The Best Exercise Bikes

Buying Guide for Exercise Bikes

Why buy an exercise bike?

Determined to get more exercise but not sure where to start? Or maybe you’re looking for an affordable home-workout solution—either way, a high-quality, versatile stationary exercise bike could be the answer, especially if you’re starting your workout journey or are interested in adding more to your current cardio routine. Exercise bikes are low impact yet, highly effective, working out important leg muscles and burning up to 400 calories in just 30 minutes. Plus, having equipment at home means never having to pay for a gym membership or walk further than your living room for a satisfying workout session.

What should you look for in an exercise bike?

• Type: There are three different exercise bikes: upright, recumbent, and indoor. Upright bikes help you stay upright while cycling and can be adjusted from sitting to standing, and they usually give you a full-body workout. Recumbent bikes are known for their wider seats and reclined position, giving a lower-body workout. Indoor bikes are made for fast pedaling and have built-in resistance knobs, giving you more control.
• Features: Resistance capabilities are important so you can adjust the difficulty level to match your abilities, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cyclist. They can also come with built-in LED screens, integrated desktops, cupholders, and tablet/iPad mounts. Depending on what your exercise routine demands, make sure the bike you choose will suit your needs.

How much should you expect to spend on an exercise bike?

Depending on the features and the material that the bike is constructed of, the range of what you could spend on an exercise bike is vast. For a bike with a built-in LCD monitor, adjustable resistance knobs, and an iPad holder, you may pay close to $300 or up to $800, whereas the more basic exercise bike without these types of features that still gives you a good workout will be around $100.

Our Picks for the Best Exercise Bikes

Pros: There are no loud, distracting noises while riding this comfortable, silent indoor bike. It features a magnetic, noise-canceling system that controls sound at 20DB, even after many uses (a saving grace if you have sleeping kids). It’s constructed from thickened, commercial-grade steel for more stability and includes a personalized fit with seven adjustable seat levels and a five-level adjustable handlebar for the best fit. Monitor your speed, time, calories, distance, and more on an LCD monitor, and watch your favorite show, or workout guide, with help from a convenient iPad/tablet mount.

Cons: This bike is ideal for folks six-foot and under. So, if you’re taller, you may have to adjust your riding style to ensure the most efficient workout.

Bottom Line: Enjoy quiet, smooth rides with this magnetic-resistance bike, choosing from 100 micro-adjustable levels with a simple twist. This is a strong, quality cycling machine for beginners, intermediates, and experts.

 

Pros: Work out your muscles, enhance your heart, and improve lung function with this smooth YOSUDA exercise bike with cage pedals and a nonslip handle to help you cycle faster safely. Featuring a two-way adjustable, a nonslip handlebar, and a 4-way padded seat, you’ll experience a comfortable, personalized workout every time— adjust according to your height and regimen. Its LCD monitor allows you to monitor your time, speed, distance, calories, and rotations. At the same time, a tablet/iPad mount helps keep you entertained and motivated with your favorite exercise guru or gym music. Plus, you can easily hold and refill a water bottle while riding and transport it to another room with handy wheel castors.

Cons: The bike’s resistance knob doesn’t show you how much resistance you’re adding or taking away; you’ll feel the difference as you adjust the knob up or down.

Bottom Line: It’s hard to go wrong with this YOSUDA exercise bike regarding price and quality. It’s easy to assemble, smooth and quiet when in use and allows you to ride safely.

 

Pros: Don’t skip your workout just because you’re at work. This compact, portable foot cycler by himaly is an excellent, quiet way to stay moving while sitting long hours— place it under your desk and pedal while working. Just like a stationary bike, you can adjust resistance according to the muscle groups you want to target that day and monitor your calories, time, and distance on its multifunction LCD screen. Its antislip pedals and nonskid foot pad provide excellent stability while riding at any speed. The best part? You can set up your portable foot cycle on the nearest tabletop and use the pedals to exercise your arm’s core muscles.

Cons: This foot peddler doesn’t offer the highest resistance levels, like a typical exercise bike, as it’s designed to provide an easy, low-intensity workout while working or relaxing.

Bottom Line: This mini exercise bike is an excellent buy for those looking to add more motion to sedentary workdays, especially for the price. It’s easy to pick up and take, so slide it beneath your desk and leave it, or bring it home for a low-energy workout in the evening.

 

Pros: Worldwide, cyclers are familiar with Schwinn and its quality bikes, but did you know the brand also offers stationary bikes for home workouts? Its progressive line of Airdyne bikes features an efficient, single-stage belt drive and resistance fan for an extra-smooth ride with personalized effort and without all the noise; especially helpful in smaller spaces or around children. Its high-resolution display tracks your ride time, calories burned, watts, distance, speed, plus RPMs and heart rate for an end-to-end workout you can consistently track. Like other bikes, the Airdyne lets you adjust its handlebars and seat according to your height. You won’t have to worry about water or sweat corroding your bike—it’s covered in a protective powder and designed to last.

Cons: If you’re used to gym bikes, this could be an adjustment. The Schwinn bike’s resistance is fan-powered, so the harder you pedal, the more resistance you’ll feel, and vice versa.

Bottom Line: Offered by a trusted, long-lived manufacturer, the Airdyne stationary bike is a premium buy, and it’s worth the higher price tag. You’ll be in charge of every move, adjusting resistance with a simple, quick change of pace. Plus, you’ll gain more control over your workout using the bike’s built-in heart monitor.

 

Pros: Talk about space-saving. You won’t need to find a permanent place for this FB150 folding bike from XTERRA Fitness; unfold, break a sweat, fold, and store. With an 18×18 footprint, when folded, your bike will take up as much space as your ironing board, making it an excellent addition to studio apartments and smaller homes. Its thick, steel tubing ensures a smooth, balanced ride powered by eight levels of friction-free magnetic resistance, and you’ll sit comfortably for long periods on its oversized, padded seat. Just because it’s foldable doesn’t mean you can’t track your stats—it also includes a multifunctional LCD. The FB150 is also incredibly quiet, especially for a smaller, portable model. It’s easy to assemble and maneuver for younger and older alike.

Cons: This XTERRA Fitness bike comfortably fits most users 4’10” to 5’10” tall and has a weight limit of 225 pounds, so it may not excel outside these ranges.

Bottom Line: This portable, folding exercise bike is an optimal choice. The price is fair, and the size is forgiving, allowing you to easily roam your smaller home and hide unsightly exercise equipment from guests.

Final Thoughts

Home workouts come with advantages over using a public gym, especially if you’re not into the crowded gym scene. With the right equipment, you can accomplish an equally effective workout in the comfort of your home. Exercise bikes are a great way to increase your heart rate and break a sweat whenever you have a few minutes, no matter the weather outside.