A recumbent bike is a perfect answer to the most common question, i.e., ‘how to maintain a balance between health and work’. While it is important to stay healthy, but in the greed of earning more money, health does get on the backburner at times. But, you don’t have to do it anymore because you now have a recumbent bike over which you can perform intense workout sessions. A recumbent bike is a cross between a tricycle and a lounge cycle, but it is ten times more beneficial than both. You can use this bike even when you are suffering from back pain because of the unique design of the bike, which puts minimum pressure on your back. You will develop only muscle and not any pain, which is why a recumbent bike is one of the most popular exercise machines in the world. To find out the best recumbent bike, check out seven recumbent bike reviews consumer reports.
Reviewing 7 Best Recumbent Bikes
1. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709
Get this recumbent bike if you are looking to shed that extra fat off your belly and increase your cardio strength. With this magnetic resistant recumbent exerciser, you can enjoy a full-body workout in the comfort of your house. Designed with a premium quality 14 gauge steel tube, this recumbent bike will surprise you with its excellent performance.
There is no doubt regarding the sturdiness of the unit, but what about the comfortability? Well, the company has installed the most comfortable seat in this bike, which is made of high-density foam along with contoured handles so that your body remains perfectly balanced and comfortable throughout the workout session.
Despite being deemed a compact recumbent unit, the weight of it is slightly on the higher side, i.e., 66.5 lbs, yet the machine can be easily moved from one room to another, courtesy of the wheels.
This recumbent bike is full of features such as counterbalanced pedals for maximum foot support, adjustable foot strap to keep the feet in a proper position, 8 resistance levels that can be adjusted through knobs, an ultra-functional screen for checking multiple parameters such as speed, distance traveled, calories burned and more. When it comes to the drawback of the unit, it has got just one, i.e., hardly any pedaling resistance, so if you are not wearing the foot straps, then you may damage your feet.
2. Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike
When you want an efficient exercising machine in your small apartment, then you can take a look at Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike. You can easily fold the machine and store it in one corner of the room. Despite being so compact and lightweight (39lbs), the bike is sturdy and comfortable.
You can exercise and watch TV or listen to music without feeling any discomfort whatsoever. The workout details such as calories burned, heart rate and distance traveled can be seen on the LCD display. The machine comes with 8 levels of the magnetic tension control system, which you can adjust according to your convenience.
The inclusion of flywheels in the bike allows easy movement. The transportation wheels make moving of the machine a lot easier. The company offers a 1-year warranty on the unit, which some may find a bit less, but that’s how it is. Talking about the drawbacks of the unit, then the pedals feel flimsy and the machine may not support a tall person with strong built.
3. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike
Sleek design, high performance, and totally value for money, these are some of the things that define Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike. The unit comes with 25 resistance levels, which is higher than most recumbent bikes. Along with that, the inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity allows you to connect several fitness apps with the unit, including RideSocial App.
The unit also sports a weighted flywheel for easy start-up, smooth running, and consistent workouts. You can enhance your workout experience by listening to your favorite tracks, courtesy of an MP3 port and in-console speakers that are given on DualTrack LCD display. Other accessories include an adjustable fan and a USB charging equipment.
The unit has 29 pre-installed programs out of which, 1 program is for a quick start, 2 programs for fitness testing, 4 programs are custom, 9 are for heart rate control and 12 for the profile. The inclusion of high inertia drive system ensures easy start-up for seamless workout sessions.
The company has added a contoured and ventilated seat that comes with lumbar backrest support, which provides the most comfortable workout experience. To adjust the seat, an aluminum slider system has been incorporated that can be slid back and forth to adjust the seat. There is no drawback in the unit as such, except the fact that the quality of the recumbent bike is average.
4. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike SF-RB4616
A comfortable seat, self-leveling pedals, magnetic tension control system with 8 level controllers and an LCD digital monitor, these are the most important things that you need in a recumbent bike, right? Well, Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike has got all those things and a lot more.
You can enjoy a strenuous workout session along with tracking your speed, distance traveled, heart rate, time taken, calories burned and more. Despite a compact unit, it can support weight up to 300 lbs, plus you can easily move the unit from one room to another, courtesy of the transportation wheels.
The bike sports a step-through design, which makes it easier and safer for users to get on and off the bike. The seat of this bike is adjustable, so just use the handle/adjuster to get the seat to your comfortable position. The company offers a 3-year warranty on the product, which is definitely a plus point. Talking about shortcomings, then there is just one, i.e., the resistance mechanism doesn’t hold up for too long and will bend with time.
5. Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike
One of the most affordable and dependable recumbent bikes you’ll see on the market, Schwinn 230 is what you need if you are beginning your in-house workout venture. The best feature of this bike is that it puts minimum pressure on your lower back. Despite that, the bike is equipped with plenty of features such as USB charging port, sound system, and media ledge.
The 22-item workout menu is great for beginners who have no idea what this bike can do. They can easily go through all the exercises on the LCD screen. The unit can store two profiles at a time, so if your partner too uses the bike, then his/her data won’t be mixed with yours. I really like the contoured seat of the bike, as it is padded enough to deliver the most comfortable experience.
Moreover, the seat back is ventilated to help you stay cool during the exercise process. The seat is adjustable, so as to accommodate taller people. For providing resistance, the unit sports a 13.2 lb flywheel system. A preset program can control the resistance, or you can use digital controls to alternate among 20 settings.
The handlebars of the unit are equipped with contact sensors that measure heart rate. The inclusion of a water bottle holder, a three-speed cooling fan and an accessory tray add to the convenience of the user. The company offers a 10-year warranty on the frame, 1-year and 2-year warranty on electronics and mechanical parts respectively.
6. Exerpeutic 900XL Smart Cloud Fitness High Capacity Recumbent Bike
For a mind-blowing cardio workout, there isn’t a better recumbent bike than the one I’m discussing right now. It is packed with many amazing features such as adjustable height, LCD display, magnetic resistance mechanism and more to deliver the most comfortable and accurate workout experience.
The bike is available with and without mat, so it is up to you as to which version you would like to buy. The purpose of the mat is to absorb noise produced by the bike. The unit weighs just 63 lbs but can support weight up to 300 lbs, which is simply awesome. You will get 8 level resistance controls in this bike, which you can change using the magnetic tension control system.
The operation is carried out by the precision balanced flywheel, which is accompanied by a V-Belt Drive. A combination of both delivers quiet and smooth operation. For easy maneuvering, sturdy transportation wheels are added into the unit. The bike consists of an oversized seat cushion that comes with a backrest, which can be adjusted for a person having a height of 6 ft., 6 in.
You can see all the details of your workout on the LCD display including your heart rate count, as the bike is equipped with hand pulse sensors that monitor heart rate. The company provides a 1-year warranty on the unit, which some may find okay, while others would complain.
7. Stamina 1350 Magnetic Resistance Recumbent Bike
One of the most popular brands in the US, Stamina has really upped its game with 1350 Magnetic Resistance Recumbent Bike. This bike gives you the ability to adjust the intensity of the magnetic resistance component using a tension dial. For a comfortable workout experience, you will get a padded and upholstered seat in the bike that can be adjusted according to your convenience.
To check your workout details such as your speed, calories burned, distance and time, you can tap into ‘Stamina InTouch Console’. You can track your workout progress as well, using the ‘scan mode’ feature. This bike is ideal for those who want to build muscle, as it is equipped with heavy flywheel/belt drive train. The inclusion of oversized pedals makes it easy for people with large foot size to ride the bike. The total weight it can accommodate is 250 lbs, which is a bit less than other recumbent bikes.
What Is A Recumbent Bike?
This is an indoor bike used for exercising in the comfort of your house. If you have established a home gym, then you must get a recumbent bike. To use this bike for exercise, you need to sit down on the seat. Your back will be in a recumbent position so as to take the weight off your upper back. This allows you to focus your workout on legs.
A recumbent bike is ideal for those suffering from upper or lower back problems. As you sit in a recumbent position, you won’t feel the weight in other parts of your body, thus preventing the activation of pain in the body. Recumbent exercise bikes are better than many exercise equipment because of the most ergonomic and low-impact designs.
When cycling on a normal indoor cycle or upright exercise bike, you will lean over, which could result in back pain over time, and then you’d invest in best mattress for back pain, which is good by the way, but my question is, why reach that far? Use a recumbent bike and you won’t develop any pain in any part of your body, as you will get a simple leg cycling motion with a complete relaxation to your back.
How Do Recumbent Bikes Work
A recumbent bike is just like an indoor cycle, but with a seat and backrest. The pedal is placed in the front rather than down below, which you will find on an upright bike. The cycle generates magnetic resistance, which is then applied to the flywheel just like how you would find in a normal indoor cycle. The momentum is created by flywheel, which gives a feel as if you are cycling an actual bicycle. A recumbent bike works predominantly on your glutes, thighs, and calves. You can select programmed workouts to allow the bike to adjust the resistance on its own.
Benefits Of Recumbent Bikes
As you are now aware of the working of recumbent bikes, it’s time to know as to what benefits it would offer to you.
Intense, Low-Impact Workout
With the majority of exercises involving maximum downward thrust to the legs, this could cause a lot of stress on back, hips, knees, and ankles, etc. You might not feel the effects at once, but you will start feeling the pain over time, and then, you won’t be able to perform any exercise. However, when you exercise on a recumbent bike, you can easily sit in a comfortable position and take the weight off your back and hips. The workout regime will be exhausting, but you will just burn calories and not develop any pain in your body.
Achieve Cardio Excellence
It isn’t just your butt and legs, which will get in shape after exercising on a recumbent bike, but you will get cardio benefits as well. If you used to think that running on a treadmill could get you the best cardio benefits, then you were wrong. A recumbent bike is as effective as a treadmill. By keeping your body active for an hour or so reduces the risk of heart disease and other severe health problems, and a recumbent bike would help that cause.
Calorie Burning
Cycling on a recumbent bike could help you lose hundreds of calories per hour depending upon your weight and fitness level. It basically depends on you as to how intense you want to go on a recumbent level, as there are multiple resistance levels to choose from. If you are building muscle, then it is obvious that your metabolism is also on the rise, which corresponds to the burning of more calories even after the conclusion of the workout session.
The Amazing Feeling of Exercise
While you are getting all the health benefits while exercising on a recumbent bike, but the benefits don’t stop even after you step out of the bike. The amount of endorphins increases in your body along with the reduction of symptoms of depression. As a result, you feel happier and more focused on your day-to-day tasks. Your whole body language changes in a matter of days.
Cost Efficiency
The whole idea of having a home gym is to invest one-time money and reap rewards for the rest of life. A recumbent bike is a part of that investment because by purchasing this machine, you will save money on gas and memberships.
Final Remarks
Each of the seven recumbent bikes that I’ve discussed has something new and exciting to offer to you. While some have a strong built quality, others have a set of amazing features. Some recumbent bikes can support up to 300 lbs of weight while others are packed with superlative performance, so the ball is in your court as to which recumbent bike you think would suit you the best. You can again go through recumbent bike reviews consumer reports to zero in on the best product because it is a tough job to choose one from such an incredible list of products.