9 Best Exercise Bikes in 2022

If you’re looking for a simple way to burn calories and lose weight from the comfort of home, getting an exercise bike is highly recommended. Indoor cycling is an easy and effective way to access the health benefits of regular exercise, such as improved heart and lung health and improved moods. Plus, exercise bikes have virtually no risk of injury, unlike other exercise machines like treadmills.

With an exercise bike, you can effectively achieve your fitness goals. This might include losing weight, improving your cardiovascular fitness, or just getting your heart pumping from time to time. To help you choose the exercise bike that will best suit your needs, this article lists ten of the best exercise bikes on the market that you should consider before making your final purchase.

Top 3 Exercise Bikes At a Glance

Should You Get an Exercise Bike?

If you aren’t looking for muscle hypertrophy and simply want to improve your general fitness, achieve some weight loss, or stay in shape, then buying an exercise bike is a wise decision. You can benefit from the convenience of exercising at home and only pay for the equipment you’re planning to use. Research shows that indoor cycling at even a moderate pace for 30 minutes can help you lose around 210-311 calories depending on your weight. This range increases drastically when you cycle vigorously. In 30 minutes, you might burn as many as 315-466 calories, which essentially wipes out most of the calories from one daily meal.

Besides burning a lot of calories, there are other benefits to biking at home. You can get your daily exercise while doing other tasks such as catching up on a show or even work. Your entire family can use the exercise bike due to its simplicity and the lack of any injury risk. Other benefits of cycling include a lowered risk of premature death, stroke, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, unhealthy blood lipid profiles, metabolic syndrome, and colon and breast cancers. Regular cycling has also been shown to improve cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness as well as cognitive function. It’s also associated with greater psychological wellbeing (e.g. better body image, mood, cognition and self-esteem).

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The 9 Best Indoor Exercise Bikes

#1. Concept2 BikeErg

Concept2 is generally known for producing top class rowers. With the BikeErg, they’ve included everything that has made their rowers so popular and made a strong entry into the exercise bike market.

The BikeErg utilizes air resistance, which helps to mimic outdoor riding (where air resistance acts on your body and the bike), but differs from traditional air bikes via its 10-level damper mechanism. The damper alters the amount of air allowed into the fan housing, and acts as the bike’s gearing. Indeed, the highest damper setting is like riding a road bike on low-gear or up a steep hill, and vice versa with lower damper settings. Another invaluable feature is its steel and aluminum frame, which is durable enough to survive brutal workouts over a long period of time. A maximum capacity of 300lbs is also indicative of its sturdiness. Despite its durability, the frame is light enough to be easily transportable using the attached wheels.

The third major feature that’s been carried over is the PM5 monitor. Not only does it provide you with statistics on metrics like pace, watts, cadence, and calories burned, it also supports Bluetooth connectivity so that you can access interactive training programs and compete with bikers online. The console can save up to 1000 workouts at a time, so you’ll be able to track your progress over years of workouts.

While this is a great bike, it’s not without its flaws. For starters, it’s ugly – plain and simple. Concept2 don’t seem too concerned about making beautiful machines so much as functional ones, so this is to be expected. Nevertheless, there isn’t a lot of aesthetic beauty in its simplicity. Also, the damper, while an excellent innovation, is hard to reach when using the bike. You have to bend right down to the air resistance flywheel to change it, which can be a long way to reach (especially for taller people) when in the middle of training.

All-in-all, the Concept2 BikeErg is a pretty great innovation and has very few drawbacks, making it the overall best indoor cycling bike on this list.

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#2. Diamondback Fitness 510ic Indoor Cycle Magnetic Trainer

The 510ic Indoor Cycle is another all-rounder that has everything you could want in a good exercise bike. It has a solid heavy-duty steel frame that can support a maximum weight of 300lbs. It also features 16 levels of magnetic resistance. The console has a bright blue display that shows you all your essential data and comes with 12 preset programs to keep you engaged during your workouts.

The saddle and handlebars on this bike are also highly adjustable, allowing for a wide range of users to utilize this machine with ease. The handlebars support multiple grips, and also have contact-based heart rate sensors. However, keep in mind that contact-based sensors are generally notorious for being inaccurate. Besides this, it also has a bottle holder for convenience and wheels for transportation.

Coming to some drawbacks. The customer support for this product is known to be slightly dodgy. Although you probably won’t need them, it’s still not ideal. The seat is also slightly uncomfortable and could use a padded cover. However, the price at which you’re getting a sturdy frame, magnetic resistance, and a console with preset workouts makes this bike a very attractive option to users of all budgets.

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#3. Xterra Fitness UB120 Upright Bike

The Xterra Fitness UB120 is an extraordinarily affordable exercise bike that does all the essentials well. It has 8 levels of manual resistance which provides a decently challenging workout. The steel frame is durable enough to support 250 lbs of weight. The saddle is comfortable, and the handlebars allow for multiple grips. Lastly, the console is a basic one that displays time, speed, distance covered, calories burned, and pulse. The pulse is tracked through the integrated sensors on the handles, but again the readings from these are not very accurate.

Overall, this machine is a no-frills solution for your everyday biking needs. However, if you’re looking for a challenge, this bike may fall slightly short. The flywheel weighs only 8.8 lbs, which is far from the 35 – 40lbs heavy flywheel on some other bikes. Another issue you might face is that the seat isn’t very adjustable, and the handlebars cannot be adjusted at all. Users between 4’ 10” and 5’ 10” tall can use this bike comfortably, so if you’re in that height range and are looking for a dirt-cheap bike you can cycle on regularly, this bike deserves serious consideration.

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#4. Schwinn 170 Upright bike

The Schwinn 170 is another low-priced exercise bike that includes several nice features.

It comes with 25 levels of magnetic resistance for quiet and smooth workouts. The console, though fairly basic in design, displays all the essential data you’ll need. The console also supports 4 different user profiles. If you intend for the bike to be used by more than one person, everyone will be able to track their progress separately.

The Schwinn 170 also has 29 different preset workouts. 9 of these are heart rate programs that you can perform with the included wireless heart rate monitoring armband. Besides this, it also has some cool miscellaneous features. The integrated speakers allow you to dispense with earphones and play music directly out of the bike. The fan keeps workouts silent even during intense sessions. In addition, the tablet holder lets you browse the net or watch something online, preventing things from getting boring if you don’t want to use one of the preset programs.

Coming to some drawbacks, the durability of this machine can be slightly hit or miss. Parts are known to occasionally fall off and need replacement. The flywheel is also fairly light, weighing only 13lbs. This limits how challenging your workouts can get, so keep these factors in mind before making your purchase.

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#5. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike

The Schwinn 270 improves on the downsides we mentioned for the Schwinn 170. This newer version of their exercise bike comes with a more durable frame, as well as a heavier flywheel for more challenging workouts.

For the frame, a center support has been added for more sturdiness, reflected in the bike’s maximum capacity of 300 lbs. The flywheel is only slightly heavier though, going from 13lbs to 17lbs. Like the Schwinn 170, it also includes more miscellaneous features like an accessory tray.

This bike retains everything that made the Schwinn 170 an attractive product, with only a marginal increase in price to go with it. As such, it has the same 29 preset workout programs, the 25 levels of magnetic resistance, telemetric heart rate monitoring, Bluetooth connectivity to apps like MyFitnessPal, Schwinn Connect and more. Assembly is still easy and special features like the speakers and fan are included too. Many of these features are unheard of in this price range and would normally come at a price of least $1000.

Because the 270 is only slightly more expensive than the 170, this one is the obvious choice between the two unless you’re on an extremely tight budget.

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#6. Bowflex VeloCore

The Bowflex VeloCore is simply one of the best exercise bikes on the market and certainly the best spinning bike. It’s right up there with industry leaders like the Peloton bike but not nearly as expensive. The Velocore is the only bike that has something called a Leaning mode, which allows for a more realistic cycling experience by not rendering the bike completely stationary.

Besides this, it has all the features you’d expect in a top-of-the-line product. The 16/22” HD touchscreen comes with features like access to interactive training programs, data tracking, and video streaming support for platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. This gives you several ways to remain engaged and achieve your fitness goals while enjoying the experience of cycling at home. The magnetic resistance system has 100 different levels, allowing you to fine tune your preferred resistance. The product comes with a wireless heart rate monitoring armband, and the seat and grips are also comfortable.

One obvious drawback of an exercise bike like the VeloCore is its price. It’s fairly expensive, although it is well worth the price. The subscription costs for various apps that let you access interactive training programs can also add up every month.

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#7. NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle

The NordicTrack S22i is among the crème de la crème of exercise bikes. Like the VeloCore, the S22i comes with a 22-inch HD touchscreen to provide access to interactive training programs. This bike also comes with a free 1-year subscription to iFit, a platform with over 1500 different programs to keep workouts fun.

While the VeloCore has Leaning mode, the S22i has an incline and decline feature which matches your bikes orientation based on the terrain in the program you’re using. This is another excellent way to add something novel and interesting to your workouts. Besides this, the bike has 22 levels of magnetic resistance. The saddle is comfortable and adjustable, while the handlebars support multiple grips.

Though the S22i is of undeniably high quality, it’s also one of the most expensive bikes around. Unfortunately, it also doesn’t come with free delivery and assembly can be difficult due to its 150 different parts. The screen may also wobble slightly at times, which can be fairly annoying to some.

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#8. YOSUDA Indoor bike

The Yosuda Indoor bike is an exquisitely affordable bike that is suitable for users of all levels of experience. The 35lbs flywheel provides a tough challenge even for experienced users. Along with this, it comes with all the essentials.

The heavy-duty steel frame is durable enough to support 270lbs of weight. The saddle is very comfortable and suitable for long workouts. However, adjusting the seat is slightly inconvenient, especially if several people in your household are going to use the bike. Each user will need to screw and unscrew the saddle every time an adjustment needs to be made.

Though this bike doesn’t have any of the fancy features that Bowflex and NordicTrack bikes do, it’ll definitely get the job done. There are no serious drawbacks here besides the seat adjustment issue and the fact that the machine is somewhat heavy, making it slightly difficult to move around. Considering that you’re getting a bike with a sturdy frame, good levels of resistance, a comfortable seat, and a digital console that tracks essential metrics for a low price, this is as good a deal as any others on this list.

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#9. Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycle

The Schwinn IC4 is another alternative to the Peloton bike with its emphasis on interactive training. Though it doesn’t come with a large HD touchscreen, it supports Bluetooth connectivity that allows access to various training apps such as Zwift through your own tablet if you have one. There’s also an Explore the World app that allows you to cycle on scenic trails from all around the world for an immersive experience.

The 40-pound flywheel ensures that workouts remain challenging for all types of users. The magnetic resistance ensures a smooth and quiet workout. The resistance is also spread out over 100 different levels. This bike also features a durable frame that supports a maximum weight of 330lbs, plus an included heart rate band.

Overall, if you’re looking for a bike that supports interactive training but don’t want to pay a bomb for it, the IC4 is perfect for you. There are only a few minor drawbacks of this machine. Specifically, there are no preset workouts, meaning that you’ll have to pay the subscription costs of whichever app you use. The pedals can also be somewhat clunky at times.

It’s worth noting that this bike is identical to the Bowflex C6, just with different branding (Schwinn and Bowflex are owned by the same parent company. So, if you can’t get your hands on the IC4, you might be able to grab the C6. Unfortunately, it costs about $100 more though.

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Choosing the Best Indoor Cycling Bike for You

There are a few considerations to the into account when choosing your ideal stationary bicycle:

Upright vs Recumbent vs Dual Action Bikes

The first decision you need to make when choosing a good exercise bike is deciding which of the three main types of bikes you think is best for you.

Upright bikes better targets leg muscles like quads, hamstrings, and glutes. This results in a more rigorous workout. However, upright bikes compromise on spinal posture because they lack back support.

Recumbent bikes allow for a more natural seated position at the expense of some rigor. If you have any leg injuries or joint pain you’re coping with, recumbent bikes may be better for you.

Dual-action bikes allow you to exercise both your upper and lower body. However, the upper body workout is generally most suitable for beginners, and so a recumbent or upright bike is likely a better bet if you have more fitness and exercise experience.

Frame

The best stationary bicycle frames are generally made of steel or aluminum (or both). Of these, steel is by far the most common material. Ideally, you want a frame that is sturdy and durable yet lightweight so that you can move it around easily and store it away when you aren’t using the machine. If space is an issue for you, you could also opt for a foldable bike. The maximum weight a bike can handle along with the warranty offered on the frame are often good indicators of how durable a bike is, so keep an eye for those while making a purchase.

Resistance System

Make sure your bike has either a magnetic or air resistance system. Both allow for an enjoyable cycling experience, though air resistance bikes can often be noisy. Air resistance bikes may also be less challenging due to a light flywheel that doesn’t generate much resistance. Generally, you want a 35- to 40-pound flywheel because the better you get at biking the more resistance you’ll need. If you’re buying a bike with magnetic resistance, don’t be fooled by the number of resistance levels it has. This can give the impression that the bike has more resistance overall, but it only means that you have access to finer increments of resistance. The number of levels has no bearing on the maximum resistance a bike offers.

Console

There are several considerations worth remembering for the bike console. Look for an appropriately sized monitor with a clear display with easy to use controls. Ensure it tracks all the relevant data such as speed, time, calories burned, revolutions per minute, resistance level, distance, etc. It should support wireless heart rate monitoring support as well as fitness apps through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to allow you to access interactive training programs. These, along with preset training programs, help make workouts more engaging and fun.

Miscellaneous Features

You may also want some miscellaneous features for your bike such as a bottle holder, tablet holder, accessory tray, USB charger, integrated speakers, and. None of these are essential to the exercise bike, but they’re convenient to have and if you can get these for cheap, you’ll probably find that you enjoy using the bike more. The tablet holder is arguably the most important, especially if your bike supports Bluetooth connectivity, as it allows you access to a wide variety of interactive training programs to make workouts challenging.

Category Breakdown

Exercise bikes come in an array of shapes, sizes and functions. The best stationary bicycle for you will largely depend on which type of bike most effectively meets your needs.

Recumbent Exercise Bikes

Recumbent exercise bikes are those that have a back support which allows you to cycle in a natural seated position. This places less tension on some parts of your legs. While the result is that you will burn slightly fewer calories, it will also prevent back, joint and shoulder pain from cycling. They are otherwise similar to upright bikes for the most part in terms of price and features. However, these bikes are more suitable for those looking for a more casual workout compared to upright bikes.

Upright Exercise Bikes

As highlighted earlier, the major difference between upright and recumbent bikes is the lack of back support in the upright models. This affects your posture, which can result in some back pain. However, if you’re looking for more challenging workouts or to tone your leg muscles, upright bikes are probably more suitable for you.

Spin Bikes

Spinning bikes are those that closely mimic the movements and experience of an outdoor cycle. They have become immensely popular due to the success of spin classes, which have helped people lose weight fast because of how intensive they are. Durability and the resistance mechanism are two big considerations that anyone buying a spin bike needs to remember. If you’d like access to classes or interactive programs, get one that supports Bluetooth connectivity and has a large screen or allows you to use your own tablet or phone. Before you purchase one, keep in mind that of the three types of bikes, users of spin bikes are at the most risk of injury due to overuse resulting in muscle pain, swollen legs and more.

Folding Exercise Bikes

As the name suggests, folding bikes are foldable and therefore occupy minimal space in your house. If your living space is cramped and you can’t afford to have a machine out in the open throughout the day, these bikes are perfect for you. Folding bikes also tend to be cheaper and more suitable for beginners rather than professionals or athletes. To get the most use out of these bikes, ensure that they have a solid frame and come with either air or magnetic resistance.

Exercise Bikes Under $500

Exercise bikes under $500 dollars are significantly better than those under $300 due to the large difference in the quality and variety of the features. Things like durability, overall resistance range, and console features see considerable jumps in quality. Some also have miscellaneous features like tablet and bottle holders, speakers, fans and more. Overall, these bikes are much more enjoyable to use because their pedalling action is more realistic and smooth compared to cheaper models.

Exercise Bikes Under $300

Exercise bikes under $300 are among the cheapest available and so almost never have any fancy features whatsoever. These are bare bones, no-frills machines meant for short term usage. Primarily, they are targeted at beginners. They are a good option for those unsure of whether they enjoy cycling or will want to do it long-term.

Budget Exercise Bikes

Budget exercise bikes in general are those that do not cost above $400-500 and are equipped to carry out the basic function of cycling indoors. They have a durable enough frame, a decently heavy flywheel for beginners and intermediate level cyclists, and a console that comes equipped with basic data tracking. These are also generally meant to introduce the user to the activity of cycling so that you can eventually invest in a better machine if you find that you enjoy it.

Compact Exercise Bikes

Compact stationary bikes, like folding bikes, are those that occupy minimal amounts of space in your household. These can generally be dragged to a corner after use and kept out of sight until you need them again. Compact bikes also tend to be cheaper than most because they have minimal features to prevent the size from ballooning. However, some of the best exercise bikes on the market are also highly compact, so the choice really comes down to the space available to you and your budget.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Exercise Bikes

Is using an exercise bike good for you?

Yes! Using an exercise bike has several health benefits, such as improving heart and lung health, reducing risk of stroke, improving cognitive function, and improving psychological well being, among others. Depending on your goals, it can help you lose weight, as well as strengthen and tone your leg muscles.

Is it OK to ride an exercise bike every day?

Yes, you can safely ride an exercise bike every single day without worrying about injuries or straining your muscles/joints. However, casually riding an exercise bike is unlikely to lead to much progress with your fitness goals. Make sure that you are exerting yourself at a moderate to high intensity while riding the bike to experience positive results.

Does cycling reduce belly fat?

Yes, since cycling is a great way to burn calories in lose weight, it will eventually lead to the loss of belly fat as well. However, no exercise can exclusively target the fat in a particular area of your body.

Is 20 mins on an exercise bike enough?

This depends entirely on how intensively you cycle for those 20 minutes and what your fitness goals are. If you leisurely cycle for 20 minutes, that is unlikely to benefit you in any significant way. However, a high intensity cycling workout for 20 mins will burn several hundred calories depending on your weight.

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Well, there you have it: The 9 best exercise bikes on the market.

As you can see, our list discusses a variety of options with something for everyone. We’ve also included everything you need to know before making an informed purchase.