Recumbent exercise bikes might seem like the laid-back cousins of a typical exercise bike, but you can still get a serious workout on one of these machines. If an upright exercise bike isn’t your speed due to a health condition or simply personal preference, the best recumbent exercise bikes are good alternatives.
The Nordictrack R35 is the best recumbent exercise bike on the market.
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John Gallucci Jr., doctor of physical therapy and CEO of Jag-One Physical Therapy, says that recumbent bikes are particularly well-suited for people with low back pain or herniations. “The recumbent bike puts less stress on the low back, which gives you the opportunity to do cardiovascular exercise, which is great for your heart,” he says. Not only are you getting a great lower body workout, he adds that they can improve your balance and strength.
The best recumbent exercise bikes have large touch screens with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity to let you stream workouts—but the base cost for these models starts at over $1,000 and goes way up from there. However, if you’re looking to spend less than a grand on this piece of home workout equipment, there are also several good low-tech bikes at prices under $300. Read on to find the best options for a range of budgets and needs.
- Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Overall: Nordictrack R35
- Best Value Recumbent Exercise Bike: Schwinn 290
- Best Budget Recumbent Exercise Bike: Marcy ME-709
- Best Folding Recumbent Exercise Bike: Lanos 2 In 1
- Best Recumbent Exercise Bike For Small Spaces: Exerpeutic 400XL
- Best Recumbent Exercise Bike For Seniors: Life Fitness RS1
- Best Adaptive Recumbent Exercise Bike: NuStep RB8 Pro Inclusive
How We Chose The Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes
This list is intended for home gym users, so we did not evaluate bikes for their suitability in commercial spaces like physical therapy offices or commercial gyms.
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To find the best recumbent bikes, I started by interviewing John Gallucci Jr., MS, ATC, PT, DPT and CEO of Jag-One Physical Therapy. I then visited the exercise equipment retailer Fitness Showrooms in New York City, where I used over a dozen different recumbent bikes and evaluated them by pedaling, adjusting the seat and tension, testing the controls and buttons, and noting any additional features. I interviewed the sales people about popular brands and standout models. I also read many user and professional reviews, and tracked my research in a spreadsheet. To make my final selections, I took into account the cost and value of each stationary recumbent bike.
What To Consider When Shopping For Recumbent Exercise Bikes
For people who are looking for a low-impact workout, a recumbent exercise bike can be a good option. However, these bikes are a major purchase if you’re considering bringing one home. Before you buy, you’ll want to consider the bike’s size, adjustment functions, tech and more.
Size
The top-of-the-line recumbent exercise bikes are big and heavy. They have a substantial footprint in your home, so if you’re short on space you may want to consider a folding option. Folding models tend to be less expensive, but they also don’t have many of the common features you’ll find in larger recumbent bikes, like touchscreens or water bottle holders. Also, most of these bikes need to be plugged into a wall outlet, so that’s also something to keep in mind as you think about the size.
Adjustments
Nearly all recumbent bikes let you adjust the distance from the seat to the pedals in some way. It’s the difficulty of this step that varies, and the number of possible seat positions. If you’re the only person using the bike, this may not matter, but if multiple people are working out on the bike, a seat that’s easy to adjust is important.
Most bikes also let you adjust the tightness of the foot strap, and some also let you change the incline of seat.
Tech
Like other kinds of workout machines, the consoles on recumbent exercise bikes run the gamut from simple LCD displays to fully Wi-Fi connected touchscreens. If you want the immersive experience of streaming a workout, prioritize a bike that has on-demand workouts via an app—just note that these services often require an ongoing subscription.
Can You Get A Good Workout With A Recumbent Bike?
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In short, yes. “You could get a real workout on it,” Gallucci says. Recumbent exercise bikes are great for strengthening the lower body and getting a cardio workout, which is important for your heart and overall health.
But if you’re looking to strengthen your abs, this isn’t the way to do it. “When you’re on a recumbent bike, you don’t engage your core as well as you do on a normal bike,” he says.
Is It Okay To Exercise On A Recumbent Bike Every Day?
Yes, it’s generally safe to use a recumbent bike every day unless you have a specific health condition that limits your ability to exercise (if you’re not sure, check with a healthcare provider about your specific concerns). Also, be sure to read any user manuals or safety instructions that come with your bike.
“The most important thing is make sure that your hip flexion and your knee flexion is not surpassing 90 degrees,” says Gallucci. If you want more help to make sure you have proper form on the bike, you can also consider signing up for a few sessions with a personal trainer or physical therapy professional.
Frequent use is possible because recumbent bikes offer low-impact exercise, which is typically easier on your joints. Gallucci says it’s “different than running and/or walking where you have that constant pounding on your ankles and your hips and your knees.”
Can You Get A Core Workout On A Recumbent Bike?
No, recumbent bikes do not engage your core muscles, but are excellent for strengthening you legs and lower body muscles. Using a recumbent exercise bike is also a great way to get in a cardio workout, which can help support your overall health.
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