Indoor cycling machines, stationary bikes, indoor bikes, air bikes, spin bikes, cycling trainers…
These are some of the words used to describe what we know as exercise bikes, and their different types. In this time and age, working out at home can be a privilege, especially if you are on the market considering to buy one of these.
Top Exercise Bikes
What do we mean by this?
Well, there are some really great advantages of training at home. You can fit in a session any time you want, break out a sweat and watch your favorite TV show, but also benefit from the great technology used in today’s best exercise bikes.
However, shopping for exercise bikes that are suitable for your needs can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t know what you precisely need. The good news is that there are more and more exercise bikes available today than ever before. The bad news, on the other hand, is that with so many choices, you can easily get confused.
To save you the hassle, we are listing the best exercise bike models by category, purpose and many other details.
1. YOSUDA Stationary Bike - Best Spin Bike
YOSUDA is a brand that is well known in the best exercise bike category. This indoor cycling machine comes in a gray color as standard, and is a mix of carbon and steel. The suggested maximum weight by the manufacturer is 270 pounds, which makes it suitable for most people.
When it comes to the actual features, there is a 35lbs flywheel and a heavy duty steel frame, with a belt system that provides a smooth and quiet ride.
The 2-ways adjustable non-slip handlebar, 4-ways padded seat and heart/lung function are some of the things you can customize to your needs. Plus, there is a modern LCD monitor which tracks time, speed, distance, calories burned and has an odometer.
If you have an iPad, there is a holder which comes as a gift, helping you elevate your exercise and listen to music at the same time, making the workout more interesting. Similar nice touches can be seen with the water bottle holder and the transport wheels, which give comfort while hydrating and moving the machine around, respectively.
All in all, Yosuda exercise bikes come with 1 year of free parts replacement and is made of high quality. It can be a great way to maintain your physique and burn calories, as well as the perfect stationary bike to start your indoor rides on as a beginner.
2.. Schwinn 130 - Best Upright Bike
The Schwinn 130 Upright Bike has a slightly different position than most exercise bikes, but is also one of the most comfortable models by the manufacturer. As we can see from its features, there is a goal track capability which lets users set individual exercise goals. This is what many are looking for in their best exercise bike, not to mention the LCD screen by DualTrack which displays information with increased visibility and integrates the 22 workout programs with goal tracking.
Overall, Schwinn is a big name in the indoor bike industry and a brand known for its high speed and high inertia drive system for easy start-up and smooth and quiet workouts. This technology is also applied in the 130 Upright Bike model, which has a 120V 60Hz AC input, 20 levels of resistance and a padded contoured seat with a post for easy seat exchange with any clamp and rail bicycle seat (if you need to change it).
Therefore, it is easy to see that the Schwinn 130 Upright Bike is a great fit for both beginners and experts. For beginners, it is an affordable indoor cycling machine which has plenty of options, while for experts it is a great bike with 20 resistance levels and different workout programs, making the cycling journey even more interesting.
3. Jeekee Exercise Bike - Best Recumbent Bike
As you can see, the best recumbent bike award in our list goes to the MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike, which comes with an adjustable seat and resistance. The seating position in this model is way more comfortable than many other exercise bikes, and can be further aligned based on your height with a simple lever.
What’s worth mentioning is the 8-level magnetic resistance mechanism, which MaxKare used for a quiet riding experience. They even describe this bike as a “whisper quiet riding experience” which can be appreciated by the entire family.
Also, there is a padded seat with the lever that goes up and down, customizing the fit to almost every user. The ergonomic handles on the sides offer a solid grip for a comfortable workout, and are designed with a pulse function so that they can trace your pulse rate.
Finally, there is also a LCD monitor with an iPad holder. The monitor displays all exercise data (time, speed, distance, calories burned, heart rate) while the iPad holder gives plenty of opportunities for customizing your MaxKare recumbent bike. Even though this indoor bike is quite long, it is easy to move and store.
4. Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Exercise Bike - Best Foldable Bike
Foldable exercise bikes are not anymore a privilege, they are a common need. The fact that you can easily fold your stationary bike and store it makes it even more practical for your living room, office, weekend house etc.
The XL padded seat in this Sunny Health & Fitness Comfort foldable bike is definitely a highlight – it comes with a backrest area that extends the comfort while exercising. You can also keep your water bottle close thanks to the holder located right behind the seat.
When it comes to the actual mechanism, this bike “wears” a belt drive which makes the ride silent and stable. There is a 3.3 lb flywheel that supports 10 levels of adjustable magnetic resistance, keeping this upright indoor bike very powerful.
In terms of adjustability, this bike has 3 levels to support a versatile, yet challenging workout. It can go up and down, while the handlebars (on the side) are equipped with pulse features that can read your heart rate in the blink of an eye.
The Sunny Health & Fitness foldable bike is a comfortable device that brings a challenging workout, and supports stability. While the folding feature is a highlight, it is also a great stationary bike that can help you lose weight and break some sweat every now and then.
5. Assault AirBike Classic - Best Air Bike
Air bikes are known for their unique design and the fact that the wheel is not protected, but is rather outside and acts as a vent. The Assault AirBike Classic is a perfect example of a classic air bike which is designed with twenty sealed ball bearings throughout the frame and pivot points, creating a smooth and durable feel.
There is an unlimited amount of resistance for the upper and lower body extremities. In this air bike, your hands are going forward and backward based on the resistance, which in tune helps you get a complete CrossFit workout.
With a maximum user weight of 350 pounds, this is an impressive bike that blends classic design with a couple of computer features, which offer programs like Tabata, Intervals, Watts, Pulse Rate and other features that help you accomplish your fitness goals and stay in sync with the amounts that matter to you.
Similarly, you can set a calorie, distance or time target as a goal, and be assisted by the advanced computer display. In a way, the Assault AirBike mixes classic features with modern ones, bringing a new kind of workout that is fresh and consistent.
6. NordicTrack Bike - Best High End Stationary Bike
The NordicTracks Commercial Studio Cycle is the perfect example of a modern bike that is equipped with technology and modern features in every single angle. Its interactive approach starts with the one-year iFit membership that comes included with the exercise bike, and lets you gain access to trainer-led global and studio workout programs (that are otherwise worth $396).
What tech geeks love about this model is the 22 inch HD touchscreen display that does a great job streaming the on-demand iFit videos and provides easy tracking of stats. This is one of the biggest LCD monitors found in the best exercise bike models today, and the mount on which it is placed can be rotated in 360 degree motion.
On top of this, there is an incline matching technology that makes the bike go as low as -10% in a downhill mode, or as high as 20% simulating an uphill experience. The adjustable leveling feet stabilize the bike, and there are two 3 pound dumbbells for those who want to do cross-training on the bike. The 350-pound user weight capacity means that any member of the family can use this bike, and proves that NordicTrack is a serious competitor in the battle for the best high end exercise bike.
7. FLEXISPOT Standing Desk Exercise Bike - Best Desk Bike
Welcome to the future!
Meet the FLEXISPOT Home Office Standing Desk Exercise Bike – and see what it looks like to actually work and spin some pedals. With this specific model,working is easy because you get a nice desk where you can place your laptop – and actual pedals on the bottom of it!
If you are still unsure about the performance of this desk bike, it is important to mention that this is an ideal machine to help you stay healthy and in shape when working from home. The “whisper quiet” pedaling is perfect for watching videos, movies, or working. You can also listen to online courses, podcasts or even snack on the table (although we do not recommend that for people with calorie goals).
All in all, the pneumatic adjustment makes this machine a perfect mix between a desk and a stationary bike. What many love is the pneumatic lever which moves the desk bike seat up or down with a gentle press, making it suitable for anyone at home or in the office.
8. DeskCycle - Best Under Desk Cycle
If you are shopping for the best under desk cycle, this is a model that is absolutely worth featuring. The DeskCycle Under Desk Cycle has been helping people to stay fit in the office for years.
Very portable and made of high quality, it is a great way to stay focused, improve your productivity and burn calories at your home desk or in your office. The machine even works with low desks (as low as 27 inches) and has a patented magnetic resistance mechanism that makes it quiet, smooth and very functional. In other words, this machine is great for the joints and helps you focus on your work.
With eight different calibrated resistance settings (from easy to challenging), you can easily find your pace and enjoy working out on the best exercise bike for under the desk, as well as track your workout with the nifty 5-function LCD display.
As you can see from our list of the best exercise bikes above, each bike is a unique bike type and you should choose one that tailors to your needs. Whether you are on the market for a simple stationary bike for indoor cycling or want a professional model that will pump your heart rate up every day of the week, the choice is yours.
What we know for sure is that every modern home gym should include an exercise bike with different resistance levels – becoming your ultimate sanctuary where you can get plenty of calories burned.