Equipment
The 10 Best Exercise Bikes
What are the best exercise bikes?
When it comes to cardiovascular exercise, there’s no better way to work the heart and lungs than hopping on an exercise bike for a 30-minute ride.
However, the options available can be overwhelming — which exercise bike is best for you?
You’ll have to choose between recumbent bikes and stationary bikes, with some competitive features and tech along the way.
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty and find the best bike for you!
The Best Exercise Bikes Compared
Our equipment lists are created by researching the best-reviewed products from the most reputable companies and web sources.
Here’s our list of the 10 best exercise bikes:
In A Rush? Here’s Our Top Pick:
10. YOSUDA – Exercise Bike
For a smooth, quiet ride on an affordable indoor exercise bike, YOSUDA offers a great option that checks all these boxes for any fitness level.
It features an adjustable handlebar, adjustable seat, and excellent resistance settings to ensure you’re getting a challenging workout every time you get on the bike.
Need to move it around your home gym or workout space? No problem. Transport wheels make it easy to move and store away when you need to.
Pros
- Maximum weight capacity of 270 pounds
- 2-way adjustable non-slip handlebar
- 4-way padded seat for comfort
- Easy assembly
- The belt-driven system creates a smooth, quiet ride
- 35 pounds of flywheel resistance
- Frame made of heavy-duty steel
- The LCD monitor tracks your calories, time, distance, speed
- Transport wheels allow for easy relocation or storage
Cons
- Users report that after several uses, this bike becomes very loud
- Not the best option for heavier users
9. Sunny Health & Fitness – Fan Air Tornado Exercise Bike
Looking for a fan exercise bike with full-motion arm exercisers? Sunny Health & Fitness’ Air Tornado exercise bike was made for you.
With a 27.5-inch diameter fan wheel and 4-way adjustable seat, this is a modern twist on the best stationary bike with a few design updates.
It includes footpegs for stability, self-leveling pedals, and floor stabilizers to ensure you feel safe and confident during any ride.
It’s easy to move this bike around your home with its transportation wheels and handlebar.
Pros
- Maximum weight capacity 330 pounds
- Optimized grip handle designed for push and pull movements
- 4-way adjustable seat for optimal comfort for any size
- Quick workout options include high and moderate interval training
- Oversized, non-slip foot pedals for stability during vigorous workouts
- Easy assembly
Cons
- Users report the seat gets wobbly after vigorous use
8. Sunny Health & Fitness – SF-B1714 Evolution Pro Exercise Bike
For our heavier readers looking for an exercise bike to power through cardio, the Sunny Health & Fitness Evolution Pro is a viable option.
With a max weight capacity of 330 pounds and a 45-pound flywheel designed for durability and stability, you’ll feel secure and safe on this bike during every workout, regardless of intensity.
Adjust your resistance throughout workouts with the tension knob located between your knees.
Pros
- Maximum weight capacity 330 pounds
- 45-pound chrome flywheel for durability
- Magnetic resistance increases tension for training
- Tension knob to quickly switch up intensity
- Made of heavy-duty steel
- 4-way adjustable handlebars
Cons
- Users report loud clunking after a few uses
- No LCD monitor or panel
7. JOROTO – Magnetic Resistance Exercise Bike
Belt-driven indoor exercise bikes are designed to be the quietest option money can buy, and there’s no doubt that JOROTO delivers.
The magnetic resistance system guarantees a silent workout without disrupting your family or roommates.
A digital performance monitor tracks your distance, calories, time, and speed.
Pros
- Maximum weight capacity 300 pounds
- Protective belt to prevent sweat corrosion
- Load-bearing frame to ensure rider safety
- Widened stabilizers to improve stability
- 35-pound chrome flywheel
- Tension knob controls the resistance of each workout
- Emergency stop brake on the tension knob
- 4-way adjustable seat and handlebar
- Caged, adjustable foot pedals
- Device or water bottle holder
Cons
- Not suitable for HIIT; better for low-impact rides
- Users report quality issues with the pedals
6. Schwinn – IC4 Exercise Bike
On a mission to build endurance, muscle strength, and overall stamina? Schwinn IC4 can help you with resistance training!
With 100 micro-adjustable resistance levels, every workout can be as challenging or light as your fitness routine requires.
Cycling at home can be expensive, but with the Schwinn exercise bike, you can save money by streaming workouts from the Peloton app and avoiding the costly fees.
Pros
- Maximum weight capacity 330 pounds
- Easy sync with Peloton and Zwift apps to stream workout programs
- 100 micro-adjustable resistance levels
- 40-pound flywheel
- Cradles for dumbbells
- Foot pedals have toe cages or clips for running shoes or cycling shoes
- The LCD console monitors heart rate, speed, time, RPMs, distance, and more
Cons
- Pedals may make noise after a few uses
- Some users report the race-style seat as uncomfortable
5. Schwinn – AD6 Airdyne Exercise Bike
Looking to burn calories and build strength with each cycling workout? Check out the Schwinn AD6 for a total body workout every time.
Wind resistance technology enables riders to control their resistance, and the full-motion arm exercises work your arms, legs, and core simultaneously.
Pros
- Belt-driven system for a smooth, quiet workout
- RPM gage for interval training
- The foot pedals are self-balancing with straps for security and control
- Frictionless fan keeps you cool during rides
- Transport wheels for moving around and to store away
Cons
- Not ideal for HIIT training, better for low-impact workouts
4. Schwinn – MY17 270 Recumbent Exercise Bike
The best recumbent bike undoubtedly goes to the Schwinn MY17!
Recumbent exercise bikes typically offer more program options thanks to the LCD monitor that’s nearly always installed on this type of bike.
Modes on the recumbent bike usually include manual, interval, fat burn, hills, and more.
It adds a great deal of variety to workouts, allows you to ‘set it and forget it,’ and just zone out and get your cardio on!
Pros
- Maximum weight capacity 300 pounds
- 25 resistance levels
- 29 built-in programs
- Syncs with Schwinn Trainer app and other fitness trackers
- Perimeter weighted flywheel for smooth resistance training
Cons
- The LCD monitor leaves much to be desired
- Difficult to assemble
3. Echelon – EX5-S Smart Connect Exercise Bike
For our tech-savvy riders out there, the Echelon Smart Connect exercise bike has all the smart streaming functionality you could ever dream of.
A 22-inch rotating HD screen flips 180°, making it easy to take classes on and off the bike.
The all-new precision resistance motor powers more intense rides and more challenging cardio.
A 2.4-volt advanced device charging USB to keep your devices nearby and charged up during your rides.
Pros
- Padded, slip-resistant handlebars
- 32 levels of silent magnetic resistance for a smooth, quiet ride
- Adjustable seat and handlebars for any sized rider
- Clip-in and cage pedals for your preference
- Extra-large cushion seat for comfort
- Dumbbell storage
- Membership includes tons of classes, training programs, music, and more
Cons
- Membership is an additional cost to get your money’s worth
- App connection is required to get any resistance during workouts
2. Bowflex – VeloCore 16 Exercise Bike
It’s no surprise the Bowflex VeloCore exercise bike is nearing the top of this list — it’s a fan favorite for so many reasons.
This bike includes customizable options to ensure you get the workout you’re looking for.
100 micro-adjustable resistance levels on the tension knob between your knees keep you in control of every ride you take.
Designed for optimum sturdiness and durability, Bowflex will surely be in your home gym for many years to come.
Pros
- 100 micro-adjustable resistance levels
- Easy resistance control with the tension knob
- Ride in stationary mode or Leaning mode for core strengthening
- 16” touchscreen console for tracking fitness progress or your favorite TV shows
- Clip-in pedals or toe cages for security
- 6 position padded handlebars to change up positioning
- Easy assembly
- Dumbbell storage
Cons
- A common critical review is of the user interface of the console
1. NordicTrack – Commercial Studio Cycle S15i
Is it any surprise that NordicTrack is at the top of another list of workout equipment? We don’t think so.
The bike design, quality, brand reputation, resistance and interval training, and tech offered by NordicTrack’s commercial studio cycle bike make it hard to compete with.
The 360° rotating screen motivates users to get off the bike and complete strength and core training on the floor.
Pros
- Maximum weight capacity 350 pounds
- 24 resistance levels
- Add up to 5 users
- Live and on-demand workouts (membership required after 30 days)
- 15” touchscreen interactive HD touchscreen rotates 360°
- Silent magnetic resistance ensures smooth, quiet workouts
Cons
- Users must purchase the iFit app membership after 30 days
FAQs About Exercise Bikes
Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about exercise bikes and why you should add one to your fitness routine.
Q: Are exercise bikes effective?
Engaging in workouts on an exercise bike is largely beneficial for people of any skill or fitness level.
Biking or cycling is a type of cardiovascular exercise or cardio and is an effective way to burn calories and body fat while strengthening your heart and lungs.
An exercise bike is an effective workout for any fitness level because they can be total body workouts that engage muscles we don’t use regularly.
If you’re thinking about getting an exercise bike for weight loss, toning muscles, resistance training, or just for your general health, it’s an effective exercise method for any lifestyle.
Q: How long should I use an exercise bike for?
The duration of your workouts on an exercise bike will vary depending on your current fitness level and personal goals.
Some say that exercise bikes take longer than treadmills to achieve the results you’re looking for, and a good base to begin at is approximately 150 minutes per week.
This can be broken down into intervals. For example, you can work up to five days a week for 30 minutes and evaluate your progress from that benchmark.
If that seems to be too much, try cycling for 15-20 minutes a day.
Q: Is an exercise bike good for beginners?
Exercise bikes are great for beginners because they are a low-impact cardio exercise.
Beginners can get on a bike, set a low resistance, and ride for 10 minutes without too much stress on their bodies.
Exercise bikes are also ideal for beginners who want to improve their endurance, stamina, and muscle strength.
Q: Can you use an exercise bike every day?
For beginners, it’s best to work up to using an exercise bike every day.
Try 3 or 4 days a week for 10-15 minutes and scale up from there.
It’s also important to let your body rest and recover.
Exercise bikes can be a great option for those recovering from knee injuries — check out our favorite knee sleeves here — or are experiencing mobility issues.
Q: How To Choose / Which To Choose?
It’s important to consider a few key factors when determining which exercise bike is best suited for your home gym and fitness goals.
Bike Specs
Most importantly, you need a bike that will fit your height and weight (along with anyone else who may be using it).
You’ll want to make sure the bike is comfortable and has adjustable options, including the handlebars, foot pedals, height, and more.
Resistance is another spec worth researching; some standard bikes offer basic resistance, while the higher-end versions have 100 micro-adjustable resistance points.
Determine what resistance training you are looking for and shop based on that.
Features
The features you can find in an exercise bike will vary depending on the price and type of bike.
These can include the HD touchscreen that pivots for on-the-floor workouts, app connectivity, additional membership options, and more.
Once you know what features are essential for your exercise bike, you’ll be able to decide on your budget, too.
Price
Fortunately, the exercise bike market has tons of options for budget bikes, moderately priced and high-end luxury versions.
Determine what your price point is prior to shopping for an exercise bike, so you aren’t tempted to spend more than you’re comfortable with.
Summary
For a low-impact cardio workout that won’t stress your joints, exercise bikes are a great investment for any home gym.
The 10 exercise bikes we highlighted in this list are the cream of the crop in terms of price, durability, tech capabilities, and resistance training for any fitness level.
By now, you should know how essential cardio exercise is to your everyday health and well-being.
It strengthens your muscles, gets your heart and lungs pumping, promotes circulation, and prevents disease.
Adding an exercise bike to your home gym is one of the best decisions you can make for your overall health.
Here’s a quick recap of the 10 best exercise bikes:
- NordicTrack – Commercial Studio Cycle S15i
- Bowflex – VeloCore 16 Exercise Bike
- Echelon – EX5-S Smart Connect Exercise Bike
- Schwinn – MY17 270 Recumbent Exercise Bike
- Schwinn – AD6 Airdyne Exercise Bike
- Schwinn – IC4 Exercise Bike
- JOROTO – Magnetic Resistance Exercise Bike
- Sunny Health & Fitness – SF-B1714 Evolution Pro Exercise Bike
- Sunny Health & Fitness – Fan Air Tornado Exercise Bike
- YOSUDA – Exercise Bike
