Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes
Recumbent bikes are an excellent type of cardio machine you can use to build up fitness in a low-impact, comfortable way.
This type of exercise bike has an ergonomic sitting position that greatly reduces the stress on your neck, back, and shoulders that can be experienced when riding an upright stationary bike.
Additionally, the seat supports your whole backside, removing the possibility of saddle sores forming and keeping you off the bike.
These bikes come in a wide range of prices and have varying features and build qualities. In this article, we will cover the best models we’ve found online, also explaining the differences in how they work.
Recumbent Exercise Bikes Buying Guide
Types of Resistance
Magnetic = Smooth, continuous resistance, quiet, minimal to no maintenance.
Direct-Contact = Friction is provided via brake pads that come in contact with a flywheel. Noisy, cheap.
Air/Fan-Based = Instead of a flywheel there’s a large resistance fan. Cool-down = More resistance = Pedal faster, simple as that.
Chain vs Belt
- Belt = Smooth, quiet, less maintenance, more expensive.
- Chain = Real bike feel & sound. Generally cheaper.
Main Features
Display – Distance, speed, pulse, calories burned
- Adjustable seat
- Pulse monitor
- Transportation wheels on one side of the bike
- Tension-control knob
- Large seat and backrest takes the pressure off your tailbone and spine
Benefits
Recumbent exercise bikes offer the best low-resistance work-out among all the other exercise bikes out there.
- Low-impact legs exercise free from joints pain
- Increase circulation
- Builds endurance
- Perfect for physical therapy, rehab and for the elderly
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4616
Weight: 58.7 lbs | Dimensions 46″ L x 24.5″ W x 38″ H | Material: Steel | Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4616 recumbent bike is highly rated for its excellent value, durability, and easy-to-use design, making it Amazon’s top pick amongst the models available on the site.
This recumbent bike allows you to easily change between eight resistance levels with a dial underneath the screen and enjoy the convenience of moving the seat to your perfect position on the rails without having to get up.
Additionally, the SF-RB4616 can record all of your ride statistics on the digital screen in front, even with the ability to track and record your heart rate with the heart rate sensor handles.
Features
- Resistance Type: Magnetic. 8x Different Levels
- Digital Monitor
- Pulse Monitor
- Speed, time, distance, calories, heart rate
- Adjustable seat
- Handlebars with pulse sensors
Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike ME-709
Dimensions – 55.5″ L x 25″ W x 37.5″ H | Weight: 60 lbs / 27 kg
Marcy’s Recumbent Exercise Bike ME-709 is definitely one of the best you can get at an affordable price.
The ME-709 is highly adjustable, allowing you to find the perfect fit. It also has several helpful functions that allow you to maximize your training session in a relaxed position.
The highlights of this bike are the easy-read digital screen with all your ride metrics, quiet magnetic resistance with 8 levels, and a convenient step-through frame to make getting on and off as easy as possible.
Finally, this affordable recumbent bike even comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Features
- Display shows – Odometer, time, speed, calories burned
- Resistance Type: Magnetic, 8 Levels
- Comfortable padded seat
- Counterbalanced pedals
SCHWINN 270 Recumbent Bike
Weight: 86.6 lbs | Dimensions: 64″ L x 27.7″ W x 50″ H | Max weight capacity: 300lbs (136 kg)
Schwinn’s 270 Recumbent Stationary Bike is the company’s premium model that comes with heaps of features and great reliability.
Most notably, you can use your 270 to connect to any Bluetooth devices, syncing your bike with the Schwinn Trainer App or other fitness trackers like RideSocial, and you can charge your device at the same time with its USB charging port.
This bike has an enormous ride catalog with 29 programs across five categories. Within these programs, you can simulate 25 levels of resistance and challenge yourself as much or as little as you want.
Finally, the Schwinn 270 is very quiet and smooth as it uses a high-inertia drive system and a weighted flywheel.
Features
- Resistance type: Friction, 25 different levels
- Bluetooth connectivity with the Schwinn Trainer App and other apps for fitness tracking
- DualTrack LCD displays
- Media shelf
- In-console speakers (with MP3 input port)
- USB media charging and adjustable fan
- Sync with free downloadable RideSocial App and see the world as you virtually ride alongside friends in real-time
- 29 programs
- Plugs into any standard electrical wall outlet on a 110V-120V circuit. 120V 60Hz AC input; 1.5A output. 90-240V, 50-60Hz adapter included
- High speed, high inertia drive system with a perimeter weighted flywheel for easy start-up and smooth, consistent workouts
SNODE Model:R16
MSRP Check on Amazon
Max Weight: 300 lbs | Dimensions: 22″ L x 31.4″ W x 10.6″ H | Weight: 51 lbs | Resistance Type: Magnetic, 8 levels | Weight capacity: 300lbs
The R16 by Snode is another budget-friendly and well-rated Amazon recumbent bike.
Snode build this product with a magnetic resistance that is smooth, quiet, and durable. The resistance has eight different levels to choose from with an easy-to-reach adjustable knob.
The R16 has a basic digital monitor that records you fitness essentials such as distance, calories, time, and most notably pulse recording with the handlebar sensors.
Lastly, Snode designed it to be easy to move and portable with convenient transport wheels.
Features
- Resistance Type: Magnetic, 8 levels
- Digital Display – Pulse, speed, distance and calories burned
- Non-slip, large cage pedals
- Transportation wheels
- 3-piece crank for improved strength
- Adjustable base
- 1-year warranty
MARCY Regenerating ME-706
MSRP Check on Amazon
Dimensions: 57” L x 24” W x 42” H | Weight capacity: 300 lbs
Marcy’s Regenerating Recumbent ME-706 is their premium model that comes with lots of useful features and is very easy to use.
The bike is designed with a durable steel frame, large gripped pedals, a padded seat, and fully adjustable with levers so you can get the perfect, comfortable fit even while sitting. The 24-level magnetic resistance also provides a smooth and quiet ride that can simulate biking on different terrains.
Additionally, the ME-706 has a LED backlight screen that records all ride metrics, and records your pulse with sensors in the handlebars. Finally, you can transport and store the bike easily with convenient wheels.
Features
- 23 programs
- 24 levels of resistance
- Distance, speed, pulse, calories burned
- 3.5mm jack input
- No freewheel
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- No electrical connections required
JEEKEE Indoor Magnetic Cycling Fitness Equipment
Fits riders 4’9″-6’5″ / inseam 27″-39″
Weight: 66 lbs | Max weight: 300 lbs | Made of steel | Magnetic, 8 levels of resistance
JEEKEE’s magnetic recumbent bike is a versatile option that is highly rated on Amazon for a good reason.
This bike is durable and customizable with 9 positions for fitting riders between 4’9″ and 6’5″ weighing up to 300lbs due to its sturdy 53.5″ long steel frame. Additionally, the ergonomic design includes a large seat and backrest for added comfort.
The magnetic flywheel and dual-belt system provide a smooth, quiet ride with 8 levels of resistance so you can get an intense workout without disturbing those around you.
Lastly, the LCD screen helps you track your progress with all your ride metrics and pulse sensors in the handlebars.
Features
- Resistance type: Neodymium Magnetic, 8 levels
- Dual Belt system – smooth & quiet
- External magnetic flywheel
- HR monitor
- Time, speed, distance, calories burned
Marcy Magnetic Recumbent – NS-40502R
MSRP Check on Amazon
The NS-40502R by Marcy is one of their mid-range recumbent bikes with a durable and sturdy steel build and a compact design.
This bike has eight levels of resistance so you can find the right challenge for each workout. The resistance is magnetic and thus is quiet and smooth.
The soft foam-covered handles, padded seat and backrest, and adjustable foot straps all combine to make this bike very comfortable while riding. Additionally, the frame has a step-through design with makes getting on and off easier.
Finally, this bike has a battery-powered LCD display with all metrics like time, distance, and calories, etc. This helps you to track your workouts so you can progress your training.
Specifications
- Weight: 69 lbs
- Dimensions: 57″ L x 25″ W x 43.5″ H
- Resistance Type: Magnetic, 8 levels
- Made of alloy & steel
- Time, speed, distance, and calories burned
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to just keep active or improve your fitness, recumbent bikes can help you do it in a relaxed position from the comfort of your own home.
As seen in this article, many of these bikes have similar features and designs, so be sure to identify the features that are most important to you and make your choice based on that. Happy riding!
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