need to do maintenance and clean your bike every so often. Wilpers reminds us that all bikes need to be cleaned and maintained. “Cyclists are known for constantly cleaning and occasionally replacing parts on their bikes because this is what it takes to keep your bike working great for many years,” he explains.

    Keeping your bike in good condition is important if you want it to last a long time.

    One thing people often overlook is adjusting their bike settings annually. “Think about how much your body can change in a year,” explains Wilpers. “You may get stronger, weaker, heavier, lighter, tighter, more flexible and so on.” By adhering to bike settings, you’ll not only have a more comfortable ride but also one that’s customized to your changing needs.

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