Free is always better. Most people give up on exercise equipment after a few weeks or only use it for 15 min. Cycling is a lot easier on the knees and feet then running. You want to do an easy 10 min warm up and start spinning at 70-90 rpm's to gradually work up to 85% of your max heart rate. You want to also work up to a hour a day or more. If you are not sweating after 15-20 you are not doing it right.