Get Your Cardio With The Top Exercise Bikes of The Year
The world of indoor cycling is a deep and complex one. There are many different kinds of fitness bikes that you can purchase for yourself, each with its own unique qualities that sets them apart from other exercise bikes.
These can be such bikes as air exercise bikes, spinning exercise bikes, upright stationary bikes, and so on. Then there are often sub-tiers in those larger categories that will make little tweaks and changes in quality and comfort.
What we wanted to do today is look at the best of these exercise bikes. What is the cream of the crop of all of these cardio bikes, regardless of their overall category? That’s what we’re here to do. We’re looking at the various aspects of these exercise bikes, such as their builds, comfort, calories per hour, resistance settings, monitors, pricing, and other aspects.
In addition, to exercise bike reviews, we’ll list the pros and cons of each (because no exercise bike is perfect) before presenting a general buyer’s guide in order to help you make your own decisions. Finally, we’ll end with our opinion of which is the best and which you should seriously consider looking at. So, with all of that out of the way, let’s hop right into our list of the best exercise bikes!
Top Exercise Bikes Compared + Verdict
| Name | Verdict | Workout | Sound | Space | Resistant | Programs | Rack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nautilus R618 | Lowest impact exercise bike | Only Lower Body Exercise | Quiet | Large Footprint | Magnetic | 29 | Included Tablet Rack |
| Nautilus U618 | Low impact exercise bike | Only Lower Body Exercise | Quiet | Small Footprint | Magnetic | 29 | Included Tablet Rack |
| Keiser M3i | Medium Impact exercise bike | Only Lower Body Exercise | Quiet | Medium Footprint | Magnetic | None | Included Tablet Rack |
| Schwinn AD7 | Highest Impact exercise bike | Both Lower and Upper Body | Loud | Medium Footprint | Air | 7 | No Tablet Rack |
| Sunny SF-RB4631 | Lowest impact exercise bike | Both Lower and Upper Body | Quiet | Medium Footprint | Magnetic & Friction | None | No Tablet Rack |
| FitDisk 3.0 | Low impact exercise bike | Only Lower Body Exercise | Quiet | Small Footprint | Magnetic | None | Included Desk |
| Flexispot Pro | Low impact exercise bike | Only Lower Body Exercise | Quiet | Small Footprint | Magnetic | None | Included Desk |
Quick Overview of Best Stationary Bikes
Nautilus R618 Recumbent Exercise Bike
First on our list of Best exercise bike reviews is the Nautilus R618. This is one of the best recumbent bikes that you’ll find. It is a slick black and blue exercise cardio bike that will allow you to sit back while you pedal.
Being a recumbent exercise bike with a large backrest and seat, the R618 is literally the most comfortable exercise bike that you can buy. It has the least impact on the body compared to any other type of exercise bike so no matter your age or fitness, you can use this exercise bike and burn up to 400 calories per hour.
The resistance of the R618 is an extremely smooth magnetic system. There are 25 different levels of resistance that you can pick from (and adjust via controls on the easy-to-reach handlebars). The drive is made from a belt in order to make the entire process quieter and require less maintenance. That way you can even workout late at night without waking people.
As for how much space the R618 takes up and how much it weighs, it is a fairly lengthy machine thanks to the fact that it is a recumbent bike. It measures out to be 67.3 inches (170.9 cm) long, 26.4 inches (67.1 cm) wide and 48.8 inches (124 cm) tall. It weighs a decent 107.1 lbs (48.6 kg), while also allowing for a maximum weight of 325 lbs (147 kg).
The electrical capabilities of the Nautilus R618 stationary exercise bike are one of the points where it shines. There are 29 different Nautilus training programs that allow for heart rate training, rolling hills and more. There’s Bluetooth connectivity that you can connect to the “Explore the World” app that Nautilus offers. This app allows for views of real-world scenes and keeping track of long-term workout statistics like time, distance, calories burned, and so on.
Nautilus U618 Upright Exercise Bike
One of the best upright bikes is another candidate from Nautilus, this time it is an upright bike rather than a recumbent one. This indoor exercise bike shares many of the top features of the R618, which is most certainly a positive.
Although it is not as comfortable and easy to use as Nautilus R618 recumbent exercise bike, it is still the second lowest-impact exercise bike after recumbent stationary bikes. There is no backrest like recumbent bikes but it’s still fairly easy to mount and dismount the bike. So, if you have the balance to sit on a saddle without a backrest, you can use the Nautilus U618 upright exercise bike and burn up to 500 calories per hour.
The resistance of the Nautilus U618 professional exercise bike is magnetic. There are 25 different levels of resistance available, which combine with the belt drive in order to make everything smooth and quiet. There is only a 10 lb flywheel here, so if you are one of the people that prefer heavier ones, this might disappoint you.
As for the dimensions of the U618 home stationary bike, it takes up much less space than the R618. It measures out to be 38.5 inches (97.8 cm) long, 24 inches (61 cm) wide and 58.3 inches (148 cm) tall. It weighs 83.1 lbs (37.6 kg) and has a max user weight of 325 lbs (147 kg). The handlebars are multi-position with elbow grips, while the seat is 4-way adjustable. One of the complaints about said seat is that it is not particularly comfortable.
The monitor that comes with the U618 compact stationary bike is the exact same as the one that came with the recumbent bike. It has 29 different workout programs with the same ability to connect to the Explore the World app through Bluetooth. The screen is backlit and allows you to see workout metrics like the time, distance, calories burned and such, even if you are watching the Explore the World app.
Keiser M3i Spinning Exercise Bike
Moving away from the Nautilus realm for number three on our list of the best indoor exercise bikes, we have the Keiser M3i. This is a well-known spin bike for those in the exercise bike realm, as it is one of the most durable (made in the USA) to have come out in recent years.
The magnetic resistance used on Keiser M3i combines with the extremely lightweight 8-pound flywheel actually makes for one of the best experiences you can have on one of these cardio bikes. It has a combination of big and small pullies which gives the bike an impressive gear ratio.
At the same time, its lightweight flywheel lowers the impact on the knees compared to spin bikes like Sole SB900 with 48 pounds flywheel. That said, because the Keiser M3i is built to mimic road cycling, it is a bit more aggressive and has more impact compared to Nautilus upright and recumbent exercise bikes.
Mounting and dismounting the bike is also not as easy as it requires more strength and balance so overall it’s more difficult to use compared to other exercising bikes. But at the same time, it also burns up to 900 calories which is significantly more than upright exercise bikes and recumbent exercise bikes.
The Keiser M3i uses a V shape to fit a variety of users from 5 to 7 feet tall while the Poly-V belt means the entire process is extremely quiet and less prone to maintenance issues.
The footprint of the M3i is quite small. It measures out to be 49 inches (124.5 cm) long, 26 inches (66 cm) wide and 45 inches (114 cm) tall. It weighs a fairly light 85 lbs (35.5 kg) and can hold a max weight of 300 lbs (136 kg). The seat is adjustable 4 ways, while the multi grip handlebars are vertically adjustable.
The monitor is not the fanciest, but it still does plenty. It has Bluetooth capabilities, is backlit when in a dark room and will display statistics like RPM, time, distance, resistance level and heart rate (if you have a chest sensor). You can also connect to Keiser’s fitness app in order to track more statistics over a longer period of time, as well as get different guided sessions and tests. However, there are not a ton of these classes or tests available.
Schwinn AD7 Air Exercise Bike
Seen in many stationary air bike reviews and coming to the second half of our list of the best stationary bikes, we have the Schwinn AD7 Airdyne. This is the first air resistance bike that we’ve come across here. Fair to say, there’s a lot to like about this stationary air bike.
The resistance, as you might expect from one of these air exercise bikes, primarily comes from the fan that replaces the flywheel of magnetic bikes. You’ve got unlimited resistance available thanks to the fan resistance. The harder you pedal, the more resistance you get. This can make it great for high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. You can also get upper body workouts alongside those lower body ones thanks to the moving multi grip handlebars.
Although it’s great for CrossFit and interval workouts, I don’t recommend the AD7 or any other air resistance exercise bike for daily long cardio workouts or endurance rides. It also has more impact compared to spin bikes, recumbent and other exercise bikes. So, you wouldn’t want to buy this exercise bike if you have bad knees or if you are a senior.
As for how much space the AD7 portable exercise bike takes up, it takes up a nice medium area. It is 53 inches (134.6 cm) long, 26.5 inches (67.3 cm) wide and 53 inches (134.6 cm) tall. It weighs a hefty 113 lbs (51.3 kg) and has a maximum weight of 350 lbs (160 kg). The seat adjusts both vertically and horizontally, although it is rather small. This can lead to some discomfort on those longer sessions. The handlebars are not adjustable, but they do have multiple positions to hold onto.
This model and the AD Pro are the only Schwinn Airdyne bikes that come with workout programs in their monitor. There are 9 different options that include such things like interval workouts, targets for time, distance and calories and heart rate zone monitoring. As such, it can also track all of those various statistics that you’d expect it to. The monitor is not backlit, which is a downside. You won’t be able to see it in darker rooms, and the tech seems just a little outdated for the modern-day.
Sunny Leg and Arm Exercise Bike
Coming in fifth place on our list of the best exercise bikes, we have the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4631 exercise bike. Is this one of the best recumbent bikes with arm workouts on the market? Yes. Does that save it from having one of the most painful names on that same market? Absolutely not. Fortunately, the bike itself is significantly better than its name.
Interestingly, there are 2 different resistance systems on this indoor stationary bike. The pedals use a manual magnetic resistance system, which you control through a lever. You have 8 different settings, although the highest isn’t exactly the most challenging that you can find. Then, there’s the resistance of the arm exerciser that the bike comes with. This resistance uses a friction resistance system where a leather pad presses on a wheel to challenge more resistance. Because it is a friction system, the arm exerciser is actually louder than the pedals.
This isn’t actually that large of a stationary bicycle, even though it is a recumbent bike. It measures to be 53 inches (135 cm) long, 24 inches (61 cm) wide and 54 inches (137 cm) tall.It weighs a decent 89.5 lbs (40.5 kg) when fully assembled and can hold a maximum weight of 350 lbs (159 kg). The seat is adjustable horizontally, although it is slightly tilted, so you could also sort of consider it vertical adjustment. Neither the handlebars, nor the backrest of this back can be independently adjusted.
The monitor that comes with the SF-RB4631 is pretty basic. Actually, it’s extremely basic. It is not connected to the arm exerciser, so it won’t track the calories or any other metrics while you use that. When you are using the pedals, it will track time, distance, total distance, speed, calories and your heart rate. There is a scan mode available, so you can rotate through all of these different metrics. Otherwise, you don’t have anything too fancy that comes with this monitor. The numbers are large and easy to see, which is nice. However, this is only in the light, as there is no backlighting function on here.
FitDisk 3.0 Folding Exercise Bike
1 used from $239.99
We now reach the first of the desk bikes on our list of the best stationary exercise bikes. The FitDesk folding exercise bike is a bike that stands rather upright and allows the user to get work done while they exercise. There are no fancy coloring schemes here, as it is just a white and black exercise cycle, but it should serve for most.
The FitDisk 3.0 fold up exercise bike works on a magnetic tension technology, with 8 different levels of resistance that are controlled by a knob. While the highest level of resistance will allow you to work up a small sweat, it certainly won’t provide the sort of challenge that serious cyclists are looking for. But then again, serious cyclists are probably not going to be looking at the desk cycle. There are also resistance bands underneath the seat, allowing you for some lighter upper body workouts while you pedal.
The footprint of this home workout bike is rather tiny, although it can certainly hold its own weight against many others. It measures out to 28 inches (71.1 cm) long, 16 inches (40.6 cm) wide and 45 inches (114 cm) tall. The entire bike only weighs about 45 lbs (20.4 kg), yet can supposedly hold a maximum weight of 300 lbs (136 kg). The seat of this small exercise bike can be adjusted vertically and the entire bike can be folded in order to save some even more storage space.
Obviously, the main appeal here is the desk and foldability rather than any sort of technological aspect of the monitor. However, there is still a performance meter on top of the desk. It keeps track of stats like the speed, distance and estimated calories burned. There is a tablet holder in addition to the desk aspect of the upright exercise bike, as well as storage spots (underneath the desk itself) for your phone or earbuds.
Flexispot Pro Desk Exercise Bike
We end our list of the best exercise bikes with the Flexispot home office Deskcise Pro desk exercise bike. While this desk bike certainly doesn’t have the most brilliant name, it most certainly still remains a very good bike.
The resistance on this stationary cycle is a manual magnetic resistance system that is adjustable via a dial right in front of the seat. There are 8 different levels to pick from. However, as was the case with the FitDisk 3.0, the resistance isn’t really the greatest. You won’t be getting the most challenge from these bikes, but it will at least get the blood flowing while you sit at a desk.
The Deskcise Pro is a fairly sturdy desk that will keep most people fitting comfortably on board. It measures out to be 37.6 inches (95.5 cm) long, 22.8 inches (58 cm) wide, and 48.2 inches (122.4 cm) tall. This desk bike weighs about 75 lbs (34 kg), while it can hold a maximum weight of 300 lbs (136 kg). The user height range seems to range in between 5’1” and 6’2”, which is a pretty decent range. The seat is adjustable vertically, with wheels on the bottom of the machine to help with mobility.
There is an absolutely tiny LCD display on this home exercising bike that is so hard to see, it might as well not even be there. It can show stats like distance, calories burned and time, but otherwise is fairly useless. The desk is large enough to accommodate a laptop, notebook, or phone, depending on what you want to place on it.
Buyer’s Guide + Which Exercise Bike is Best For You
That concludes our list of the top-rated exercise bikes! Now we’re going to go over some of the major types of exercise bikes and show you what you should be looking for on these machines. This will help you buy the best exercise bike in the future if you disagree with our picks and want to hunt for your own bike.
Recumbent Exercise Bikes
When it comes to buying a recumbent exercise bike, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, consider your comfort level. Recumbent bikes are designed to be more comfortable than upright or spin bikes, with a seat that allows you to recline and support your back. Look for bikes with adjustable seats and adjustable backrest to ensure a proper fit. The Nautilus R618 which I reviewed in this article has them both, plus a gel cushion for extra comfort.
Another important factor to consider is resistance. You want a bike with adjustable “electronic resistance” so you can tailor your workout to your fitness level. Some bikes have built-in resistance controls on the handlebars, which can be a convenient feature. Look for bikes with a variety of resistance levels, so you can gradually increase your workout intensity over time. Again, Nautilus R618 has both, electronic resistance and resistance controls on the handlebars so you don’t need to lean forward for chasing intensity.
It’s also important to consider the monitor. A good monitor will be backlit, easy to read, and ideally have Bluetooth FTMS connections (like Nautilus R618) and preset workout programs to choose from. This will help you track your progress and stay motivated. Plus, a good monitor allows connecting to online cycling apps like Zwift.
Finally, it’s worth noting that recumbent bikes are different from spin bikes and upright bikes. Recumbent bikes are designed to be more comfortable and easier on the joints, making them a good choice for those with mobility issues or injuries. With up to 500 calories, they burn fewer calories compared to spin bikes or upright bikes but they are also easier to use. Remember to get one like Nautilus R618 that has a step-through design for easy mounting and dismounting.
Upright Stationary Bikes
From the exercise bikes that I tried and reviewed in this article if you decide to buy an upright exercise bike, there are a few key things to look out for. Firstly, adjustable components are crucial for ensuring a comfortable ride. Look for bikes with 4-way adjustable seats and tilting adjustable handlebars to accommodate people of all shapes and sizes. The actual comfort of the seat is not a dealbreaker because you can always replace the saddle but it’s a + to have a gel comfortable saddle like Nautilus U618 upright bike.
A backlit monitor with preset workout programs is also a desirable feature to have, as it will help you track your progress and keep you motivated. Aside from a backlight console, a Bluetooth FTMS transmitter is also important because without it you wouldn’t be able to sync the bike with Peloton, Kinomap, or my favorite cycling app Zwift. The Nautilus U618 has this feature in case you end up buying that exercise bike.
It’s also important o know that upright exercise bikes are different from both recumbent and spin bikes. Unlike recumbent exercise bikes that you lean backward, upright bikes have a straight, upright riding position that requires more balance and core engagement. They also don’t offer the same level of back support as recumbent bikes, and you need to be able to stand on one leg to cross over the bike.
In comparison to indoor cycling spin bikes where you need to lean a little forward while cycling, upright exercise bikes are less intense and don’t require you to lean forward. So, you don’t lean forward like spin bikes or backward like recumbent bikes. But you stay in an upright position while doing your cardio workout on an upright bike.
Overall, upright exercise bikes are a great option for those who want a more challenging workout than recumbent bikes can offer, without the high-intensity of spin bikes. With adjustable components like a tablet holder to watch a nice program and a comfortable seat, an upright stationary bike can provide a great low-impact cardio workout. Just keep in mind that you can’t stand on the pedals like you would on a spin bike so during the entire cycling session, you need to remain seated when using an upright exercise bike.
Exercise Spin Bikes
If you decided to buy an indoor cycling spin bike as an exercise bike, there are a few things you should look for to ensure you’re getting the best machine for your needs. Firstly, adjustable handlebars are a must, ideally with 4-way adjustability to ensure a comfortable riding position. Additionally, a backlit monitor with Bluetooth capabilities that tracks watt, speed, and RPM is essential if you’re planning to follow online indoor cycling classes.
Clip-in pedals are also an excellent feature to look out for, as are magnetic resistance systems with belt drives for a quieter workout. A great example of a spin bike that ticks all these boxes is the Keiser M3i.
Compared to upright and recumbent exercise bikes, spin bikes are designed to mimic the feel of a real road bike, with pedals that are often similar to those found on road and mountain bikes. However, this means the riding position is more aggressive, so you need to lean forward rather than sit upright or recline.
The seats on spin bikes are also smaller and have less cushioning, with no backrest like on a recumbent bike or a larger seat like an upright bike. This is because spin bikes are designed for high-intensity performance, which requires minimum friction between the saddle and the rider to prevent bruising.
Also, spin bikes often have heavier flywheels, which means there is more resistance so you’ll need to be stronger or push harder compared to other types of stationary bikes. It’s no secret that a 50-lb flywheel on a spin bike needs more strength than a 10-lb flywheel which is often found recumbent and upright exercise bikes.
While spin bikes are not as comfortable as other stationary exercise bikes, they can burn up to 900 calories per hour, making them an excellent choice if you’re looking for a quicker way to see results. However, they’re not recommended for everyone, particularly elderly people, those in recovery, or people with bad knees, due to their higher impact and difficulty of use.
Ultimately, the main difference between spin bikes and other types of stationary exercise bikes is in the intensity of the workout and the muscle groups targeted. Spin bikes are designed for high-intensity interval training and can target the glutes, hamstrings, and calves more effectively than upright or recumbent bikes. So, it’s very important to consider your fitness level and personal needs before investing in a spin bike.
Air Exercise Bikes
When you’re on the lookout for an air exercise bike, there are some important features to keep in mind. First things first, these bikes are great for HIIT workouts, so it’s a good idea to find one that comes with preset programs to help you get the most out of your workouts. For example, the Assault bikes have interval programs (2-minute exercise, 30-second rest, etc).
You’ll also want to look for a monitor that can track important metrics like heart rate, distance, and time. Some air bikes even come with additional elements like footrests that allow you to work out different parts of your body independently because sometimes you don’t want your legs to rest while using your arms and shoulder.
Now, when it comes to handlebars, it’s important to find an air bike that has dipped multi-grip handlebars so you can switch up your grip and work different muscles in your arms and shoulders. Unfortunately, a lot of air bikes come with straight bars that only give you one grip option. In addition, look for a bike with a tablet holder and grippy metal pedals without cages (no cheap plastic ones!), so you can easily move your feet between the footrest and the pedals while pedaling.
When it comes to transmission, the timing belt is your best option, but a chain isn’t too shabby either. Sure, chains can be loud, but you probably won’t even notice because the air bike itself is pretty noisy. Lastly, a comfortable seat is always a plus. Remember that you’ll be seated the whole time you’re on an air exercise bike, so finding a gel seat can be a nice touch. But, if the bike you like doesn’t come with a comfortable seat, don’t worry too much – you can always replace it later with a comfortable air bike saddle.
An air exercise bike features a large fan blade that creates resistance as you pedal as a result they are the loudest type of exercise bike that you can own. Upright bikes, spin bikes, and recumbent exercise bikes use magnetic resistance which makes zero noise so they are way more apartment friendly than air exercise bikes.
In terms of design, air bikes are completely different too. They have handlebars which is something you don’t get with other types of indoor exercise bikes. So, instead of using only your legs, you can also engage your arms and shoulder when using air exercise bikes and get additional benefits.
So, air exercise bikes offer a high-intensity full-body workout that can improve cardiovascular health, particularly the upper body, and core, as the resistance of the fan blade requires effort from the arms and shoulders as well as the legs.
As with every other exercise bike, calories burned will vary based on factors like age, weight, and workout intensity, but generally speaking, air exercise bikes and spin bikes can burn up to 900 calories per hour, while upright bikes and recumbent bikes burn fewer calories, around 400-600 per hour.
Recumbent Arm Exerciser
For recumbent bikes like Teeter, you’ll want to look for stationary bikes that can exercise your arms and legs independently. Obviously, a comfortable seat is key for these, since you’ll be sitting on it a lot. Tablet holders and other elements on the console are also ideal.
Generally speaking an arm and leg recumbent exercise bike is designed to allow users to exercise both their arms and legs independently. This means that the bike has both pedals and handlebars that can be used simultaneously, providing a full-body workout.
These stationary bikes are ideal for individuals who want to engage in lowest-impact cardiovascular exercise, build upper and lower body strength, and improve their overall fitness.
However, I normally don’t recommend them if you are in good shape and want quick results. Due to their comfort and low-impact design, arm and leg recumbent exercise bikes burn less than 400 calories per hour which is significantly less compared to spin bikes and air exercise bikes.
In contrast, a traditional leg recumbent exercise bike only has pedals that the user can use to exercise their lower body. These bikes are generally designed to provide a comfortable and low-impact workout that targets the legs, hips, and glutes. They are ideal for individuals who want to engage in low-impact cardiovascular exercise, improve their leg strength and endurance, and burn calories.
The main difference between the two types of exercise bikes is that the arm and leg recumbent exercise bike allows users to work out their upper body, while the traditional leg recumbent exercise bike only allows users to work out their lower body.
Folding Exercise Bikes
Just like any other exercise bike, there are several important features to consider when it comes to buying a folding exercise bike. Firstly, as the name suggests, a folding design is crucial. This allows the bike to be easily stored in smaller spaces, such as behind a curtain or in a closet, when not in use. Additionally, the exercise bike should be lightweight and easy to move around, as this will make it more convenient to use and store.
Another important feature to consider is the bike’s design. Good folding exercise bikes typically come in 2-in-1 adjustable designs: upright and recumbent. Upright bikes mimic the experience of riding a traditional bicycle, while recumbent bikes offer a more relaxed, seated position.
Some additional features that are often included in folding exercise bikes include a set of handlebars next to the saddle, a backrest, a tablet holder for entertainment while working out, as well as resistance bands for an upper body workout. These can be great additions that enhance the overall workout experience.
Aside from the compact design, lightweight, and space-saving design folding exercise bikes tend to be more affordable than other types of exercise bikes, making them a great option for those on a budget.
However, there are also some downsides to consider with folding exercise bikes. For example, folding exercise bikes are not as sturdy or durable as other types of exercise bikes, and may not offer the same level of comfort during use. Additionally, because they are designed to be compact and lightweight, they are not suitable for heavier or more intense workouts.
When comparing folding exercise bikes to other types of exercise bikes, such as spin bikes, recumbent exercise bikes, and upright bikes, there are several key differences to keep in mind. Folding exercise bike don’t offer much of resistance and aren’t as pleasant to pedal as other exercise bikes, especially for longer rides. Plus, folding exercise bikes can help burn a maximum of 300 calories per hour which is much less than traditional upright exercise bikes.
Spin bikes on the other hand are designed for high-intensity, indoor cycling workouts and typically offer a more immersive experience. Recumbent exercise bikes offer a more relaxed seated position and are often more comfortable for those with back or joint pain. Upright bikes mimic the experience of riding a traditional bicycle and are great for cardiovascular workouts.
So, I only recommend a folding exercise bike if you are on a tight budget and you live in a very small apartment where you normally need to move the bike after each use. Otherwise, you should stick with an upright or spin bike.
Desk Bikes
For desk bikes, you’ll want large desks that can hold everything you want on there. The desks should be available to be adjusted both horizontally and vertically. A cup holder would be nice, while large seats are also a must. After all, if you are doing work on these bikes, you want to be comfortable while doing it.
Just like folding exercise bikes, desk exercise bikes are for slow cardio workouts and they don’t burn many calories especially compared to spin bikes and air bikes. I do recommend desk exercise bikes to stay active while working but I don’t suggest that you consider them as your only cardio equipment.
Final Verdict
And that concludes our review of the best exercise bikes. Generally, it depends on what category of home exercise bike you are looking for. The two Nautilus bikes we rated at the beginning are some of the best recumbent and upright bikes that you’ll be able to find, so they are our top recommendations. However, make sure you know what sort of bike you are looking for and examine it for the elements that we’ve gone over in the buyer’s guide so that you know what sort of bike you want. Now get out there and get cycling!
A friend owns a Nautilus U618 and I got a chance to try it out and I liked it a lot. He didn’t mention that the assembly was hard or anything like you mention. The seating is a bit uncomfortable but it’s not a deal breaker for me. The monitor is pretty sweet. Going to grab one of these bikes next month.
As always, this article also very helpful and we get everything we need very accurately through your articles about exercise bikes. I brought Sunny Health & Fitness Recumbent Bike SF-RB4631 for my mother. The experience of it is really good.
Thanks Amanda, I am glad it was helpful!
Hey Chad, thanks for getting in touch
The assembly might be a little tricky but it’s not a big deal and the U618 is really one of the best value exercise bikes on the market. You can also add a gel padding/cover to the seat or even replace it with something that fits your body better. It has standard seat posts the seats are widely available.