Best Upright Exercise Bikes Under $1000
Reviewed and Compared the Best Upright Bikes Under $1000 to Help Find a Good Value exercise Bike and Reach Your Fitness Goals Without Living Your Home
There are certain types of exercise bikes out on the market that don’t exactly line up with what people think of when they picture indoor bikes. One of these is the recumbent exercise bike, where you sort of sit down and lean back while pedaling. The other of these is the upright indoor exercise bikes. This is a more vertical version of the recumbent exercise bikes, offering many of the same benefits.
Yet, the best of the best machines will often cost customers an arm and a leg if they want to experience them. And without those one imagines that it becomes really hard to bike anyway. Jokes aside, we have decided to place the price limit for today’s list at $1000, simply because we want the best upright exercise bikes, but we don’t want you to have to sell your home for it.
We’ll examine our list, give you some ideas on what to look out for when hunting the best upright exercise bike under 1000 before finishing with our final verdict. So with all of that out of the way, let’s hop right into the best upright exercise bikes under $1000!
Overview of Best Upright Bikes Under 1000:
Nautilus U618 Upright Bike With Handle Controls
Coming in first place on our list of the best upright bikes under $1000 is the Nautilus U618 Upright Bike. This exercise bike may not be the slickest one you’ve ever seen, but you’ll find that it does the job asked quite well.
Starting with the resistance, there are 25 levels of resistance available by default. These are all controlled through the monitor and handlebars of the bike rather than a manual knob. The belt drive is nice and quiet thanks to it being not made of chains. Some might find the 10 lb (4.5 kg) too light for their taste, but we found that it really doesn’t make an impact on the challenge of the workouts.
As will be a common theme, these upright bikes are going to be taller than they are long. The U618 is no different. It’s dimensions are 38.5 inches (98 cm) long, 24 inches (61 cm) wide and 58 inches (147 cm) tall. As for how it weighs, when fully assembled that number sits at 83 lbs (37.6 kg). It does have a maximum weight limit of 325 lbs (147 kg), so that’s impressive.
The console is the highlight of the U618. It offers 29 preset workout programs to choose from, as well as the ability to connect through Bluetooth to apps like Explore The World. This console can also be tilted to your preferred angle. You also have multi-grip handlebars and a gel-padded seat to use in order to get comfy. Some have complained that the seat can get uncomfortable after a while, but this can be fixed with a cushion.
ProForm 8.0 EX Fitness Upright Exercise Bike
In second place of our best upright bikes under $1000 is the ProForm 8.0 EX Upright Bike. This bike is made for those who are new to the field of using these machines regularly and it does the job for regulars as well.
The resistance system is electromagnetic, being controlled from the console instead of a manual knob. Thanks to the belt drive, this upright exercise bike under $1000 is smooth and quiet even at the higher levels. The 16 lb (7.2 kg) flywheel delivers 25 levels of resistance. However, some more experienced veterans might find this doesn’t offer enough challenge
The dimensions of the ProForm 8.0 are as follows: it is 61.5 (156 cm) long, 23 inches (58 cm) wide and 42 inches (107 cm) tall.This is a case where the bike is longer than tall. It weighs 119 lbs (54 kg) and can hold 300 lbs (136 kg) for long durations.
The console has 30 built-in workouts ready for you and is also able to access iFit coaching if you are subscribed to that service. It also shows you stats like speed, calorie burn, heart rate, and time add up. The seat is quite comfortable here, while the pedals are oversized and can fit just about anyone.
Schwinn Fitness 170 Exercise Upright Bike
Rounding out the top three is the Schwinn 170 Upright Bike. Seen in many best exercise upright bike reviews under 1000, this bike falls into the middle of our price range while offering other benefits alongside.
The Schwinn 170 Upright Bike uses magnetic resistance that is controlled from the console. It has a 13-lb (6 kg) flywheel and belt drive system in order to make it quiet and low-maintenance. There are 25 different resistance levels to choose from by default.
The Schwinn 170 is not the largest bike out there, but it’s not the smallest either. It’s dimensions are 41.3 inches (105 cm) long, 21.4 inches (54 cm) wide and 55.6 inches (141 cm) tall. It weighs a fairly light 58.4 lbs (26.5 kg) and can hold a maximum weight of 300 lbs (136 kg).
The console onboard this bike has 29 workout programs and can display stats like time, distance, speed, RPM, heart rate and others. It can also connect to apps like MyFitnessPal and RideSocial. The seat does suffer a bit in terms of comfortability, but this can be replaced. There are also bonus features like water bottle holders and even an MP3 player.
Nautilus U616 Indoor Exercise Upright Bike
4 used from $232.04
Another contender from Nautilus, this time we have the U616 Upright Bike. A cheaper version of the earlier U618, it still has quality in it.
The resistance that comes with this bike is similar to all those we’ve seen before. It is controlled through the monitor, with 25 different levels of resistance to pick from. It uses a belt-driven system to keep everything quiet and smooth.
The U616 is a fairly light bike, weighing 68.6 lbs (31 kg). This doesn’t stop it from being able to hold 300 lbs (136 kg). As for the dimensions, it measures to be 42 inches (106.7 cm) long, 21.6 inches (55 cm) wide and 57.6 inches (146 cm) tall.
You have another quality console here, having 29 different preset workouts available. It can track stats like time, RPM, distance, calories burned and others. It’s got Bluetooth capabilities alongside being able to store user profiles. The seat is adjustable, but has a familiar problem of becoming uncomfortable after a while.
Circuit Fitness AMZ-594U Upright Exercise Bike
For those looking on a budget, the Circuit Fitness AMZ-594U is a good option. It doesn’t cost too much and delivers some quality exercise.
The resistance is powered from the console, so you’re going to need an electrical outlet for the bike. There are 24 different resistance settings available by default, all driven by the flywheel whose weight is unspecified. The poly-v belt drive makes everything smooth and quiet once again.
The AMZ-594U actually makes a fairly small footprint in the home. It’s dimensions measure out to be 37.5 inches (95) long, 22 inches wide (56 cm) and 54 inches (137 cm) tall. However, it is a heavy bike, weighing 79 lbs (35.8 kg). It can hold a max of 300 lbs (136 kg) for a long duration of time.
The LCD screen displays stats like time, distance, RPM, speed, watts and calories. There are 15 different preset workout programs (along with speakers and water bottle holders) that come with this monitor. Both the handlebars and seat of this upright workout bike are adjustable, though the latter isn’t the most comfortable you’ll find.
Sunny Health and Fitness SF-B2883 Exercise Bike
Entering the second half of our list of best upright bikes under $1000, we have an entry of the SF-B2883 from industry giants Sunny Health & Fitness.
The resistance system of the SF-B2883 bike isn’t a whole lot different from the previous entries. It’s magnetic, controlled from the console and has a belt drive in order to make the entire process quieter and to need less maintenance. There are 16 levels of resistance by default with this best upright bike under 1000.
In terms of the dimensions of the SF-B2883, you shouldn’t find that it takes up too much space. It’s dimensions are 34 inches (86 cm) long, 22.5 inches (57 cm) wide and 55.5 inches (141 cm) tall. Meanwhile it can hold a rather low weight of 240 lbs (109 kg) and weighs 60.8 lbs (27.6 kg).
The seat of this bike is adjustable 4 ways, but isn’t terribly comfortable to sit on. It can be replaced, which is good. The LCD console can display stats like speed, distance, RPM, calories burnt and others. It also has 24 different workout programs to help you, including 4 custom workouts that you can set up yourself.
ProForm 225 CSX Upright Stationary Exercise Bike
Up next is the ProForm 225 CSX Exercise Bike.. This is a fine upright bike, though it isn’t perfect as you’ll see in our summarised review down below.
The resistance of the 225 CSX is similar to all those above. It’s controlled through the console and powered by a belt drive to keep things nice and orderly. There are 18 different levels available to challenge you with a 17 lbs (8 kg) flywheel.
Once again, we have a fairly small footprint here. It measures out to be 39 inches (99 cm) long, 21 inches (53 cm) wide and 58 inches (148 cm) tall. It weighs a decent 66 lbs (30 kg) and can hold users up to 253 lbs (115 kg). Overall, not too bad.
There are 20 pre-programmed workouts that come with the console along with the ability to connect through Bluetooth to iFit training programs and maps. The seat is OK at best and uncomfortable at worst, while the pedals should fit most people. It seems most of the work went into the console, with an MP3 player going in there as well.
HARISON B7 Stationary Upright Exercise Bike
Nearing the end of our list, we have the HARISON B7 Stationary Upright Exercise Bike. A cool red and black colour scheme accompany this bike, but unfortunately don’t make up for the faults it has.
Here we have our first deviation from the regular resistance modes. This magnetic resistance is controlled through a manual knob rather than the console. There are 14 different levels of resistance available by default. The bike still uses a poly-v belt, so you’ll find the process to still be smooth and quiet. The flywheel weighs 13 lbs (6 kg).
This is a slightly larger bike than the past couple. However, it still certainly isn’t a giant by any means. It’s dimensions are 35.4 inches (90 cm) long, 20.4 inches (52 cm) wide and 51.2 inches (130 cm) tall. It weighs a light 55 lbs (25 kg), yet can hold a max of 300 lbs (136 kg).
The console here is relatively simple-looking compared to the other upright bikes for under $1000 we’ve looked at. It tracks stats like time, distance, total distance, speed, RPM, and calories. Unlike the other stationary upright exercise bikes under 1000, it does not have any preset programs to help vary the workouts. The handlebars on the B7 are non-adjustable, though the seat is. That seat is actually reasonably comfortable for the design that they’ve decided on.
Sunny Health and Fitness Exercise Bike SF-B2952
1 used from $129.17
Also featured in our best upright exercise bikes under $500, we have the entry Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2952. We know the names are rather confusing and we have mentioned this many times before. This bike offers some good parts, but less than its compatriot.
The SF-B2952 has a magnetic resistance that doesn’t require any sort of electricity to run since it is manually adjusted. There are less resistance levels here – only 8. However, the upper levels of the flywheel (whose weight is unnamed) can still provide plenty of challenge. The everpresent poly-v belt remains here, making everything quiet and stable once more.
It is a slightly bulkier upright bike, but that doesn’t make it exceptionally heavy. It only weighs 56 lbs (25.4 kg) and can support a maximum weight of 275 lbs (125 kg). It’s dimensions measure out to be 40.5 inches (103 cm) long, 21 inches (53 cm) wide and 51 inches (126 cm) tall.
The console is fairly basic. It can track speed, RPM, distance, calories and so on. While it doesn’t have any preset programs installed, it can allow you to set goals for your workout session. The handlebars are not adjustable here, although the seat is. However, that seat does not happen to be particularly comfortable regardless of where you put it. We recommend replacing it or finding a cushion.
HIROLLOP Upright Desk Cycling Exercise Bike
A relatively unknown brand and relatively strange design to end our list, we’ve got the HIROLLOP Desk Cycle Exercise Bike. As you might be able to guess, this bike includes a desk.
This bike comes with only 8 levels of resistance, though the upper levels can still provide a decent challenge to users. It’s a magnetic resistance system that is controlled by a knob that sits underneath the desk. The belt drive finishes our list without abandoning us, as it returns here in order to make everything that much more quiet.
This desk cycle takes up a little bit less room than you’d be used to from regular exercise upright bikes under 1000. It measures out to be approximately 25.6 inches (65 cm) long, 17.5 inches (44 cm) wide and 33.6 inches (85 cm) tall. We don’t actually know how much it weighs, as that is not listed anywhere. We do know that it can hold a max user weight of 265 lbs (120 kg).
The biggest “gig” of this bike is the fact that the monitor and console is replaced with a desk that you can place a tablet or laptop on. This means that you can work on projects, schoolwork, emails or other such activities while getting fit. This bike shares the problem of having an uncomfortable seat that has plagued so many of those in our list.
Buyers’ Guide to Choose The Best Upright Bike Under $1000
Now we’re going to state some of the individual components you should look when buying an exercise bike to make sure the bike you are interested in is right for you.
Type of Resistance: All of these resistance types are magnetic. However, you can also get 2 different magnetic resistances- one controlled manually and one controlled from the monitor. The stationary bikes under $1000 that come with computer controlled magnetic are better because they are the only ones that also come with preset-programs.
Monitor: These can do anything from display simple statistics to controlling the workout and connect to fitness apps. When looking into fitness upright bikes under 1000, make sure you know what can do.
Price: Considering these bikes can range from a couple hundred dollars to nearly $1000, you’ll want to make sure that you can a) afford it and b) it will provide good value for the money.
Adjustability: Many of these cycling upright bikes under 1000 have adjustable seats and handlebars, but others do not have the latter. You’ll want to make sure you can adjust to sit comfortably on board. Speaking of…
Comfort: The seats are crucial parts of the exercise upright bikes. Since many of these do have a problem with that, you might also want to look at getting a replacement seat that you know will keep you comfortable.
Final Verdict
It’s hard to recommend anything outside of our top 3 choices. The Nautilus U618, ProForm 8.0, and Schwinn 170 all do excellent jobs and offer different prices. They are some of the best upright bikes you will find in this price range and you’d be hard-pressed to find bikes that will offer more (or better) options than those. But as always, we recommend you do your own research in order to make sure you can decide exactly what would work best for your own situation. Now get out there and get cycling!