Best Rated Recumbent Exercise Bikes For 2020

So you’re doing some research to find out what the best rated recumbent exercise bikes are…Well, you’ve come to the right place.

You see, we understand that cardio is a great tool for a better mental and physical health, but honestly—a lot of us don’t really enjoy exercising out in heavy rain, icy weather, or in scorching summer heat.

Even though a drive to the gym can solve that, some of us have to find a better way to exercise without commuting to do so.

The best solution is to exercise at home, and no other machine can offer a comfortable yet challenging cardio session than a recumbent exercise bike. A 45-minute ride on a bike to the beat of loud music is guaranteed to burn a few hundred calories, raise your serotonin levels and improve your cardio-vascular health.

Luckily, for those of you who don’t have time to commute to the nearest gym, recumbent exercise bikes can easily be kept at home as they need minimal floor space and maintenance. With a huge selection of bikes available, we did the work for you in helping you pick the best rated recumbent exercise bikes for a healthier you.

Our Best Rated Recumbent Exercise Bikes Comparison Chart

Bike Model	Resistance	Programmed workouts	Weight capacity	Dimensions	Price
Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity	8-level Magnetic Tension Control	None	300 lbs	54" L x 22" W x 34" H	$	SEE CHEAPEST PRICE
Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike	20 Level ECB	22 programmed workouts	300 lbs	12.5" L x 66.5" W x 27" H	$	SEE CHEAPEST PRICE
Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike	25 Level ECB	29 programs and up to 12 profiles	300 lbs	64" L x 27" W x 50" H	$$	SEE CHEAPEST PRICE
ProForm 440 ES Exercise Bike	25 Level ECB	32 preset workout + ability to download with subscription	350 lbs	77" L x 20.5" W x 38" H	$$	SEE CHEAPEST PRICE
Diamondback 510SR Fitness Recumbent Bike	16 Level ECB	20 pre-programmed workouts	300 lbs	64" L x 23" W x 50" H	$$$	SEE CHEAPEST PRICE
Sole Fitness LCR Recumbent Bike	40 Level ECB	8 training programs	350 lbs	57" L x 30" W x 50" H	$$$$	SEE CHEAPEST PRICE

Scroll down to see each recumbent bike in more detail

 

What are the benefits of indoor cycling?

Burning calories and getting in shape are usually the first benefits that come to mind, but using a recumbent exercise bike can be even more rewarding. The best part is, due to the reclining position on the bike, this type of exercise will stimulate your quads, hamstrings, and calf muscles without adding stress to your knees. Cardio, in general, will cut the risks of certain conditions, such as some types of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. On top of these physical results, mental benefits such as stress reduction, better sleep, and the ability to treat mild to moderate depression make cycling a powerful tool to feel better. Finally, the indirect benefit of working out at home is money-saving. No more gym memberships and commute money to hit the gym.

 

Why a recumbent bike and not a stationary?

The concept is not much different than a stationary one, a recumbent bike has a seat, a backrest, but the difference is when you pedal, your legs are pointed towards the front rather than below. This way, your body is working in a more ergonomic way and the reclined position saves you a lot of back and leg pain. This type of bikes also has a low base frame to make the process of getting on and off the bike easier.

 

What you should consider before you purchase a recumbent bike

Before we start pointing out features and specs to keep an eye for, let’s try to understand what makes a recumbent bike different than a stationary one.

Recumbent exercise bikes allow you to relieve the tension off your back muscles whilst you cycle away. This will provide you with better concentration knowing your legs and knees are in a stress-free position. Highly recommended for those with an existing back problem, the best recumbent exercise bike is able to make you work hard on your cardio without taxing your joints. From an ergonomic point of view, most of us tend to lean over when cycling on a regular bike, whether outside or on a stationary one. That behavior adds stress on the muscle and joints and contributes to long term stiffness and injury. Another body part that is kept safe are your hips, compared to an elliptical machine or a treadmill, the recumbent exercise bike will be the safest even for those with a hip replacement surgery.

 

Here are the most important features to look for in the best recumbent exercise bikes:

 

Flywheel weight

Right at the front of your recumbent exercise bike, this is the wheel that spins when you pedal; the heavier the flywheel, the smoother the motion. The average weight of a flywheel for a recumbent bike is about 18kg – but as a rule, never purchases a bike with a flywheel weight below 15kg.

 

Resistance

Here we have three main different types; fan-based, magnetic resistance and direct-contact. Let’s start by ranking the fan-based system the lowest. It’s not user-friendly and a lot of beginners or people with injuries cannot adjust to its challenge. That leaves us with two types of resistance to consider:

Direct-contact: The brake friction is applied to the flywheel to drop the rotational speed. This is a good resistance feature on any bike and lets you customize the difficulty level. The downside of having brake pads is that they tend to wear out over time and will need replacing .and because this resistance method is purely mechanical, expect some noise.

Magnetic Resistance: The number one advantage here is no wear and tear. The flywheel resistance is delivered via electromagnetic induction. Although pricier, this is a smooth, continuous resistance, attuned at the press of a button, and super-quiet.

 

Adjustment options and weight limits

Like other exercise bikes, the best rated recumbent exercise bikes have to be adjustable to the user’s requirement. Now in a recumbent bike, it’s basically the position of the seat that needs to be flexible. This has become a standard for almost all manufacturers, but what differs is the method of adjustment.

Now weight limit is essential for those who are a little bit on the bigger side, but generally, even the budget bikes can accommodate up to 300lbs on certain models.

 

Workout monitoring

Monitoring your workout results can really help you reaching your goals or keeping an eye on a medical condition. The basic data provided by most bikes is heart rate, distance, and number of calories used. Some bikes will be able to save this data and even export it to USB drives or sync it online. Bear in mind that such advanced tracking features might come with an expensive price tag.

 

Comfort level

Since this is a bike, a comfortable seat should be your top priority. This means checking out the fabric, aeration, and your back support. A 30+ minute session on the bike could badly affect your posture on the long run if no proper support is given to the back muscles. A better freedom to leg movement will add to your experience and avoid any chaffing or stress on the muscles.

 

Children Safety

If you have kids below the age of seven living in your house, you must be aware of the potential hazards certain bikes might have. The easiest way to avoid injuries is by selecting a bike with enclosed mechanics, most importantly the flywheel and the chains. These parts attract kids and can lead to serious injuries if their limbs got stuck in them.

 

How advanced should your bike be?

This all depends on your exercise goals. How many people is going to use the bike, how often, and how hard do you want to go are all valid questions to help you make a decision. Don’t overestimate your abilities and pay for a machine you won’t use to its full capabilities. For most beginners, the most expensive recumbent bike doesn’t mean the best. Have a realistic estimation of your current level and where you’re heading and get the one that matches your fitness goals.

 

The best rated recumbent exercise bikes

No matter what your budget is, we have compiled a list of the best recumbent exercise bikes you could purchase to start working out in the comfort of your own home. Scroll down for a comparison chart that will sum it all up illustrating the different features in each bike.

 

Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike

One of the best rated recumbent exercise bikes in the world that targets home users and not commercial gyms is the Exerpeutic 900XL.

Designed in a way that minimizes the impact on your hip and knee joints whilst keeping a comfortable position during your workout session, it’s a perfect choice for users from all ages and weight groups.

It is equipped with wheels for better transportation from one room to another, 8 levels of magnetic resistance, and extended leg stabilizers to prevent tipping.

FIND CHEAPEST PRICE HERE

 

 

Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

The Schwinn brand has more than 100 years of experience and currently manufactures some of the best recumbent exercise bikes on the market. The Schwinn 230 has almost every feature you could ask for.

With an affordable price tag comes more than 20 levels of resistance and 22 workout programs.

It can connect to your mobile and export data related to your fitness goals, and even connect it to your MyFitnessPal account.

We love the seat design; it has a vented bottom with a contoured leg area that will make your workouts as comfortable as possible.

Another extra addition here is the presence of an acoustic chamber speaker to listen to your favorite music. The assembly process for this model can take some time initially, but it’s going to be worth it once it’s up and running.

FIND CHEAPEST PRICE HERE

 

 

Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike

This is a high-end home model and usually, targets those who are serious about their workouts.

The highlight of this marvelous bike is the 25 levels of Eddy Current Braking (ECB) resistance – no more worrying about replacing brake pads for good.

The back piece has a unique design that provides comfort, ventilation and together with the seat delivers a good lumbar support. Since it’s a high-end model, expect to find a grip heart rate or a chest strap one, a detailed LCD display with many buttons to control every parameter of your workout and the inclusion of a USB charging port.

FIND CHEAPEST PRICE HERE

 

 

ProForm 440 ES Exercise Bike

Hearing the brand Proform is an automatic association with quality.

The 440 ES was engineered to provide a great workout at the comfort of your home. Just like the Nautilus R616, we have 25 levels of resistance for a challenging pedaling experience.

A dual-grip heart rate monitor along with an optional chest strap is also present. An IFIT live mode is a good addition that communicates via Wi-Fi with your devices to store workout data or download custom made workouts and music playlists – it does need a monthly subscription for activation, though.

The Proform 440 ES has a 350lb weight limit and a lifetime warranty on frame, 2-year warranty on electronics and 1-year warranty on labor.

FIND CHEAPEST PRICE HERE

 

 

Diamondback 510SR Fitness Recumbent Bike

This is a solid machine that you can find it in gyms and fitness studios as much as in homes.

When you first ride the Diamondback 510SR, ergonomic design is the first thing that will pop into your head.

Everything from the seat, backrest and even pedals are fully adjustable. In terms of comfort, it matches the more expensive bikes and maybe beats some of them.

You will find 20 pre-programmed workouts, 16 ECB resistance levels, and of course heart rate telemetry.

Nothing is missing from the rest of the features you’d expect on a high-end recumbent bike, it also comes with a lifetime warranty on frame, 3-year warranty on electronic parts and 1-year warranty on labor. A word of caution, if you’re shorter than 5′ 3”, then the pedals on this bike might be placed a little too far from the seat, making it not so comfy without a pillow underneath you.

FIND CHEAPEST PRICE HERE

 

 

Sole Fitness LCR Recumbent Bike

A 30-pound flywheel makes this LCR bike the top of the line model for your home.

If you want to go big and not afraid to pay premium bucks, then you will get a 40 level ECB resistance for a super quiet ride.

A 12 position adjustable seat coupled with a patented pedal design that further reduces the chance of getting knee or feet discomfort. The tubing frame is made of high-grade aluminum and there’s a built-in cooling fan to keep you refreshed no matter the weather.

There’s nothing bad to say about this model, except maybe assembly is not the easiest although an illustrated manual is there in the box.

FIND CHEAPEST PRICE HERE