A recumbent exercise bike is the most comfortable and convenient way to get a healthy workout every single day. This is a bike that supports your hips and back while you cycle away on your journey to get a healthy body. While there are other exercise bikes in the market like the upright exercise bikes, a recumbent exercise bike is way gentler and easier on your body and allows your body to recover as well as burn those calories in an effective manner.
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While these exercise bikes are preferred by people who have back issues or have some form for mobility impairment, people who are perfectly healthy can use a recumbent exercise bike to get a great cardio workout and get their heart racing. These bikes are used widely for physical rehabilitation, cardiovascular workout and for toning your muscles as well. This is the perfect exercise equipment for those who want to relax their upper body muscles and want to focus on toning their lower torso.
So how does a recumbent exercise bike works?
Targeting your lower body muscles, a recumbent exercise bike gives you comfort while you pedal and work on toning your lower body. This exercise bike is designed to strengthen your lower torso muscles as well as your heart. Pedaling with speed gets your heart racing and pumping blood throughout your body. It helps you have stronger legs, which is quite evident from the burn you may feel after an intense biking session.
Working on strength and endurance, this is a great tool for rehabilitation as well. For those with some sort of leg injury or back pain, this exercise bike gets them moving and also gives them support while working out.
The different muscle groups being worked on while using a recumbent exercise bike are the heart, the rectus femoris, the vastus medialis, the vastus lateralis, the semitendinosus, the medial gastrocnemius, the biceps femoris, and the gluteus maximus.
What are the benefits of using recumbent exercise bikes?
- You get maximum support while working on your lower body muscles.
- There is minimal stress on your joints.
- It has a reclined position which means that your lower back or your lumbar spine receives minimal impact and you can stay comfortable for a longer time.
- It has a larger seat, larger than most exercise bikes.
- You have minimal soreness the next day after working out.
- You can customize the level of difficulty depending on your comfort and drive.
- You can also adjust the inclination, which can give you a feeling of riding uphill or downhill.
- It can be used indoors, irrespective of the weather outside.
- It is a great tool for rehabilitation for injured people or people with limited mobility.
Our Top 2022 Picks: 8 Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes
1. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709 – ‘Featured Pick’
Recumbent exercise bikes are generally big and bulky, but the Marcy ME-709 Recumbent Exercise Bike is a sleek and compact version. If it most popular amongst people who don’t want to sacrifice their floor space but also want a toned and healthy body. But you must not confuse the sleek design with a flimsy construction, because it is a heavy-duty steel contraption designed to give you a challenging yet gentle workout.
Features and Specifications-
- The frame and the body of this exercise bike are made of 14-gauge heavy-duty steel tubing and a powder-coat finish.
- This recumbent exercise bike offers 8 levels of resistance.
- It has a foam coated wide seat for comfort.
- This bike has an LCD screen that displays the speed, time, distance covered and the number of calories burnt as well.
- The pedals of this exercise bike are weighted, making it counterbalanced.
Pros:
- The seat of this bike can be adjusted according to your height.
- The recumbent handlebars add extra comfort .
- The foot straps keep your feet in place and give you added support.
- This recumbent exercise bike has wheels for easy transportation and relocation.
- It has a weight capacity of 300 pounds.
Cons:
- Operating this bike can be loud for some people.
- It does not have a bottle holder or a mobile phone holder.
Check the latest price on Amazon!
2. Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike (NS-40502R)
Another fabulous recumbent exercise bike by Marcy, this one is quite similar to the ME-709, but we love its horizontally adjustable seat. Made for easy use in a home situation, you can use this bike while watching television or just hanging out in the living room. While these bikes may look deceptively easy, they go help you have a burning workout your body needs. It is also one of the most value for money recumbent exercise bikes you can get your hands on.
Features and Specifications-
- This exercise bike features a solid steel construction that is made to last.
- Offering 8 different levels of resistance, you can now customize your workout according to your personal needs.
- It features a high tech LCD screen to monitor different parameters like speed, distance, time and calories burnt.
- You can adjust the seat horizontally as well and adjust the distance between your legs and the pedals.
- The handles of the bike are grippy and comfortable.
- The pedals are counterbalanced with foot straps to prevent any slipping.
Pros:
- It is a very durable recumbent exercise bike that is made to last for a long time to come.
- It is a value for money product.
- The tension knob to adjust the resistance is very easy to use.
- It is portable, thanks to the wheels on this bike.
- It has comfortable and cushioned seat and handles.
- It has a weight carrying capacity of 300 pounds.
Cons:
- Batteries are not included with this bike.
- It does not have a bottle holder or a mobile phone holder.
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3. Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike NS-716R
Marcy has been a prominent name in the fitness industry for a while now, about 35 years to be exact. This means that it has garnered the support of many happy customers all over the country, and it continues to do so. Their recumbent bikes are very popular, and so is the NS-716R model. If you are looking for a high-quality bike but also don’t want to compromise on your budget, then this is the bike for you. This bike will have you swooning with the plethora of awesome features it has to offer.
Features and Specifications-
- It is made out of a high-grade and highly durable steel.
- This bike is totally adjustable, so no matter what your height is, it can easily accommodate you.
- The tension knob allows you to adjust and choose between 8 different resistance levels.
- The digital tracking panel lets you keep an eye on the speed, distance, time and also the number of calories burnt.
- The seat is very comfortable, giving minimal impact on your lower back, focusing on your legs and buttocks.
Pros:
- It adapts to uneven floors as well, thanks to the little pegs on its legs.
- It is very adjustable and customizable according to the person.
- The transportation wheels make it easy to move around.
- It has foam handle and cushioned seat.
- It has a bottle holder.
- It has a weight carrying capacity of 300 pounds.
Cons:
- It does not have preset workouts.
- It does not have a compartment to keep your phone.
Check the latest price on Amazon!
4. Progear 555LXT Magnetic Tension Recumbent Bike
This recumbent exercise bike is the most popular one people who are interested in home gym equipment have been going for. The feature people love best is the one where they can set their own personalized fitness goals and push them further day by day. Those who love a good challenge will especially love this exercise bike. The step-through steel frame was designed to be extremely durable and last for a long time.
Features and Specifications-
- It has a heavy-duty step-through steel frame.
- The user can choose between 14 different levels of magnetic tension resistance.
- It has 3 computer goal workout settings.
- It has infinite seat slider adjustments that can be made as per the comfort of the user.
- It has a wide LCD screen with large numbers for easy viewing.
- The pedals come with foot straps to avoid slipping and provide greater grip.
- The quiet-drive belt system gives you a noiseless exercising experience without disturbing others around the home.
Pros:
- It has an extended cushioned seat for added comfort.
- The backrest is very comfortable too.
- It is practically noiseless.
- It comes with a water bottle holder.
- It has a compartment for you to store your phone, tablet, iPad, etc.
- It comes with a set of transportation wheels for portability.
- It has a weight capacity of 250 pounds.
Cons:
- The exercise bike may wobble after being used extensively.
Check the latest price on Amazon!
5. Stamina 1350 Magnetic Resistance Recumbent Bike
If you are looking at getting a low-impact cardio workout in the comfort of your own home, then investing in this recumbent exercise bike is a good call. This bike offers a smooth magnetic resistance that gets challenging depending on the type of workout you are looking for. You can start off slow and increase the resistance as you go forward. This bike has a sleek design, compared to the other bulkier models there are in the market today.
Features and Specifications-
- It has a sturdy and durable steel frame with a one year warranty.
- It has an InTouch multi-function monitor that displays the speed, distance, time and calories spent.
- It has an adjustable seat for the users to adjust according to their height and comfort.
- You can adjust the resistance levels with the resistance knob.
- In case of an uneven floor, you can level it out with the leveling caps on the legs of the bike.
- The pedals re oversized and counterbalanced for easy riding.
Pros:
- It has wheels for easy portability.
- It can be stable on an uneven surface as well.
- It has a weight capacity of 250 pounds.
- The backrest and seat is cushioned and covered with vinyl making it easy to clean and maintain.
- It is smooth and silent when in use.
Cons:
- It does not have a water bottle holder.
- It does not have a pocket for the user to keep their phone.
Check the latest price on Amazon!
6. Velocity Exercise CHB-R2101 Magnetic Recumbent Bike
One of the most affordable exercise bikes on this list, we suggest you get this exercise bike when you have a tight budget but still want a killer body. The 8 preset levels of resistance help you challenge yourself without causing strain on your back. The screen this exercise bike comes with also helps you keep track of the time, distance and speed you have traveled and also the calories you have burnt. We love that this recumbent exercise bike has a 5-year warranty on the frame, which means that this is a very durable bike.
Features and Specifications-
- It has a sturdy and stable frame which does not wobble when you are using the bike.
- It has 8 preset levels of resistance.
- The pedals of this bike are padded and also have foot straps to keep your feet in place.
- You can easily keep a track of your progress, thanks to the LCD screen showing you all the parameters.
- The seat and be adjusted depending on the height of the user.
Pros:
- The foot pedals are very comfortable and snug.
- It has built-in wheels for easy transportation.
- It has a weight carrying capacity of 250 pounds.
- It has a great quality two-way flywheel.
- The seat of this recumbent exercise bike is highly adjustable.
Cons:
- The seat of this recumbent exercise bike is highly adjustable.
Check the latest price on Amazon!
7. Exerpeutic 1000 Magnetic Hig Capacity Recumbent Exercise Bike for Seniors
This is one of the best recumbent exercise bike for seniors keeping their needs in mind. Senior citizens who have mobility issues and struggle with back pain and joint pain will find this recumbent exercise bike quite helpful in getting their daily dose of exercise and muscle strengthening. A step-up from the 900XL model, this bike has many features that will draw you in.
Features and Specifications-
- It has a strong step-through design that is made to last for a long time to come.
- It has a smooth torque cranking mechanism.
- It has eight different resistance levels.
- It has an LD screen that displays different parameters like the speed, distance, time, heart rate and number of calories burnt.
- It comes with wheels for transporting this bike around the house easily.
Pros:
- Ideal for senior citizens.
- It offers great muscle rehabilitation.
- It has in-built transportation wheels.
- The pedaling action is very smooth.
- Can be used comfortably anywhere around the home.
Cons:
- It does not have a water bottle holder.
- Not suitable for very tall users.
Check the latest price on Amazon!
8. Phoenix 99608 Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
We really love the build of this exercise bike, it is sleek and stylish and also offers a very effective workout. Being extra quiet and smooth, it is the ideal piece of equipment you can keep in your home and even your living room. You will be very comfortable sitting on this bike and will have a great workout session, leaving you with toned and amazing legs you have always dreamt of.
Features and Specifications-
- It has a tough tubular steel frame made to last.
- It has a hand dial knob to choose between the 8 different levels of resistance.
- The monitor of this bike tells the user the speed they are going at, the calories burnt and other important details to keep track of your progress.
- The pedals of this bike are sturdy and come with foot straps to keep your feet securely in place.
- The seat and backrest are adjustable.
Pros:
- It is comfortable to use.
- The seat can be adjusted as per your height.
- It is a value for money product.
- It has wheels for easy transportation from one room to another.
- It has a weight carrying capacity of 250 pounds.
Cons:
- The LCD screen is not big enough.
Check the latest price on Amazon!
What are the different factors one must consider before buying a recumbent exercise bike?
There are many different factors that make a recumbent exercise bike a great one. It is a good idea to keep some of these features in mind when you are going to buy one for your personal use.
Some of the features to look for in a great recumbent exercise bike are –
- The seat of the bike -
Comfort is key, so make sure that the exercise bike you choose is good for your height and the seat is adjustable. The seat can usually be adjusted to reach the pedals comfortably, but there are some bikes where you can also vertically adjust the seat. The seat and backrest should be cushioned so that you don’t feel any impact.
- The build of the bike
The recommended material for the frame of the bike is heavy-duty steel. Some bikes will have a powder-coated finish to prevent scratches, but the steel should be of great quality and strength.
- The display screen of the bike
The display allows you to keep track of your progress. It shows the heart rate (in some cases) the speed, distance covered, time exercised and the calories burnt. A great screen is important and the numbers and figures should be clearly visible.
- The levels of resistance the bike offers
Most recumbent exercise bikes use a resistance mechanism that is magnetic. It is advised to have a minimum of at least 8 resistance levels so that you can take the workout t the next level without hurting yourself but also helps you challenge yourself at the same time.
- The pedals of the bike
Make sure that both the pedals of the bike you are selecting are counterbalanced and have foot straps. These straps keep your feet in place and prevent slipping when you are pedaling too fast.
- Additional features :
Most exercise bikes come with wheels for transportation from one room to another. This makes the bike very portable, which is a great feature to have. Also, ensure that the bike you choose has extra features like a water bottle holder and even a phone holder if you like having your things around while working out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
1. What is the difference between an upright bike and a recumbent exercise bike?
In an upright bike, you are sitting up without any back support, whereas in a recumbent bike, you get backrest and are comfortably leaned back while you pedal.
2. Are recumbent bikes good for workouts?
Yes, recumbent bikes are a great workout, especially for your leg muscles and your glutes. They cause very less impact on your back and help you stay relaxed in a comfortable position while you work on your lower torso.
3. Can I lose belly fat while using a recumbent exercise bike?
Yes, you can. Since this is a cardio workout, you also burn belly fat when you use this equipment.
Final Verdict –
The Progear 555LXT Magnetic Tension Recumbent Bike is Our WINNER! If you are looking for an exercise bike that challenges you while supporting your back and also being gentle with you, then this is the ideal one for you. With 14 different resistance settings and three different presets that get you moving, this is the crowd favorite recumbent exercise bike and we completely understand why!
