The 9 Best Exercise Bikes For Heavy People of 2024

Stationary exercise bikes are a classic workout tool for a reason. They allow you to complete a cardio workout indoors, but bikes are more compact and less expensive than many other pieces of cardio equipment, like non-folding treadmills or ellipticals. Not to mention, indoor cycling is generally beginner-friendly and low-impact, offering a variety of other benefits: It can help increase bone density and VO2 max (an important marker of cardiovascular fitness), lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and promote weight loss without the loss of muscle mass. (1) In fact, indoor cycling can also help increase leg strength, muscle endurance, and balance. (2)

If you’re in the market for an indoor cycling bike but you or a family member are bigger-bodied, you may be looking for an exercise bike for heavy people — one that you can trust to support you even when you’re out of the saddle. We’ve reviewed tons of the best exercise bikes and singled out the ones that work for riders who weigh over 250 pounds (a maximum rider weight for many models on the market). These exercise bikes can accommodate riders who weigh up to 300, 330, or 350 pounds and don’t sacrifice on features or value. Whether you’re looking for a recumbent bike, a self-powered air bike, or a studio-style cycling experience, there’s an option here for you. Here are our picks for the best exercise bikes for heavy people.

Best Exercise Bikes for Heavy People 

• Best Overall Exercise Bike for Heavy People: NordicTrack S22i
• Best Air Bike for Heavy People: Assault AirBike Elite
• Best Compact Exercise Bike for Heavy People: CAROL Bike
• Best Exercise Bike for Heavy People with Dynamic Programming: Bowflex VeloCore
• Best Peloton-Alternative Exercise Bike for Heavy People: Schwinn IC4
• Best Folding Exercise Bike for Heavy People: Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike
• Best Budget Exercise Bike for Heavy People: Mobi Fitness Exercise Bike
• Best Recumbent Exercise Bike for Heavy People: NordicTrack Commercial R35
• Best Exercise Bike for Heavy People with Peloton: Peloton Bike

How We Tested These Exercise Bikes for Heavy People 

Everyone’s workout needs are different, and the ideal way to find the best exercise bike for you is to try them all — but unfortunately, that’s just not possible for most people. That’s where the BarBend team comes in. Our experienced testers (a group made up of product reviewers, certified personal trainers, and even one Olympic lifter) hopped on more than 20 of the best bikes in the market (across all price points!) and carefully selected these nine as the best exercise bikes for heavy people based on the criteria below. Each tester scored the bikes between 1 (not great) to 5 (really great) in each of the following categories:

• Footprint and portability
• Delivery and setup
• Durability
• Customizations
• Adjustability and ergonomics
• Tech capabilities
• Conveniences
• Dynamic programming
• Customer reviews
• Value
• Warranty, financing, and returns
• Customer service

Best Overall Exercise Bike for Heavy People: NordicTrack S22i 

The NordicTrack S22i, our pick for the overall best exercise bike for heavy people, offers a unique workout experience. Our testers give it a perfect 5 out of 5 for its dynamic programming, customizations, and tech capabilities, which are really the stars of the show. This is a true smart device; it comes with an impressive 22-inch HD touchscreen, Bluetooth capabilities, iFIT integration, and automatic adjustment of resistance and incline during trainer-led workouts. That’s right: It can incline up to 20 percent, and decline to -10 percent, a feature rare in exercise bikes.

The iFIT integration is both an incredible draw and a potential downside. You get a free 30-day iFIT trial with purchase, but after that, it’ll cost you $39 a month or $180 a year. The platform offers a huge variety of classes, from studio-style workouts to immersive rides that take you through some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth — “It really feel like I’m in Hawaii or sitting in a cycling class,” our tester and certified personal trainer, Kate Meier, says. The standout AutoAdjust feature means your bike tweaks the incline and resistance depending on the terrain for a truly lifelike experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6JbKMsCmG4

“Without the iFIT subscription, I think the bike just isn’t very impressive,” Meier admits. You can use the bike in manual mode, and there are some classes you can access for free, but you can’t use the display to stream other workouts or watch TV. The good news is that the iFIT membership has added value even when you’re not on the bike; you can swivel the screen 360 degrees to do strength or mobility off the bike, or use the app on your phone or tablet.

The S22i can support riders up to 350 pounds (above the industry average), making it a great exercise bike for heavy people. “Overall, it’s a pretty sturdy machine, but I found that the handlebars and screen jostle slightly as you ride,” another tester noted — and there’s an increased risk of that when you have more weight behind every pedal stroke. (Perhaps the 10-year frame and two-year parts warranties can offer peace of mind.) Overall, our testers agree: If you’re psyched to use iFIT, it’s a 5 out of 5. But if that type of workout streaming isn’t your style, the $1K+ price tag may not be justified.

Read our full NordicTrack S22i Exercise Bike Review.

Best Air Bike for Heavy People: Assault AirBike Elite 

Air bikes can be a literal blast. As you pedal, the fan blade wheel turns, creating resistance by pushing against the air and giving you a nice breeze. The catch? The harder you pedal, the more resistance you face. This makes it a great tool for HIIT training, as you can get into high levels of exertion without lifting heavy weights or putting impact on your joints. 

Air bikes are unique among exercise bikes in that they work your upper body, too; as you pedal, you perform a push-pull motion with the handlebars, engaging your triceps, biceps, chest, and back. You can “cycle” with just your arms, just your legs, or do both simultaneously for an intense full-body cardio experience — but that’s about all this machine does. 

You won’t find many bells and whistles, aside from some basic Bluetooth and heart rate monitor connectivity, performance stats (time, calories, distance, speed, watts, RPM), and some simple guided interval programs on the LCD screen. The brand also has an Assault Fitness App, which offers equipment-specific workouts and training guidance, though reviews say it needs some work.

For heavy people, specifically, the Assault AirBike Elite may be a good choice because of the wider, more comfortable seat and higher rider weight capacity of 350 pounds compared to other Assault models. “I think the upgrades offered in the Elite model aren’t enough to justify the price, which is almost double that of the Classic model,” our tester and certified personal trainer says, and for that reason, gave this bike a 2.5 out of 5 score for value. (The AssaultBike Classic sells for $699 and has a weight capacity of 300 pounds.) 

The Elite also scored lower in customizations, with a 3 out of 5, since there are only six seat post height settings (the budget pick here has nine). However, it scored a 4 out of 5 for durability. “If an Assault bike can last years in a CrossFit box (with high-volume use and usually sub-par care), it can probably last decades in a home gym with proper maintenance,” our tester says.

If you’re looking to hop on, crank out a workout, and get off, an air bike could be right up your alley. But if you like to do longer rides or stream workouts, this may not be the exercise bike for you — especially at a $1,500 price tag.

Best Compact Exercise Bike for Heavy People: CAROL Bike 

Exercise bikes are generally a stellar option for small spaces and apartment dwellers, but if every inch counts in your home gym, you’ll still want the most compact pick. At 45.5” by 22”, CAROL is the smallest bike here (aside from the foldable and budget picks), scoring a 4.5 out of 5 for footprint and portability. 

It lands about 13 inches shorter than both the NordicTrack S22i and Peloton Bike, and is thin enough to slide into spaces next to couches and even into closets when not in use. “I found the bike to be extremely slim and easy to move thanks to the front roller hockey wheels with bearings,” our tester said. Though it’s compact, it can accommodate riders from 4’ 7” to 6’ 7” tall and weighing up to 330 pounds — 50 to 80 pounds more than many other bikes on the market.

Rider accessibility isn’t the only thing that makes CAROL small but mighty. This AI-powered bike was founded on the scientifically validated concept of REHIT, or reduced-exertion HIIT. Using AI, the bike learns where your personal maximum intensity is, and adjusts the resistance accordingly to make sure you hit it during your workout. A study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise tested the method, and found that 10 minutes of REHIT on the CAROL bike offers more cardiorespiratory and cardiometabolic benefits than 30-minutes of continuous moderate-intensity training. (4) 

The AI-powered REHIT workouts are unique to CAROL, and what our tester liked best about the bike: “The programmed workouts are amazing for HIIT, and I love that you don’t have to touch any dials. I suspect that’s what other people will use most, because of the expediency of the program.You can get incredible results in a super short amount of time,” they said. The CAROL workout program also includes longer interval rides, fitness tests, custom workouts, and free rides, and you’re not limited to their offerings. The bike’s 11” touchscreen is essentially an Android tablet, meaning you can also load your favorite workout and entertainment apps.

That said, CAROL is a state-of-the-art model and the most expensive bike on this list — $600 more than our overall best pick from NordicTrack, $1,150 more than a Peloton Bike, and nearly $1,600 more than a no-frills Schwinn — which is why our tester gave it a 3.5 out of 5 for value.

Best Exercise Bike for Heavy People with Dynamic Programming: Bowflex VeloCore 

The Bowflex VeloCore gets its name from a cool feature: The machine can tilt from side to side as if you’re on a real bike — which customers say adds a balance and core-strengthening element to their workouts. But it’s when you pair that feature with JRNY, the adaptive streaming platform integrated into the HD display, that the magic happens. After an initial fitness assessment, JRNY recommends classes based on your fitness level. 

As you level up, so will your recs, whether you prefer trainer-led or scenic “explore the world” rides. This personalized training feedback is one of the reasons our tester gave the VeloCore a 5 out of 5 in both tech capabilities and dynamic programming. Using the JRNY app on your phone or tablet, you can stream non-cycling workouts, too.

On the VeloCore’s display, you can stream Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and Disney+, but not other workout classes. “I feel the classes are lacking slightly (I prefer Peloton’s), so I wish the monitor supported other platforms,” our tester (who’s also a CrossFit coach) said, “and it’s important to keep in mind the ongoing cost of the JRNY subscription because otherwise, you can’t use a lot of the cool features the VeloCore offers.” There is a media holder on the display, so if you ditch JRNY and stream workouts elsewhere, you’ll at least have a place to set your device.

Hardware-wise, in addition to the leaning feature, this exercise bike has all the other capabilities you’d expect from a premium model, including 100 levels of quiet magnetic resistance. The only thing missing that you’ll find in competitor bikes is auto-adjusted resistance when taking classes; you’ll have to manually bump up or tap down the resistance yourself. 

To withstand the forces presented by the tilting, you know this thing has to be solid — and customers can attest that it seems like it’ll last, as does our tester. “I was impressed by the high-quality materials and minimal screen shaking while riding. Overall, it seems like a durable bike,” they said. The seat and handlebars are adjustable for a personalized fit, the screen can tilt, and the bike can accommodate users between 5’1″ and 6’5″ and under 325 pounds. That stability comes with one drawback: You’ll likely need a hand to move the boxes and/or the fully-built bike unless you pay Bowflex $199 for in-home assembly.

Best Peloton-Alternative Exercise Bike for Heavy People: Schwinn IC4 

Peloton has a stellar workout platform — and is especially beloved for their cycling classes — but their Bike and Bike+ both have a limiting rider weight limit of 297 pounds. If you’re just over that and want a home exercise bike that allows you to ride along with Peloton classes, the Schwinn IC4 could be just the ticket; it has a more generous maximum user weight of 330 pounds and can be connected via Bluetooth to your Peloton app. 

Even if you’re not desperate for the Peloton hookup, the IC4 is also a solid pick for a simple, time-tested exercise bike without all the fancy gimmicks. It’s a classic, solid stationary bike in many aspects: It has 100 microlevels of smooth magnetic resistance (which you can digitally adjust via buttons on the screen), an LCD console with basic ride metrics (time, distance, calories, speed, RPM, levels, and heart rate), four-way adjustable seat and handlebars, two water bottle holders, and a 10-year frame warranty that practically guarantees it’ll last. 

To that point, our tester gave it a 5 out of 5 for durability. “It’s a well-built bike that feels very sturdy and durable (even while being small and lightweight), and it doesn’t shake at all while I’m riding,” our tester says — an important consideration if you want to ensure you’ll be supported by whatever bike you choose.

It may not excel in the tech department, but you’re getting all this for under $1,000 and nearly $500 cheaper than Peloton’s entry-level Bike. Our tester can vouch: “I found that the IC4 has a very smooth ride, much like a Peloton or other high-end bikes but for nearly half the cost.” That’s why they gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 rating for its phenomenal value: “I think you get a lot for the price.” 

Read our full Schwinn IC4 Exercise Bike Review.

Best Folding Exercise Bike for Heavy People: Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike

If you’re limited by space or budget, you’ll be excited to know that there is such a thing as a foldable exercise bike — and it rings in at under $200 on Amazon. “This is a low-cost, no-frills bike,” Kate Meier, our expert tester and certified personal trainer, says, but if that’s what you want, then it’s a great option. It’s not as sturdy as a non-folding stationary bike, but it can support riders who weigh up to 300 pounds and accommodate heights from 5’3″ to 6’1″. And it’s surprisingly comfortable: “It has a really big seat (not like a regular bike seat!) and is very cushioned,” Meier says.

How fit can you get on this thing? Well, it’s not going to feel like a Peloton or luxe studio class, but it’ll do the trick if you want to get your legs moving while watching TV or add some low-impact cardio to your home workout routine. The easy-to-read LCD display cycles between showing your distance, calories burned, time, speed, and heart rate, which is collected via the hand pulse monitors on the handles.

“It offers eight resistance levels, which is below industry standard, but I found it to be enough to add variety and challenge to my workout,” Meier says, and “it folds up and rolls away as easily as a suitcase.” The latter is one of the biggest draws of a folding exercise bike, and why our tester scored it a 5 out of 5 for footprint and portability. Some reviewers even note that they’re able to fit it under or in front of their desk to use while working.

One drawback is the fact that there’s no media shelf or water bottle holder, which is why our tester gave this bike a 3.5 out of 5 on customizations. (There are some options sold separately on Amazon that may be able to attach to the handlebars.) It’s a “you get what you pay for” kind of purchase, but if you don’t want anything fancy, it could be just the thing you need.

Best Budget Exercise Bike for Heavy People: Mobi Fitness Exercise Bike 

Looking for a budget-friendly exercise bike for heavy people that isn’t so budget-friendly you can fold it up and stick it in your broom closet? This could be your match. The Mobi Fitness exercise bike has a surprisingly sleek look considering the fact that it’s under $500 on Amazon (that’s nearly $1,000 less than a Peloton and $500 less than a low-tech upright bike) and can support riders who weigh up to 330 pounds. There are also nine different levels of seat adjustments and 17 levels of handlebar adjustments so you can find the right fit — more than our tester expected for a budget pick, earning this bike a 4 out of 5 in adjustability and ergonomics.

Assembly is simple and takes about half an hour, and once the bike is fully built, it’s pretty easy to tip up and wheel around, our tester says. With an alloy steel frame, “overall, I think it feels pretty sturdy and I love that it can support up to 330 pounds,” our tester (and CrossFit coach) adds, “though it’s worth noting that the outer shell is made of plastic.” Mobi Fitness offers a one-year components and two-year frame warranty for the machine, which is significantly less than the warranties typically offered by higher-end models.

Amazon reviewers and our tester praise this bike for being whisper-quiet, and it packs some pretty decent tech for being a budget pick. It has a 26-pound flywheel and belt-drive system, which keep your ride smooth. The digital resistance control knob doubles as the display screen and shows all the usual metrics like distance, time, calories, and speed. You can even access free workouts on the Mobi Fitness app.

They aren’t industry-best (our tester gave programming a 3 out of 5) but they are free, and even auto-adjust the bike resistance for you — a pretty cool feature for an under-$500 exercise bike. The only other downside our tester noticed? “I hate that it doesn’t have a water bottle holder,” they said.

Best Recumbent Exercise Bike for Heavy People: NordicTrack Commercial R35 

If you deal with pain or are a total beginner to exercise, it may be smart to consider buying a recumbent bike vs. an upright bike. “For people with lower back pain, cycling [on an upright bike] may exacerbate that due to the positioning of the body on the bike,” says our expert reviewer and certified personal trainer, Amanda Capritto. “Seniors and individuals with limited mobility may struggle to get on and off of an [upright] bike, in which case a recumbent bike is recommended.” 

On a recumbent bike, the seat is behind the pedals rather than above them, which means more of your weight is in the seat instead of in your feet. That makes it easier to pedal and puts less force on your hips and knees. Recumbent bikes also have backrests — and the one on this NordicTrack Commercial R35 exercise bike is oversized and designed specifically to offer lumber (lower back) support, making it an especially comfortable option for heavier riders. “It feels really low-impact and is a good way to stay gently active while doing other things like reading a book or watching TV,” our tester and CrossFit coach says.

Like many other NordicTrack machines, this one has an HD touchscreen display and access to iFIT, a streaming workout platform with studio-style classes and scenic rides (which scored a perfect 5 out of 5 in dynamic programming with our tester). You’ll get a 30-day free trial with purchase, but afterward, it’ll cost $39 per month to keep streaming.

Without the iFIT membership, you can use the bike in manual mode, but won’t have access to many of the best tech features, like AutoAdjust resistance or progress tracking. Unfortunately, you also can’t use the screen to stream anything else, like shows or TV, and there’s no media shelf for you to BYO screen (though the brand does sell media shelf attachments separately).

With a 350-pound user weight limit — the highest limit overall on this list — it’s a great exercise bike for heavy people. Our tester scored it a 4 out of 5 for durability and says the bike feels sturdy: “I didn’t feel any uncomfortable shifting or shaking during the ride.” It has a 25-pound flywheel, which is under the exercise bike standard of 35-40 pounds, but sufficient for a recumbent bike, and offers 26 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance, which is well above the industry standard of 12.

Worth noting: At nearly 200 pounds and made of commercial-grade steel, this bike is stable but heavy, and bulkier than others on this list. “Based on the target audience for a recumbent bike like this, I wouldn’t recommend trying to move this on your own,” our tester notes. 

Read our full NordicTrack Commercial R35 Review.

Best Exercise Bike for Heavy People with Peloton: Peloton Bike 

Your wallet may not want to hear it, but the Peloton hype is real. If you love streaming Peloton’s workouts on your own device or have admired the brand from afar and are looking to buy a home exercise bike, it could be time to join the cohort. You can stream Peloton workouts on other exercise bikes, but most don’t offer the same seamless integration of real-time and post-ride metrics as the brand’s own machine. For example, the brand’s leaderboard feature (which allows you to compete with other riders during class) doesn’t work with non-Peloton bikes. 

With Peloton, you’re getting a solid bike: It has an alloy steel frame, 38-pound flywheel, and a smooth belt-drive system. “The bike itself is super quiet and quite sturdy. I didn’t feel any shaking while riding, and there are even stabilizers on the bottom if you need to adjust for your floor,” our tester and certified personal trainer says. However, you do have to manually adjust the magnetic resistance (of which there are 100 levels) with a dial, unlike the auto-adjusting feature on some of the competitor models near this price point or on Peloton’s own Bike+.

And whether you purchase your bike from the brand itself or on Amazon, it comes with Peloton’s standard limited warranty — five years for the frame, one year for the touchscreen, pedals, and components — which is significantly shorter than the 10-year warranties offered by competitors.

The bike itself, though, isn’t what sets Peloton apart; it’s the content that takes the workout experience to the next level. “I think the programming is top-notch,” our tester says. “The huge, 22-inch HD display and instructors provide a unique experience in every ride.” The giant community of Peloton users can attest to how engaging it is; in reviews, customers say the bike has transformed their fitness routine and wish they had only purchased the machine earlier. 

That said, the content comes at a price: you’ll need to fork over $44 per month to access the brand’s classes on your Bike. While Peloton users used to be limited to streaming Peloton workout content on their equipment, the brand recently released a new entertainment feature that allows you to stream the NBA League Pass, Disney+, Max, Netflix, and YouTubeTV.

How We Chose the Best Exercise Bikes for Heavy People 

To give you a complete picture of each of the bikes above, we took everything into account while testing, from the user interface and workout streaming options to the comfort of the seat, and friendliness and ease of customer service. Finally, because spending more money doesn’t always equate to a better product, we’ve also carefully judged the value of each exercise bike to give you an idea of what’s worth spending on. 

Durability and Weight Capacity

When you’re spending money on an exercise bike, you expect it to last. There are a few key characteristics to look for here, including a durable steel frame, smooth drive belt system, and an iron, steel, or aluminum flywheel (the metal disc that spins as you pedal and provides resistance).

The bikes listed here also support riders from 297 pounds to 350 pounds, making them great choices if you’re specifically looking for an exercise bike for heavy people. And especially important in this category is the warranty. The most durable bikes offer a 10 year warranty (like many on this list). Our expert reviewer and certified personal trainer recommends: “Look for at least 5 years on the frame, 2 years on parts, and 1 year for labor.” 

Price

When talking about heavy exercise machinery, to a certain extent, you get what you pay for. A sub-$500 foldable exercise bike just isn’t going to match the durability or experience of one that’s $2K+. That said, if you’re shelling out more than a thousand dollars on an exercise bike, you want to make sure it’s actually worth every penny. We took prices into account here to ensure that the bikes we’re recommending aren’t just good, but also worth their price tags.

Features

The techy features included in high-end workout equipment can be enticing — but that may not be what you need. We took a close look at the features of every bike we tested and pulled out their unique perks and drawbacks. Ultimately, it’s up to you which features matter for your individual workout needs and goals, but we can at least help cut through the juicy sizzle reels to get to the important facts. 

Benefits of Exercise Bikes For Heavy People

Although home exercise bikes cost a pretty penny, it can help to think of the purchase as an investment in your well-being. After all, regular physical exercise is one of the single best things you can do for both your mental and physical health. (6) Indoor cycling comes with a ton of physical and mental benefits, and purchasing a bike you like and want to use can make all the difference in getting you to show up and reap those perks.

Better Physical and Mental Health

Stationary biking has been shown to increase bone density, which reduces your risk of breaks or developing osteoporosis later in life; lower your risk of heart disease, which is the top cause of death in the US; and increase muscular strength, which helps you move well and prevent injury. (7)(8)(9)(10) 

Aerobic exercises (aka cardio), in general, can help manage and prevent diabetes, and any type of exercise is linked to positive mental health outcomes including reduced anxiety, depression, and negative mood, and improved self-esteem and cognitive function. Indoor cycling with an at-home exercise bike can be an accessible way to get all those perks and more. (11)(12)

Low-Impact and Beginner-Friendly Cardio

If you’re a beginner to exercise, starting a weight-loss journey, or live in a bigger body, high-impact cardio like running or aerobics can take a real pounding on your joints. Indoor cycling is a fantastic, low-impact exercise option that allows you to get moving without putting tons of force on your body. Over time, indoor cycling can help you safely build lower-body strength and aerobic capacity while keeping your injury risk low. (10)  

Workouts That Keep You Coming Back

Experts agree: The best workout for you is the one you actually do on the regular. Logging time on cardio machines can feel like a total slog, especially if you don’t have any guidance or feel challenged. The good news about many of these exercise bikes is that they’re more than just a piece of equipment; they have dynamic, interactive programming that makes your rides more fun, personalized, and challenging. They offer scenic views, energy-boosting playlists, games, and entertainment so that you can create a workout routine that adds more joy to your day and keeps you coming back. 

What to Consider Before Buying an Exercise Bike for Heavy People 

An exercise bike is a big purchase: You’re sacrificing some significant square footage in your home to make a dedicated space for your workout needs, as well as handing over some serious cash — so you want to make sure you’ll like what you buy. Take a second to reflect on exactly what you’re looking for in an exercise bike. Do you want something high-tech or just a place to pedal? Will you need to move it around? Do you prefer guided workouts, or doing your own thing? Here are a few key characteristics to consider.

Workout Style

Because many of the best indoor cycling bikes come with their own built-in workout streaming platforms — which often come with their own cost — it’s important to decide if you want that kind of workout experience or not. If you’d rather stream free cycling workouts on YouTube, watch the workouts of your choice on your smartphone or TV, or pedal while reading or working, a bike with a built-in screen and workout platform may be a waste of money for you. 

On the other hand, if you love the vibe of a studio cycling class and want a bike that comes with plenty of guided workouts, a high-tech bike with a streaming platform membership may be just the ticket. Finally, if you’re buying an exercise bike to complement cycling outside or to train during the winter, you’ll also want to consider which exercise bikes have a look and feel similar to your outdoor bike, as well as pedals compatible with your cleats.

Weight Limit

If you’re on this page, it’s because you’re looking for the best exercise bike for a heavier rider, whether that’s yourself or someone in your household. While all of the bikes here have weight limits above the industry average, it’s important to check each one to make sure it’s suitable for the intended rider to use. Here’s a quick glance at all the user weight limits for all the bikes included here.

Workout Intensity

When considering at-home exercise bikes, you’ll need to consider how hard you want to work out. If you love doing all-out efforts or HIIT training, you’ll want an upright bike or air bike that’s stable, durable, and built to withstand that kind of aggressive movement. If you’re looking to pedal at a more leisurely pace, a recumbent bike or less heavy-duty upright bike might work for you.

Cost

Exercise bikes on the market come in a huge range of costs, from under $200 to multiple thousands. Which one is right for you will depend on the type of workouts you like to do and your goals, but it’ll also depend on what’s in your budget. It’s especially important to note that some bikes come with optional workout streaming services, which will become an extra monthly charge even after the initial investment. To help you get a better idea of the price differences, here’s a cost breakdown of all our top exercise bike picks for heavy riders.

There’s a wide range of prices here, and with that comes a wide range of product experiences. With the more affordable bikes, you’re getting the basics: a place to pedal, some resistance to work against, an adjustable seat, a limited warranty, and some simple metrics about your rides.The middle range will come with a more stable frame, heavier flywheel, smoother ride, longer warranty, and some tech, but leave the workouts up to you. The high-end exercise bikes will come with great hardware plus all the technological bells and whistles, an HD touchscreen display, streaming capabilities, workout programming, smoother and quieter pedaling, a 10+-year warranty, and in some cases, automatic resistance, tilting, or incline/decline. 

Find where you’re comfortable price-wise, consider which features call you the most, and then also consider: Do you want to be locked into a streaming subscription? If so, which one sounds like your workout style and comes at a cost you can justify each month? It’s a lot to think about, but it’ll help you find the exercise bike that’s worth your money. 

Types of Exercise Bikes 

Not all exercise bikes are created equal — and not all exercise bikes are even the same general type. There are three main categories to know about: upright, air, and recumbent. 

“Recumbent bikes allow people with mobility limitations or injuries to enjoy cycling, as they are reclined and take pressure off of the hips and back,” says our expert reviewer and certified personal trainer, Amanda Capritto. “Upright bikes are your typical stationary bikes, which are excellent for high-intensity exercise and tech-savvy cyclists who love to take fitness classes [as some have streaming capabilities]. Air bikes are powered by the user, with a fan flywheel that creates resistance. They’re found in CrossFit gyms and are popular among people who enjoy CrossFit and similar exercise regimens.” We get into the details of each type below.

Upright

An upright bike is likely what you imagine when you think about a stationary bike in a gym, cycling studio, or home gym setting. It has a single flywheel and handlebars and is meant to look and ride similar to a road bike. You can ride seated, with your butt in the saddle, or standing up. Typically, you’ll need to lean forward when you’re seated in order to reach the handlebars and mimic the feeling of riding a bike.

Air

You may have seen an air bike in a gym, functional fitness studio, or CrossFit box; it makes a big whooshing sound when it’s being used, so it’s hard to miss. You typically sit very upright on an air bike, and instead of handlebars, it has two large moving arms that you push and pull in addition to pedaling with your feet. For this reason, compared to other types of exercise bikes, an air bike tends to be more of a full-body workout. 

Recumbent

A recumbent bike offers the gentlest workout of the three types of exercise bikes. Instead of sitting upright or even leaning forward, a recruitment bike allows you to sit back, thanks to a full backrest in addition to the seat. Because you have less of your own weight in your legs while pedaling, and you don’t need to support your torso to stay upright, recumbent bikes tend to be easier overall and a great choice for beginners or people overcoming injuries. In fact, you’ll often see this type of bike in physical therapy offices.

Final Word 

Buying a piece of at-home cardio equipment can feel like a big step — and it is. No matter whether you decide to go for one of these exercise bikes or a walking treadmill, it’s important to consider what will work best for you rather than just buying the hottest workout toy on the market. After all, an industry-best exercise bike is only worth the splurge if you actually use it. Take time to consider what might work best for your body, home gym, family, and workout routine, before hitting “add to cart.” 

Are you looking to escape into a virtual spin class or picturesque ride, or would you rather pedal leisurely while watching your favorite Netflix shows? Do recumbent bikes feel better on your body, or would you prefer an upright bike that gives you the option to stand up out of the saddle? Where will you put the exercise bike, and if it’s smack dab in the middle of your living room, what sort of look will make you loathe its existence least? All of these questions factor into the decision of which exercise bike is best for you.

FAQs 

References

1. Chavarrias M, Carlos-Vivas J, Collado-Mateo D, Pérez-Gómez J. Health Benefits of Indoor Cycling: A Systematic Review. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 Aug 8;55(8):452. 
2.  Rissel C, Passmore E, Mason C, Merom D. Two pilot studies of the effect of bicycling on balance and leg strength among older adults. J Environ Public Health. 2013;2013:686412. 
3. Schlegel, Petr & Křehký, Adam & Hiblbauer, Jan. (2022). Physical fitness improvement after 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training with air bike. 
4. Cuddy TF, Ramos JS, Dalleck LC. Reduced Exertion High-Intensity Interval Training is More Effective at Improving Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cardiometabolic Health than Traditional Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Feb 7;16(3):483. 
5. Recumbent Bike vs. Upright Bike: What’s the difference? International Sports Sciences Association. (2019, July 31). https://www.issaonline.com/blog/post/recumbent-bike-vs-upright-bike-whats-the-difference 
6. Benefits of Physical Activity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, Aug 1).  https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm 
7. Petersen BA, Hastings B, Gottschall JS. Low load, high repetition resistance training program increases bone mineral density in untrained adults. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2017 Jan-Feb;57(1-2):70-76.
8. Blond K, Jensen MK, Rasmussen MG, Overvad K, Tjønneland A, Østergaard L, Grøntved A. Prospective Study of Bicycling and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Danish Men and Women. Circulation. 2016 Nov 1;134(18):1409-1411.
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, January 17). Leading Causes of Death. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm 
10. Ozaki H, Loenneke JP, Thiebaud RS, Abe T. Cycle training induces muscle hypertrophy and strength gain: strategies and mechanisms. Acta Physiol Hung. 2015 Mar;102(1):1-22. 
11. Sheri R. Colberg, Ronald J. Sigal, Jane E. Yardley, Michael C. Riddell, David W. Dunstan, Paddy C. Dempsey, Edward S. Horton, Kristin Castorino, Deborah F. Tate; Physical Activity/Exercise and Diabetes: A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care 1 November 2016; 39 (11): 2065–2079.
12. Sharma A, Madaan V, Petty FD. Exercise for mental health. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2006;8(2):106. 
13. Chavarrias M, Carlos-Vivas J, Collado-Mateo D, Pérez-Gómez J. Health Benefits of Indoor Cycling: A Systematic Review. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 Aug 8;55(8):452. 
14. American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart Association. (2024, Jan 19).

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