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Cycling, in general, is a great way to work out since it’s easier on the joints than running, so having an exercise bike at home can be a great way to work on your fitness. You can say goodbye to trips to the gym and ride a bike even if the weather isn’t agreeable for an outdoor ride. That means fewer excuses to not get a workout in, helping you stay active and healthy. Whether you’re a serious athlete or just looking to start your fitness journey, the best exercise bikes will help you get some movement in with less fuss.
First and foremost, you’ll need a place to put your exercise bike. Some are quite bulky, though, requiring lots of room. That’s not ideal if you have a small home or don’t have a dedicated place for an exercise bike. Plus, you may not like looking at the bike in your living room all the time. There are compact bikes meant for small spaces with a smaller footprint, or even some that are foldable if you want to tuck it away when it’s not in use. Alternatively, if you already own a bike, you can opt for a bike trainer, which is much more compact than a regular exercise bike.
Everyone’s experience levels and fitness goals are different, and each bike is suitable for different goals and needs. If you’re a focused athlete training for an event, you’ll have unique requirements for an exercise bike compared to someone who is casually working to get fit and stay active. Likewise, if you’re an experienced cyclist, you’ll have higher expectations and more specific needs in an exercise bike than someone new to cycling. Before selecting a bike, put some thought into what your goals are and what you will be using the exercise bike for to guide your decision better.
Exercise bikes come with an extremely wide range of features. Some offer large displays with built-in workout programs on the console, while others are more minimal and have no display at all. Certain bikes provide various health-focused features like built-in heart rate monitors on the handlebars, distance and speed trackers or a calorie-burning tracker. You may have access to intensity and resistance settings as well. Some offerings offer built-in weight storage or the ability to use the bike for more than just cycling workouts. The list of specialty features goes on.
Which features are essential for you depends entirely on your goals, preferences and experience level. If you’re new to working out and aren’t sure how to start or would like some extra motivation, an exercise bike with guided workouts and a large display may be very beneficial. If you’re extremely data-driven and are working toward specific goals, the health features may be a must for you.
When selecting the best exercise bike for your needs, it’s important to determine which features are must-haves and what may be nice but aren’t necessary. This could save you from paying for features that you won’t actually use in the long run.
Both recumbent and upright-style exercise bikes have pros and cons, and which is best depends on your needs and preferences. It’s important to “assess whether you have any existing injuries or flexibility issues,” explains Pav Bryan, master cycling coach at Humango. Knowing this could help you decide if an upright bike or recumbent exercise bike with a backrest would be best.
Recumbent exercise bikes are typically recommended for older adults or those with mobility issues. They put you in a seated position with a backrest, which helps alleviate strain on the back and glutes and provides support for the lower back, making them especially beneficial for those with back injuries. The seat is also much more comfortable than the saddle of an upright exercise bike, and the lower profile makes it easier to get on and off.
The pedals on recumbent exercise bikes are out in front of the seat instead of directly under it, like on an upright bike. This changes the pedaling movement and puts less strain on the knees and hips. Recumbent bikes don’t provide full-body muscle engagement, so they provide a less intense workout overall. They are also larger, requiring more space.
Upright bikes, as the name suggests, put riders in an upright position with the pedals directly under the hips. These bikes allow for a more full-body workout and let the rider move from seated to a standing position while riding. They are generally smaller than recumbent bikes, and there are foldable options to save even more space.
While the above features are certainly optional, one thing that should be a must for everyone is adjustability. If your exercise bike doesn’t fit your body well it could, at best, be uncomfortable to ride or, at worst, cause injuries. Most exercise bikes will list a weight range and various measurements that can help guide if that particular bike will fit you. Beyond that, you can also look for options with an adjustable seat height. The ability to adjust the handlebar position will also be very valuable.
If you’re looking for a home recumbent exercise bike, the NordicTrack Commercial R35 is the best available. “NordicTrack has been making substantial improvements to its indoor equipment, and the Commercial R35 really is a gym-quality bike for your home,” explains Bryan. “While it comes with a higher price than a lot of other indoor bikes, it’s easily the best recumbent tested.” NordicTrack’s home ellipticals are also superb if you’re considering other exercise equipment.
The NordicTrack Commercial R35 is a feature-rich recumbent exercise bike that brings the gym home with 26 levels of resistance and a display to keep you entertained.
Get it here: NordicTrack Commercial R35
The Schwinn 230 features 13 built-in workouts and 200 virtual courses to follow with a subscription. If you want even more, it offers a Bluetooth connection so that you can pair the exercise bike with other apps like Zwift for more workout guidance. It’s also very adjustable and the vented back keeps you cool during your workout. “This Schwinn comes a close second to the NordicTrack and is a great, affordable alternative to the NordicTrack,” says Bryan. “It doesn’t have all the features but it will make a great addition to a home gym.” The Schwinn also happens to be Bryan’s pick for the best exercise bike for seniors because of its reasonable price tag and adjustability.
The Schwinn 230 is a great value recumbent bike with built-in workout programs and a Bluetooth connection to pair with other training apps and tracking tools.
Get it here: Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike
The YOSUDA exercise bike is a budget-friendly option for those looking for something more basic. Its small LCD monitor displays your pulse, time, speed, distance, calories burned and an odometer. It also comes with an iPad holder, so you can add your own display if you want. It’s also the best exercise bike without a subscription, thanks to its simplicity. The bike offers lots of adjustability and fits anyone from 4’8” to 6’1”. Finally, it’s very stable, even on rigorous rides, and offers eight levels of resistance. You don’t get the frills of more expensive bikes, but it will give you just as good of a workout.
This no-frills budget exercise bike features a small monitor that displays key stats and lots of adjustability to get a comfortable ride.
Get it here: YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike
If you don’t have a lot of room in your home, or just don’t want to look at your exercise bike all the time, a foldable option is the way to go. The Pooboo Foldable Bike is an affordable option that’s well worth your money. When folded, its footprint is just 14.96 by 15.95 inches, and the built-in wheels make it easy to tuck away. You’ll get eight levels of resistance and built-in heart rate monitors on the handlebars. Plus, a small LCD monitor that displays time, speed, distance, calories burned and heart rate while the included resistance bands let you get a full-body workout.
The affordable Pooboo Exercise Bike folds up and wheels away so it doesn’t take up room in your home when you’re not working out.
Get it here: Pooboo 3-in-1 Foldable Exercise Bike
The Wahoo KICKR Smart Bike is the best exercise bike for serious cyclists who want an authentic ride indoors. It features an integrated tilt that pairs with automated resistance to simulate grade changes of climbs up to 20% and descents of -15%. The bike offers accurate power measurements up to 2,500 watts. While there’s no screen on the Wahoo KICKR, it offers lots of connection options. “Wahoo integrates with almost every platform thanks to its Bluetooth sensors,” explains Bryan. “While this allows the bike to sync with paid applications — Wahoo SYSTM or Zwift, for example — it also allows the user to sync with free platforms such as IndieVelo. These immersive platforms are next-level for increasing motivation and enjoyment from indoor cycling.”
The Wahoo KICKR provides a realistic ride thanks to the grade changes and automatic power adjustments, plus plenty of connectivity options to keep you motivated and engaged on a ride.
Get it here: Wahoo KICKR BIKE Smart Bike
This Marcy exercise bike is highly compact, making it ideal for smaller spaces. “The innovative frame design makes it easy and quick to fold and store away if you lack space,” says Petrina Barber, fitness expert and founder of Beyond the Stoma. “It also has all of the basic features and a number of resistance levels to help you progress through your fitness journey.” There are eight manual resistance levels and a built-in LCD panel displays speed, distance, time and calories burned. There aren’t heart rate monitors in the handlebars, though, so you won’t get heart rate data from the bike.
The Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise bike is affordable and compact so it will even fit in small apartments or homes.
Get it here: Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike
Peloton is one of the leading exercise bike options for a good reason. It’s “designed to make you feel like you’re part of a spin class from your own home,” says Bryan. “They lead the way with the position and quality of the screen you are following in front of you.” The Peloton features a massive 23.8-inch rotating touchscreen display to immerse you in the workout. The ability to rotate it also means you can follow workouts off the bike, adding to its versatility. It’s compatible with heights ranging from 4’11” to 6’5”, making it one of the best exercise bikes for short or tall individuals. Should you want something other than a bike, Peloton also makes an excellent rowing machine and quality treadmills.
The 23.8-inch display of the Peloton Bike+ makes it feel like you’re there in a spin class and rotates so you can follow workouts off the bike as well.
Get it here: Peloton Bike+
The Echelon X-5 is much like a budget Peloton. It offers 32 levels of resistance and lots of adjustability so you can get the fit just right. There’s no built-in screen, but with the Echelon Premier Membership and Echelon Fit App, you will have access to 3,000 “live and on-demand classes for all fitness and activity levels,” says Barber. The dual-sided pedals allow you to use either sneakers or cycling cleats, making it ideal for a range of athletes. It’s also relatively compact, so it won’t take up much room in your home.
With a relatively affordable price, compact design and useful training app, the Echelon X-5 is ideal for a range of activity and experience levels.
Get it here: Echelon X-5
When selecting the best exercise bikes, we relied on the advice of fitness experts while also factoring in user and editorial reviews. We aimed to choose bikes suitable for all fitness and experience levels and different bike style preferences. Quality and adjustability were our primary considerations. We also evaluated each bike for features and ride experience.
First and foremost, ensuring you have the bike set up for a proper fit is essential to using an exercise bike effectively. “Spend as much time as needed setting it up and ensuring it feels comfortable,” suggests Bryan. “A few shorter and easier workouts to identify any areas of discomfort — this is usually the saddle area, shoulders, back or hands — is worth it as it’ll make the experience much better.”
Then, when it comes time for real workouts, “warm up for the intensity of the workout,” Bryan says. “If it’s a high-intensity workout, then a progressive 10-minute warm-up is smart to ensure your body is ready and will recover well.”
Derek Millender, the head strength and conditioning coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, suggests choosing the training method based on the bike you are using. “Is your bike designed for short sprint intervals or longer rides, or is it a hybrid?” he asks. He also recommends using the exercise bike “in an area that allows you to regulate your core temperature during exertion and tracking your heart rate while riding to ensure you’re on track with that day’s riding goal.”
According to Millender, the most important thing with any type of exercise, though, is consistency. “Remember to drink water, listen to your body and try to do 30 minutes if you can,” adds Barber.
All of our experts stressed the importance of wiping off sweat after each use, which will keep the bike in good condition for much longer. Beyond that, you’ll need to reference the manual for your individual bike, as each exercise bike has different maintenance requirements.
“The biggest safety concern for an at-home exercise bike is ensuring the height is right with the pedal,” explains Jennifer Rulon, 15-time Ironman triathlete, author, coach and podcast host. “Make sure to keep the pedal and seat height adjusted to your height while finding a spacious area with a stable platform for the bike to be held.”
Bryan also recommends consulting with a doctor before starting a new exercise program if you have any injuries or mobility concerns. As with any exercise, make sure you are hydrating well during workouts. Bryan also suggests a good fan to keep you cool.
The main benefit of a home exercise bike is convenience. “You will always have access to your own bike and nobody else’s sweat to wipe off,” says Bryan. “There’s no driving to a gym and no ongoing subscription or payment, unless you get an exercise bike with a subscription.” That means that it’s easier to squeeze in a workout when you have time, making it more likely that you will stay active and use the bike.
Home workouts can also allow you to feel more comfortable. “Typically, you are going to be more comfortable at home than you will be at a gym,” says Millender. “Working out in a comfortable environment can lead to a more productive workout.” Plus, when at home, you get full control over external variables like the temperature, music, TV channel, bike location and so on.
The most common mistake related to using an exercise bike is improper fit. “Make sure that the seat height is suitable for your height,” explains Rulon. “Many people will extend their legs too long on the bike and have difficulty spinning. Other people will have the seat too low, and there won’t be any extension on the legs. If you aren’t sure of the best height, do some research before setting up your bike height.”
Beyond bike fit, the tendency to go too hard is also very common. “I call it ‘new bike frenzy,’” says Bryan. “This is when someone buys a new bike — stationary or road — and gets caught up in riding as hard or fast as possible. At best, this creates too much fatigue, which requires a short period of rest to recover from. At worst, this causes an injury that needs prolonged time off.”
Finally, many stick to the same type of training, keeping their heart rate in the same zone for all workouts, which won’t lead to progress. “Having a variety of heart rate variability is important in preventing accommodation, which can lead to a reduced training effect,” explains Millender.
“Yes, biking can help with weight loss, but it isn’t the only variable that has to be considered,” explains Millender. “Biking with progressive heart rate zone training and proper nutrition will aid in weight loss.” Or, as Bryan puts it, “You can’t out-exercise bad nutrition.”
Coach Rulon agrees and also recommends adding strength training. “When coaching my clients, I always encourage them to maintain a healthy diet while also incorporating strength training into their schedules. Having a nice balance between the three will allow you to be the healthiest version of yourself,” she explains.
How you track progress and monitor your workouts depends on your bike and equipment. “Equipment that uses a power meter while wearing a heart rate monitor gives the user data to track progression and performance,” explains Bryan. “An app such as Humango will take this data and make it actionable, prescribe workouts based on performance and other metrics and ensure the user does the exact right amount of exercise, without doing too much.”
Certain high-end bikes will have performance-tracking equipment built into the bike, along with built-in apps that allow you to monitor all the information. If you use a fitness watch like Garmin, you can pair heart rate monitors and power meters to track exercise bike sessions and see your results in its app. Most basic bikes will at least provide a small monitor to show you how long your session has been, how far you’ve ridden and how many calories you’ve burned.
Mini Bike Exercise AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.