The Best Exercise Bikes for Home Fitness – Reviews and Buying Guide
An exercise bike is one of the best investments you can make for improving your cardiovascular health from the convenience of home. Riding a stationary bike engages your heart, lungs and leg muscles with low-impact cardio that saves wear and tear on your joints.
With so many models and price points available, choosing the right exercise bike for your needs can be challenging. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the different types of exercise bikes, key features to look for, and provide reviews of the top-rated options across various budgets.
Types of Indoor Exercise Bikes
There are a few main categories of stationary bikes to consider before making a purchase:
Upright Exercise: Bikes The standard upright exercise bike has a vertically stacked frame with pedals positioned directly below the seat. You sit in a straight upright position leaning slightly forward, which engages your core. Upright bikes are compact and among the most affordable options.
Recumbent Exercise: Bikes Recumbent bikes have a long, laidback frame and oversized seat with a backrest. This distributes your weight more evenly and offers extra back support. The reclined position reduces strain on the lower back and hip flexors. However, it works the glutes and hamstrings less than upright bikes.
Dual Action bikes: Dual action or elliptical bikes combine the cycling motion with a gliding stride to engage your upper and lower body simultaneously. Moving the arm levers as you pedal increases calorie burn and challenges balance and coordination. The higher calorie burn comes at the cost of a larger footprint.
Indoor Cycling: Bikes Indoor cycling bikes mimic the sensation and positioning of actual road bikes with high resistance. Most feature heavy flywheels and adjustable friction resistance controlled via tension knobs for intense interval workouts. The light frames and racing posture require core engagement to control the bike.
Factors to Consider When Buying an Exercise Bike
Your fitness goals, budget, and available space should dictate which type of indoor cycle matches your needs. Here are some key considerations when researching bike options:
Price Range: Basic upright exercise bikes start around $200-300, while smart indoor cycles with apps and interactives screens cost upwards of $2000. Determine how much you’re willing to spend upfront and on any ongoing subscription fees.
Space Constraints: Measure the area where you plan to use your bike, accounting for entrance, exit and emergency dismount space. Upright and recumbent bikes have the smallest footprint. Dual action and smart bikes require more square footage.
Adjustability and Comfort: Look for bikes offering adjustable handlebar positions, resistant levels, and seat height so multiple users can dial in comfort. Well-cushioned, ventilated seats prevent numbness on longer rides.
Noise Level: Cheaper bikes tend to be noisier than heavy-duty commercial models with belt drives and balanced flywheels. If you have proximity to neighbors, double check noise ratings especially at higher intensities.
Display and Program: Options Basic LCD consoles show metrics like time, speed, distance, heart rate, and calories. Advanced options include touchscreens with on-demand classes, performance tracking, and downloadable apps for further customization.
Connectivity: Many apps-enabled exercise bikes connect to fitness apps like Apple Health, Garmin, MyFitnessPal, and TrainingPeaks to sync workout data. This allows tracking progress over time. Bluetooth also lets you stream entertainment from your devices.
Best Budget Exercise Bikes Under $500
With its step-through design and mesh back support, the affordable Marcy ME 709 provides comfortable recumbent cycling. Eight levels of magnetic tension allow progressively more intense workouts for building strength and endurance. The console displays time, speed, distance, and calories burned to track your progress.
This compact Exerpeutic model folds up to half its size for easy storage when not riding. The 8-level magnetic tension system allows adjusting the difficulty from light to moderately intense. The large LCD shows your exercise metrics clearly and the pulse sensors on the handlebars track heart rate.
The Schwinn 130 upright bike provides a smooth, quiet ride with 20 levels of resistance controlled through console buttons. Data like time, RPM, heart rate, calories and distance motivates you to set and achieve new fitness goals. The dual-track two LCD windows make it easy to monitor your stats.
This popular Sunny Health and Fitness exercise bike keeps workouts as quiet as possible with its belt drive system. The combination resistance system using friction pads and a magnetic brake accommodates intensity preferences. The padded seat is fully adjustable for comfortable rides.
Best Mid-Range Exercise Bikes $500 – $1500
With 29 pre-programmed workouts and 25 levels of magnetic resistance, the Schwinn 270 provides tons of training variety. It comes with additional perks like speakers to play music and dual backlit LCD displays for easy monitoring. You can also export workout results via USB.
Offering the feel of an authentic spin bike, the Bowflex C6 has 100 micro-adjustable resistance levels for everything from easy cruising to intense climbs. The reversible pedals accommodate shoes or bare feet cycling. Stream classes, track performance, and sync data to fitness apps with the free Bowflex JRNY app.
This inexpensive Echelon exercise bike gives you access to hundreds of live and on-demand cycling classes for a small monthly fee after purchase. Adjustable handlebars, competition seat, and 32 levels of resistance provide a customized ride. The simple console shows metrics without needing a tablet.
This NordicTrack model features a vibrant HD touchscreen for streaming iFit training programs and global workouts. Auto-adjusting resistance automatically matches trainer cues for a fully-immersive class experience. The Active Pulse digital heart rate monitoring helps you train in your target zone.
Best High-End Exercise Bikes Over $1500
The king of connected fitness, the original Peloton bike’s 22” HD touchscreen streams thousands of scenic real-time and on-demand cycling classes. Clip in cycling shoes to the pedals with toe cages and use the adjustable handlebar and seat for proper bike fit. Track your performance against the leaderboard to push your limits. Membership is required after purchase.
Considered Peloton’s top competitor, the Commercial S22i has a free-swiveling 22” smart HD touchscreen for following iFit training. The silent magnetic resistance system adjusts automatically based on class terrain for a truly hands-free experience. iFit’s global workouts range from studio to scenic rides through destinations worldwide.
New from Echelon, the EX5s has a fully adjustable 21.5” HD touchscreen allowing easy viewing from any seat position. Follow along with more than 3,000 on-demand classes or broadcast competition via the Echelon app. Fully magnetic resistance, try-athlete handlebars, and competition seat provide a pro feel.
The KICKR bike adjusts resistance automatically based on training plans. The Wahoo Ecosystem lets you choose from training apps like Wahoo SYSTM, Zwift, TrainerRoad, The Sufferfest and more for limitless class variety. The KICKR bike measures power, cadence, and heart rate while riding.
Finding the Best Leggings for Indoor Cycling
When it comes to choosing attire for spinning on exercise bikes, leggings are the ideal selection. Leggings provide both comfort and performance benefits compared to shorts or regular workout pants. The right leggings allow you to pedal vigorously and hold poses without restriction or coverage concerns.
However, not all leggings are created equal when it comes to the unique demands of indoor cycling. Here are the factors savvy spinners should look for when shopping for the best leggings to wear for cycling workouts:
Moisture-Wicking Fabric
As effort and exertion increases during your spin class, your body heats up and sweat production ramps up. Leggings crafted using moisture-wicking technical fabrics keep you cool and dry by pulling sweat away from your skin so it can evaporate quickly.
Natural fibers like cotton tend to hold onto moisture rather than wicking it away. Look for leggings made from moisture-wicking synthetic blends incorporating polyester, nylon, spandex and sometimes proprietary fibers like Cocona.
Four-Way Stretch Fabric
Leggings worn for spinning need to stretch and move fluidly with your body as you pedal and transition between sitting and standing positions. Four-way stretch fabrics flex in every direction, providing both comfort and unrestricted mobility.
Quality cycling leggings contain around 15-25% spandex blended with nylon or polyester for optimal elasticity and recovery. The leggings should feel snug but not restrictive when you first put them on then comfortably stretch and move with your body once you begin cycling.
Compression Support
Many spin enthusiasts opt for leggings over shorts because the light compression improves blood flow and circulation during demanding cardio. Enhanced blood flow allows you to ride longer and harder with less fatigue. It also aids muscle recovery.
Look for leggings providing targeted compression in the quads, hamstrings and calves with ratings around 20-30 mmHg. Graduated compression is ideal, with the greatest pressure at the ankles then slowly decreasing up the leg to promote venous return.
Flatlock Seams
The repetitive motion of indoor cycling creates lots of friction, especially along seams around the inner thighs. Flatlock stitching creates seams with minimal thickness to prevent chafing and irritation during your workouts.
Seamless leggings are another great option that eliminates seams altogether for the ultimate chafe-free experience. However, seamless leggings often come with a higher price tag.
Strategic Ventilation
Ventilation is crucial when building up a sweat during intense spin sessions. Mesh paneling along the back of the knees, calves and ankles allows heat to escape while bringing cooler air to the skin’s surface.
Moisture-wicking technical fabrics also improve airflow and breathability compared to cotton, which clings when damp. Visible sweat marks on darker leggings actually enhance ventilation as the moisture evaporates.
Extended Sizing Options
Finding properly fitted leggings for your unique proportions ensures the waistband sits comfortably and the length fits the shape of your legs. Look for size charts with specific measurements and options like short, regular and long lengths.
Some brands also offer waistbands with adjustable drawstrings or elastic toggles to customize the fit. This prevents gapping at the waist as you transition between sitting and standing throughout class.
Pockets for Convenience
Pockets in cycling leggings provide a handy place to securely hold small essentials like your gym ID, keys, cash or lip balm. Look for leggings with side drop-in pockets large enough to fit a modern smartphone if you want to easily access your tunes or notifications.
Just take care when choosing heavily pocketed leggings, as excessive external storage options can impact aerodynamics and cause chafing on the bike seat if you tend to lean forward.
Choose a Bike Tailored to Your Goals and Space
Now that you’re familiar with the top options across budget ranges, think carefully about the performance, features and price that best match your home fitness needs and space constraints. Test riding bikes can help select the right fit and feel. Invest in a quality indoor cycle backed by a solid warranty and you’ll be set up for success in achieving your cycling goals year-round.
