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January is almost over, and if improving your fitness is among your resolutions for 2024, you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the world of exercise bikes.
Treadmills were all the rage. Rowers took the fitness space by storm. Now, indoor exercise bikes are taking center stage. But indoor cycling isn’t just exercise — it’s an experience, and many indoor cyclists would agree.
With music-driven choreography, large screens, and often many flashing lights, it’s easy to see why fitness fans are falling more in love with the practice of adding an exercise bike to their routine.
Best of all, exercise bikes provide users with tangible results that are fun and achievable. (Related: 25 best Amazon fitness finds)
For expert recommendations on all things exercise bikes, the shopping team spoke with certified personal trainer, Myles Garcia. Keep reading for his favorite indoor exercise bikes as well as her indoor cycling expertise. Once you’re finished, be sure to check out our suggestions for shopping for the best at-home workout equipment.
What is an exercise bike?
An exercise bike, also known as a stationary bike or indoor cycling bike, is a fitness equipment designed for cardiovascular workouts.
“It mimics the motion of riding a bicycle but is stationary. You can adjust resistance levels to increase or decrease the intensity of your workout,” explained Garcia.
What are some of the health benefits of using an exercise bike?
Garcia emphasizes that the main draw of at-home exercise bikes is that they’re a convenient option, saving travel time and the cost of a gym membership.
They’re are also numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, increased leg muscle strength, and calorie burning.
He adds that exercise bikes are also a great option for those looking for low-impact workouts since the cycling motion reduces some stress on joints.
How often should you use an exercise bike?
“The frequency of using an exercise bike depends on your fitness goals. For general fitness, three to five times a week for 30 to 60 minutes per session is a good starting point,” said Garcia. “You can do various workouts, including steady-state cardio, interval training, hill climbs, and more to keep it engaging.”
What is the best exercise bike?
“Remember, the best exercise bike for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and fitness goals,” shared Garcia.
The expert recommends trying out different models and reading user reviews to find the one that suits you best.
Shop the best indoor exercise bikes by category:
Best expert-approved exercise bikes per experts
Sunny Health & Fitness Belt Drive Indoor Bike
Pros:
- Low-price
- Simple to use
- Ideal for beginners
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the seat to handlebar distance is more suited for taller cyclers
“Known for affordability and smooth, quiet operation, suitable for home workouts,” noted Garcia.
This indoor bicycle features a sturdy frame and a heavy 49lb weighted flywheel. Therefore, you’re guaranteed a sturdy ride. You can also look forward to varying resistance levels, a silent ride, an adjustable seat and handlebars and a bottle holder.
Shop all Sunny Health & Fitness indoor bikes here.
JOROTO Indoor Cycling Bike
Pros:
- Quiet ride
- Low-price
- iPad holder for ultimate convenience
- Fully adjustable seat and handles to fit to a variety of heights/sizes
Cons:
- Some shoppers said the resistance was lower than some other bikes — better for beginners
“Sturdy and durable,” Garcia said of the JOROTO. “Often praised for its comfortable seat and adjustable features.”
With the JOROTO indoor bike, you can enjoy a quiet ride, a top-tier solid build, a fully adjustable setup, an emergency stop brake and one year of free replacement parts.
Shop all JOROTO indoor bikes here.
Peloton Indoor Exercise Bike
Pros:
- Adjustable seat, handlebar, and screen
- Reviewers say the bike looks better in person versus photos
- Access to entire library of Peleton classes and content available on the bike and the Peloton App
Cons:
- Peloton All-Access Membership must be purchased separately
“Famous for its immersive classes and community, it’s a premium choice for those looking for motivation and variety in their workouts,” shared Garcia.
If you want to feel like you’re zooming outdoors without leaving your house, the Peloton Original is for you. It has an adjustable seat that tilts, a USB micro port, as well as a large touchscreen to enjoy streaming workouts. In the back, there’s a spot for weights, plus a 2-channel stereo speaker system. As you know, the bike goes hand in hand with a Peloton membership ($44.00 per month), which is sold separately. And although you may balk at the additional cost, it does provide access to lots of fun and motivating workouts.
Shop all Peloton bikes here.
Bowflex C6 Bike
Pros:
- Smooth ride
- Storage compartment for convenience
- Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor
- Sleek design
- Adjustable handlebars to fit different heights/sizes
Cons:
- More expensive than some competitors
- Some note that the resistance wheel is difficult to gage — would prefer a distinct setting for resistance
Garcia recommends this bike for those looking for high-tech features: “Popular for its compatibility with fitness apps and Bluetooth connectivity.”
With the Bowflex bike, you can look forward to a smooth and quiet ride, a backlit LCD console, 100 varying resistance levels, dual-sided pedals, a pair of dumbbells and a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate armband. Best of all, you can gain access to the JRNY membership at no additional cost ($149 value).
You can find more deals on Bowflex exercise bikes at Amazon.
Echelon EX-8S Connect Bike
Pros:
- HD touchscreen allows you to simulate the feeling of a studio cycling class
- 15 LED colors that change with your performance zone
- Smooth and noiseless
Cons:
- Expensive
- Some reviewers say the screen was difficult to reach for shorter peoples
Garcia suggests this bike for someone who needs to be kept in check. “Known for its interactive classes and connectivity features, appealing to those seeking motivation,” he added.
With the Echelon bike, you can look forward to world-class instructors, live and on-demand classes, performance tracking, a global community and trending music for cycling. If you’re new to the world of exercise bikes and aren’t ready to make the investment on the Connect EX-8S, check out Echelon’s Smart Bike, which is only $490.93 at Amazon, or the Echelon Smart Connect EX5 ($399.99).
Shop all Echelon indoor bikes here.
NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle
Pros:
- Top quality
- Large touch screen
- Silent magnetic resistance
Cons:
- The bike is very heavy — and may require help for assembly
- Expensive
According to Garcia, the NordicTrack has some of the selections for those looking to take classes. “Offers a wide range of interactive workout options with its large screen, making it a premium choice,” he noted.
The NordicTrack studio cycle bike gives you access to 30 days of the iFIT Family Membership, a 22” rotating HD touchscreen, a quiet incline motor, auto-adjusting resistance and so much more.
Shop all NordicTrack indoor bikes here.
Club Series+ Upright Lifecycle
Pros:
- Comfort Curve™ seat that has 42 fine-tuned seat adjustments
- 18 pre-loaded workouts and auto-refreshed trending workouts
- SE3 HD touchscreen
- Intuitive Integrity SL LED console
- Commercial gym quality
Cons:
- More expensive than many competitors
- Heavy and may require two people to move
Garcia has described Life Fitness as a “trusted brand in the fitness industry with a range of quality options,” and their Club Series + Bike is easily their most advanced bike.
If you’re looking for a commercial-quality bike, look no further. The Club Series + is packed with advanced features, like a SE3 HD touchscreen and Intuitive Integrity SL LED console. Your last workout is automatically saved, so you can replay it and strive to improve your performance. There’s no better way to make progress than to learn from your mistakes.
Best budget-friendly exercise bikes
Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike
Pros:
- LCD monitor on the exercise bike tracks your pulse, time, speed, distance, calories burned etc.
- Low price
- Adjustable cage pedals protect you from a fast ride
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the bike wore down/became slightly wobbly after consecutive rides
With 35lb flywheels and a heavy-duty steel frame, you are in for one smooth ride. This bike also successfully tracks your time, speed, distance and calories burned.
Shop all Yosuda bikes here.
DMASUN Indoor Cycling Bike
Pros:
- Ergonomic triangular structure makes exercise easier.
- Track and record your exercise time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse
- Assembly in about 25 minutes
Cons:
- Heavier-than-average bikes — may require two people to move around
- Handlebar may not be reachable for those under 5′ ft
DMASUN has served over 2 million homes worldwide, and the brand isn’t stopping anytime soon. Perhaps it’s the bike’s large flywheel or the innovative design that keeps people coming back again and again.
Shop all DMASUN bikes here.
Freebeat Boom Bike
Pros:
- Screen rotation for easy transitions
- Auto resistance system that automatically adjusts to match instructor recommendations
- Vibrant Dynamic LED Light Strips
Cons:
- Amazon version does not come with a screen
This is one of the best exercise bikes if you have a small space. It’s sleek, compact, and offers an interactive experience for a fraction of the price of some other brands.
When armed with the Freebeat membership ($39.00 per month), cyclers have access to workouts, games, and fitness challenges to keep their exercise game spicy. And the bike itself is pretty cool, too! It can detect when you leave its saddle, has a bright LED color strip at the bottom to light up the room, and can auto-adjust resistance based on your virtual instructor’s command.
Shop all Freebeat bikes here.
Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709, $168
Pros:
- Best for attractive design
- Affordable
- Ergonomically designed saddle with comfortable high-density foam
Cons:
- Better for low-impact rides
- Limited options for changing tension levels
Not only does this Marcy bike include a gorgeous rose gold color tone, but it also encompasses a step-through design, eight resistance levels and counter-balanced pedals.
Shop all Marcy bikes here.
pooboo Magnetic Resistance Indoor Cycling Bike
Pros:
- Digital monitor records exercise time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse
- Monitor holder can support the tablet, phones, water bottle
Cons:
- Some reviewers suggested seat was not very soft, which is better for those who prefer a firm base
Made with heavy-duty steel, non-slip handlebars and an LCD monitor, you’ll have everything you need to get your body in tip-top shape.
Shop all pooboo bikes here.
Best folding exercise bikes
XTERRA Fitness Folding Bike
Pros:
- Low price
- Foldable design to save space
- Easy assembly — some reviewers say it took them less than 20 minutes
Cons:
- Fewer options for resistance levels
- Better for beginners and those looking for low-impact
When not in use, this folding bike instantly becomes slim and compact. You can also enjoy multi-position padded handlebars, clear metrics and up to eight various levels of resistance.
Shop all XTERRA bikes here.
Exerpeutic Folding Exercise Bike
Pros:
- Low price
- Foldable design to save space
- Easy assembly
Cons:
- Not built for those under 5″3 — shorter reviewers say it was difficult to reach handlebars
With over 20,000 positive reviews, this folding bike is perfect for testing your limits. Ideal for all fitness levels, you’ll unlock a quiet ride, a 300-pound weight capacity, an easy-to-read LCD screen and an adjustable seat.
Shop all Exerpeutic bikes here.
BARWING Stationary Spin Bike for Home
Pros:
- More resistance options for a low-price bike
- Three posture adjustments: upright, recline, and folding
- Foldable design to save room
- Bike supports people who are 4’4″ to 6’6″
Cons:
- Some reviewers said the bike makes some noise while in use
- Shoppers expressed issues with the fit of the pedals
The BARWING is the ideal bike for users of all levels. It’s complete with 16 resistance options, eight-seat adjustments, two-seat angles and three workout bike postures.
Shop all UREVO bikes here.
pooBoo Folding Exercise Bike
Pros:
- Budget-friendly option
- The bike can be folded for easy storage
- Comes with arm resistance bands to help tone your upper muscles and provide a complete body workout
Cons:
- Some reviewers say assembly was difficult
- Shoppers said they must lift their legs pretty high to get over bars — perhaps not ideal for older people or those with injuries
This at-home exercise bike is like a gym! Its attached resistance bands ensure your upper body gets a workout while your legs pedal away. Pulse sensors on the side help to measure your heart rate, and there’s a space in the center for your iPad. Change resistance with the twist of a knob, while watching the calories you’ve burned on the LCD screen. Once you’ve sweated it out, fold the bike up for easy storage!
Shop all pooboo bikes here.
FitDesk Desk Bike 3.0
Pros:
- Best for working out while working
- Built-in tablet holder and storage tray
- Adjustable forearm supports that act as arm massage rollers
- Foldable design for easy storage
Cons:
- Fewer options for resistance than some competitors
Don’t let work ruin your workout! This exercise bike has a 16-inch by 19-inch table surface, ideal for placing your laptop, folders and whatever else you need as you pedal away. A recumbent style back offers additional spinal support, while the forearms can be adjusted for your comfort. Offering eight levels of manual resistance, pretend you’re going up hills while answering emails. The workday will fly! More than 2,000 happy customers on Amazon give it five stars!
Shop all FitDesk bikes here.
Best splurge exercise bikes
Carol Bike Exercise Bike
Pros:
- Best for people on a time crunch (shorter, but more effective workouts)
- Commercial-grade exercise bike
- AI-controlled, motorized resistance is applied instantly
Cons:
- More expensive than many competitors
- $30/month for the Carol membership
Looking for the shortest yet most effective cardio? If so, this is it. Not only does the Carol bike give you maximum results in just eight minutes and 40 seconds, but it AI-power personalization adapts to your fitness ride after ride.
Shop all Carol bike accessories here.
Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike
Pros:
- 100 levels of magnetic resistance
- Two-month membership to JRNY — virtual races, exotic locales, and stunning trails from around the globe
Cons:
- Some said the chair was on the firmer side
- More expensive than some competitors
Look forward to one free year of the JRNY membership, a quiet ride, magnetic resistance, Bluetooth connectivity, an adjustable seat, a large LCD, a heart rate monitor and more.
Shop all Schwinn indoor bikes here.
Schwinn Airdyne® AD6 Exercise Bike
Pros:
- Wind-resistance technology that gives you nearly infinite levels of resistance
- Option to switch from pedals to foot pegs to focus only on your upper body
- Frictionless/noiseless fan
- Built-in bottle holder
Cons:
- Some reviewers said assembly was difficult
- No screen
- More expensive than some competitors
This bike uses wind resistance to put muscles to work. We love the arm handles and the way they push the entire body to get involved. An LCD tracks RPM, distance, speed and calories, and there’s even a spot for your water bottle. Different models are available on Amazon.
Shop all Schwinn bikes here.
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