You've heard it said before: time is money. Your time has become a precious commodity, and you don't want to waste it running out to the gym five nights a week. So you're looking for an exercise bike.

That was my situation when I first started looking into getting an exercise bike, and I'll bet it's your situation as well. You know you need to get your exercise, but the only way it's ever going to happen is if you can slip it seamlessly into your busy schedule.

And you know a bike provides a great cardio workout.

But so do treadmills and elliptical trainer.

So why an exercise bike?

There are a variety of bikes that can accommodate a variety of needs. Suffering from back pain or arthritis pain? Try a recumbent bike. A recumbent bike allows you to sit back in a bucket seat while you work out, so there's far less stress on your joints and ligaments than other exercise equipment.

Limited by finances? You can find an exercise bike for as low as $200.

Want all the gadgets? Hey, you can get a monitor that will report on your heart rate, how fast you're peddaling, how far you've gone, and more. In addition, a magnetic bike will allow you to set your resistance level.

Concerned about safety? You can't slip and fall from these bikes the way you can from a treadmill or an elliptical trainer. Most bikes come with non-skid pedals and foot straps to make sure you won't slip off.

Because exercise bikes are so comfortable and so easy on your joints, most people enjoy the experience and workout on them for years.