ProRehab Physical Therapy’s Candace Morton, PT, DPT, and Pappas OPT’s Dan Macera, PT, DPT, were both featured in an article about the best recumbent bike options with VerywellFit, read on below!
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When setting up a home gym, a recumbent exercise bike is an extremely versatile and effective cardio machine to add to the mix. A recumbent bike allows you to sit in a way that promotes good spinal alignment, which may help reduce lower back pain and pressure allowing for a more comfortable ride.1 They’re particularly helpful for folks recovering from injuries, seniors wanting to stay active in a safe way, and novice exercisers looking to improve cardiovascular fitness in a low-impact fashion.2
“Recumbent bikes are also a great way to increase strength in your lower extremities as well as mobility,” Candace Morton, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at ProRehab in Louisville, KY, says.
When shopping for recumbent exercise bikes, consider weight and height capacities and seat adjustability—especially if multiple people in the household will use the bike. A good bike should also have varying resistance levels to allow for different types of workouts and an easy-to-use monitor display. “All of these features allow you to have a more comfortable and customizable ride in which you can achieve your fitness goals,” Morton says.
When evaluating recumbent bikes, we reviewed them for all of these features as well as value, sturdiness, and comfort. We also considered recommendations from experts as well as user reviews.
According to our research, here are the best recumbent exercise bikes on the market.
If you’re looking for a trusty recumbent bike to add to your home gym setup that features plenty of resistance options and preset workouts while also storing data for up to four users, we recommend Schwinn’s 270 Recumbent Exercise Bike.
And if you’re looking for a space-saving option that still has quality features, we recommend the Proform 235 CSX for its apartment-friendly footprint.
How We Selected the Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes
To find the best recumbent exercise bikes, we researched dozens of machines from top fitness equipment retailers and brands, opting for best-sellers and options with stellar customer feedback. We also reached out to experts—including two licensed physical therapists and two certified personal trainers—for recommendations and advice on what to look for when selecting recumbent exercise bikes.
To narrow down our options, we evaluated bikes based on their features, ease of assembly and use, adjustability, sturdiness, comfort, and value. Based on how each bike held up to these criteria, we determined which bikes were best suited for different needs.
What to Look for in a Recumbent Exercise Bike
Weight and Height Capacity
Recumbent bike weight capacities can range pretty dramatically, so be sure to check whether the one you’re eyeing will give you the stability you and any other rider in your family may need. What’s more, some models work better for shorter folks, and some models are ideal for taller folks. Check the height range listed in the product description to ensure that you’ll be able to pedal on the bike comfortably.
Adjustability
Ideally, your recumbent bike should feature adjustability in the seat and backrest to suit your leg length, in addition to an adjustable foot cage for secure peddling. “With your feet on the pedals and the pedals furthest away from the seat, your knees should have a 25- to 30-degree bend to them,” Shelby Morrison, certified personal trainer and owner of ShelbyFit, says.
Proper positioning allows you to reach and hold the handlebars comfortably, as well as use any controls on the display screen.
Resistance
Most popular bikes use magnetic tension resistance on the flywheel to create a quiet and smooth ride that can be as challenging as you want it to be. Be sure to look for this detail when picking out your bike. And when it comes to the flywheel itself, the heavier it is, the more realistic riding experience you’ll get with your bike.
Monitor Display
This one comes down to personal preference, as some people prefer a simplistic design while others want it as technologically advanced as possible. “While all bikes don’t have a display, it can be helpful,” Morrison says. “Most people will work harder, since you can see the level of resistance, your time, your speed, and some even have a heart rate monitor.”
Regardless of your style, be sure your display gives you the basic information you need, since those factors can help you keep track of your progress over time.
Price
Although some bargains can be found, it’s worth it to get a higher quality bike in the range of $300 to $600 if you plan to use it long-term. “Higher end bikes, which are typically $1,000 to $3,000, are not typically necessary unless multiple people are going to be using the bike and it will get several hours of use a day,” Dan Macera, PT, DPT, clinic director at Pappas OPT Physical, Sports and Hand Therapy, says.