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If you are searching for a convenient way to lose weight and you do not have enough time for the gym, an exercise bike will give you incredible results in your fitness journey. One of the major benefits of exercise bikes is that they have a compact design which makes them suitable for homes and workplaces. Unlike other fitness equipment such as treadmills, exercise bikes are more comfortable because most of them come with a well-padded seat for comfort. They also come with adjustable parts to suit people of different sizes.
Sadly, not all of them have these features which means that you need to be very careful when comparing different models. To make your work easier, we have reviewed the 10 best exercise bikes that are worth your money.
Best Exercise Bikes to Buy [year]
XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike
In terms of construction, the XTERRA Fitness FB350 is among the most comfortable and sturdy exercise bikes on the market. It features an X-frame design, a quiet belt drive system, and thick steel tubing to enhance strength. The seat is well padded to support your lower back and it is large enough to accommodate everyone. This seat also features multi-grip padded handlebars for comfort and support. Again, the unit is equipped with transport wheels to enhance mobility.
Also, it comes with a 2″ x1″ LCD screen where you can check the speed, distance, calories, pulse, and time. It also features pulse grips on the handlebar for tracking your heart rate. The unit provides 8 levels of resistance which you can easily control with the large dial knob to suit your fitness requirements. Besides that, it also provides a convenient accessory holder where you can keep your phone or remote. The foldable design makes it easy to store.
YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Stationary Bike
This exercise bike features a heavy-duty steel frame and a 35lbs flywheel to enhance stability and overall strength. It is also equipped with an LCD, which allows you to check time, distance, calories burned, speed, and odometer. In terms of safety, this unit is equipped with adjustable cage pedals to keep you safe when riding at a high speed.
There is also a phone holder and a water bottle holder where you can keep your drinks. Also, it comes with transport wheels to facilitate movements. The unit also features two ways adjustable, non-slip handlebar, and four ways padded seat. It also provides a wide range of resistance which you can customize according to your fitness needs.
Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike ME-709
The Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike ME-709 is made of 14 gauge steel tubing, rubber, and PVC which makes it very strong. The frame contains a powder coating to protect it from rusting, corrosive elements, and scratches. It comes with an adjustable seat that is well padded and a convenient LCD monitor for checking time, distance, odometer, calories burned, and speed.
It also features a magnetic resistance mechanism with 8 levels of resistance and this means that you can easily customize your workouts. Additionally, the unit comes with a seat back pad and recumbent handlebars to enhance your comfort. The pedals contain nonslip straps to keep you safe when doing vigorous exercises. Again, it comes with transport wheels to enhance mobility.
Cyclace Exercise Stationary Bike
This unit has a heavy-duty triangular structure and is made of top-quality steel. This construction enables it to support a maximum weight capacity of 330lbs. It also comes with an easy to read LCD that allows you to track your performance. The unit also uses a 36lbs flywheel with a pure wool brake pad that prevents it from making noise.
There is also a free extra brake pad in the package for replacement. In addition, this spin bike provides 8 adjustable positions to enhance your comfort. Again, the seat has an ergonomic design and it is well padded too. This means that you can exercise for long hours without any discomfort. You will also find that it has a multi-grip handlebar that doesn’t deform easily.
LANOS Folding Exercise Bike
If you are searching for a sturdy and durable exercise bike, you can never go wrong with the LANOS Folding Exercise Bike. The unit is made of a heavy-duty material which makes it suitable for people who weigh up to 400lbs. It also has a 2-in-1 design which means that you can use it as a recumbent foldable stationary bike and also as an upright bike. It folds easily for easy and hassle-free storage.
Again, it has a large seat cushion that suits people with different body sizes. You can also adjust it to suit your height. Unlike others, this unit features a 3 piece cranking system that provides a consistent and smooth pedaling motion. The pedals are very large and they have foot straps to enhance your safety. Moreover, this unit offers 8 levels of magnetic tension for more challenging workouts. You can easily monitor your performance from the LCD screen. It also comes with transport wheels to enhance mobility.
RELIFE Rebuild Your Life Exercise Bike
RELIFE Exercise Bike is among the most attractive exercise bikes you can find on the market. The first thing you need to note about it is that it comes with a lifetime warranty which means that it is highly reliable and long-lasting. It features a double triangular system and is made of top-quality steel to enhance durability and stability. This machine can support up to 400 lbs due to its sturdy construction. It also comes with adjustable resistance to suit your cardio workout requirements.
In addition, it is equipped with a heavy-duty flywheel that offers a smooth spinning performance. The unit also comes with balance regulators, a bottler holder, and transport wheels for easy movement. You can adjust the handlebars, seat cushion, and resistance to suit your requirements. There is also an easy to read LCD screen where you can check the distance time, calories burned, and speed.
JEEKEE Recumbent Exercise Bike
This exercise bike is among the most advanced models you will ever find. To start with, it features a two-way external magnetic flywheel technology which provides excellent inertia power and a smooth-riding experience. Apart from that, it comes with a comfortable seat cushion plus a backrest that protects your back. Hand pulse sensors are also included and they allow you to monitor your fitness status conveniently.
Another great thing about this exercise bike is that it features 9 seat adjustment positions to suit people with different heights. Also, it has 8 levels of magnetic resistance which allows you to adjust the intensity of your workouts. The unit also comes with a holder where you can place your phone to watch videos or listen to music as you exercise. To enhance your safety, it comes with adjustable pedal straps to keep you from sliding when you are doing exercises.
VIGBODY Exercise Bike
The first thing you should note about this exercise bike is that it is made using a robust thick frame to enhance stability. The unit also comes with a quiet belt drive and it can support a total weight of up to 330lbs. It has an extended seat plus handlebar adjustments that make it ideal for everyone. Again, it has dual wheels to enhance portability.
Another outstanding feature you will find in this unit is the thickened pure wool brake pad which reduces the amount of noise the unit produces when you are working out. This brake pad is very durable and strong. Moreover, it features a 4-way adjustable seat plus a 2 ways adjustable handlebar that enhances your comfort when you are riding. Also, note that it uses a heavy-duty 30lbs flywheel which provides a smooth and strong riding experience. for your safety, it comes with adjustable cage pedals to keep your feet in position when riding fast.
Exerpeutic Gold Heavy Duty Foldable Exercise Bike
Exerpeutic Gold Heavy Duty Exercise Bike is a very stylish exercise bike that is strong enough to support a maximum capacity of up to 400lbs. The unit has a nice and simplified design that allows you to get on and off easily. Due to this, it is a suitable option even for the elderly. Also, it comes with a large seat cushion that fits people of different sizes. If you have limited space, this unit will be a good choice because it has a foldable design that makes it easy to store.
Another outstanding feature you will find in this unit is the 3-piece cranking system which provides a consistent and smooth pedaling motion. The pedals are very large and they come with straps to keep you from sliding. It features an easy to read LCD monitor and heart pulse sensors which are located on the handlebars to help you track your heart rate.
PYHIGH Indoor Cycling Bike Stationary Exercise Bike
The PYHIGH Indoor Cycling Bike is another top-quality exercise bike that is worth your money. It is an upgraded version of the previous PYHIGH Exercise bike which means that it has more advanced features. It comes with a 35 lbs bidirectional flywheel and a thickened triangular steel frame to enhance durability and strength. You can use it even in quiet environments like in an office because the belt drive provides a silent performance.
To make sure that you are comfortable, the PYHIGH Indoor Cycling Bike Stationary Exercise Bike features a wide seat cushion which also means that it can be used by people of different sizes. Also, it features a 4-ways adjustable saddle plus a 2 ways adjustable nonslip handlebar which makes it ideal for beginners and professionals. When doing your workouts, you need to stay hydrated and for this reason, it comes with a bottle holder. A phone holder is also included which means that you can listen to music or watch videos as you exercise. The saddle is very comfortable and this allows you to exercise for long hours without any problem.
What are the Benefits of Exercise Bikes?
An exercise bike is a great way to improve your fitness level and get in a better shape. Below are some of the amazing benefits of exercise bikes.
Exercise bikes help with lower body toning
When riding an exercise bike, your shins and quads will do most of the work — thanks to the constant pushing motions that your legs are doing. Aside from these muscles, your glutes will also get some toning due to the rotation movements of the bike. And lastly, your hamstrings — a group of supportive muscles that help your legs pedal — will get a decent workout too.
Exercise bikes are good for your joints
Some exercises can damage your joints especially if you are new to working out or if you are recovering from an accident. With exercise bikes, you don’t have to worry about joint damage as the rotation movements are designed to be easy on your ankles, knees, and hips.
Exercise bikes are good for low impact workouts
Even if you are into high intensity workouts like HIIT, your body will still need tome to recover. And this is where low impact workouts come in. Exercise bikes allow for low impact workouts which are great if:
- Your fitness level is low
- You are new to working out
- You are sick
- You are pregnant
- You don’t like sweating
- You are on an active rest day
Exercise bikes are good for your heart
Exercise bikes give you a good cardio workout as long as you choose the right intensity. You can do this by increasing the resistance, upping your pace, or using some body weights to keep your heart pumping hard. Cardiovascular exercises can lower your risks of developing heart diseases in the long run.
Exercise bikes help you breathe better
This benefit goes hand in hand with the above. Having a healthy and strong heart means that more blood is pumped into your organs and lungs — increasing your lung capacity and allowing you to get more oxygen into your body. These benefits translate to having more energy, doing more work, increased ability to repair damaged cells, etc.
Exercise bikes help your burn more calories
Do you know that your lower body muscles are the biggest muscles in your body? At an average intensity, exercising your lower body muscle groups for 30 minutes can burn as much as 300 calories. Exercise bikes are a great way to burn off those extra calories without leaving your home.
Simple Exercise Bike Workouts that You Can Follow
If you want to get all the benefits listed above, don’t just hop on the saddle and go through the motions. You need to work out smart. Here are some simple exercises that you use on your exercise bikes today.
Exercise 1: Climb the hill
This exercise is meant to simulate a long hill climb. You start at the easiest intensity and then gradually increase it till you reach the top. The steady and gradual increase in intensity of this exercise will help you build leg strength.
Exercise 2: The Pyramid
The pyramid starts of as a “Climb the Hill” exercise. Once you reach the climax, gradually reduce the intensity until you hit the bottom — like descending a pyramid. Climbing the pyramid gives you a decent workout while the gradual reduction of difficulty on your descent allows you stay at a higher cadence rate so you can get the most out of each level.
Exercise 3: Redline It!
This exercise is designed to train you outside your comfort zone so you can get stronger and fitter faster. Ride your exercise bike and pedal near your maximum aerobic capacity as long as you can — normally this could last 20 to 30 minutes long. This intense exercise will cause a build-up of lactic acid in your body that causes fatigue. But hey, no pain no gain, right?
Top 5 Things to Look for When Buying an Exercise Bike
There are probably hundreds of exercise bikes on the market and choosing the right stationary bike for you can be daunting. Let us help you get started. Below are the top things to look for when buying an exercise bike:
1. Comfort
You cannot exercise effectively if you are not comfortable on your bike. So, make sure that the exercise bike you pick is comfortable to ride on. Most of it will boil down to the quality of the seat. Go for the ones that offer the most padding. You can also invest on some high-quality padded bike shorts to ride comfortably.
2. Adjustable seat
When it comes to the seat, it’s not just the padding that matters. A good quality exercise bike should come with a seat that can be both adjusted horizontally and vertically.
3. Handlebars
Like the seats, the handlebars should come with horizontal and vertical adjustment options too. Depending on your use case, you can choose a handlebar that’s dropped down like a road bike’s or one that’s sturdy and straight.
4. Resistance
What’s the use of an exercise bike if you can’t adjust the resistance? Being able to adjust the resistance of the fly wheel can make your workout harder or easier. Ideally, a digital resistance control is better than manual knob. But if your budget doesn’t allow for this feature, just go for the knob-controlled ones.
5. Stability
The last thing you should look out for is stability. High-quality exercise bikes will not move when you pedal — either by standing out of the saddle or sitting. Usually, the heavier exercise bikes offer more durability and stability that lighter ones. The last thing you want is an accident when working out so don’t cheap out on this!
Other good to have features:
- A digital display
- Water holder
- Connectivity options for music, heart rate monitors, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best exercise bike?
Choosing the best exercise bike can be a bit challenging since there are so many models on the market. However, you need to ensure that the model you have picked has a sturdy frame and a stable flywheel. The seat and handlebars should be comfortable and should also be easy to adjust. Again, check the maximum weight capacity the unit can support. It should also have an easy to read LCD and pedal straps keep you safe. Lastly, don’t forget to read what the customers are saying about the product online if the features are a bit confusing.
How good is a stationary bike?
One of the easiest ways you can lose weight is by riding a stationary bike. These machines allow you to burn calories and body fat as you strengthen your muscles, heart, and lungs. You don’t strain your muscles when exercising on an exercise bike — this means that you can work out for long hours without fatigue.
Which one is better between an exercise bike and a treadmill?
A treadmill allows you to burn more calories as compared to when you are using an exercise bike. However, treadmills are more dangerous as compared to exercise bikes and are likely to cause injuries.
Can you lose belly fat by riding a stationary bike?
Stationary bikes are very effective in reducing belly fat but you also need to check your diet. This means that you should avoid foods with large amounts of calories.
Are 30 minutes on an exercise bike enough?
On average, you can burn 260-300 calories within 30 minutes of moderate cycling which means that using an exercise every day for just 30 minutes can give you incredible results.
Wrapping Up
Losing weight is one of the major challenges most people experience. The most effective way of losing weight is through exercises. This will allow you to burn more calories and belly fat. In case you are searching for a convenient way of working out, an exercise bike will be an excellent solution. These machines are very easy to use and the good thing is that you can use them even at home or office due to their compact design. We have already provided a list of the best exercise bikes to make your work easier when buying. All the models are equipped with the best features which will give you incredible results. You only need to compare the features, price, design, and customer reviews when making a purchase decision.
