If you are shopping for a brand new stationary bike or an upgrade on your existing model, you probably know that recumbent bikes are among the most popular choices. Basically, a recumbent bike is a stationary bike that has a unique position – in fact, a more comfortable one that most of the typical choices.
Our Top Recumbent Bikes
- 1Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike
- 2Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike
- 3Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike
- 4Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike
- 53G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Exercise Bike
- 6Vanswe Recumbent Exercise Bike
- 7Pooboo Recumbent Exercise Bike
- 8Exerpeutic Recumbent Exercise Bike
- 9JEEKEE Recumbent Exercise Bike
- 10MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike
For those of you who don’t know, recumbent bikes have a more reclined position and a wider seat, which gives you full back support while sitting on a larger seat. The bike also lets you relax the muscles in the upper body and focus your strength on working out your lower body and your cardiovascular system.
If you are a first time rider, you should know that recumbent bikes are a great way to get started and explore the world of indoor cycling. For people who are more experienced and often doing spinning workouts, recumbent bikes are only good if they up the resistance or cycle backwards, therefore making the workout more challenging.
The Real Benefits Of Having A Recumbent Bike
As we said above, most of the exercise bikes nowadays have kind of an upright position (there are upright exercise bikes, too) which can cause pain in the lower back area, especially after long hours of spinning.
This type of pain can be more severe in people that have more weight than usual, or people who are not comfortable sitting on a smaller seat. A recumbent bike is the perfect alternative to these common exercise bikes because it positions you in a seating mode, providing support to your back and giving you comfort even after hours of pedaling.
Beginners can also benefit from the fact that with a comfortable position, they can do plenty of other things while cycling on their exercise bike. Watching TV, reading books, scrolling through your social media feeds and putting your iPad on the bike are some of the common examples.
Also, the focus on the lower body brings more strength to the legs, reducing the upper body tension and muscle fatigue. Therefore, recumbent bikes are great if you are interested in low and high impact cardio options..
Below, we are listing some of the best recumbent exercise bikes available on the market.
2. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709
The Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike sports a great design, which features a nice construction with 14 gauge steel tubing and a powder coated finish. This innovative design actually allows increased mobility during training, ensuring quick mounting and dismounting of the stationary bike, relieving pressure on the knees and back.
Eight resistance levels are what you get when ordering this stationary bike, along with a resistance mechanism that makes the bike quiet and smooth when operating. The tension knobs control the difficulty of simulating riding on different terrains, customizing your workout according to your specific fitness level. It is important to mention that more people can use the Marcy recumbent bike and adjust their seating position, resistance level and workout program.
Speaking of adjustments, we must highlight the easy-to-read computer screen which makes it easy for anyone to grasp the technology powered by the flywheel and displayed on the functional LCD computer. This tiny piece also acts as an odometer and has a sharp panel display that shows time, speed, calories burned, distance and other metrics in extra large numbers, again making the bike suitable for more people.
The last advantage we like to highlight is the comfortable padded seat, which is furnished with a high-density foam. A base that features contoured foam-covered handles for extra support of the back and arms, helping you maintain proper form when exercising. Along with that, the pedals are designed to provide foot support and not let you slip away, even when you are cycling hard and keeping your heart rate up.
3. Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike
The Nautilus R616 recumbent exercise bike is one of the best selling models on the market. Its design is flawless, putting the user in the center and showing that pedaling can be fun even when you are sitting down.
Speaking of which, this model uses a wide seat that is comfortable for anyone who weighs up to 300 pounds. In sync with the seat, you get a blue backlit LCD console displaying 29 customizable workout programs and 25 different levels of resistance. The workout intensity options are endless, and the padded seat with a ventilated back area gives you adjustable comfort, no matter who is cycling the bike.
With the enhanced Bluetooth connectivity, you can also integrate your workouts in real-world scenarios, set, track, and monitor progress with the Explore The World, MyFitnessPal and other app solutions.
Tracking the distance, speed, pace, calories, time and heart rate is as easy as mapping your workouts. With global routes, a tablet/smartphone holder and many other nifty extras, the Nautilus does not feel like a bike – you can do anything while you are on it and rest assured that you have accomplished your fitness goals and maintained your heart rate up.
As a last note, it is worth noting that the machine is very easy to assemble and that the instructions are clear. The only real assembly you have to do is to adjust the “foot” portion on the frame which is basically connecting two pieces to the front and back, along with a little bit of screwing.
4. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike
Sunny Health & Fitness is a well known name in the stationary bike industry, known for its high quality models and innovative technologies inside them. The Magnetic Recumbent Bike is a great example of this, featuring two seat-level pulse sensors that are easy to grab while working out.
You can also use the data provided by the pulse sensor to gauge your performance, and/or grab the ergonomic handlebars while exercising to maintain stability. With quick and enduring exercise sessions, the bike can help you burn calories and keep your heart rate up. All you need to do is place your feet in the wide foot pedals, customize your workout (if you want), secure the straps for a good fit, and start pedaling!
When cycling, you can easily notice the Performance Console that lets you track your time, speed, rotations per minute, calories burned, pulse, distance and other metrics. Using this console will let you precisely control your magnetic resistance, and the operation will always be smooth and quiet.
A nifty tablet holder is what you also get, helping you watch TV shows, browsing the web, or just placing your phone or tablet on the bike while working out. Modifying the resistance on the machine is also easy – you can cycle through 16 levels of magnetic resistance produced by the stationary bike.
Overall, this is a very high quality model that allows you many customizations and an easy-to-read display which can be figured out by anyone. The seat adjustments can be hassle free, and the inseam range is adjustable, going from a minimum of 29 inches to a maximum of 38 inches, based on your specifications.
5. Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike
The Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike is the most affordable model in this category. From a first glance, it is easy to see how great this bike is. For starters, it has a great design. However, things get even more interesting when you see the features.
In this manner, first on the list is the Goal Track capability which enables users to set individual exercise goals. There are even 20 resistance levels for a wide range of workout options. If you love preset workouts, there are 22 different programs plus 2 programs for heart rate control, 2 different fitness tests and one quick start program that lets you spin without customizing too much.
The high-speed and high-inertia drive system in the Schwinn 230 recumbent bike is awesome, known for the quiet and smooth operation. The real tech highlight, however, are the DualTrack 2 LCD screen displays which offer increased visibility to programs and goal tracking.
There is a sliding rail and a steel frame that are very stable, even on slightly uneven surfaces. Overall, the quality of materials, ease of use, and number of features in the LCD monitor make the Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike one of the best models on the market.
6. 3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Exercise Bike
Any person who is 5” to 6’4” tall can use the 3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent exercise bike to burn calories, keep the heart rate up and tone their leg muscles while sitting in a comfortable position. This bike has been reviewed by hundreds of users, all thinking that it is a decent machine that is perfect for comfortable workouts.
The only drawback may be the fact that the stationary bike weighs 115 pounds, which may be a bit of a hassle when transporting or moving it around the house. However, there are small casters and materials that won’t scratch your floor – as well as many other valid points that make up for the weight.
One of the main things we want to highlight is the 350 pound weight capacity on this model, making it perfect for all users and even overweight people. The high quality construction will support you and won’t make weird vibrations when the bike is in full use.
When it comes to the actual programs, this exercise bike has a three way multi position adjustable seat, 25 forward and back positions, 5 seat tilt positions and a multi-position Reclining mesh seat. That being said, anyone can customize their seating and feel comfortable on it.
With hand held grips and wireless HR strap, the 3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Exercise Bike makes it easy for you to track how many calories you burned, what distance you covered and many other metrics that are important during a workout. If you want an easier or a more challenging workout, you can always navigate and choose one of the 16 different magnetic resistance levels, supporting a smooth and quiet workout.
7. Vanswe Recumbent Exercise Bike
This fully adjustable exercise bike features a seat that can fit many users. If you are looking to buy a recumbent bike for your family, this is an ideal choice. What also sets the bar higher for this model is the fact that it is very lightweight, compact, and yet supports people with a weight of up to 380 pounds.
The design of the bike is quite simple, but things get more complicated and tech-packed when you take a look at the options. For starters, the 16-level Magnetic Tension Control System lets you customize your ride over time, offering you a smooth pedal feeling for a flawless cycling experience.
With an adjustable reclined resistance exercise, this bike has an LCD computer that tracks a lot of metrics, from speed to heart rate, distance, calories burned and plenty of other things. You can also sync the exercise bike with your phone and Bluetooth, allowing you to watch movies or even read books while riding.
One of the highlights is the seat, which is comfortable. It is padded, thick and soft, allowing you to improve your posture and prevent any lower back pain. People who have undergone physical therapy can also use it without experiencing any pain in their back.
Vanswe offers a 3 year warranty on the frame, 90 day warranty on the parts, and this machine is perfect for users who are in the 5’2” to 6’1” height range. Ideal for easy storage and very practical when assembling it, this model shows that a recumbent bike doesn’t mean a bike that is too big or square-like.
7. Pooboo Recumbent Exercise Bike
It seems like lightweight recumbent exercise bikes are popular nowadays. The Pooboo Recumbent Exercise Bike is proof for that – it only weighs 50.7 pounds and delivers an impressive range of magnetic resistance with 8 different levels.
The drive system allows people of up to 300 pounds to safely work out on this exercise machine. The stationary bike has a big and very comfortable seat, safe handrail and seat materials which are quick dry and wrapped with good quality leather. The handrails are foam coated, making your exercise safer.
What many users would appreciate is the length of this bike – it can be adjusted according to your height. The 7 holes position adjustment allows people with different heights to find the most comfortable and suitable length. Different from the seat adjustment, this one makes the ride stable and safer than many other models.
There is an LCD monitor with a phone holder that extends the capabilities when cycling on this stationary bike. The smooth and quiet experience also lets you follow up your exercising performance, especially when syncing your mobile phone or tablet with the recent workouts.
Another big highlight are the non-slip pedals. Pooboo took care of this and designed them in a way so that they make the pedaling more comfortable. There is a non-slip surface, allowing you to adjust your foot strap before exercise and ensure the safety of your workout. Along with that, the manufacturer added transportation wheels that allow you to move the bike effortlessly, with a simple tilt-and-roll mechanism when putting the bike out for use.
8. Exerpeutic Easy Step Thru Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike 4121
The Exerpeutic Easy Step recumbent bike has it all. This product is kind of big, which is probably one of its drawbacks. But other than that, it does not compromise on every feature – in fact, it overdelivers when it comes to providing a great workout.
For starters, we can see that there is a rigid welded main frame that adds up more stability, and a weight capacity of 300 pounds which is a bit more than the average. Users that are anywhere from 4’11” to 6’6” tall can also use this recumbent bike and make most of its “Step Thry” design that provides easy on-and-off capability as well as a comfortable workout.
The seat is not that big, which may be another thing that the manufacturer could improve. However, it provides comfort and challenging workouts with its 3 main workout metrics (distance, time and calories burned) and 24 pre-set computer workout programs. As the cherry on the cake, this stationary bike also comes with a 16 level magnetic tension control system, which basically lets you set up your resistance in sixteen different ways, for an easier or more challenging workout.
If you are a tech savvy person, you can attach your phone or tablet and connect it to the bike via Bluetooth, or use the free MyCloudFitness app to sync your workouts and track everything on your phone. That being said, Exerpeutic found a nice way to integrate an even better option than a hi-tech LCD screen on this model.
What many love about this model is the slide rail which is easy and quick. And while the seat is not that wide, the back rest is, making this recumbent bike a very comfortable model that can fit anyone’s needs.
9. JEEKEE Recumbent Exercise Bike
Last on our list is the JEEKEE Recumbent Exercise Bike, a model that comes with a user manual and a 1 year warranty on parts (with free replacement). The main material used in this exercise bike is premium steel, and the 66 pounds of weight shows that even though this bike seems sturdy and robust, it is actually quite lightweight compared to others.
JEEKEE knew that adding eight different resistance levels is quite the standard in the industry, which allows people to customize their workouts and target their leg muscles while maintaining their heart rate up.
The LCD monitor on this stationary bike tracks your workout data with ease, and you can set up your daily exercise goals in advance, and watch TV or play video games while riding. Once adjusted, you can get through the magnetic resistance and adjust the bike to your fitness and size levels.
Overall, the JEEKEE Recumbent Bike is ideal for smooth and quiet workouts. The model is known for its superb flywheel and the ability to provide smoother and quieter workouts compared to many other models
10. MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike
The MaxKare Recumbent exercise bike has an ergonomic design and is padded with the sponge, making the person sitting very relaxed and comfortable. Its pulse grip is designed to track the heart rate, helping you also monitor your fitness status and track the metrics.
A premium steel frame that is larger sized than usual allows this exercise bike to stay stable even on slightly uneven surfaces. Another great touch is the wide seat that measures 14.5 x 11 inches, and is 1.5 inches thick. In other words, all the space you need for your bottoms without any pain in the lower back or spine.
The model is great for pumping your heart rate up and burning more calories, and the 8 resistance levels can level up your workouts in an easy way. While the level 1 and 2 are meant for gentle exercise, level 3, 4 and 5 are meant for middle exercise, and levels from 6 to 8 are meant for high intensity exercise and preventing Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis.
With an LCD monitor and a tablet phone holder, this exercise bike lets you track workout data including Time, Speed, Distance, Calories Burned and Heart Rate, helping you maximize your workout. There is also a nifty seat adjust lever that makes it easy and convenient to adjust your seat without actually adjusting the position in advance. When sitting on the seat, you can carry out the operation.
Overall, we recommend this recumbent exercise bike by MaxKare for everyone who wants to lose weight, burn calories and comfortably spin while doing other activities. It can be a great addition in any home gym or office, and won’t take up much space even if it’s put in a corner of your living room or hallway.
Recumbent Exercise Bike Buying Guide + 7 Reasons Why A Recumbent Bike Is Always A Great Choice
Fitness equipment is getting more innovative nowadays. Despite the fact that recumbent bikes were originally designed in 1892, these models have gone through a lot of changes and are incomparable to their traditional design.
There are plenty of things you should know before buying a recumbent exercise bike. In other words, you should always take into account the following:
Also, features such as Bluetooth/USB connectivity, cooling fans, speakers, preset programs and apps that take your workout in a virtual environment are always good to have, but not crucial for many people.
If you are still wondering whether a recumbent exercise bike would make a good decision for you, check out some of the ways it can help you:
If you are looking for a spin bike that can relieve you from joint pain, increase your circulation and build endurance, buying a recumbent bike is definitely a wise decision.
As you could see from all models, recumbent exercise bikes are easier on the lower back (lumbar spine) because of the sitting position. While most of the bikes have people hunched over the handlebars, this model encourages solid spinal posture, which is why it is very popular among people nowadays.