What Is The Best Recumbent Exercise Bike To Buy [2021]

For a quality exercise bike, you can expect to spend between $145-$800. Our experts recommend investing in a bike in the $300-$600 range unless you have a large household and are planning on using the bike daily, in which case it may be worth splurging for a pricier model. Cheaper models are best for those who only plan to cycle a few days a week or if you're not planning on keeping the bike long-term and you're just looking for a bargain.

what is the best recumbent exercise bike to buy

The NordicTrack Commercial R35 tops our list as the overall best recumbent bike with exercise programs. Fifteen hundred dollars may seem a little spendy for a recumbent bike, but the NordicTrack commercial R35 comes with an impressive list of features to back it up.

But now, on to the piece de resistance, whereas other recumbent bikes on the market that typically have five to 10-inch screens, the R35 has a sleek 14-inch HD Smart touchscreen. Through this screen, you can connect to the iFit app, where you can tune in to live and on-demand workouts, stream cycling classes, see their performance stats and take a gander at live leaderboards to give you a motivation boost if need be.

Keep in mind that the R35 is a commercial quality recumbent bike, so while it has a pretty large footprint, that also makes it a robust piece of exercise equipment. The R35 is an excellent choice for larger riders who need generous seating and a higher weight capacity, as well as those who like to lean into their tech side.

The pedals are extra wide to give your feet plenty of space. The oversized seat has a back for lumbar support, and should be comfortable for various body types. The frame is made of commercial-grade steel and has four oversized levelers that can be adjusted to keep the recumbent bike stable.

For those who want to keep their joints fluid and get a full-body workout with each session, you might consider the Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical. As its name implies, this is a recumbent bike and elliptical all rolled into one machine, so the machine essentially falls into the cross-training category.

Like many recumbent bikes, The Teeter Freestep is equipped with magnetic resistance that offers a smooth ride, and you can choose from 13 resistance levels. Both the seats and the handles of the Teeter Freestep are adjustable; users can adjust the height and the recline positions of the seat independently to find a comfortable fit, and the handlebars can be adjusted to target different muscle groups.

It's also worth noting that the Teeter FreeStep has a 300 pound weight limit. And while you may think that information may not apply to you if you don't weigh 300 pounds, there is something to be gleaned from it. Typically, recumbent bikes with a higher weight limit tend to be more robust. So, as you might have guessed, a higher maximum weight limit could point to a high-quality machine.

Both ellipticals and exercise bikes are great machines for low-impact, cardio workouts. Ellipticals also help work your quadriceps and hamstrings, and handles help engage muscles in your upper body. An exercise bike is a great way to work your glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings. With the Hybrid Trainer you can transition from an elliptical to bike in two steps to get the benefits of both machines.

Like most pieces of exercise equipment, recumbent bikes are not a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. So, when shopping for a recumbent bike, you should think about buying a model that allows you to make any adjustments needed to accommodate a comfortable stride. This goes double if you expect to share the machine with housemates or partners.

Recumbent exercise bikes typically use magnetic tension resistance on the flywheel to create a smooth, realistic feeling ride. Typically, the heavier the flywheel, the more realistic the riding experience. So, be sure to check flywheel weights wherever possible.

There are no hard and fast rules for how often you should use a recumbent bike, but as far as physical activity goes, the CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week. Whether you choose to use your recumbent bike more often really depends on your own fitness goals.

While the amount of calories you burn in any given workout largely depends on factors like your weight and height, a good rule of thumb is that recumbent bikes can burn anywhere between 400-450 calories per hour.

Our expert product tester Caroline Lubinsky, who used recumbent bikes following her ankle reconstruction surgery, found the NordicTrack R35 to be an enjoyable exercise bike. It comes with 26 digital resistance levels and is super-quiet and stable during use. The weighted flywheel is 25 pounds, which is on the higher end of recumbent bikes but still pretty light in the grand scheme of exercise bikes.

It must be said that the Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike is not the cheapest recumbent bike on the market, but if you go any lower in price, you sacrifice some of the bike features found elsewhere. For one, this bike comes with a 300-pound user weight capacity, which is the industry standard but is also pretty impressive considering this bike only weighs 69 pounds.

Just like the Schwinn 270, this is not a bike for serious riders. In fact, the Schwinn 230 has fewer built-in workout programs (13) and magnetic resistance levels (16) than the 270. It does, however, allow you to connect to the Zwift app, which has additional indoor cycling workouts and is not accessible on the 270 recumbent bike.

Besides having the industry standard 300-pound user weight capacity, which is fantastic for a bike that itself only weighs 58.7 pounds, the reason we picked the Sunny Health and Fitness Essential Recumbent Exercise Bike as the best adjustable option is its inseam options.

LEIKE X Bike Ultra-Quiet Folding Exercise Bike: This is another bike that can be used as a recumbent or upright bike, but the seat is smaller than the ones on our list and the durability is not the best.

According to a German study1, biking in a recumbent or reclined position puts less of a strain on your cardiovascular system than biking upright, making recumbent bikes a great choice for those with cardiovascular issues.

Most recumbent bikes will come with a basic LCD console that displays your workout metrics (calories burned, time, heart rate, etc.), but there are some that offer smart touchscreens. This comes down to a personal preference.

Weight loss requires being in a caloric deficit, which is where you burn more calories than you consume. A recumbent exercise bike can help you achieve a caloric deficit, but nutrition is also important.

Recumbent bikes are recommended for seniors, those with sedentary lifestyles, and rehabbing patients who need a low-impact exercise that burns calories. These are our favorite recumbent exercise bikes (keep scrolling for reviews of each!).

Unlike traditional exercise bikes that position the rider upright, recumbent exercise bikes have a reclined seat that allows you to sit comfortably while pedaling. This position provides you with a sturdy base and frees your joints from the common pressures and strains that often result from running, walking, and other upright workouts. For this reason, recumbent exercise bikes are the preferred home workout gear for those with knee, back, and hip issues. They are also great for seniors and those with limited mobility, offering balance and easy on-and-off accessibility.

If you opt for a recumbent bike with included workouts (this one has 25 workouts for every level built right into the machine!), you can customize each ride to help reach your fitness goals. You can also find pages of free recumbent bike workouts on Youtube, like this 10-minute workout from Coach Kim of Vive Health:

The arm exercisers on this recumbent bike are closer to the body than on other models, providing a total-body workout without taking up much space. Large foot pedals are easy to grip, and an ergonomic, cushioned seat adjusts for your leg length and comfort. Pulse sensors keep track of your heart rate, and an easy to use monitor displays your speed, calories burned, distance, workout time, and heart rate.

This is a great option for riders who have mobility issues and need an easy, step-thru design. The R5i stationary recumbent bike is designed to provide both comfort and durability to support home or commercial use. The R5i has an oversized molded seat bottom, ventilated seat back, and extra lumbar support. The seat also includes full armrests with integrated heart rate sensors, so you can monitor your heart rate constantly throughout your workout without needing to move your hands or wear a chest strap. With a solid design and a 400 pound weight capacity, this make the LifeSpan R5i a great recumbent bike for obese or overweight users.

The LifeSpan R5i recumbent bike has an LCD screen that displays a readout for different workout programs. Five tactile buttons on the console allow you to select a workout program. This is not a touchscreen, but the console buttons make it simple to toggle through various settings and programs. Quick-change buttons will quickly jump the resistance to levels. A wrap-around handlebar is also a nice addition since it offers various hand positions for stability when navigating the console.

The NordicTrack VR25 is one of our favorite recumbent bikes! This comfortable bike is ideal for anyone looking for low-impact training on a bike that is reclined and easy to use. With a padded seat and vented backrest, you can work hard and still stay cool. The step-thru design works great for those with mobility or joint issues.

Make sure your potential recumbent bike has enough room for your leg span. Recumbent stationary bikes usually have a sliding seat that moves toward and away from the handlebars. Check out the maximum weight and any data on seat height or leg span.

There are often two sets of handlebars on a recumbent bike. One pair flanks the saddle on either side so you can hold on while riding. Another set is usually attached to the console with an upright position for more of a vertical grip. 041b061a72