How To Measure Inseam For Indoor Bikes and Rowers

Published on 3/29/2018, Updated on 1/14/2021

If you’re interested in purchasing a stationary bike, recumbent bike, or rower machine, the inseam range is an important factor in determining if the product you’re interested in is a good fit for you. If you want to get the most out of your indoor fitness equipment, you need to make sure that it’s tailored to your individual leg length. This will ensure you can comfortably workout with the proper form to reduce your risk of injury and make your workout much more enjoyable! Keep reading to learn more about how you can use your inseam measurement to find the right fitness equipment for your body.

What is Inseam?

You may be familiar with the tailor definition of inseam, which, in pants, is the distance between the highest point of your inner thigh to the heel of your foot.

This specific measurement can be used to ensure your fitness equipment will be a good fit for you. On a bike or rower, your inseam will determine if you’ll be able to reach the pedal comfortably when seated on your machine. It will also determine your range of motion throughout your workout, which is what makes your inseam measurement so important.

Inseam for Cycle Bikes

If you’re too tall for your cycle bike (or its current seat position), you won’t be able to get the full leg extension that’s ideal when cycling, and it may be difficult to prevent slouching which can be hard on your back.

If you’re too short for your cycle bike's seat position, you won’t be able to maintain the proper form which can lead to a decline in performance and increase the risk of injury, fatigue, and strain. Not to mention it may be extremely uncomfortable throughout your workout.

You can see why it’s important to purchase a cycle bike with an inseam range that accommodates you, and anyone else in your household who plans to ride the bike so that you are able to adjust your seat to a position that’s appropriate to your body.

Inseam for Recumbent Bikes

Recumbent bikes work just the same as cycle bikes. Although you’re seated in a reclined position, you’ll be able to adjust your seat forward and back to accommodate your leg length. Just like a cycle bike, it’s important your recumbent bike is an appropriate fit for you to ensure you’re comfortable and able to exercise with the correct range of motion and form when using your recumbent bike.

Inseam for Rowers

Rowers are a bit simpler, as there’s really no minimum inseam on a rower, however, if the slide rail on a rowing machine is too short for your leg length it will cause you to lose range of motion in your rowing stroke and limit your performance.

How to Measure Inseam?

To measure your inseam, simply measure from the inside of your leg, from the inner upper thigh to the heel of your foot. It’s easy and quick to get your inseam measurement, and once you have it, you’ll be able to compare it to the inseam ranges for each Sunny product to see if it’d be a good fit for you!

How to Find Inseam Range on Products?

For each Sunny Health & Fitness product, you’ll find details like inseam ranges, provided on the product page. This information can be found by scrolling down to the specifications section of each page, or in the image carousel at the top of each page.

Sunny Health & Fitness bikes have a minimum and maximum range. While rowers will typically only include a maximum range.

For example, the SF-B1879 Synergy Magnetic Cycling Bike has an inseam range of 27 to 37.5 inches. If your inseam measurement falls within this range, you’re a perfect fit for this bike!

On the other hand, the SF-RW5713 Obsidian Surge Water Rowing Machine simply has a maximum inseam of 38 inches. This means, if your inseam measurement is below 38 inches, this rower can accommodate you.

Note: Slide rail length and inseam length are two different measurements. While the rail length includes the entire railing (for space and placement purposes), the inseam length is the actual usable distance for sliding on the rail.