Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes with Arm Workouts
When I was recovering from my accident, I was looking for some sort of exercise bike to stay active and control my weight. So, I did some research and came across these recumbent exercise bikes with arm workouts that have foot pedals and arm pedals.
I tried one of these arm recumbent bikes and I love the low-impact and full-body workout. I ended up using it even after I was fully recovered. Years passed and I tried a few more of these arm and leg recumbent exercise bikes in order to write this review and guide.
I found out they are not all the same really, some of them offer a better ellipse motion which is easier on the knees while some are just like regular recumbent exercise bikes with circular motion. I do like them both but without any doubt, linear/ellipse motion is easier to pedal and puts less pressure on the knees.
In this article, I reviewed and compared some of the really best recumbent exercise bikes with arm and leg pedals that offer upper and lower body workouts. I covered all the aspects of these full body recumbent exercise bikes but if you still have any questions, let me know in the comment section below.
| Recumbent names | My verdict | Rider support | Flywheel weight | Resistance type | Resistance controls | Display type | Media shelf | Preset programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stamina Elite | A little overpriced and very little technology but offers fully body workout | 4'6" to 6'3" | 250 Lbs | 10-Lb | 8-LEVELS OF MANUAL MAGNETIC | NO RESISTANT CONTROLS ON THE GRIPS | NO BACKLIT & NO BLUETOOTH | WITHOUT TABLET HOLDER | NONE |
| Teeter FreeStep | A little expensive and outdated technology but full body workout | 4'9" to 6'6" | 300 Lbs | 7-Lb | 13-LEVELS OF MANUAL MAGNETIC | NO RESISTANT CONTROLS ON THE GRIPS | NO BACKLIT & NO BLUETOOTH | WITH TABLET HOLDER | NONE |
Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Stamina Elite recumbent exercise bike with arm workout is a highly rated and compact recumbent bike, making it a great option for those with limited floor space. This brand is known for producing compact equipment like the Stamina in Motion, and the Elite recumbent bike is no exception. Its two-in-one design allows for a full-body workout, making it an excellent value for money.
One of the most significant features of this recumbent bike is its step-through frame, which is ideal for senior users or those with limited mobility. The bike is also equipped with transport wheels, located at the front of the bike, making it easy to move around as needed.
The Stamina Elite recumbent bike stands out from other recumbent bikes with its moving handlebars, allowing users to work out both their upper and lower body simultaneously. Although resistance does not apply to the handlebars, the workout is still challenging and effective. For users who prefer resistance for their upper body workout, the Teeter may be a better option, albeit slightly pricier.
This compact recumbent bike has eight magnetic resistance levels that can be easily adjusted using a knob located below the console on the frame. Unfortunately, it’s not electronically adjustable like Schwinn, Nautilus, Sole, and 3G recumbent exercise bikes. So, a program can’t change your resistance to mimic uphill/downhill or stay within a target heart rate zone.
Also, every time you want to change resistance, you need to manually twist the resistance knob which often disrupts the pedaling fellow and is not ideal compared to those recumbent exercise bikes such as Nautilus that have resistance control buttons built into handlebars.
The pedals feature adjustable straps and are bi-directional, allowing users to pedal backward as well. The upper body pedals are adjustable fore/aft and can also be used in both directions. It is important to note that the upper-body pedals operate independently of the lower-body pedals. So, you can lean back and only use your legs like a regular recumbent stationary bike or lean forward and also use your arms.
You can use the foot pedals for a few moments and then the arm pedals. When using both arm and foot pedals there is no resistance for the arm pedals. They should have added an independent resistance system for the arm pedals like Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RB4631.
The Stamina Elite recumbent bike features a relatively soft, cushioned seat that can be adjusted four ways: forward, backward, up, and down, allowing for a personalized and comfortable ride. The backrest is also padded with an angle but is not adjustable. The hand grips on the side of the seat feature built-in pulse sensors to track the user’s heart rate.
No other recumbent exercise bike that I tried and added to this article allows vertical seat adjustment. It’s probably one of the most overlooked features of this dual-action recumbent machine making it a great fit for the elderly who can’t bend their knees to much. You can just raise the seat height which makes it easy for everyone to mount and dismount.
The construction of this total body recumbent bike supports up to 250 lbs of user weight, which may not be as impressive compared to other recumbent exercise bikes on the market, especially the Schwinn 270 which can take up to 300 lbs of user weight.
Also, because of its compact design, it has a smaller range of user height capacity from 4’6″ to 6’3″ which is less than many other compact recumbent machines I have tried. So, if you are taller than the mentioned height, you may want to stick with the Schwinn or Nautilus recumbent exercise bikes instead.
The console is expertly basic and lacks Bluetooth and ANT/+ connectivity. It’s only 2.5″ in width and 1.5″ in length and it doesn’t have any backlit but it tracks essential metrics such as speed, calories, heart rate, distance, and workout time. The bike also does not have a cooling fan, speaker, USB or MP3 ports.
There are no programs, user profiles, or wireless heart rate connectivity. So, you can’t save your daily workouts as you would on a Nautilus recumbent exercise bike.
While information regarding the flywheel weight is not available and we didn’t disassemble the whole bike to weigh the flywheel, the bike’s weight capacity suggests that it may be on the lighter side.
The pedal stroke and smoothness is okay at best but not as fluid as 3G or Nautilus R618, especially at higher resistance levels. The Stamina Elite recumbent bike does not require an electrical outlet and operates on two AA batteries.
Overall, the Stamina Elite recumbent exercise bike with arm workout is a good choice for those recovering from an injury or senior people seeking a compact, full-body workout machine with adjustable features and moving handlebars. Although it may not have all the bells and whistles of other recumbent bikes, it provides a quality workout at an affordable price point.
How Stamina Elite Evolved From the Previous Model
The Stamina Elite arm and leg recumbent exercise bike is an evolution of the Stamina 346 leg recumbent exercise bike. The Stamina Elite has undergone several improvements to enhance user experience and address some of the issues found in the Stamina 346.
Firstly, the Stamina Elite has a step-through high adjustable frame, making it easier for users with knee issues to get on and off the bike. The frame also supports users between 4’6″ to 6’3″, which is slightly better shorter users than the Stamina 346’s range of support of 5’1″ to 6’4″.
Secondly, the Stamina Elite comes with arm exercise pedals, allowing you to work out your upper body while cycling which is great for those trying to recover after surgery or an accident. The Stamina 346 did not have this feature which means you can only use your legs, not arm and shoulders.
Thirdly, the Stamina Elite’s seat is extra padded and ergonomic with lumber support, making it more comfortable than the Stamina 346’s less padded and basic seat. The Stamina Elite’s seat is also adjustable both vertically and horizontally, while the Stamina 346’s seat is only adjustable horizontally, and it is difficult to adjust because the adjustment knob is located under the seat so you need off the bike to access it.
Unfortunately, both Stamina recumbent exercise bikes have dark 2.5″ x 1.5″ consoles with no programs. Also, both exercise bikes have eight levels of manual magnetic resistance, bidirectional movement, and a fixed backrest. The resistance system on both stationary recumbent bikes is outdated because you need to manually change them via a knob. They can’t automatically change to mimic Hill Climbing or Heart Rate programs like Schwinn or Nautilus recumbent exercise bikes.
Finally, the Stamina Elite lacks Bluetooth connectivity and applications, which are not available on the Stamina 346 as well. So, you can’t connect either of these recumbent exercise bikes to online cycling applications.
Also, Stamina Elite’s arm pedals don’t have independent resistance and the bike doesn’t have a basic tablet holder to place your devices.
Honestly, despite its quality, the Stamina Elite is overpriced at $999. Instead, I recommend the Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RB4631, which costs $399 and offers independently adjustable resistance for the hand pedals, making it a superior choice for anyone looking for more features at a lower price.
| Features | Stamina Elite | Stamina 346 |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance | 8-Levels of manual magnetic (no auto resistance) | 8-Levels of manual magnetic (no auto resistance) |
| Programs | None | None |
| Frame | Step-through | Step-through |
| Console | Dark 2.5″ x 1.5″ (very basic) | Dark 2.5″ x 1.5″ (very basic) |
| Shelf | No tablet shelf | With tablet shelf |
| Programs | None | None |
| Price | $999 | $279 |
| Seat | Extra padded and ergonomic | Less padding and basic |
| Comfort | More comfortable | Less comfortable |
| Arms | With arm exercise pedals | No arm exercise pedals |
| Adjustment | Vertical and horizontal seat adjustment (easy-to-adjust system) | Only horizontal seat adjustment (difficult to adjust system) |
| Backrest | Fixed (not adjustable or tilting) | Fixed (not adjustable or tilting) |
| Pedals | Standard pedals | Standard pedals |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Applications | None | None |
| Bidirectional | Yes | Yes |
| Support | 4’6″ to 6’3″ | 250 Lbs | 5’1″ to 6’4″ | 300 Lbs |
Teeter LT3 Elliptical Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Teeter LT3 elliptical-recumbent exercise bike offers a great full-body workout, including upper-body exercise, with a unique pull and push motion that is more intense and effective than other recumbent arm exercisers like the Stamina. It has an adjustable seat to accommodate riders from 4’9″ to 6’6″ tall, and a solid durable frame that can support up to 300-lb user weight.
While the Teeter LT3 has been successful among those who want a comfortable full-body workout with minimum impact, the company has also an older and cheaper version called the LT1, which offers a few inferior features. I will talk in more detail about the differences between the two models down below.
The Teeter LT3 is a recumbent exercise bike with arm movements that features whisper Quiet technology and commercial-grade engineering, allowing you to exercise indoors at any time of day or night without creating a noisy environment. It is covered by a 1-year protection plan which is not impressive compared to Sole and Nautilus recumbent exercise bikes.
The unique and smooth pedal motion path of the Teeter LT3 is designed to protect your knees, eliminating the risk of injury-inducing knee shear caused by typical cardio machines that rely on circular bike motions. It is recommended for seniors and those in recovery. However, it is important to note that the step-up height is a bit more than traditional recumbent bikes.
The Teeter LT3 also features adjustable handlebars, which users can loosen the knob and adjust the hand-grips in and out to work on different muscle groups. When resistance is applied to the pedals, it also applies to the handlebars for a more challenging upper body workout. The seat and backrest are padded and fully adjustable, allowing users of different sizes to find the correct position for exercising.
One potential downside of the Teeter LT1 is that the seat is fixed and cannot be turned/swiveled to the right or left side, which could be an issue for some users, particularly seniors or those in recovery who may have trouble mounting and dismounting. As an alternative for the elderly, I suggest the Innova RCT2025, which is very similar to the Teeter but has a swivel saddle and a leg holder for added stability.
The Teeter LT3 offers 13 levels of manually adjustable magnetic resistance for the handlebars and pedals, offering a smooth and quiet ride. However, it is not electronically adjustable, so users must manually twist the little knob on the right side below the seat to change intensity. It would be more convenient if the resistance could be adjusted with a button on the handlebars to avoid disrupting the workout.
The computer of the Teeter LT3 is not back-lit and it’s extremely basic, but it allows users to monitor basic workout data like time, distance, speed, and calories. While it lacks some bells and whistles like Bluetooth, a cooling fan, and speakers, these features are not crucial for many users.
Despite its larger size compared to folding exercise bikes, the Teeter LT1 takes up less floor space compared to treadmills, ellipticals, and rowing machines. Transporting it is made easier with solid transport wheels located in front of the frame. It doesn’t require an electricity plugin to start the console, and instead, it uses AAA batteries which are included with the stationary bike.
Overall, the Teeter LT3 offers a great cardio workout and is the best recumbent bike for home use for individuals looking to work out their upper and lower body. With this recumbent exercise bike, you can burn more calories than with any other recumbent exercise bike in this guide in this guide and engage all major muscle groups to build strength and burn more calories, and reposition the handles to target your biceps and triceps.
How Teeter LT3 Evolved From the Previous Model
The Teeter LT3 has undergone several improvements and modifications compared to its previous model, the Teeter LT1, to provide better performance and comfort to its users. One of the significant improvements is the seat, which is now 17 inches wide and 11 inches long, with 27% thicker cushion, providing a more comfortable experience than the Teeter LT1, which had a 15.5-inch wide and 10-inch long seat with a 27% thinner cushion. The wheels have also been upgraded in the Teeter LT3, with higher quality, larger transport wheels compared to the lower quality, smaller transport wheels of the LT1.
The handlebars of the Teeter LT3 are longer and dipped, providing a better grip than the shorter and foam-covered handlebars of the LT1. The Teeter LT3 also has superior ball bearings compared to the inferior ball bearings of the LT1, resulting in smoother and quieter operations. The pedals of the Teeter LT3 are 6″ x 12″ with added rubber, providing a better grip than the 6″ x 12″ plastic pedals of the LT1.
The resistance mechanism in both the Teeter LT3 and LT1 is 13-level manual magnetic for pedals and handlebars, without independent resistance. Both models have three recline adjustment settings, no backlit console, no app compatibility, and a 7 lbs flywheel. They are both bidirectional, allowing for forward and backward motion. Unfortunately, both Teeter recumbent exercise bikes are only vertically adjustable but not horizontally which is a major factor for optimal comfort.
One advantage of Teeter LT3 and LT1 is that they burn more calories than traditional recumbent exercise bikes as they engage both the upper and lower body. However, they are bulkier and require more space, plus they are difficult to mount and dismount compared to traditional recumbent exercise bikes as they are not step-through, and their seats do not swivel. As such, they are not ideal for the elderly or those in recovery.
However, for the elderly and those in recovery, the Innova RCT2025 is recommended over the Teeter recumbent cross trainers because its seat swivels and is easier to get on and off the machine.
| Features | Teeter LT3 | Teeter LT1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999 | $829 |
| Seat | 17″ Width x 11″ Length with 27% thicker cushion (more comfortable) | 15.5″ Width x 10″ Length with 27% thinner cushion (less comfortable) |
| Wheels | Higher quality larger transport wheels | Lower quality smaller transport wheels |
| Handlebars | Longer and dipped for better grip | Shorter and foam cover |
| Bearings | Superior ball bearings | Inferior ball bearings |
| Pedals | 6″x 12″ with added rubber | 6″x 12″ plastic |
| Resistance | 13-level manual magnetic for pedals and handlebars (no independent resistance) | 13-level manual magnetic for pedals and handlebars (no independent resistance) |
| Programs | None | None |
| Backrest | 3 Recline adjustment settings | 3 Recline adjustment settings |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Bidirectional | Yes (forward and backward) | Yes (forward and backward) |
| Frame | Step-Over | Step-Over |
| Operation | Pedals and handles work together (not independently) | Pedals and handles work together (not independently) |
| Swivel | No right or left seat swivel | No right or left seat swivel |
| Console | No backlit 2.5×2″ | No backlit 2.5×2″ |
| Adjustment | Vertically adjustable (not horizontally) | Vertically adjustable (not horizontally) |
| Applications | Zero (not compatible with any apps) | Zero (not compatible with any apps) |
| Flywheel | 7 lbs | 7 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 Years warranty | 1 Year warranty |
| Support | 4’9″ to 6’6″ | 300 Lbs | 4’9″ to 6’6″ | 300 Lbs |
Sayed Hosseiny
Hi there, I'm Sayed Hamed Hosseiny, the founder and one of the authors at yourexercisebike.com (YEB). I am a former indoor cycling instructor and personal trainer with nearly 20 years of experience. With a passion for indoor cycling, I have spent years designing cycling parts, repairing, and importing exercise bikes. All the articles, tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on YourExerciseBike.com (YEB) reflect my personal opinion and expertise in the field. I'm excited to share my knowledge with fellow exercise bike enthusiasts and help people find reliable indoor cycling information and the best exercise bike for their needs.
