If you’re looking for the best recumbent exercise bike, you’ve come to the right place.
Cycling is an excellent way to train your body for endurance and stamina and to burn calories. That said, not everyone has the time or place to cycle daily. Recumbent exercise bikes offer a good solution to that problem, as you can meet your daily fitness goals right from home.
That said, thinking about investing in a recumbent exercise bike is only half the battle. You have to explore the market and pick out an option that suits your requirements, and that is easier said than done.
So, to help you on your fitness journey, we’ve researched for you and put together this buying guide that lists multiple options to help you make an informed decision.
Our list of the best recumbent exercise bikes
- Best recumbent exercise bike overall: Schwinn Fitness 290
- Best premium recumbent exercise bike: NordicTrack R35
- Best budget recumbent exercise bike: Marcy ME-709
- Best recumbent exercise bike for seniors: Schwinn Fitness 230
How we picked
We looked at and researched various options from different brands and compared them based on their build quality, weight, price, resistance levels, and other important features to present you with the best options to make an informed decision. We’re always updating our guides with the latest information, so check back for newer additions.
Best recumbent exercise bike overall
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| Pros | Cons |
| Supports up to 330 pounds | Lacks a touchscreen display |
| Has 25 levels of magnetic resistance | |
| Ventilated and adjustable backrest and seat | |
| Lightweight | |
| Terrain Control technology |
If you’re looking for the best recumbent exercise bike, then look no further than the Schwinn Fitness 290.
Let’s kick things off with its weight capacity. This recumbent exercise bike has a maximum weight capacity of 330 pounds or 149 kg, with the bike weighing around 110 pounds. This means that it should be able to cater to individuals of various sizes and be moved around the house or apartment easily.
It has 25 levels of magnetic resistance that you can adjust with the center console. It also sports a 7” display that shows you information such as time, distance, calories, cadence, burn rate, and more to help you better keep track of your performance.
It also sports a device holder that you can use to keep your tablet or mobile phone in place. Add this to the Bluetooth connectivity feature and speakers, and you’ve got yourself a combination that should keep you entertained and motivated.
This recumbent exercise bike also sports a ventilated and adjustable padded backrest and seat, which should provide sufficient comfort and lumbar support – resulting in a pleasant cycling session.
It also comes with accessibility features such as a USB charging port and a water bottle holder, but the best aspect about this bike is the Terrain Control technology combined with the 200+ virtual courses. What this means is that the resistance is adjusted depending on the terrain in the virtual course. For example, if you’re going up a hill, the resistance will increase, whereas it’ll decrease while going downhill.
One thing to note is that, initially, you’ll get a two-month free JRNY subscription, which you can use to try out the virtual course, but after that, it’ll shift to a monthly subscription.
Overall, all the features and specifications of the recumbent exercise bike make it one of the best options available on the market and give it a well-deserved top spot on our list.
Best premium recumbent exercise bike
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| Pros | Cons |
| 26 levels of magnetic resistance | Expensive |
| Support 350 pounds | Heavy |
| AutoBreeze workout fan | |
| 14” touchscreen display | |
| Lumbar cushioned seat |
If price isn’t an issue and you want the best recumbent machine, then we recommend checking out the NordicTrack Commercial Series R35.
Let’s start with the weight capacity again. This bike has a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds or 156 kg – the highest on our list. The R35 weighs approximately 87.09 kg/192 pounds. These specifications mean that it should be able to handle people a bit on the large side. However, you might need assistance to move it for a scenic change.
It has 26 levels of magnetic resistance that should result in smooth and noiseless adjustments. On top of that, it sports a 14” touchscreen that displays various performance metrics such as distance, calories, and more.
The R35’s seat has lumber support, Easyglide for seamless horizontal adjustment, and large pedals. These factors combined should result in a comfortable cardio session. On top of that, it has dual built-in speakers and Bluetooth connectivity. This means you can listen to music by connecting your device to the bike or the trainer-led workout session, which requires an iFit subscription.
Lastly, it has an AutoBreeze workout fan in the center console that blows air to keep you cool. Other than that, its alloy steel frame has a warranty of 10 years, with the parts having a 2-year warranty. This should put your mind at ease so you can focus on giving your 100% each time.
Best budget recumbent exercise bike
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| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight | No lumbar support |
| Inexpensive | No digital display |
| 8 levels of magnetic resistance |
If you’re looking for a recumbent exercise that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, then check out the Marcy ME-709.
First, the Marcy ME-709 has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds/136 kg, with the bike weighing around 61 pounds/27 kg. This makes it the lightest recumbent exercise bike on our list. That said, it’s not just light in weight; it’s also light on your wallet, coming under $200.
This recumbent exercise bike is made from 14 gauge steel. This means that it should be durable enough to withstand daily, rigorous cardio sessions. On top of that, it features 8 levels of magnetic resistance that can be changed by turning the dial underneath the center console.
As for the console, the ME-709 has a basic LCD that can show information such as time, speed, calories, and distance, and it also has an odometer.
As far as the seat is concerned, it has a high-density foam padded seat, which should be comfortable enough for daily use. The seat can also be adjusted back and forth by loosening the knob on the bottom, taking it to the desired length, and tightening it up again. On top of that, it also has foam-covered handles for extra support. One thing to note is that it doesn’t have any lumbar support.
All in all, the Marcy recumbent exercise bike checks some boxes and should provide a good bang for your buck.
Best recumbent exercise bike for seniors
No products found.
| Pros | Cons |
| Ventilated, contoured seat with lumbar support | Slightly on the expensive side |
| Has 13 pre-set program | |
| Maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds | |
| Lightweight | |
| 16 levels of magnetic resistance |
If you’re looking for the best recumbent exercise bike for seniors, we recommend checking out the Schwinn Fitness 230.
This recumbent exercise bike features a ventilated, contoured seat with lumbar support and a seat rail slider system. This should allow for easy seat adjustment to your preferred distance and provide a pleasant cycling experience for older adults.
It weighs around 80 pounds/36 kg and has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds / 136 kg. This means that people of varying sizes should be able to use it easily. On top of that, it has Bluetooth connectivity, which you can use to track your performance via apps like Zwift.
It also has the functionality to monitor your heart rate via the grip on the side handles, and it also has handles on the sides of the center console, should you wish to change your position.
This recumbent bike has 16 levels of magnetic resistance that can be changed by pressing the buttons on the center console. The console also features buttons to control different features, such as a Bluetooth button, buttons to change between the 13 pre-set programs, and more. At the top is the 5.5” LCD, which displays your current speed, time, distance, heart rate, and the workout program you’re following.
It also has a device holder to keep your mobile device or tablet in place. Lastly, with the Explore the World app, you can train on different global routes with varying difficulty levels. The Schwinn Fitness 230 will automatically adjust the resistance depending on how the route is.
So, overall, the Schwinn Fitness 230 has a handful of features that should provide ease, comfort, and accessibility for older individuals.
How to choose the best recumbent exercise bike
Before investing in any gym equipment, including recumbent exercise bikes, it’s important to consider some factors that will help you make an informed decision. We’ve listed some of those below.
Weight capacity
There is no point in getting gym equipment if it can’t handle various amounts of weight. That said, it’s probably better to go for a recumbent exercise bike with a high weight capacity, which also generally speaks to the build quality.
Resistance levels
The more resistance levels there are, the more opportunities you’ll have to challenge yourself. While you may not use the highest resistance level frequently, it’s always nice to have something extra to try, and you set a goal for yourself to reach that level.
Adjustability
Go for an option that offers different levels of adjustability, such as adjusting the seat, backrest, pedals, and more. More adjustability options will lead to a more comfortable and customized workout experience.
Size
Consider the bike’s dimensions and ensure that the option you’re going for can fit easily in your house or apartment. While recumbent bikes can be moved around, giving them a designated place is easier. However, if there is little space, you’ll have to move other furniture around to accommodate the new purchase.
Which is better recumbent bike or treadmill?
The answer to this question is that both machines are good in their domains, and which one you should go for depends on your fitness goals and preferred training method. For example, if you like running or are training for a marathon, the answer is simple – go for a treadmill. However, the downside to a treadmill is that it generally comes with a hefty price tag, requires a good amount of space, and running stresses your joints.
On the other hand, if cycling is your preferred cardio activity, then the recumbent bike will be more up your alley. Both machines work the lower body and burn a good amount of calories. Recumbent bikes are easier on the knees, take up less space, and cost less.
Verdict
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After considering the different functionalities of the listed recumbent exercise bikes, the Schwinn Fitness 290 had to be the number one choice. First, it has a weight capacity of 330 pounds, 25 levels of magnetic resistance, Bluetooth speakers, and Terrain Control technology – all of which combined put it above the rest of the options.
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