There Are Surprisingly Affordable Recumbent Exercise Bikes on Amazon

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Whether you’re recovering from an injury or interesting in a cardio workout that won’t put added stress on your joints, you might be interested in the best recumbent exercise bike. Unlike traditional stationary bikes, these feature a reclined seat with a backrest for support. They work muscles in the lower body, offering a comfortable, safe way for many to get their heart pumping and legs moving.

Recumbent bikes are great for seniors, people with joint pain, and those with low mobility and stiffness, Jim White, R.D.N., a certified personal trainer and owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios, tells Prevention. “The benefits of using a recumbent exercise bike are reduced strain on a user’s back, hips, and knees due to the seating position,” explains Louis Ojeda, a personal trainer at FITloft in Montclair. They’re “user friendly for all fitness levels,” he adds.

However, if you’re looking for a full-body workout, you might need to add other elements, notes Ryan Kennedy, a NASM-certified trainer and fitness director at The Park. “To build a more well-rounded cardio program, I would strongly recommend incorporating other means of exercise,” he says. “To ensure you are developing your core musculature properly, individuals will also want to mix-in some inclined walking,” suggests Kennedy.

Jim White, R.D.N., a certified personal trainer and owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios; Louis Ojeda, a personal trainer at FITloft in Montclair, NJ; and Ryan Kennedy, a NASM-certified trainer and fitness director at The Park.

Although it’s difficult to shop for the best recumbent exercise bike without testing one out for yourself, there are key factors to keep in mind. Consider the size of your space, how much guidance you’ll need in terms of workouts, the comfort of the seat type, and how high-tech you expect your equipment to be. Of course, your budget is also important to keep in mind. Some commercial bikes cost thousands, while some more basic options are available on Amazon for just a few hundred dollars.

Our top picks

Ahead, shop the best recumbent bikes for all fitness levels. Some are recommended by the experts we interviewed, while others are from trusted brands and have many positive reviews from people who’ve tried them. Based on our research, these are the best indoor exercise bikes to consider.

Commercial R35 Recumbent Exercise Bike

Two of the experts we interviewed for this story recommend this NordicTrack bike, which is why it’s our number-one pick. “It is highly adjustable and can fit almost every body type due to its large seat,” says White. He also appreciates its 26 resistance levels and quiet magnetic resistance.

Ojeda is a fan of the bike’s built-in technology. “This bike lets you bike anywhere in the world with Google maps workout technology. Users can track their stats through the iFIT interface. It also has SmartAdjust which adapts workouts to the user,” he says.

Although it’s pricey and large, this recumbent exercise bike is ideal for those with a big budget and lots of space at home. If you’re looking to get serious about low-impact bike workouts at home, add this piece of equipment to your cart.

290 Recumbent Bike

If you’re looking for something cheaper than the NordicTrack recumbent bike that still looks high end, White suggests the Schwinn 290. You can bike through 200 virtual courses displayed on a seven-inch LCD screen that offers 13 built-in workout programs, goal tracking, and fitness metrics. To get the most out of the bike, you can pay for a JRNY membership (the bike comes with two free months).

“This thing is remarkable,” wrote one Amazon shopper. “It has rock-solid construction, every little bit of it shows smart design, it’s comfortable, the pedaling is smooth and nearly dead silent.”

230 Recumbent Bike

A more basic version of the Schwinn 290, the 230 bike is about $200 cheaper. With that, you’ll get a high-quality machine with a large contoured seat, vented chair back for comfort, 13 workout programs, and app compatibility. The main difference is that this model has a smaller LCD screen and fewer resistance levels. It also weighs less.

“This is an amazing exercise and fitness tool,” said a reviewer. “My husband has neuropathy and is limited in his exercise options. It’s easy for him to get on and operate.”

RS3 LifeCycle Exercise Bike

“Throughout my career, I have seen great success with Life Fitness products,” says Kennedy. “[Its] products always hold up well over time.” The RS3 LifeCycle exercise bike is no exception. If you can stomach the high price tag, this is a great option if you want gym-quality equipment in your home. It has an ergonomic design with side-mounted and front assist handlebars. It also has self-balancing pedals and contact heart rate hand sensors. Plus, it connects to Apple Watches and Samsung Galaxy Watches. The cushioned seat is also a plus.

“The RS3 bike is just what I needed. The control panel is easy to use with plenty of workout options. I also love the mesh back and it’s adjustability,” said a reviewer.

Smart Recumbent Exercise Bike

Sunny Health & Fitness makes some of the best exercise equipment available to easily purchase on Amazon, including this recumbent bike. It uses magnetic tension for 16 levels of resistance and 12 workout presets. It has a handy device holder, pulse sensor grips, and a vented seat back for comfort. Connect to the brand’s SunnyFit app on your phone to take your workouts to the next level with real location maps and metric tracking.

“It was easy to assemble, it pedals quietly, the seat is comfortable, the console is easy to read along with many programs! I could go on and on,” wrote an Amazon shopper.

Recumbent Exercise Bike

This top-rated recumbent bike has a small footprint and comes with resistance bands to increase the variety of your workouts. Get a full-body workout with free videos on the SunnyFit app that incorporate pedaling and upper body exercises with the included resistance bands. It also comes with a digital monitor, pulse sensor grips, and eight levels of magnetic resistance.

“Seat is comfortable and adjustable. Not especially heavy, which makes moving it around easy. Especially like [the] exercise bands,” wrote a reviewer.

Recumbent Exercise Bike

This lightweight exercise bike comes partially pre-assembled, making for easy setup at home. It uses quiet magnetic resistance and offers eight levels for a variety of fitness skillsets and goals. The adjustable, padded seat is comfortable, and the LCD monitor is easy to read. It shows distance, time, calories burned, and heart rate. It also connects to the free Merach app through Bluetooth. For under $300, the bike comes at a great value.

“Riding the exercise bike is comfortable and the adjustments are simple,” said a shopper. “There is plenty of difference in the resistance of the eight settings for a good workout or a leisurely ride.”

Recumbent Exercise Bike

With an ergonomic seat and backrest that you can easily adjust, this comfortable recumbent bike is affordable and relatively lightweight. It offers eight levels of quiet magnetic resistance. While it has a small LCD monitor for tracking time, speed, and distance, it also comes with a handy shelf for holding a book or tablet. All in all, it’s a terrific option for a basic bike.

“This is so quiet and easy to adjust seat,” wrote a reviewer. “Very sturdy and can adjust resistance easily.

LCR Exercise Bike

This bike is certainly expensive, but it comes with all the bells and whistles. It has a wireless charging pad, an Android touchscreen, screen mirroring capabilities, Bluetooth audio speakers, and 40 levels of resistance. You can also expect the basics, such as a padded, adjustable seat and metric tracking. Finally, download the free Sole+ app to access hundreds of free fitness classes you can follow along on the bike.

Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709

For under $200, you can add this low-profile recumbent exercise bike to your home gym. It weighs just 53 pounds and is on the smaller side compared to most at-home exercise bikes. You can also easily move it around on transport wheels, making it ideal for those living in small spaces. It is on the more basic end, with a small LCD monitor for tracking your rides, eight levels of resistance, and no compatible apps for planned workouts. Still, thousands of Amazon shoppers gave it a five-star rating.

“I was expecting this machine to be a little clunky given how inexpensive it was, but I have no complaints,” wrote one reviewer. “It gets the job done, and it is basically silent. It was easy to assemble, lightweight, easy to wheel to a new location.”

How to choose the best recumbent exercise bike

✔️ Check out the resistance levels. Different bikes come with different resistance levels. Make sure the one you buy has the right options for your fitness level and goals, advises Ojeda and White.

✔️ Make sure it’s adjustable. “Look at the adjustable seat and handlebars to ensure proper fit and comfort,” says Ojeda. “Everyone has different measurements including height, waist circumference, leg length, and foot size,” adds Kennedy, so adjustability is important.

✔️ Ensure it’ll fit in your space. Measure your space and check the dimensions of the bike before adding one to your digital cart.

✔️ Consider app compatibility. Some bikes come with workouts built in while other brands have their own apps with content for you to follow along with. Some cheaper options only allow for manual workouts.

✔️ Understand the warranty. White points out that checking the warranty is a good idea when shopping for a recumbent exercise bike, especially if you’re buying an expensive option.

The benefits of recumbent exercise bikes

“It is a great way to enhance cardiovascular endurance without putting too much stress on an individual’s joints,” says Ojeda. “Recumbent bikes are also user friendly for all fitness levels.”

White agrees, noting that recumbent exercise bikes are great for seniors or anyone with joint pain. “Great for individuals with limiting factors that still want to get a great workout,” he says.

Recumbent exercise bikes are commonly used during injury recovery and rehabilitation, Kennedy points out. “That does not mean a younger, fitter population cannot choose this modality,” he says. “Adding resistance to a recumbent bike is a great way to get a cardiovascular benefit without overtaxing the joints.”

What are the disadvantages of a recumbent exercise bike?

A recumbent exercise bike is not for those looking for an intense full-body workout. The reclined chair position allows only the lower leg muscles to work and will result in fewer calories burned than an upright stationary bike, White explains. They are also large, so it could be hard to fit one in your home gym if you live in a small space.

Recumbent exercise bikes vs. stationary exercise bikes

The main difference between a recumbent exercise bike and a stationary exercise bike is the seat and pedal position. “The seat design for a recumbent bike is a full seat in a reclined position. It provides support for a user’s lower and mid back,” says Ojeda. “Traditional stationary bikes have a user in an upright position without back support.” Additionally, the pedals on a recumbent bike are out in front of the rider, while the pedals for a stationary bike are directly under the hips, he explains.

Who should use a recumbent exercise bike?

“The recumbent bike is a great option for those looking to reduce stress on their joints,” says Kennedy. “It is great during the rehabilitation process or for people with back issues.” It’s also ideal for getting cardio benefits while “causing very limited wear and tear,” he adds.

“I would recommend individuals who struggle with balance and older clients to incorporate using a recumbent bike as a way to enhance lower body stability and strength,” says Ojeda. They’re great for all fitness levels, he continues.

Is riding a recumbent bike as good as walking?

A recumbent bike offers many of the same low-impact health benefits as walking, according to White. “Like walking, recumbent bikes provide an individual with enhanced cardiovascular endurance without added stress to hip and knee joints,” explains Ojeda.

But when it comes to deciding which form of exercise is best for you, that depends on the individual. “If they have pain when walking or running on the treadmill then a recumbent bike will be better than a treadmill,” he says. “On the other hand, if they are able to walk or run on the treadmill without pain, then they should do so,as it engages more muscle groups and is a harder exercise.”

If you want to get technical with it, Kennedy recommends using a heart rate monitor. “If you are able to sustain your heart rate in certain zones using a recumbent bike, then yes, it can be just as beneficial as walking,” he says. “It is typically easier for an individual to elevate their heart rate on a treadmill because you are fully upright and there are more muscles involved. However, you can increase the resistance and work very hard on a recumbent bike.”

At the end of the day, “whatever exercise they can stick to consistently pain free is the most effective way for anyone to see results,” says White.

What muscles does a recumbent exercise bike work?

“A recumbent bike workout will target all muscles throughout the lower body, including the quads, calves, and glutes,” says Kennedy. “The core muscles are also engaged to a lesser extent to enhance stability,” adds Ojeda.

Can you lose belly fat on a recumbent exercise bike?

“While you can’t target a specific spot to lose fat, the more you exercise the more fat you will lose,” explains White. “Therefore, if you use a recumbent bike for exercise at a high enough intensity, then you will lose fat.” Ojeda also emphasizes the importance of incorporating consistent exercise, a balanced diet, and sleeping at least seven hours a night in order to reach weight loss goals.

How we chose the best recumbent exercise bike

We interviewed Jim White, R.D.N., a certified personal trainer and owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios; Louis Ojeda, a personal trainer at FITloft in Montclair, NJ; and Ryan Kennedy, a NASM-certified trainer and fitness director at The Park. These fitness pros shared their insights on how recumbent bikes work and what to look for when shopping for one. We also did our own research and read through countless customer reviews.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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