The 12 Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes According To An Expert – 2024
Bike your way to a healthy heart by enhancing your cardio workout experience.
William Toro is a highly experienced Rehabilitation Physio and Certified Personal Trainer with over 15 years of experience in the field. He received his diploma from Stanford University, where he studied Nutrition Sciences, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
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Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.
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Experience: 5 yearsMedha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.
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Experience: 3 yearsRajeshwari is a dedicated fitness and lifestyle enthusiast, deeply committed to enhancing our readers’ well-being and vitality. She has a master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Calcutta.
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If you intend to add a cardio workout that’s also fun, you might want to look for the best recumbent exercise bike. As opposed to stationary bikes, these bikes lower the impact on your knees and are the perfect companion for those with back pain. With features like an adjustable seat and backrest, a range of resistance levels, and a monitor to keep track of your movements, they’re ideal for all age groups.
To help you find one that aids you with your cardio workout, here’s a list of the 12 best recumbent bikes with reviews and a buying guide!
In This Article
The 12 Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes To Keep You Fit – 2024
1. Best Overall:Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike
If you want to burn calories, become fit, and build muscles, get home the Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike. It is made of premium 14-gauge steel tubing, rubber, and PVC. This stationary indoor workout bike features a high-quality structure and design with a powder-coated finish that enables high-performance. Its dimensions are 55.5 x 25 x 37.5 inches. This bike is sturdy, scratch-resistant, chip-resistant, durable, and also resistant to environmental damage. The specially designed seat with contoured handles facilitates proper body posture and allows the body to conform to the backrest. Its design also prevents back pain. The bike is easier on the knees and back. The magnetic resistance system features 8 preset levels of resistance. The resistance can be easily adjusted with a tension knob.
A sharp panel LCD display acts as an odometer and tracks speed, distance, time, and calories burned in extra-large numbers for easy reading. The ergonomically designed saddle is furnished with comfortable high-density foam and features contoured foam-covered handles for extra support. The weighted pedals with adjustable straps provide maximum foot support and control. This recumbent exercise bike is equipped with wheels that allow easy transportation. Its maximum weight capacity is 300 lbs. You can also check this detailed review to learn about a tester’s experience using this product.
- High-quality structure
- Sturdy
- Scratch-resistant
- Chip-resistant
- Resistant to environmental damage
- Durable
- Noiseless operation
- Easy-to-read LCD display
- Facilitates proper body posture
- Easier on the knees and back
- Comfortable saddle
- Allows maximum foot support and control
- Transport wheels
None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With 19,125 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.
2. Best Scratch-Resistant:Exerpeutic Folding Recumbent Bike
The Exerpeutic Folding Recumbent Bike is a space-saving and easy-to-store foldable exercise machine. It supports up to 300 pounds and features 8 levels of Magnetic Tension control system. It also comes with a 3-piece torque crank system, heart pulse, and transmission system at an affordable price. The bike is powerful and equipped with a precision-balanced flywheel and a quiet V-belt double-drive transmission system.
The easy-to-read LCD display tracks time, distance, calories burned, and heart rate. It also has a large seat cushion and backrest, extendable leg stabilizers, a hand pulse sensor, large pedals with adjustable safety straps, and transport wheels for mobility.
- Foldable design
- Saves space
- Allows easy pedaling
- Noiseless operation
- Easy-to-read LCD display
- Large seat cushion and backrest
- Transport wheels
None
Pro Tip"I have loved using this exercise bike since 2014. The quality is commendable and it remains ideal for endurance training. However, its design doesn't accommodate reverse peddling."
3. Best For Smooth Pedalling:Schwinn Recumbent Bike
The Schwinn Recumbent Bike features 25 levels of resistance for a wide range of intensity options. The Bluetooth connectivity syncs with the Schwinn Trainer App or other fitness apps to help you virtually exercise with your friends. It is equipped with 28 programs: 12 profile, 9 heart rate monitoring, 2 fitness tests, 4 custom, 1 quick start. This efficient and well-designed recumbent exercise bike plugs into any standard electrical wall outlet. It comes with a 90-240V, 50-60 Hertz adapter. The high-speed and high-inertia drive system with a perimeter-weighted flywheel enables an easy start and smooth, consistent pedaling. It also features a Dual Track LCD display, a media shelf, in-console speakers with an MP3 input port, a USB charging port, and an adjustable fan. The maximum user weight is up to 300 lbs. Several reviewers highly recommend this product for its quiet and smooth mechanism.
- Efficient and well-designed
- Plugs into any standard electrical wall outlet
- Easy to start
- Smooth pedaling
- A media shelf
- Built-in speakers with MP3 input port
- USB charging port
- Adjustable cooling fan
- Transportation wheels
None
"I found this bike easy to assemble with all the necessary tools provided. The frame and the seat were easy to adjust. However, the inconsistency of the automatic intensity adjustment is troublesome. Nonetheless, it is sturdy and personalized and meets most of my needs."
4. Best Portable:Progear Magnetic Tension Recumbent Bike
The Progear Magnetic Tension Recumbent Bike has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds for a height range of 5’0 to 6’3″. It features 14 levels of magnetic tension resistance that provides a customized intensity and noiseless workout experience. It also features 3 computer goal settings that let you track the distance covered, time, and calories burned on the LCD display. The extended cushioned seat ensures comfort during exercise while the cushioned back provides support to the lower back. The soft grip recumbent handlebars help you do intense workouts easily. The bike is also equipped with transportation wheels that make it easily portable.
- Customized intensity
- Noiseless operation
- Ergonomically designed seat and backrest
- iPad holder
- Transportation wheels
- Unclear assembly instructions
"Everything works well with this exercise bike except the seat adjustment, which is slightly tricky. The pedaling is not as smooth as I would have liked but the silence during operation definitely makes up for it. The bike offers a stable ride with a variety of modes and adjustable tension control."
5. Best Adjustable Seat:Nautilus Recumbent Bike
The Nautilus Recumbent Bike features 25 levels of resistance for a wide range of workout intensity options. The maximum user weight capacity is 300 lbs. Its dimensions are 65.3 x 28.3 x 49.6 inches, and it weighs 91.9 lbs. The enhanced Bluetooth connectivity enables the users to set, track, and monitor their progress. The DualTrack blue backlit LCD console displays 29 customizable workout programs. It also shows time, distance, speed, heart rate, and calories burned. The padded seat with a ventilated back on a sliding seat rail aids adjustable comfort to the user. The side handles are perfect for support. The adjustable pedal straps and the large footrest allow unhinged pedaling. Reviews on Amazon indicate that the seat features a ventilated back to keep air flowing, making it great for sweaty workout sessions.
- Adjustable seat
- Ventilated backrest
- Side handles for support
- Console features
- Adjustable foot straps
- No transportation wheels
"I put together this lightweight bike by myself but it did take some time. The seat is comfortable while the overall design is sleek. Initially, it was difficult for me to reach the handle that adjusts the leg length but I eventually understood how to do so. Now, I use it regularly."
6. Best Noise-Free Operation:3G Cardio Elite Recumbent Exercise Bike
The 3G Cardio Elite Recumbent Exercise Bike is a compact 49-inch by a 27-inch exercise machine. It features high-quality construction with a lifetime warranty for the frame and a 7-year warranty for the parts. The adjustable seat frame and backrest makes it easy to be used by many users of different heights. A wireless heart rate strap is included with a handheld heart rate contact sensor. The Narrow Q factor distance between the pedals helps in an ergonomically correct ride. It is comfortable, quiet, and sturdy.
- High-quality construction
- Adjustable seat frame and backrest
- Enables ergonomically correct ride
- Quiet operation
- Sturdy
- Uncomfortable seat position
"The cardio recumbent bike is easy to assemble. It is user-friendly and has become a reliable part of my daily routine. I multitask, like read or catch up on shows or news, while pedaling. It has improved my stamina, heart rate, and sleep quality after only a year of use. It is a worthwhile investment indeed."
7. Best Design For Seniors:HARISON Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
The HARISON Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike has a weight capacity of 350 lbs. It features 14 levels of noiseless magnetic resistance pre-programmed workouts for a customized workout experience. The design is ideal for seniors and supports interval training, muscle toning, joint-friendly exercise, and rehabilitation. The heavy-duty stainless steel frame makes the bike sturdy and efficient. The step-through design facilitates quick entry and exit from the bike. It is corrosion-resistant and oxidation-resistant. The sliding seat makes it easy to adjust to the user’s height. The smooth torque cranking system enables a smooth and consistent pedaling. A multi-function LCD display provides a real-time record of speed, distance, calories burned, RPM, odometer, and heart rate. A 2-in-1 iPad holder and water bottle holder are also provided for greater convenience. The seat and backrest are padded with high-density foam. The footrests with straps and side handlebars provide stability. Several reviewers on Amazon note that this product has a great weight capacity and its high-density foam seating makes it ultra-comfortable.
- Specifically designed for seniors
- Heavy-duty stainless steel frame
- Quick entry and quick exit
- Corrosion-resistant
- Oxidation-resistant
- Smooth, consistent pedaling
- A 2-in-1 iPad holder and water bottle holder
- Offers stability while exercising
- Transport wheels
- May make a ‘grinding’ noise
Pro Tip8. Best Corrosion-Resistant:Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Bike
The Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Bike has a maximum weight capacity of 250 lbs and features 8-level magnetic resistance for a customized workout. The resistance can be adjusted with an easy-to-reach tension dial. It has a sturdy steel frame, ergonomic design, and built-in transport wheels. The multi-function electronic display tracks time, speed, calories, heart rate, and distance. The padded seat and adjustable backrest make this recumbent exercise bike effective and comfortable for users of varied body sizes. The bike also includes upper hand pedals and lower foot pedals for a full-body workout.
- Sturdy steel frame
- Ergonomic design
- Built-in transport wheels
- Padded seat and adjustable backrest
- Designed for a full-body workout
- Uncomfortable design
"I assembled this bike within an hour. While the bike offers adjustable resistance settings, the shoe straps are not user-friendly at all. The sliding seat can also use some improvement for better stability. However, despite the shortcomings, I thoroughly enjoy using it daily because it is comfortable and durable."
9. Best Ergonomic Design:SOLE Recumbent Bike
The SOLE Recumbent Bike supports up to 300 lbs and is compact. It features 20 resistance levels and allows a smooth transition from one level to another. A 9” LCD screen with Bluetooth connectivity helps track and monitor progress in real-time. It also allows the user to transfer data from the bike to their phones owing to the smartphone app integration. The adjustable, foam-padded seat and backrest ensure a comfortable workout. This bike is perfect for apartments or other small spaces. Have a look at this YouTube video to learn about a reviewer’s experience with this product.
- Compact
- Adjustable, foam-padded seat and backrest
- Perfect for apartments/small spaces
- May not be ideal for people with back issues
"I have been using this bike regularly for my pre- and post-knee surgery exercises. The seat adjustment is smooth and it features space for drinks and devices. However, vigorous pedaling might induce seat wiggle. But maintaining a steady pace ensures quiet operation. Nonetheless, it is a useful addition to my home gym lineup."
10. Best Easy-To-Store:Xspec Recumbent Bike
The Xspec Recumbent Bike can either be used as an upright or a recumbent exercise bike. It features a 16-level magnetic resistance that allows the user to adjust the resistance levels to make the workout progressively challenging. The heavy-duty steel frame is adjustable to work comfortably for a maximum weight of 220 lbs. The vertically adjustable seat helps accommodate a wide range of body heights as well. An LCD display monitor tracks calories burned, distance, time, and speed. It is also equipped with a phone/iPad or book holder. A large counter-weighted pedal design with a secure and adjustable cage foot strap ensures safety. The high-performance cranking system provides a smooth, quiet, and consistent pedaling motion. The bike can be folded for easy storage. It is also equipped with transportation wheels.
- Can be ed as an upright or a recumbent exercise bike
- Heavy-duty steel frame
- Accommodates a wide range of body heights
- Has a phone/iPad or book holder
- Supports smooth, consistent pedaling motion
- Foldable design
- Good safety features
- Transportation wheels
None
"I assembled my new bike on my own. It is a perfect one-stop workout apparatus catering to diverse intensities. It functions well despite occasional popping sounds. The comfortable seat, adjustable resistance, and quiet operation enhance its appeal. It is lightweight, simple to maneuver, and suitable for small spaces. It is a great investment for at-home exercise space."
11. Best For A Full-Body Workout:SNODE Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
THe SNODE Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike has a maximum weight capacity of 300lbs and features 8-level magnetic resistance for a customized workout. The magnetic control system offers smooth and quiet exercise. The LCD digital display monitor tracks calories burnt, time, distance, speed, pulse, etc., for easy track accessibility during workouts. The 3 piece cranks add strength and durability to this machine. In addition, the adjustable seat makes the bike more user-friendly and it comes with a 1-year warranty. Check out this YouTuber’s review of the product if you require more details.
- Ergonomic design
- Adjustable base and strap
- Designed for a full-body workout
- Durable
- Sturdy
- Comes with a pulse sensor
- Uncomfortable seat
"My husband assembled the bike in roughly an hour. Unfortunately, the 13-inch high seat isn't ideal for my back issues as a result of my spine surgeries. Luckily, the smooth pedal action as well as the adjustable tension makes it easier for me to use the bike. It offers a much-needed boost for my fitness goals."
12. Best Durable:Pooboo Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Pooboo Recumbent Exercise Bike features 8 adjustable magnetic levels of tension for a customized workout. The ergonomic design features a large seat and backrest with a soft padding that provides utmost comfort during workouts. The bike also comes with transport wheels to easily move the bike according to your needs. The LCD monitor tracks your daily workout milestones for easy accessibility. It has a weight capacity of 300 lbs and is convenient for people with 5′-6.5′ height. It offers a 1-year warranty on the parts.
- Transportation wheels
- Ergonomic design
- 3-year warranty on the frame
- Padded cushion seat
- Has an iPad holder
None
"The bike is strong and sturdy. I use it because it does not put any pressure on my joints during intense training sessions. The seat is adjustable but requires additional padding for comfort. Overall, it works well."
These are the 12 best recumbent exercise bikes of 2024. All these fitness products have been picked after careful consideration of their unbiased online reviews. Following is a checklist of what to look for in a recumbent bike before you purchase one.
How To Choose The Best Recumbent Bike – A Buying Guide
- Design: Recumbent bikes, unlike upright bikes, have a seat with backrest. These can be compact or full-sized. Choose the one that fits the room you will use it in.
- Material: Look for bikes that are made of heavy-duty, rust-free, and corrosion-free steel.
- Resistance: Recumbent bikes with multiple resistance levels are ideal for long-term use. Choose the one that has at least 5 resistance levels. It will keep you motivated, and you can also challenge yourself.
- Seat Adjustability: Depending on your height, you must adjust the seat to reach the pedal at the correct distance for effective pedaling.
- Backrest Adjustability: A lever helps to adjust the backrest either upright or decline it. This helps maintain good posture and reduces the risk of a back injury.
- Padding: The backrest and seat should be adequately padded to provide comfort to the back and hips.
- Handlebars: Test the handlebars to determine whether they offer a secure grip and are at a comfortable height and distance.
- LCD Display: A large LCD display with the large, readable font is great for tracking time, speed, distance, calories burned, and heart rate.
- Pulse Sensor: A few recumbent exercise bikes have built-in pulse sensors on the side handles. These keep you from over-exerting yourself.
- Pedals: Choose a bike with broad footrests with adjustable straps for safety and stability.
- Noise: Check if the equipment makes a loud noise. Most recumbent bikes on the market today have a quiet operation.
- Safety Features: Identify and test various safety features to ensure the machine functions as intended.
The Bottom Line
Why stick to heavy machines or regular cardio equipment when you can use a recumbent bike? Recumbent bikes are suitable for all ages. They are fun, comfortable, burn some serious calories through low-impact exercises, and improve cardiovascular health and body shape. Try the Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike for its comfortable and sturdy design, the HARISON Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike for muscle toning and rehabilitation for seniors, and the Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Bike for a high-intensity full-body workout. You sure can get healthy from the comfort of your home. Choose your favorite recumbent bike and start exercising today!
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Aditi Naskar, the author of this article, has a diploma in health & wellness. She has expertise in reviewing fitness gadgets and devices. She has compiled the list of the best recumbent exercise bikes after extensive research and reading many consumer reviews online. The bikes included in the list are perfect for cardio and can also be used by those who have back pain as they lower the impact on the knees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are recumbent bikes good for losing weight?
Yes, recumbent bikes are good for losing weight – especially from the lower body. They help burn calories and work your thighs, calves, and the glute muscles.
How long should I exercise on a recumbent bike?
If you are a beginner, start with 5-10 minutes at an intermediate resistance level. As you become more comfortable, you may exercise for 20 minutes. Your exercise time will also depend on the resistance and fitness levels. Do not over-exert yourself. Keep a bottle of electrolyte handy and keep sipping it.
Do recumbent bikes hurt your back?
An uncomfortable backrest position can hurt your back. Explore the multiple settings of the backrest to understand which position works best for you. You may also use an orthopedic cushion to support your back.
Can a recumbent bike burn as many calories as an upright bike?
Yes, recumbent and upright bikes burn the same amount of calories. However, recumbent bikes are more comfortable, and hence, more preferable. This means one is more likely to consistently use a recumbent like and burn more calories in the long run. Both bikes do the same job, they both help burn calories at the same time, they workout your quads and hamstrings
What kind of power does a recumbent bike need?
The power can vary depending on the speed. For example, a recumbent bike needs 135 Watts to go at 40 Km/Hr or 11.111 m/s, and 250 Watts to go at 19.167 m/s.
Are recumbent bikes quiet?
Recumbent bikes are not completely quite. You will hear the sound of the wheel at the front. However, it’s not too loud or distracting.
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