A recumbent exercise bike is a good choice for working out for individuals with a various degree of fitness. With their features, these bicycles provide you no or very little resistance whenever you start pedaling.
Most of the fitness instructors and health experts advise doing workout routines with recumbent bikes. These safe bicycles offer several benefits for men and women of all ages. All recumbent bikes are perfect for workout plans, which will allow you to enjoy your practice sessions extensively.
More...
Why A Recumbent Exercise Bike?
Though you see these bicycles with comfortable padded seats for simple seating, it offers more than that. Recumbent bicycles have become simple for even the sedentary beginners to create exciting workout plans conducive for them. Fitness enthusiasts can prepare a few excellent, challenging exercise programs with recumbent bikes.
The seats of the exercise bicycles are much bigger and much more comfortable when compared with other regular bikes designed for training.
There are a couple of advantages in trying out a recumbent bike. We’ve listed them here for you to know:
- Big people can sit comfortably during exercise.
- Recumbent bicycles are perfect for engaging and motivating workouts.
- These bicycles are compatible with any workout plan whether it is simple or complicated.
- Even if you don’t feel like exercising on a particular day, recumbent bikes can handle low-intensity workouts just for you to keep burning those fats on lazy days.
- Its design is highly ergonomic and requires one to settle back and lower down thus preventing pain and stiffness in the back.The recumbent bicycles permit you to make workout routines at the angle where the weight of the body won't stress your joints.
- Recumbent bicycles help improve your body posture.
- The bicycles can benefit people with knee and back problems. Most users are usually people who came out of rehab due to an accident.
It's best to purchase a recumbent bicycle that offers multiple choices for programs of exercise. The fact that a recumbent bicycle is excellent for all physical fitness levels should be enough reason to encourage you to go back on it.
Factors To Consider When Buying An Exercise Bike
With the multitude of choices available, selecting the best recumbent exercise bike can seem difficult.
The important factors and features to consider when purchasing the best recumbent exercise bike include adjustability, versatility, and safety among many others.
Price
The first thing you need to factor in before having the store swipe your card is the price. This may probably be the most important for you if you are on a strict budget.
You have to know that recumbent bikes are way cheaper than those upright bikes. According to recumbents.com, this is because recumbent bikes are not yet that commercialized.
The price range if a recumbent bike can go from as high as $500 to more than a thousand dollars. Those in the range of $500 are the heavier ones in the relatively older models.
Resistance And Intensity
It's also a wise choice to look for a bike that offers a controllable drive. Most exercise bikes can let you change the level of your workout. And that is a great feature for all who wants to improve their exercise from slow to pro.
By adjusting the resistance and intensity features of the bike, it will make the regimen deeper and more profound as your level of fitness increases, making your fitness stance more developed.
Height And Seat Adjustments
It is important that you select the equipment with an adjustable height. Most bikes are an issue for people lower than 5'3" tall. Seating and pedaling can become uncomfortable. The adjustment features allow fitness buffs of different heights to use the unit comfortably.
Another important factor to consider is the seat. You can assess how stable a bike is from its seat. A wobbly seat can only mean two things: loose screws or defects. It is, of course, essential that users are at ease on their recumbent bikes.
An uncomfortable recumbent bike will be more likely to be thrown away in the garbage. Another thing is that you have to test it first to ensure that the size of your seat suits you well.
Buying a recumbent exercise bike in a store allows you to check for defects. On the other hand, buying online could be a little tricky. View the reviews first. It could save you from cashing out your moolah.
Size Of The Rider
This is another crucial factor. You have to know that the comfort of riding these bicycles is dependent on your height and weight too. If you are taller than average, some bikes have long wheelbases. This will help you not overstretch your legs.
If you are on the heavy and tall side, you would want to consider buying a big and adjustable unit. Is there more than one person who will use the bike? If yes, you would also want to be sure that the adjustable levers are easy to operate.
Pedals
A good pedal should be simple and must have smooth motions. Contemporary models have straps on their pedals for stability and safety reasons.
Safety
Accidents are common, so it is important that all gears of the equipment should be in place and screwed tightly. A wobbly exercise bike can be dangerous. And if you have children around the house, they’ll be sure to play with the unit and likely hurt themselves over it.
Weight Tolerance
How heavy can your bike handle the weight? Most can keep up to having 300 pounds or more. Check how heavy you are and how much barbells can you add while riding the bike. If the equipment can’t take the weight, it’ll slide off (especially if the machine has wheels), and you’ll fall.
Heart Rate Display
Know how much you have worked out? See your heart rate monitor. It’s a display where you get to measure the progress and intensity of your exercise. Some of these units show the time, distance, calories, and hand-heart pulse. Modern features include USB ports for charging or blasting music, water holders, reading frames and sound speakers to have you motivated to exercise.
Note
Even if you have a great upper body, but you have weak legs, you should exercise on a recumbent bicycle to have a higher resistance. In addition to building strong leg muscles, you may also do curls whenever you pedal and may achieve good cardiovascular benefits. You can target different muscle regions of your legs utilizing a choice of settings and training programs for leaner and looking longer legs.
2019's Picks Recumbent Exercise Bike
Here’s a list of the best recumbent exercise bike we've gathered. Remember to check any features of the model before considering on buying it. See if it’s comfortable for you.
Product Name | Quality | Our Ratings |
|---|---|---|
B+ | ||
A- | ||
3. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike (Editor's Choice) | A+ | |
A- | ||
A |
The Marcy Recumbent bike is a room saver that lets you work out in smaller floor spaces. It also has eight tension of magnetic resistance for you to adjust to a more comfy seat position. Its big console display has 17 training programs with a hand pulse and heart rate monitor. This recumbent exercise bike has a padded seat and foot straps to keep your pedaling place.
The LCD of this unit helps you monitor and set your target speed and distance. It is light with a weight of only 66 pounds.
What we like:
- Since the equipment has magnetic tensions, it doesn’t make any sound when you’re riding it.
- It’s easy to assemble and adjust from the pedals to the seat.
- The frames and built are sturdy yet light enough to for you to transfer it from one room to another.
- Because the unit is lightweight, you can easily transport it anywhere. You can also set it up without having to worry about lifting it here and there.
- The unit also comes with wrenches so you can tighten the bolts quickly.
- The seat cushion is comfortable for the rider.
- It does not give out loud noises that other recumbent bikes do when pedaling.
- The rider has the freedom to lean forward or back while riding it; both are comfortable.
What we didn't like:
- The seat is a bit wobbly despite being screwed tight.
- The pedals will be hard to reach for people standing below 5’4”.
- Suitable for light to moderate exercises but not for heavy ones.
- When it comes to assembling the parts, the holes do not align.
- The pedals are too near to the floor.
The Exerpeutic 900XL lives up to its name, it's designed with therapeutic exercise in mind.
This recumbent bike can carry up to 300 pounds worth of weight and has an eight magnetic control system adjustment. Exerpeutic has hand pulse sensors that let you keep track of your regulated heart rate. A
s what people would love, the equipment is quiet and has wheels for easy portability. The seat is big and roomy enough for different users.
What we like:
- The unit is sturdy enough even for riders who are on the heavier side. The frames and wheels are built well for big riders.
- The instruction manual is easy to follow even for seniors who are usually confused about technology. There are clear diagrams of how to do the step by step procedures.
- It works well with any height as well. Even those people who are 6-feet tall can fit well on the seat and not have their legs all too bent.
- The riders can measure not only their speed and distance. They can also monitor their pulse rates and count the calories they burn.
- It has tiny little wheels on the far end. These wheels are intended for easy storage. You can move them freely to where you want it in your home.
- The cushion or seat allows the rider to go easy on their hips and waist. It is good even for the seniors who have a medical condition on these body parts.
What we didn't like:
- The backplate and seat sometimes come off.
- Adjusting the seat is hard.
- A gap between the seat and backrest should be narrower for comfort and support.
- The display monitor is a bit dim.
Schwinn offers 25 levels of resistance that lets you customize the intensity of your workout. The display monitor tracks your speed, inertia, and perimeter. It also provides a smooth and noiseless workout.
Also, Schwinn has 29 programs and four user settings to track your fitness goal. Added features include a USB port, a three-speed fan, transport wheels and mounted water bottle holder.
What we like:
- The resistance adjustment is easy as it needs you to push up and down buttons only.
- It offers a noiseless action when it comes to pedaling.
- The seat can be easily adjusted for comfort and for those who are too short or too tall for the bike.
- It can auto shut off after you stop exercising in case you want to rest and slump down the couch.
- It has speaker jacks for you to plug in your music.
- You can adjust its base for uneven flooring.
- The Schwinn recumbent bike has a dual display monitor.
What we didn't like:
- LCD is a little bit bright and cannot be adjusted.
- The fan is weak even at its maximum strength.
- Plugin for charging, however, is a bit slow and weak as well.
- The heart rate monitor sometimes doesn’t work.
Sunny Health has eight levels of adjustable magnetic tension system for you to customize your workout regimen. Its LCD monitor displays the time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse. In addition, it can hold up weight with a capacity worth of 300 lbs.
The unit’s seat is also adjustable with a handle, so you can easily set it to your preference.
For a noiseless workout, there’s a quiet belt transmission available with the bike.
What we like:
- Sturdy and easy to adjust.
- Easy to transfer from one place to the other because it’s light.
- The frames are well balanced and quite stable.
- Belt transmission allows you to pedal silently.
- It may be compact and light, but the bike can handle heavy weight.
- You can also monitor your pulse on the LCD. Toggling the options on it is also quite manageable.
What we didn't like:
- Software for the tracker in reading and setting the monitor is difficult.
- Connecting the cables from the adjustable tension system is hard.
- Monitor display is small and basic.
- The tension knob assembled to the drive wheel sometimes break down.
The Champ has a sliding seat adjustment designed for easy when working out. It also has a magnetic adjustable resistance with an electric motor drive and a power adapter, similar to the setup you would find in an electric dirt bike engine. With 17+ training programs, the equipment has also integrated a hand pulse and heart rate monitor. Moreover, the unit has dual-set ergonomic handlebars for various workouts you want to try.
What we like:
- Assembling the parts is easy.
- Pedaling is quiet.
- Resistance tension levels are excellent.
- It has a robust framework, and its built is sturdy.
- The magnetic flywheel is already installed. No setup required.
What we didn't like:
- The side handlebars were the biggest obstacles in assembling. A bad fixing could make it wobbly.
- The heart beat monitor does not show the true pulse.
- Pedaling is hard and sometimes brings stress to the knees.
- Seat adjustment is a bit small, and the bike works well for people over 5’3” tall.
Some Thoughts
You must think about your interests and needs whenever you want to buy the best recumbent exercise bike. A semi-recumbent stationary bicycle is a safer option for people experiencing low back pain. When purchasing a recumbent stationary bike, you must remember that an expensive model may not help you in attaining your goal to be fit.
Regular exercise with a standard model is sufficiently good to give you the needed support of improving your cardiovascular fitness. The safety of the users is given consideration while buying the best recumbent bike.
Our Suggestions for Seniors
Aging does not always turn out the way we want it to. Tons of hard work and discipline are required to achieve healthy aging. And for most of the people who have reached that “prime,” regular physical activity is needed.
This is where a recumbent bike comes in. It has now become an item for the oldies who do not have the means to hit the gym. This machine helps them add a little exercise to their daily routine
So what is the best recumbent bike for seniors? From our testing, it is a toss up between the Schwinn 270, and the Body Champ. Both are very easy to use, with multiple levels of resistance levels, making it ideal for seniors following an exercise plan.
If you feel that you are not able to manage getting on and off your recumbent bike, do not let this stop you from getting the exercise your body needs. Get a home carer to come and assist you. I'd recommend the folks at Assisted Hands, as they willing to help with anything, including getting you on (and off) your bike!
The Best Recumbent Exercise Bike overall is the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike! For an easy workout, the resistance adjustments are available for you to manage with only buttons to press. It’s pretty quiet and can well be adjusted to your height.
Its additional features like the fan, and plugins, though sometimes give you headaches, are considered as just extras for a pumped up to exercise. The LCD is a bit bright, though, and the heart monitor sometimes hampers your workout. It’s best to call a mechanic if these things happen.
However, using Schwinn 270 for various exercises proves to be more efficient. Your real goal here is to workout with proven results. Its additional features are just there to help you get motivated.
If a recumbent exercise bike is a bit to big for your home, be sure to check out the our Mini Stepper review, for a much more portable and space-saving solution to at home cardio!
