Regardless of your current fitness level, exercise bikes are a great, low-impact way to get fit and keep your heart healthy. And while the right bike can help you achieve your fitness goals, the wrong one can be costly to replace and may even discourage you altogether. That’s why we’re here to help you find the right exercise bike for you the first time.

 

5 Minutes, 5 Key Decisions

• Key Decision 1: Exercise Bike Type
• Key Decision 2: Accessibility
• Key Decision 3: Workout Programming
• Key Decision 4: Heart Rate Measurement
• Key Decision 5: Resistance Adjustment

Quality and Value

 

Key Decision 1: Exercise Bike Type

Each type of exercise bike features a different basic design and places a different range of physical demands on its riders. Based on your current fitness level and range of mobility, decide which type will be most comfortable for you to use on a regular basis.

Recumbent Bike- On most recumbent exercise bikes, the pedals are positioned at the same level as the body so you can lean into the backrest as you exercise to reduce pressure on your back, shoulders, arms and wrists. Recumbent bikes are generally considered more comfortable, especially for larger people, because they feature a broader, more padded seat than other types of stationary bikes. View Recumbent Exercise Bikes

Upright Bike - Designed more like traditional bicycles, upright bikes feature a narrower seat positioned well above the pedals and handlebars that support your upper body for a more intense, full-body workout. And, where recumbent exercise bikes require more space, upright bikes are more compact for smaller rooms and exercise areas.
View Upright Exercise Bikes

Indoor Cycling Bike - With forward-facing handlebars positioned almost level with a narrow seat, indoor cycling bikes mimic the demanding design of professional touring bicycles. Indoor cycles are designed specifically to provide high intensity workouts for professional cyclists and indoor cardio training classes.
View Indoor Cycling Bikes

Upper Body Ergometer – Available as table top or freestanding machines, upper body ergometers feature pedals where traditional stationary bicycles feature handlebars. Also called arm bikes or arm cycles, upper body ergometers can enable those with limited mobility or who are wheelchair bound to get their cardio exercise.
View Upper Body Ergometers

Key Decision 2: Accessibility

Your exercise bike should be comfortable to use, and that includes how easy it is for you to get on and off. While standard exercise bicycles are easily accessible for many people, others may benefit from an exercise bike that’s designed specifically for those who are wheelchair bound or have a limited range of mobility in their lower body.

Step Over - Many exercise bikes, such as those typically found in gyms, feature a center console that you need to step over to get in the seat. A popular design for most indoor cycles, upright bikes and recumbent exercise bikes, this design is best suited for those with a normal, healthy range of mobility.
View Step Over Exercise Bikes

Walk Through Design - Instead of a center console, these exercise bikes feature an open space in front of the seat. Because users only need to step a few inches to the side instead of over a console, this design makes it easier for those with limited mobility to comfortably mount the bike.
View Exercise Bikes with a Walk Through Design

Wheelchair Accessible - Many upper body ergometers and stationary bikes are specifically designed to be easily accessible for people who are confined to a wheelchair. Tabletop upper body ergometers are lightweight, portable and can often be mounted to a stand, and some upright bikes even feature swiveling upper body ergometers units and seats.
View Wheelchair Accessible Exercise Bikes

Key Decision 3: Workout Programming

Most sophisticated exercise bikes feature advanced options such as preset workout programs, interactive video games and real-time distance, calorie and speed monitoring. From basic workouts for beginners to more intense programs for exercise enthusiasts, these stationary bikes offer a variety of settings and features to help you stay engaged and achieve your fitness goals.

Preset Programs - Preset exercise programs automatically set your exercise bike’s workout parameters, including distance, time and speed. Because they offer more workout variety, exercise bikes with preset programs are ideal primary workout machines for exercising indoors.
View Exercise Bikes with Preset Programs

Readout Monitor Only - An excellent alternative to walking in inclement weather, some exercise bikes track your time, speed, distance and the number of calories burned. By walking at your own pace, you can get a more natural, personalized workout that’s similar to your usual walk outside.
View Exercise Bikes with Readout Monitors

Interactive Programs - One of the newest trends in exercise machines, interactive exercise bikes feature a monitor that’s programmed with video games. As you exercise, the bike serves as the controller so you can interact with the game through body movements such as pedaling or gripping the handle.
View Interactive Exercise Bikes

Key Decision 4: Heart Rate Measurement

Monitoring your heart rate is a good way to measure your progress and help you pace yourself. Many of today’s more sophisticated exercise bikes include various features to track and display your heart rate as you exercise so you can either increase or decrease the intensity of your workout accordingly.

Telemetry - Exercise bikes with telemetry heart rate monitoring feature a chest strap, ear clip or specialized watch to pick up your heart rate and transmit it to the monitor. Usually wireless, these devices typically attach to your body for an accurate reading and to give you a full range of movement.
View Exercise Bikes with Telemetry Heart Rate Monitoring

Hand Grip - Some exercise bikes feature built-in sensors in the hand grips to measure your heart rate. These exercise bikes offer you a complete range of movement without having to wear any extraneous devices, but may not offer a fully accurate reading if you let go of the handles.
View Exercise Bikes with Hand Grip Heart Rate Monitoring

None - If you’re a novice looking for a way to stay active or you simply need a basic stationary bicycle with fewer options, there is a wide variety of upright and recumbent exercise bikes that will serve the purpose with a potentially smaller price tag.
View Exercise Bikes without Heart Rate Monitoring

Key Decision 5: Resistance Adjustment

Proper resistance is key to getting the most out of using your exercise bike because it gives your muscles a force to work against instead of simply spinning a wheel. Most stationary bikes offer one of three basic methods of changing their resistance levels, so be sure to get one that’s easy for you to operate.

Air - These exercise bikes use a fan to create air resistance, which means that the harder you pedal, the more resistance will be generated. Because they require you to maintain a steady pace, these stationary bicycles are excellent for building stamina and for long-distance training.
View Exercise Bikes with Air Resistance Adjustment

Computer - For additional convenience and training flexibility, many of the more sophisticated stationary bikes feature a built-in computer that lets you change their resistance level by pushing a button. This allows you to accurately and easily modify your workout level without having to stop.
View Exercise Bikes with Computerized Resistance Adjustment

Manual - These exercise bikes use a fan to create air resistance, which means that the harder you pedal, the more resistance will be generated. Because they require you to maintain a steady pace, these stationary bicycles are excellent for building stamina and for long-distance training.
View Exercise Bikes with Manual Resistance Adjustment

Quality and Value

Exercise bikes are one of the most affordable pieces of exercise equipment you can bring home. And, they’re available in a wide range of styles and models so that whether you’re a novice just starting out or a professional athlete in training, you can get the right amount of bike for your budget.

Under $500 - Choose one of these basic stationary bicycles, indoor cycling bikes or upper body ergometers to get started without breaking your wallet.
View Exercise Bikes under $500

$500-$1,000 - Select one of these high-quality upright or recumbent exercise bikes for more features, options and workout variety to reach your fitness goals.
View Exercise Bikes from $500-$1000

Over $1,000 - Bring home one of these premium quality exercise bikes, indoor cycling bikes, interactive exercise bikes or combination units for the full range of flexibility and accessibility.
View Exercise Bikes over $1000