Recumbent exercise bikes are the staple in any modern fitness enthusiasts’ home gym. With its simple premise and ease of use, recumbent exercise bikes are the perfect introductory fitness equipment for newcomers looking to get started on a healthy lifestyle.
After many hours of research, and several revisions over the years, we can confidently say that the best recumbent exercise bike on the market right now is the Exerpeutic 900XL.
The 5 Best Selling Recumbent Exercise Bikes
For your convenience, the below list shows the 5 best selling recumbent exercise bikes available for sale on Amazon.com. The list is automatically updated once a day.
- Excellent Customer Service: Niceday is designed for long-term durability; We are committed to providing...
- Ideal for Physical Therapy: Niceday recumbent exercise bike greatly reduces the burden on the back and...
- 16-Level Progressive Resistance: Niceday Recumbent Bike offers 16 levels of progressive resistance,...
- STEP-THROUGH DESIGN – Featuring heavy-duty construction 14-gauge steel tubing with a powder coated...
- EIGHT RESISTANCE LEVELS – This stationary bike uses a magnetic resistance mechanism with 8 levels of...
- EASY-TO-READ COMPUTER SCREEN – The ultra-functional LCD computer screen acts as a odometer and has a...
- Adjustable Recumbent Bike: Vanswe recumbent exercise bike with infinite slider seat adjustment which...
- 16 Levels Magnetic Resistance: Vanswe stationary bike featured a 16-level magnetic tension control system...
- Digital LED Monitor: Vanswe exercise bike is fitted with an LED monitor with backlight which is really...
- 【 Free MERACH APP 】 Our exclusive APP offers a variety of training modes, including free training,...
- 【 8-Level Quiet & Smooth Magnetic Resistance 】 Our recumbent stationary bike for senior adults with...
- 【 Bottle Cage 】 The bottle holder of this recumbent exercise bike for short people serves as a gentle...
- No Worries Buying: Designed and produced exercise machines for 20 years and served over 3,000,000...
- Safe, Low-Stress Workouts: Protect your joints with the YOSUDA recumbent bike, designed with rehab...
- Customize Your Ride: Adjust your seat without getting up—just flick the handle by your side; The...
Enter the Recumbent Exercise Bike. A perfect entry point for beginners and the elderly, recumbent bikes are easy to use and easy on the body. Getting started on a recumbent bike is the sure road to fitness.
With their fully padded seats and a design that places the rider’s legs out in front in a lean back recline position, recumbent exercise bikes are the ideal choice for those with back issues, problems stepping up to high seats or difficulty putting weight on the joints. Most people who prefer using recumbent exercise bikes find the angle of their back and legs on an upright bike uncomfortable.
There is a variety of models of these types of bikes on the market and in different sizes to accommodate users of just about every size. For some shoppers, features like a large LCD screen or pulse reader are particularly important, while others may want a simple, no-frills bike.
The 5 Best Home Recumbent Exercise Bikes:
Below we’ve listed and reviewed 5 of the best recumbent exercise bikes currently available for sale online:
1. Exerpeutic 900XL Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Exerpeutic 900XL is a recumbent stationary bike that provides an excellent cardiovascular workout while minimizing unwanted stress on your back and joints. It is engineered with precision and incorporates high-quality parts so you are guaranteed longevity to give you value for your money.
Tracking your progress is easy with this bike as it features a large, easy to read LCD that indicated time, distance, calories burned, speed, and heart rate information. Moreover, you can easily customize the bike’s resistance and challenge yourself from time to time with the 8-level magnetic tension control system.
Moving the bike around your home gym is easy as it has built-in wheels, while extended leg stabilizers are on hand to prevent tipping or rocking during exercise. The pedaling experience is smooth and consistent thanks to the bike’s “smooth torque” cranking system that incorporates a precision balanced flywheel and V-Belt drive.
The pedals are big enough and have adjustable straps so you do not have to worry about foot slippage. The Exerpeutic 900XL can accommodate up to 300 lbs of user weight and have ample assembled dimension of 54L x 22W x 34H inches to fit easily into any home gym.
2. Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike was designed for multitasking enthusiasts thanks to its dual-screen LCD console that allows you to track up to 13 different display feedbacks. Moreover, the console features the SchwinnConnect™ goal tracking to set up and track workout time, distance covered and calories burned.
All these can be exported to a USB thumb drive and the SchwinnConnect website for weekly, monthly, and even yearly tracking of fitness progress. The cranking system offers 20 levels of eddy current resistance. The USB port is also good for charging your tablet, Smartphone, or other media device during exercise.
The large vented seat back offers relaxed body positioning with increased support for the lower back to let you ride while experiencing minimum strain. You can adjust the seat’s incline tanks to the slider seat rail system that has an easy to operate lever system.
It has a very stable frame that includes two integrated leveler and center frame support that weighs more than 100 pounds, but moving the bike shouldn’t be a problem since it comes with support wheels.
The handlebars are designed to help you get on-off and hold an ergonomically placed grip heart rate monitor for comfortable use and acoustic chamber speakers for high-quality audio when you connect your mp3 player. There is also a strategically placed 3-speed fan to keep you cool.
This recumbent bike provides the workout you need and it can be easily adjusted to compensate for uneven flooring. Bike assembly may be a challenge for some but the company offers excellent customer support to help you sail through the process with ease.
3. Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Exercise Bike
Are you looking for an exercise bike with a compact design that folds up easily to fit in your small home gym, then the Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike is just what you need. It also features an ultra-quiet double-drive transmission system so you won’t disturb your neighbors when you ride.
The Exerpeutic model includes their magnetic tension control system to vary your challenges in pursuit of your fitness goals. Tracking progress is easy thanks to the LCD screen that displays parameters such as speed, time, distance, heart rate, and calories burnt.
The 400XL has a semi-recumbent design that makes it easier to enter and exit but still stresses on your back joints to reduce strain. It has a large seat cushion and adjustable backrest allows you to exercise for extended periods without experiencing discomfort.
This recumbent bike is so compact you can fit it into the smallest corner of your home for exercise and fold it into your closet when you are through. It is also easy to maneuver and can handle users up to 300 pounds.
4. Marcy NS-716R Magnetic Resistance Recumbent Exercise Bike
One of the unique features sets that this model offers are the counterbalanced pedals that promote a smooth and fluid riding motion. Moreover, the pedals are also fitted with adjustable foot straps to allow them to accommodate different-sized feet.
The seat is well-padded and comfortable with a reclined back seat. It can be adjusted for stride when changing users to accommodate different leg lengths and ensure continued comfort.
You can vary your exercise intensity thanks to the magnetic resistance that offers eight preset resistance levels and keeps track of your time distance speed, heart rate, and calories burnt via the easy to read LCD console.
The bike has a step-through frame design that allows easy entry and exit. It is compact and has built-in transport wheels so you can move and store it away with ease as needed.
5. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Exercise Bike
This bike is a step up from Schwinn’s 230 models. Like the former, it is also fitted with a dual-track LCD console capable of tracking up to 13 different display feedbacks at the same time. It also has the SchwinnConnect™ goal tracking feature to set and track work out distance, time and calories burned, and then export them to the SchwinnConnect website via a USB thumb drive for easy progress tracking on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis.
However, the Schwinn 270 offers 25 unique resistance levels as opposed to 20 and has 29 preset workout programs with four distinct user settings as opposed to two.
This model comes with a USB port for data exchange as well as charging your mp3 player, Smartphone, and tablet while you listen to music via the acoustic chamber speakers on the handlebar. The handlebars are also fitted with a cup holder, though flimsy, so you can enjoy your favorite health or energy drinks during your workout.
The large vented seat back offers relaxed body positioning with increased lumbar support to let you ride while experiencing minimum strain. You can adjust the seat’s incline tanks to the slider seat rail system that has an easy to operate lever system.
You need to read the instructions to assemble the bike correctly and you can adjust the footpads to compensate for unevenness on the floor. It is compact and can fit anywhere you want to position your home gym.
How to Pick The Right Recumbent Exercise Bike
There are many things to consider when you’re faced with the decision to purchase your exercise bikes. Ultimately, it will all boil down to what your exercise goals are, what accessories you can’t live without, safety features, and build quality concerns.
Exercise Goals
What your exercise goals are will determine how advanced you’re bike needs to be. You will need to think about how frequently and how hard you’ll be using it.
From the outset, many prospective buyers overestimate their exercise motivation and end up buying the most high-end recumbent bike available. In the end, if you’re not as dedicated as you initially thought, your expensive bike might just end up languishing in your storage cabinet.
Decide on your realistic exercise goals and choose an exercise bike that helps you achieve that goal.
Essential Features
In any purchase you’ll make for your home exercise bike, you need to ensure it has the basic features available. You need to be looking for various resistance levels as well as adjustable straps and seats. Your exercise needs to comfortable for you so if it’s possible, do a test run in a store so you get a feel of the basic exercise experience.
Other features may be essential for you and not for others. The ability to easily fold up your exercise bike for storage may be an essential feature for those who have limited space at home. Take time to find out what is essential and comfortable for you.
Additional Accessories
Exercises bikes come in different shapes and sizes. They can even come with a multitude of bells and whistles like USB functionality or a beautiful LCD display. Some will even come with a dedicated fitness application to help you track your workouts.
Before you buy, you will need to ask yourselves which of these extra features or accessories you can’t live without.
- Is a hyper-advanced LCD screen capable of dual display something you consider an essential aspect of your bike?
- Are you all about the SchwinnConnect feature and can’t live without that?
- Do you need on-board machine fans to help you cool off as you work out?
- Do you need a dedicated water bottle holder for your recumbent bike?
A lot of recumbent bikes will differ with a multitude of bells and whistles that come with their machines. It’s all a matter of determining for yourself which aspect of the workout experience is essential for you.
Having said that, these are important questions you need to be asking to determine how much bang-for-your-buck do you want to get out of your big purchase.
FAQs
Why is it called a recumbent exercise bike?
Basing on the name itself, the recumbent bikes allow the user to perform the conventional leg pedaling while assuming a reclining sitting position.
This position allows you to focus on the biking workout while at the same time assuming a comfortable position that relieves the stress on your back and pelvic joints compared to other exercise machines.
Are recumbent bikes easy to use?
Yes and yes. These two questions are frequently taken together because recumbent bikes address both of these issues by design.
The low slung, seated position allows users to easily get in and out of the machine and the reclining backrest allows them to lean on it for support as you do the exercise. This allows a better level of comfort not afforded by other bike types in the market.
What muscle groups do a recumbent bike work?
The muscle of the hip, particularly the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles are all frequently engaged in the workouts using a recumbent bike.
Though the recumbent bike can be thought of as as a cardio machine, its utility in targeting the muscles of the hips, thighs, and legs has made it a staple component of muscle endurance workouts for many fitness enthusiasts.
I’m an older person with occasional pain in my joints, is a recumbent bike workout for me?
Yes. The recumbent bike is perfect for the elderly who want to engage in cardiovascular workouts but have joint or low back concerns.
The reclining position on the recumbent bike and the positioning of the pedals in front allows the performance of a gravity-eliminated workout. That is, the joints are unloaded from the normal stresses associated with upright biking or exercise regimens.
Furthermore, the reclining position of the chair allows you to relax your low back providing a level of comfort not seen in other exercise machines.
Why are recumbent exercise bikes good for people who want to get in shape?
Recumbent exercise bikes are good for people who want to get in shape because they allow the user to be active while they exercise. They have many benefits, including a low impact on joints and ligaments, and increased blood flow. This article will explain why recumbent bikes are better than upright machines for getting in shape.
How long does it take to get in shape using a recumbent exercise bike?
The recumbent exercise bike is an effective way to get in shape. It can help you burn calories and lose weight.
A study by the University of Michigan showed that people who used a recumbent exercise bike for 20 minutes, three times a week for 12 weeks lost an average of 3.5% of their body weight.
The recumbent exercise bike is also a good alternative to other cardio machines like treadmills and elliptical trainers because it provides more muscle stimulation than those machines do and is easier on your joints.
How Many Calories Does A Recumbent Exercise Burn Per Hour?
According to a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, a recumbent exercise burns around 200 calories per hour.
This is an average number that can vary depending on the intensity of the workout. The intensity can be increased by increasing resistance or by decreasing speed.
What are the advantages of buying a recumbent exercise bike?
Recumbent exercise bikes are a popular alternative to traditional upright bike. They offer the benefits of being less taxing on your joints, easier to transport and store, and more comfortable for some people.
The main advantage of buying a recumbent exercise bike is that it allows you to do exercises in a more natural position. This makes the workout easier on your body, especially if you have joint problems or injuries.
How much does a recumbent exercise bike cost?
Recumbent exercise bikes are an effective way to burn calories and lose weight. They are also a cost-effective way to stay in shape without the need for expensive gym memberships.
Recumbent exercise bikes typically come with a price tag of around 100-300 dollars.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to jumpstart your home fitness journey, we hope this review of the top 5 best recumbent exercise bikes in 2020 puts you on that highway to health.
This exercise machine is sure to get you out of that fitness slump with its ease of use, comfortable design, and quality exercise experience. It may even be tailor-made for elderly individuals with joint and low back problems looking to adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
Overall, a recumbent exercise bike should be one of your considerations for an essential exercise machine in the home.
This article was last updated on December 13, 2022 .