11 Best Exercise Bikes of 2023, According to Fitness Experts

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It's no wonder than exercise bikes are a staple in many home gyms across America – they provide a fantastic low-impact workout, improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance, and are more space efficient than a treadmill or other larger cardio equipment. Our team of fitness and engineering experts within the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested exercise bikes for the past ten years to bring you the best options for any home gym setup and budget.

Whether you're looking for a slower paced casual ride or a more high-intensity workout session, a good quality indoor cycling bike can help you get in an efficient workout. Finding an affordable model that is the right size for your physical space is key. Options that incorporate special connected fitness features may be ideal for you and other members in your household who plan to use the bike as well.

With backgrounds in engineering, indoor cycling and personal training, our experts look at criteria that ensures top picks have intuitive and easy-to-use controls, highly adjustable resistance, stable construction, effective workout programming and more. We've logged many miles on the bikes ourselves and even sent them to consumer testers for real-life feedback.

You can read more about how we evaluate exercise bikes — plus everything you need to know to shop for your ideal exercise bike — at the end of this guide. Looking to hit the road for some outdoor cycling? Check out our guide on the best e-bikes. Remember that before starting any fitness regimen, you should always consult your physician or healthcare practitioner.

IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike

Schwinn delivers a solid indoor cycling bike with a smooth ride and lots of diverse features in the IC4 at a decent price, making it a top pick in our tests. A standout on this model is that it offers 100 resistance levels. Not only does the sturdy bike perform well, but it has a sleek design that looks great in any home gym and a smooth, relatively quiet ride.

You can ride with either regular sneakers in toe cages or SPD compatible cycling shoes (like our top-tested pick from Tiem) since the bike offers dual-sided pedals, so if you don't want to invest in a pair of cycling shoes you don't need to. If you are looking to ride with cycling shoes, some bikes require you to swap out the regular sneaker pedal for a cycling shoe pedal which can be burdensome and inconvenient, but the dual-sided nature of these pedals on the IC4 makes things simple, especially if some of the members of your household have cycling shoes and others do not.

If you've been eyeing the Peloton (more on that later) but can't get past the hefty price-point, the IC4 may be an option for you since it connects with the Peloton app and you can put your phone or tablet in the bike's device holder. Riders appreciated that the bike houses a pair of three-pound dumbbells in cradles at the front of the bike that are easy to reach for classes that combine cycling with upper body work. Most exercise bikes (including the Peloton) tend to have the dumbbells stationed under the seat, which can be hard to reach when you're clipped into the bike, so this small feature was a much appreciated standout on the IC4. You'll also find dual water bottle holders which testers found especially helpful on longer bike rides. There is a USB charging station on the bike too, and the bike also connects with the ZWIFT app if you're interested in virtually training and competing with others.

Another key feature of the IC4 is that it includes a one-year JRNY membership ($149 value) which offers a large variety of on-demand classes, rides through stunning virtual destinations and more. If you have a large family, you'll appreciate that JRNY offers unlimited tracking of milestones, achievements and more for your entire household. Another family-friendly plus is that the bike accommodates heights ranging from 4'6" to 6'6". The IC4 also comes with a Bluetooth enabled heart rate armband monitor. Between its quality build, unique features, connectivity capabilities and fair price, the IC4 is a worthwhile bike that includes a little bit of everything.

Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike

At a lower price point than most, this indoor cycling bike from Sunny Health & Fitness is a great entry-level affordable option to incorporate into your home. It may not have as many bells and whistles as others on this list, but the sturdy basic exercise bike has over 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and reviewers agree that it's good quality for the price.

This bike has a few things going for it, namely the heavy 49-pound flywheel that our experts say provides for a smooth and consistent ride. We found it to be relatively quiet and note that the resistance with the leather pad is strong but may wear over time. The handlebars are multi-grip to accommodate for a variety of cycling positions. You'll find a slot to put your water bottle but no cradles for small dumbbells like most of the other bikes on this list.

Professional assembly is available but most reviewers found the bike easy to put together themselves. The bike itself weighs about 110 pounds once assembled and has transportation wheels so it's not too difficult to maneuver if you need to adjust its positioning in your home. One common theme amongst reviewers and testers was that the bike is not ideal for individuals on the shorter side, specifically 5'2" and shorter. But tall riders, including one rider who was 6'3", said the bike was surprisingly comfortable for them.

The bike has regular pedal cages so you can wear your standard exercise sneakers and don't need to purchase cycling shoes. You can optionally purchase a cadence and speed sensor that easily wraps around the bike's crank and connects to the free SunnyFit app for cycling content. Although it doesn't have as many features as others on the list, it provides for a smooth, effective ride and has a sleek design too.

Bike+

The hype and popularity of Peloton is for good reason — the bike itself is well constructed with top-notch content to match. You'll have to pay for the monthly subscription in addition to the cost of the bike, but Peloton has one of the largest class libraries out there. If you're looking for engaging instructors and fresh classes to keep you motivated this may be the pick for you.

You can read our full in-depth reviews of the Peloton Bike+ and its predecessor the original Peloton Bike, but in short the newer Bike+ features a larger screen that rotates, making it ideal for taking advantage of other fitness classes off the bike as well as bike bootcamp workouts where you alternate from the bike to the floor for strength exercises. You'll also find optimized audio and a few other ergonomic enhancements to the original. Many of the upgrades to the Peloton Bike+ are based on customer feedback to the original bike.

A new standout feature called auto-follow allows the resistance to automatically adjust to what the instructor recommends, which testers found was especially helpful during interval style classes. Our experts found that the high variable magnetic resistance resulted in a quiet belt drive and very smooth ride too. Live rides, monthly challenges and milestone badges make this choice motivating and interactive.

You can ride with regular sneakers on a Peloton bike but will need to attach toe cages. The brand recommends cycling shoes, and their own branded shoes are pricey but did perform well in our indoor cycling shoes tests. That being said, you don't need to splurge on Peloton cycling shoes — any Delta or three-hole cleat system should work on their pedals. The Bike+ is highly adjustable but taller testers over 6'3" said they felt some strain in their lower back even at the highest handlebar height. Our experience with the set-up team was smooth and much better than other fitness equipment services we have tested. Peloton has a dedicated team of professionals that assemble and set-up your bike, as well as walk you through the app and experience.

If you're on the fence between the Bike+ and the original Bike, you won't be missing out much with the original Peloton bike model. You'll still get access to the full class library, talented instructors and many high-tech features. If you plan on doing mostly cycling classes and not strength and other content, you may not need special features on the Bike+ like the swivel screen, making the original model a solid choice.

Commercial S22i Studio Cycle

NordicTrack delivers a feature-rich cycling bike with incredible capabilities that rivals the Peloton Bike+. You'll find a large 22" rotating touchscreen that rotates a full 360 degrees for floor classes from any view and great HD graphics. The ride itself is smooth and the bike overall has a beautiful design. The S22i comes with a built-in fan and accessory tray, as well as easy-to-reach small dumbbell slots at the front of the bike.

Riders loved the destination workouts available through iFit, where you ride in some of the most beautiful places in the world. If you are looking for motivation to work out, viewing these locations alone can inspire you to get on the bike. Testers rave about the variety of classes that iFit offers, including off-bike content like strength training, yoga classes, mindfulness sessions and more. You'll also find leaders in the fitness industry coaching you through class, including trainers like Kayla Itsines, Tommy Rivers Puzey, Hannah Eden and more.

A standout in our tests was that the bike, which offers 24 digital resistance levels, also has an Automatic Trainer Control function that allows the instructor to adjust your incline, decline and resistance. There is a 20% incline control and 10% decline control which is quite impressive and designed to mimic the natural terrain of your destination workouts. Both testers and our experts also like that the newer model of the S22i has two-sided pedals, so you can strap in with a traditional sneaker or clip in with SPD cycling shoes. The bike also has a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds, making it inclusive for many riders.

If you're considering a smart bike but the Peloton is too expensive, the S22i is a solid choice that offers very similar features for a fraction of the price. It's also a beginner-friendly choice that doesn't require cycling shoes and offers a ton of content for cycling newbies through competitive cyclists. The iFit membership is only included for the first year but can be enjoyed by multiple members in your household while it's active.

Studio Bike Pro 22

Riders interested in iFit may also like this studio bike from Proform that comes at a more affordable price than competitor bikes with similar capabilities. The rotating screen swivels 180 degrees in both directions, allowing you to take advantage of off-bike strength training and yoga workouts.

You'll also be able to utilize iFIT's Resistance Control technology where your trainer takes control of your resistance to match the terrain of the workout, making this a worthwhile choice. But you'll only get a 30-day free iFIT trial before you have to start paying for the subscription at $39/month.

Our experts found the bike sturdy and durable with a smooth and quiet ride thanks to the bike's Silent Magnetic Resistance system. Reviewers even describe it as "super quiet." The bike is also highly adjustable, with five handlebar positions and nine seat height positions. This choice only has toe cages for regular sneakers, so if you're looking to enhance your ride with indoor cycling shoes then you may want to consider the Nordictrack S22i instead.

Another thing to note on the Studio Bike Pro 22 is that it has the lowest weight capacity of all the bikes we tested — the weight maximum is 250 pounds. The bike itself though is protected with a 10-year warranty on the frame. You can assemble the bike yourself but some reviewers say it's worth paying the extra fee for expert install and assembly.

VeloCore 16 Indoor Cycling Bike

This unique exercise bike from Bowflex combines all of the state-of-the-art offerings you would expect from a high-end smart bike, but adds on an innovative leaning mode feature. This optional mode allows you to go from side to side for a full body workout that requires major core engagement and stability. But if the leaning mode isn't for you, the lockout feature can keep the bike in stationary mode for a traditional cycling workout.

You can choose either a 16- or 22-inch adjustable HD touchscreen but it does not rotate like some of the other smart bikes on this list. We also love that the bike has dual-sided pedals to accommodate for both traditional workout sneakers and SPD cycling shoes depending on who in the household is riding. One downside on this bike is that it will not automatically adjust resistance like some of the other models on this list.

Three-pound dumbbells are included and stow in cages at the front of the bike for easy access and your purchase also includes a Bluetooth heart rate armband. You'll be able to take advantage of 100 resistance levels and even connect to other cycling apps like Peloton. There is a built-in media rack for your phone or tablet with a USB charging port on the bike as well so you can do a scenic ride and guided class at the same time.

Bowflex recommends the bike for heights ranging from 5'1" to 6'5", making it a great choice for the whole family to enjoy. Another family-friendly offering is that the bike purchase includes a one-year JRNY membership which allows you to set up unlimited user profiles for your household. What's more, our experts love that JRNY gives you access to entertainment options as you ride, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu so anyone can watch their favorite shows and movies while getting in a workout.

MYX II

The rotating touchscreen on this exercise bike from MYX makes for easy transition from bike to floor classes. You can upgrade for $200 more to the MYX II Plus package for a complete set of dumbbells, a kettlebell, resistance band, stabilizing and exercise mats, and a foam roller to compliment the bike and give you everything you need to start your own personal home gym.

Testers liked that the system was comprehensive and offered options for cross training. Experts found the equipment durable, high-quality and stylish, and especially liked that the bike has a wide height range, making it great for all sizes. The MYX bike doesn't offer as many metrics as other smart bikes but still makes for a fantastic workout and comprehensive home exercise regimen.

Connect EX-5s-22

270 Recumbent Bike

Compared to upright bikes, recumbent options allow you to exercise your lower body with less strain on your joints. Plus, the design of recumbent bikes makes it much easier to balance and sit more comfortably. This well-designed recumbent bike from industry-leader Schwinn features 25 levels of resistance and 29 preset workout programs. The blue backlit LCD screens gives you insight into metrics as you ride.

Our experts like that the bike has a media shelf with USB media charging and an adjustable fan. Reviewers rave that the bike offers a very quiet and smooth ride and many say it is ideal for seniors. The back of the contoured seat has small holes for ventilation and the padded seat bottom and slider seat rail system lets you adjust your positioning with ease.

Assault AirBike

Serious athletes will love the addition of an air bike to their home gym. Also known as fan bikes, air bikes like this one are popular in the CrossFit community and are known for providing an efficient full body workout in seconds. Many favor air bikes for high intensity interval training workouts; even a quick 20 second burst can get your heart rate through the roof. Your legs pedal while your arms also move the handles back and forth, so the harder you push the harder the movement becomes.

The thin console on this model provides seven onboarding program options and metrics like calories burned, distance, time and heart rate. Our fitness pros say this bike is durable, top quality and delivers an effective workout quickly. Expert assembly is available as well.

How we test the best exercise bikes

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Wellness Lab, we conduct our own assessments to evaluate safety, durability and other performance metrics of bikes. Lead by Good Housekeeping's Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman, our engineers review and repeat select aspects of ASTM conformance testing to help ensure the safety and stability of the machines.

Our pros assess the perceived quality of materials used and record wear and tear after consumer testing. Other safety features are also evaluated, such as ease of stopping and accessibility of dangerous moving parts. Performance testing includes accuracy of user-metrics like power output and calories burned, resistance quality and range, and speed accuracy (RPM).

In addition to expert evaluation, we have a panel of consumer testers who ride the bikes for real-life feedback on ease of use, ergonomics and performance of the machines. Certain key things testers are asked about include seat adjustability, angling, comfort of hand grips and seat, workout selection, adjusting resistance and how easy the display is to read.

The overall class experience is also an important aspect of consumer testing, looking to see if the classes are engaging and motivating. We ask testers to take classes with different instructors. To aid in evaluating performance, testers are also asked how they would rate the resistance settings when compared to other exercise bikes.

"IT'S A GREAT PIECE OF KIT - EASY TO CONNECT TO MY HEART RATE MONITOR AND TO VARIOUS APPS. THE AUTOMATIC RESISTANCE WORKS FLAWLESSLY."

How to choose the best exercise bike for you

When determining which exercise bike is right for you, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

• How much space can I allot for the bike?

• How often do I plan to ride the bike, realistically?

• Will anyone else in my home be riding the bike?

• Will I ride in cycling shoes or do I need a bike that I can use with regular sneakers?

• Do I want the bike to have built-in content and a large screen or will I stream from my smartphone, tablet or TV?

• Does the bike require a monthly subscription that I need to factor into my budget?

• Do I want the bike to offer other workouts besides cycling?

Exercise bikes can be an expensive and physically large investment, which is why our experts say it's important to keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for the best exercise bike for your home:

✔️ Size: Always make sure to adequately measure the space you plan to store the bike in and leave ample space above and around the bike so you can safely get in and out. If you plan on doing full body classes on the bike that incorporate upper body movements with light weights, you'll want to account for adequate space above and to either side of the bike.

✔️ Adjustable features: Look for a bike with ample settings that can be modified for your height, weight and more to ensure a comfortable ride.

✔️ Style: Are you looking for a traditional indoor cycling bike or one with smart features? Bikes also have different kinds of resistance to take into account.

✔️ Monitor: Take note of the type of monitor or screen that the bike offers. What type of metrics does it offer? Is the display large enough for you to see and interact with? If there isn't a display, does the bike have a device mount for you to place a phone or tablet in? Think about these factors when looking for an appropriate choice.

✔️ Cost: More expensive doesn't always mean better quality, but smart bikes typically come at a higher price point. Some bikes offer payment plans, and if your bike is connected with a workout program or digital class library you'll need to factor in any monthly membership payments for access.

✔️Warranty: Always check the warranty on the bike, especially for larger parts like the frame which should have the longest warranty. You want to protect your investment and take note of the length of the warranty and what it includes.

✔️ Connected features: Smart bikes provide enhanced metrics, community and guided classes which can be more interactive and motivating than standard stationary bikes. Although they come at a premium, if you are looking for guidance and studio-style classes then this is something you'll want to consider. Many smart bikes also offer guided scenic rides through beautiful destinations, which are a great way to change things up in your workout regimen. Check to see if the bike connects via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth too.

✔️ Pedals: Most bikes offer a shoe cage so you can cycle in your regular exercise shoes. But some bikes, especially indoor cycling bikes, offer special pedals that require a specific type of cycling shoe. The benefits of indoor cycling shoes are vast, providing a safer and more efficient ride, but they can be costly. That said, if you make the investment, you'll need to figure out whether your bike pedals are compatible with two-hole (SPD) or three-hold (Delta) cleats and make sure that the shoes you purchase are appropriate. If you're not sure what type of pedal the bike has, contact the manufacturer.

Can an exercise bike help you lose weight?

Cycling is an incredibly effective and low-impact workout. Staying active with an exercise bike, in conjunction with a healthy balanced diet, can certainly help you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. But the benefits of an exercise bike go far beyond weight management.

Research suggests that indoor cycling may improve aerobic capacity, blood pressure, lipid profile and body composition, especially when combined with a healthy diet. Cycling can burn calories and build strength, while also improving stamina and endurance. Riding an exercise bike regularly can even increase cardiovascular fitness and reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases.

Sedentary behavior is on the rise with more than 60% of Americans not getting the recommended amount of exercise per week and about 25% of Americans not staying active at all, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Cycling can be a fun and approachable form of fitness to combat a sedentary lifestyle and help you keep active.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Stefani Sassos has been working in the fitness industry for the past 10 years, specializing in indoor cycling and strength training. As a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer, Stefani uses her expertise and exercise science knowledge to create informed fitness content for the Good Housekeeping Institute. She began her indoor cycling career in college where she was a Penn State Fitness Instructor, and continued on to teach indoor cycling at major gyms and studios including Equinox Fitness Clubs. She has taught on a variety of different indoor cycling bikes and is well versed in the current offerings. Stefani loves riding an indoor cycling bike at home for a quick and effective workout while her baby daughter naps.

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