The Best Exercise Bikes of 2020
Best Bikes Reviews - Stationary Bikes and Exercise Bikes
1. Nautilus U616 Upright Bike
This bike comes with a high speed, inertia drive system. With a perimeter weighted flywheel, you can achieve smooth, consistent workouts. It includes a large padded seat for comfort, a DualTrack LCD display for tracking workout information, and the best part is the variety of included workout programs.
There are over 26 different unique training programs with over 25 levels of resistance. It provides support for the RideSocial mixed reality training that simulates riding outdoors. And with Bluetooth connectivity, you can track all of your details with the Nautilis Trainer app on your phone.
PROS
- Nautilus Connect with Bluetooth makes it easy to upload your workout, plus it's compatible with My Fitness Pal
- Sturdy. Feels like it would handle more than 300 lbs. (Don't try that, though.)
- Adjustable Seat for an upright position
CONS
- Padded seat isn't so cozy
- Peddling doesn't feel as smooth as expected at this price range
2. Stamina Elite Total Body
Most people bypass the recumbent bikes at the gym because they offer absolutely no upper body work. But this recumbent bike has both arm and leg pedals. It's ideal for users who have problems sitting on an upright or spin bike because they can't still work out their arms.
This bike comes with a comfortable padded seat, provide quiet magnetic resistance, and has an electronic display revealing details such as calories, heart rate, workout time, and heart rate.
Pulse sensors are built into the handles below, allowing you to monitor your heart rate. The textured pedals with straps were built to keep your feet secure, while the wheels at the base help you roll this bike into the corner after workouts. It requires no electrical outlet to run. For more examples of products like these that also work your upper body, check out my full review of exercise bikes with moving arms.
PRO
- Full body workout, unlike most recumbents
- Operates quietly
- Fantastic for physical therapy
CONS
- Resistance only works on upper or lower pedals at a time, not simultaneous
- Sometimes the seat adjustments come loose
- If you don't assemble the arm pedals correctly, their resistance won't work at all
3. Diamondback 510SR Fitness
This bike has all of the bells and whistles I'd expect for a relaxing workout. The foldout book rest, adjustable armrest, cooling fan, cup holder for water, and mp3 connectable speaker system make it feel like driving a Lexus, plus it's very sturdy and comfortable.
The sculptured seat fits into the ergonomic design to provide comfort to riders of all levels. The advanced LCD rider display provides you with much more than the ordinary data you find on most fitness monitors. There are also progress updates, workout options, and 20 different QuickSet Workout programs to keep your routine from getting too dull.
With integrated contact sensors built into the handlebars, you can make sure you’re hitting your target heart rate. The best part is that this bike doesn’t have a huge footprint. (64” L x 23” W x 50” H)
PRO
- Displays speed increments very precisely, to tenths of a mile
- Resistance ranges from very light to hard, which makes it perfect for seniors or even a body builder
- The sculptured, padded seat is comfortable enough to ride for hours
CONS
- It's not meant for the very short. If you are under 5'4” you'll probably have trouble reaching the pedals
- Heart rate monitor could be more accurate.
- Difficult to shift the seat for more than one user
The biggest advantage of this Sunny Health Fitness bike is the smooth operation the chain drive, and 37.5-pound aluminum and steel flywheel offers. It seems a bit expensive until you try it out and realize how realistic the road feel is.
It's very sturdy too, handling up to 350 pounds, so it's ideal for both men and women. The adjustable magnetic resistance functions in tandem with the braking so that you can adjust the resistance levels in small increments.
PRO
- Resistance is adjustable in increments
- Sunny Health Fitness chain drive with heavy flywheel gives a super smooth ride for very fast peddling
- Adjustable Seat for training
CONS
- No timer
- Even with the wheels, Sunny Health Fitness bikes are pretty heavy to move
5. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike
Perhaps one of the best things about this Indoor Cycling Bike is that it is fully adjustable. You can adjust the seat 4 different ways and modify the height of the handlebars. The steel, toe-cage pedals come with adjustable straps.
The bike is built with a heavy-duty flywheel along with a belt drive mechanism to help you strengthen your legs with smooth, quiet riding. It has an emergency stop brake, a water bottle holder, and transportation wheels at the base for easy portability.
Constructed from a steel frame, this compact bike can support up to 300 pounds. For entertainment, there is also a tablet holder, so you can place your device on it while getting a workout.
PROS
- Works well with the Peleton App
- Very quiet during use
CONS
- The bike is very heavy, so it might be difficult to move
- Not easy to assemble
6. Schwinn AD2 Airdyne Exercise Bike
This cycling bike utilizes the whole body and gives your foot a full range of motion. When the petals are at their lowest positions, you can straighten your legs completely.
I'm the kind of person that likes to pedal with a beat, so it bothers me that you have to go faster to change the resistance, but it provides a high-quality workout.
PROS
- Works out the entire body
- You don't have to plug it in.
- Adjustable resistance levels for training
CONS
- Can't lock the handlebars or other options for pedaling
- You have to pedal faster to get higher resistance
7. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bikes with Pulse
This compact indoor cycling bike is a great choice for people who have a limited amount of space because it's foldable. It feels great when working out and it's easily one of the best bikes for the price to get fit.
One small criticism is that the leg motion is unusual, possibly because of the foldable design. It forces the pedals to sit a bit further inward than they would on a regular bike but not as far out as a recumbent.
This magnetic upright bike takes getting used to with varying resistance levels.
PROS
- A good, comfortable, cushioned seat
- Well-built for an inexpensive folding bike
CONS
- Need to keep re-tightening the bolts to avoid excess pedaling noise, and it can still be noisy for a magnetic upright bike
- Both the straps and plastic pedals themselves feel like they will break with any hard use
- No Bottle Holder or other options
This bike is a good mid-range choice for home-use. It doesn't feel as slick compared to a gym bike, but it has a lot of the features that you want and needs from one, and it's not nearly as expensive.
One of the best things about this Schwinn is that it has a more advanced LCD digital layout which lets you simultaneously track 13 monitored actions. It's just easier to stay motivated when I can see all of my different areas of progress on the screen.
Even better, I can export the data from my machine to my iPad so I can keep track of calories burned, and distance peddled every week. It's a fantastic motivational machine.
PROS
- Smooth and quiet
- 25 touch-controlled resistance settings
- USB charging and data port
- Easy to use pulse monitor
CONS
- Hard seat
- Fragile iPod dock
The BladeZ Fitness Cycles comes with an upgraded, dipped handlebar post, and an improved frame design over previous models. With a 40 lb flywheel and an anatomically designed sport seat, you can enjoy a smooth riding experience.
The handlebars are adjustable, the seat is adjustable. It also includes an LCD monitor to keep you motivated during your workouts. This bike is more like the standard spin bikes you might find at the gym, and with wheels at the base, you can move it for easy storage.
PROS
- Basic cycling computer but easy to use
- Very sturdy for training
CONS
- There are no numbers to mark resistance on the knob
- No bottle holder
10. Bladez Fitness Master GS Indoor Cycle Trainer
This bike provides a great-feeling training experience from home. With a super-heavy flywheel with top-down magnetic resistance, you can train at high athletic levels. It comes with adjustable racing handlebars and seat. The belt-drive mechanism is nearly silent, topped by a useful LCD display providing insight into your fitness data.
Compatible with Polar heart rate monitors, you can keep an eye on your pulse to make sure you’re getting a proper workout. This bike was created to be an economic solution to people who are looking for something durable, reliable, and affordable at the same time. The bike's dimensions are 48”L x 19.9W x 46.9H inches.
PROS
CONS
Finding a Good Exercise Bike is Hard
Finding the right exercise bike for your budget can be an intimidating task. It seems like every product sells their features as if they are the only thing that matters, but if that were true, there wouldn't be a gazillion different designs on the market. This review will cover all types of convenient exercise bikes so you can get a better idea of what's on the market today.
What are the Best Kinds of Exercise Bikes?
Stationary bikes are popular for users and have evolved to meet different needs for weight loss. There are now four different types of indoor cycles to choose from:
Recumbent
Marcy recumbent stationary bikes are my personal favorite for multi-tasking because they are so comfortable. They have back supports just like a chair, and they're perfect for reading a book while peddling. Unfortunately, the only arm workout I get is turning the page unless I put down the book and pick up the weights. They also employ different muscles than standard bikes. You'll notice that they require more of a push with the thighs than a peddling with your legs and backside.
Standard Upright
This was the first exercise bike that became popular. Uprights have a very simple design that usually includes an LCD screen with a tracking system. These monitors track the distance you've peddled and the calories burned for weight loss. We often sit on them like we would a beach cruiser, and the peddling method is very similar too. They are among some of the most modern machines. They're inexpensive and easy to repair if something breaks, and they rarely break. Some good standard uprights from the 80's still work great.
Spin Cycles
These are the machines you're going to find at the gym for spin classes. They come with a flywheel mechanism that disengages when you coast and re-engages when you start peddling again. The experience is comparable to what you experience when racing your bike on the road. You have to lean over the handlebars to peddle just like you would your racing bike too. You can get some of the most intense cardio workouts in the world on a spin cycle.
Dual Action
These bikes have moving handlebars instead of a pair stationary ones. Some models have both. The bike handlebars move like those on a skiing machine, working your arms out too. Some models allow separate adjustments for your legs, so the bike is suitable for any athlete, novice to expert. Most of us have stronger legs than arms, so our noodle arms may need time to catch up to the resistance level that our legs can handle.
Pedal Resistance
Every exercise bike features a different kind of pedal resistance to increase the difficulty of motion. Some bikes have manually adjustable magnetic resistance while others have digitally adjustable magnetic resistance. Other bikes feature simple mechanical pedal resistance. Magnetic resistance and other types still have difficulty simulating the difficulty of riding a bike up an incline surface.
Whichever type of bike you choose, make sure it's one you will enjoy using. Some of us just like to pedal vigorously on a marcy recumbent, and some of us enjoy the racing feel of a spin machine. Some people want the full-body workout that we can only get with a dual-action bike. There isn't a wrong choice here. It's all about what best suits your needs.
Benefits of Owning a Good Exercise Bike
There are so many benefits to owning an exercise bike that it would be easier to list the reasons not to have one (hint: there aren't any!) Here are a few of the reasons I chose an exercise bike in my home gym.
Rain or Shine, Snow or Sleet
Rain or shine, snow or sleet, it'll deliver your fitness! This is one of the main reasons I started using exercise bikes ten years ago. It rained almost every day during the winter while my beloved bike lay collecting cobwebs in the garage. By the time the rain stopped, I had about three weeks to enjoy it before my hometown began feeling hot as the bowels of Hades again. After nearly giving myself heat stroke trying to bike at 9 AM in the summer, I drove my air conditioned car to the local sporting goods store.
You Won't Get Squished
I have no less than three close friends who have been plowed over at intersections or in the bike lane. In each of those cases, my friends were following all traffic laws and wearing safety equipment. None of them died, but all three had massive hospital bills and long recoveries.
Safer at Home
Stationary biking is also convenient for those who have physical difficulties They can exercise even with balance problems or joint pain. It's much easier to check and maintain the heart rate at the doctor recommended level, and you won't be in the middle of nowhere, away from your family if you have a sudden problem. Whatever age you are or what your level of fitness is, you can achieve your fitness goals safely at home.
Cheaper Than the Gym
Exercise bikes are cheaper than a gym membership in the long run. They will never break your budget. Considering that most gym memberships have rates of over $50 a month and come with draconian cancellation costs, even a thousand dollar machine will pay for itself in no time. You'll also use it more often because of the convenience.
This isn't just because the bike is right there staring at you. Gyms can be inconvenient. We're always too busy or getting called away in the middle of a workout. All of this is no problem when you have a bike at home. Even on hectic days, I just grab five or ten minutes whenever I can. It adds up over the course of the day.
You Don't Need a Babysitter
Whether you ride on the road or go to the gym, you'll need someone to babysit your younger kids while you work out. Some gyms include daycare, but it's expensive. If you have a stationary cycle at home, you can keep an eye on your little ones and workout without spending a dime. Plus, if you kids see you engaging in a healthy workout from the start, they will naturally incorporate it into their lifestyles.
I gained my love of fitness from jogging with my father, and they are some of the happiest memories of my childhood. Those memories are also personal proof of the longevity benefits that exercise provides because he's still alive and active at the ripe old age of 86. Does motivation get any better than that?
Multitasking
I'm a big fan of zoning out with distraction free exercise for at least half an hour a day because it's a huge stress reliever. Some days, I like to go longer. If I don't have the time for an extended workout routine, I'll get my laptop and work while using my bike. As a matter of fact, I'm listening to M83 and riding my bike this very moment, while typing this post. (Road Blaster is the perfect biking song.)
Your Hubby Can Use it Too
The first time I saw my beautiful but beer-gutted better half jump on my marcy recumbent bike, I almost fainted. Now his beer gut is almost gone.
No Germs!
I don't even want to touch the handles on the bikes and the gym--or sit on them for that matter. No matter how much cleaning equipment they set out, there's always some inconsiderate, sweaty jerk that thinks his particular brand of sweat is God's gift to the world, so he must share it. Eww!
Privacy
I've had people look at me funny when I've shown up at the gym in old sweats and a ponytail instead of my cute little workout getup. Why do I have to dress up to go work out? At home, I can be as stinky and frizzy as I want with no repercussions.
Furthermore, no one is looking at my butt from behind my back while I work. I can add goofy arm exercised to my workout and listen to guilty pleasures on the radio while I work out to my heart's content with no audience. It's bliss.
It Makes Your Tush Look Awesome!
Biking is one of the most effective exercises in the world to tighten your calves, thighs, and glutes--those are the main muscles on your backside.
Conclusion for Best Bikes
I hope this small guide has given you an exceptional overview involving some of the best bikes on the market. Now you just need to make a decision between these or another suitable cardio machine. Enjoy!