For most people getting started with their home gyms, it can be daunting as well as a bit overwhelming when you consider all of the different pieces of equipment you can start at. And while I wouldn’t say that a recumbent exercise bike is a definitive option for everyone, it is a great starting option for anyone that may be dealing with back, hip, or knee joint pain even before the workout begins.
The recumbent exercise bike is similar to most other indoor bikes, with the biggest difference being the focus. In most cases, an exercise bike is supposed to essentially be a treadmill in bike form. This is great for some but not others. If you’re looking for an easier workout experience that doesn’t stress the same parts of the body while still helping you burn calories and lose weight, you may want to look into what a recumbent bike has to offer.
Researched By Experts
Shopping can be a challenging task, especially in today’s economy. It’s also challenging to determine the reliability of customer reviews when making a purchase decision.
But don’t worry – you can trust our team of trained professionals. We’re not just random reviewers – we’re certified personal trainers, competitive weightlifters, former college athletes, and strength and conditioning coaches who have personally tested numerous exercise bikes, including the ones that we’ll discuss next.
We’ll give you an honest and accurate assessment of each product, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. With our expert insights, you can confidently make an informed purchase decision. Say goodbye to the uncertainty and trust our team of fitness enthusiasts to provide comprehensive reviews that you can trust.
The Sole LCR recumbent bike is, without a doubt, a serious contender when it comes to the best overall recumbent exercise bike. Here, the LCR comes as a super-heavy and dense bike that is outfitted with numerous features, including a fan, item holders, a display screen, and much more.
Features
Starting from its physical standpoint, the LCR definitely makes a name for itself. Made from an aluminum-coated steel frame, the bike has a total weight of 145 pounds, with an included 30-pound flywheel. All of this bulk works to allow it to comfortably hold a max weight capacity of 300 lbs., and while this isn’t a max setting on this list, it does carry the vast majority of people looking to get a cardio workout in.
In addition to its durability and sturdiness, the LCR is also focused on the importance of comfort and the biomechanics of a person. This all means that not only will you be able to get your workout in, but you’ll be able to do so with incredible ease and comfort even if you’re suffering from an injury or potentially dealing with some joint pain.
Where the LCR shines is in the different features and accessories it comes equipped with. It has a 10-inch console display monitor as well as large touch buttons that give you access to its 10 preloaded programs and over 40 resistance options. The monitor has an audio port, both for headphones as well as console speakers. It also comes with a high-powered fan to keep you cool during your workouts, a phone & tablet holder, and several bottle holders on the either rear side.
In terms of where the LCR stumbles, the truth is that it’s largely perfect for what it’s trying to be and how much it’s going for. The only things that you might want to keep in mind are the aforementioned weight (145 lbs.) as well as its LCD screen not being in color or having touch features. Still, these aren’t issues unless you’re looking for the most high-tech option available. For everyone else just looking for a really good workout, this really does do the trick and do it right.
Pros
Comes With Over 40 Resistance Options & 10 Preloaded Programs
Includes A Ton Of Useful Features
Pedals, Seat, & Handlebars All Feel Super Comfortable
LCD Screen’s Console Buttons Are Easy To Access
Cons
Very Heavy For A Bike
LCD Screen Isn’t Touch-Screen Or Come With Internet
Produced by Diamondback, the 910SR Recumbent Magnetic Exercise Bike makes a point of combining incredible comfort and variety with even more impressive affordability. Not only is it a great find for fitness enthusiasts that expect all of the top-shelf inclusions of a high-end recumbent bike, but it manages to do all of this without breaking the bank.
Features
The 910SR bike, first and foremost, finds itself outfitted with a frictionless magnetic resistance with over 32 levels of resistance available. The bike hosts a 32-pound flywheel and can carry upwards of 325 pounds without falling apart or wobbling during a session. In terms of its dimensions, the bike is 64″ x 23″ x 50″.
In addition to the great overall build, the 910SR comes with a taller chair-like back seat, giving users a ton of comfort and support throughout the exercise. It’s made from a mesh material that is both durable and resilient (thanks to its metal brackets) while ideal for keeping the person cool through the free airflow.
While we talked about the resistance options, that’s only one part of the story. In addition, the bike also hosts a plethora of different preloaded workout options, ranging from fitness tests to heart rate-controlled training sessions. There is even the option to put together your own customized user program to make something particular to you.
The only downside with this option is that its accessibility and adjustment options aren’t as extensive as others. This means that shorter people may need to check out other options. Similarly, the assembly process can be a bit more awkward and time-consuming than one may expect. That said, outside of these issues, this is a great option at a serious steal of a price.
Pros
Comes With A Five-Year Warranty
Includes Several Multi-Speed Cooling Fans
Excellent Budget Recumbent Exercise Bike
Able to Hold 325 Pound Max Weight Capacity
Comes With A Complete Breakdown Of All Health Factors, Including Heart-Rate, Resistance Level, And A Lot More
Cons
Assembly Can Take Time; A Lot Of Time
While Great For Many People, The Lack Of Extensive Adjustability Makes It Difficult For People Under 5’2″
Meant more for the beginner that needs an accessible and highly affordable option, even if it doesn’t come with all of the bells and whistles, the Comfort R is a Horizon Fitness recumbent stationary bike that makes a point of offering a ton of great value at a price most people looking to get started on their home gym will absolutely love.
Features
From an overall build standpoint, the Comfort R is pretty impressive. It has a 15.5-pound flywheel while also having an overall weight capacity of 350 pounds. In terms of dimensional breakdown, the bike is 65″ x 26″ x 53″. It comes with free shipping during the delivery process, taking about a week for it to reach you.
Where the bike starts with its benefits in its seat accessibility, with the bike having a variety of adjustment options based on the person. Its high back helps provide lumbar support while its handgrips are there for additional stability.
On a more technical side, the Comfort R has over 12 different preloaded workout programs as well as 16 different resistance levels. It uses a magnetic frictionless resistance, meaning that it’s going to be on the quiet side of things.
What detracts from the bike is largely based on preference. The flywheel can be considered a bit too lightweight for those that want a smoother biking experience. Similarly, the display could use a backlight to make late-night performances easier. The biggest issue, however, is the fact that the included warranty, while lifetime for the body itself, will only be free for the user after the first year, making the warranty a bit useless.
All that said, if you want an impressive bike that isn’t going to cost the farm, you should seriously consider checking out the Comfort R.
Life Fitness’ Recumbent Lifecycle recumbent bike is easily one of the more impressive options on this list. Simply put, while many of the others offered to try to mix quality at a reasonable price range, the Recumbent Lifecycle instead tries to make a bike that is meant for the most premier user, with the price and the results to show it.
Features
Starting with the building frame, the first thing you’ll notice is that the Recumbent Lifecycle is probably the heaviest assembled frame out there. Where others tend to sit around the 100-150 lb. weight, the Lifecycle is well over 215 lbs. And while this is certainly a hassle being put together, it also means a machine that is incredibly stable without any fear of falling apart or having any issues. It’s because of this incredibly high weight that it has an equally impressive max weight limit of 400 lbs., meaning just about anyone can use this without so much as a hiccup.
Comfort and quality-wise, the Lifecycle come with some of the most comfortable seats on the market when it comes to recumbent bikes, and that’s saying something when you consider that recumbent bikes are built around having comfortable seats. Here, there are 41 different seating positions, offering a ton of adjustments and accessibility while its back is also able to offer some very real lumbar support.
From a feature-based standpoint, what you get is based on the type of console you get. The SE3 console comes with a 16-inch HD touchscreen display that can wirelessly connect to the internet while also having Bluetooth wireless features. It comes with an assortment of different apps to make your workout a fun and enjoyable one, even having the option to be connected to live tv.
The ST and SL alternatives, while great in their own way, are much less impressive. This means that how much you’re willing to spend will determine which option comes with the bike. The ST console is also an HD touchscreen with internet and Bluetooth, but it doesn’t have access to the different apps or the ability to browse the internet directly. The SL console is more of a standard LED display that gives a more stereotypical readout that is comparable to 90% of other bike consoles out there.
No matter which option you get, they all come with the standard preloaded workout options as well as all of your biometric information, such as the resistance, heart rate, calories burned, time, etc.
The only downside is what you’d expect – it’s expensive. Seriously. The people at Life Fitness have a lot to be proud of here, making a recumbent stationary bike that truly lives up to the phrase, “You get what you pay for.”
Pros
Super Heavy-Duty Frame & Build
Has A 400 Lb. Max Weight Limit
All Screen Consoles Are Impressive
Has 25 Resistance Levels And At least 10 Preloaded Fitness Programs
While the Club Series Lifecycle made a point of being a definitive purchase for anyone with the money, the RS3 Lifecycle instead operates on a much less showy, but no less effective, performance. No, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, as the preceding inclusion, but it also doesn’t need them. Pretty much, the RS3, while not super flashy and expensive, is still a knockout of a recumbent bike, especially for older gents and ladies.
Features
Physical frame-wise, the RS3 has an assembled weight of an eye-catching 154 lbs. While not the heaviest on this list, it’s willing to give pretty much any a run for its money. This all culminates in a max weight limit of 400 lbs. Despite being as heavy as it is, I’d be a bit careful if I was at the higher end of the scale when hopping on this thing. It’s not known for wobbling so that’s worth keeping in mind.
Of that 154 lbs., the RS3 has a 20 lb. flywheel, which makes for a pretty smooth feel to it. It comes with 20 different levels of resistance, letting you really give yourself a workout during the exercises.
In terms of other features, the RS3 has a choice of two different consoles, both having a lot of the same features to warrant a look at it. The first option, the Track Connect, comes with Bluetooth capabilities, 12 different preloaded workout options, as well as all of the other expected features. On the other hand, the standard Go Console is pretty much the same as the Track Connect, the only difference being a lack of Bluetooth
In terms of its drawbacks, as with the previously mentioned Club Series, the only setback here is the fact that it costs as much as it does. Even while still fairly affordable, it makes you know that it’s special. And while if I had the money to splurge there are others on this list, I can’t argue that the RS3 is a great recumbent bike.
Pros
Has a 400 lb. Weight Capacity
Offers A Ton Of Features, Resistance Levels, and A Preloaded Workout Program.
Fully Adjustable Backrest Area
Offers Two Different Console Options
Offers Levels of Magnetic Resistance
Cons
Track Connect Feature Is More Expensive Than It Needs To Be
The Sole LCR is easily one of the better options on this list. In fact, not only was it considered the best option overall, but it’s also got some of the best and most highly-focused comfortability designs you could think of.
Features
While we already talked about how Sole’s LCR recumbent bike is great in a broad sense, that’s not the full story. In fact, the bike also deserves special emphasis on its amazing comfort and ergonomic options.
The bike uses magnetic resistance, which cuts down on the amount of noise made drastically, allowing for a more focused workout. This makes it an ideal option for indoor exercises even in normally crowded spaces or areas with a lot of people. And since it doesn’t use friction resistance, you won’t need to worry about replacing any parts if you want to get in and push yourself during your next biking workout.
In terms of the LCR’s seat, it uses a sliding lock system to offer complete customization on its distance and how near or far it is from the pedals and console. This makes it a great choice for shorter and longer people who may otherwise feel too far or close to things when working out.
The bike comes with a cushioned backrest and padded seat that provides immense support and comfort. It’s also wide enough to seat most people without issue while it, the handlebars, and the pedals are all made with an ergonomic design that feels great no matter how you’re interacting with them. This also helps with any knee or joint pain.
As stated before, there aren’t a lot of downsides to this bike. Really the size is the only big problem when it comes to comfort, as those with physical injuries or back or hip pain won’t be able to lift this around like they might with other bikes. Also, while it has a lot of great features, it doesn’t offer Bluetooth, which can be a drag if you wanted to listen using your wireless headphones.
Pros
Comes With A Chest Strap To Help Track Your Body Metrics
Includes Two Fans To Keep You Cool While Exercising
Pedals, Seat, & Handlebars Are All Ergonomic & Built With Comfort In Mind
The Handlebars Are Set In A Way For Getting An Upper Body Workout
Cons
Doesn’t Come With Bluetooth Features
Large Size Can Be An Issue For Older People Or Those With Pain
The Sole R92, while not quite on the level of the LCR, is a great option for those looking for the most value for money. Not only does it come with EKG sensors but the pedals, handlebars, and seat all work together to create an awesome device with a lot going for it.
Features
The R92 has a magnetic resistance as well as over 20 different levels, ensuring you can constantly push yourself while working out. It also comes with a seat adjustment that slides in place, allowing you to be as close or as far as you want.
In terms of preloaded programs, the R92 comes with 6 standard programs as well as 2 customized options and 2 programs built for increasing your heart rate. There are also some different areas of focus, including fat-burning and HIIT workouts.
Overall, the only downside here is that, while not too big dimension-wise, the R92 is on the heavier side without necessarily needing to be. Still, even with that in mind, if you’re looking for something with a lot of value, this is a great find, even if it doesn’t quite hit the marks as the LCR.
Pros
Comes With Chest Strap For Syncing Heart Rate
Pedals & Cushions Are Ergonomic
Buttons Are Easily Accessible
Comes With Fans & Speakers, Making The Performance More Fun Than You’d Expect
Offers 20 Levels Of Resistance With 10 Extra Preloaded Programs
Cons
The R92 Is A Bit Too Heavy Without Carrying As Much
The Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike is pretty much the ideal option for most people that are starting out or may be interested in something that is more low-impact on the body’s joints. This, in particular, makes it a great option for elderly seniors that may want to stay fit despite suffering from back and knee pain.
Features
Meant as a more accessible alternative to upright bikes as it is, the Schwinn 270 goes that extra mile by offering additional lumbar support along with a cushioned back so that there is even less pressure put on the joints. The seat is fully adjustable, with numerous settings to help you get the most comfortable workout of your life.
As far as resistance, the Schwinn 270 offers upwards of 25 different levels along with several workout options you can implement to help raise and maintain your heart rate. There’s even a collaboration done with the “Explore the World” Bowflex fitness app where you can ride along virtual scenic routes, such as Route 66, Zion National Park, or the French Riviera. It also has many different heart-training options so that you can always find a way to challenge yourself to get the most out of your exercise.
The only downside to this bike is the fact that it is not meant to be used by biker enthusiasts and others looking to seriously push themselves. As mentioned earlier, this bike is meant for senior citizens, those with joint and hip issues, as well as people just getting started. As a result, if you’re already in great shape and looking to get to the next level, this will definitely give out on you faster than you’d probably expect.
Pros
Has A Weight Limit Of 300lbs.
Has 25 Resistance Levels & 29 Workout Preset Options
Three-Speed Fan To Keep You Cool & Comfortable
LCD Display Monitor Screen
Uses Weighted Flywheel
Cons
Requires You To Put It Together
Is Quite Large, Making It Tough For Small Home Gyms
#9. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Resistance Recumbent Bike
Best Pick Under $500
A great option for heavier-set people, the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Resistance Recumbent Bike is not only accessible to a wider array of people from a size perspective but is also one of the more affordable options out there.
Features
Starting with one of its biggest selling points, the recumbent bike comes with a 350-pound max weight capacity. This is easily one of the biggest max weights offered by a bike, with most generally staying around the 300-pound mark. On the other hand, the bike itself is fairly hefty, weighing in at just under 96 pounds (95.8 lbs. to be exact). The bike’s dimensions are 60 x 25.5 x 52 inches, making it a fair bit big and bulky.
The heavy-duty bike comes with an oversized seat and backrest to give its user as much space as possible so that they can be comfortable when doing their exercise. While there are other recumbent bikes with more comfortable seats, not many have them quite as large as this one, making it and the backrest great for keeping correcting and supporting your posture while pedaling.
In addition to the heavy-duty body, the second big selling point for this bike is the fact that it uses a magnetic resistance flywheel. Not only does this mean your workouts are going to be on the quieter side, but you’ll also have access to over eight different resistance levels to play with.
The big downside here more or less has to deal with the device itself. Since it’s on the more affordable side, some of its parts may not be quite as durable as other bikes. For example, the pedals have been known to fray and wear out much faster than other options on this list. And while that was the worst for many people (myself included) there have been some reports of the same being true of the handlebars. While this may not be a deal-breaker, it’s certainly worth considering if you plan to push yourself with your bike.
Pros
Offers 350 Lbs. Max Weight Capacity
Uses A Magnetic Resistance Flywheel
The Seat Is Really Big & Is Easily Adjusted
One Of The Few Recumbent Bikes That Work Upper & Lower Body Thanks To Moveable Handlebars
Cons
Some Parts Can Wear Out Faster Than Others
Has A Lot Of Parts, Making Assembly A Bit Annoying
One of several different indoor exercise bicycles, the recumbent bike focuses on the user’s comfort and overall performance. Unlike some of the other options out there, the recumbent bike instead allows the user to recline their seat into a semi-upright position.
This position, while not the most effective for burning a massive amount of calories during a workout, is great for those with joint pain as well as any other medical conditions. This makes the recumbent bike a great option for the elderly as well as people that may have a longstanding injury or are overweight to the point that they may suffer similar joint issues.
What Are The Benefits Of Using An Exercise Recumbent Bike?
While all forms of indoor cycling can offer a variety of benefits when performed regularly, recumbent bikes are especially great when it comes to cardio fitness and endurance without agitating an injury or any joint pain. This is because recumbent bikes pride themselves on being low-impact exercise bikes. This is in stark contrast to upright bikes, which, while more cardio-intensive, can be painful for those with hip, back, or knee pain. As a result, recumbent bikes are the most ideal for senior citizens, individuals that are overweight, as well as those that have suffered an injury.
Recumbent bikes are not only not harmful to a person with joint pain, but can actually be a benefit, their adjustable seating making a biking exercise useful for also improving one’s range of motion. Individuals have noticed an increase in flexibility while the reclined seating position reduces the amount of strain on the lower back, with the backrest helping add further support.
All in all, recumbent bikes are the perfect option for someone that wants to get cardio exercise in but doesn’t want to strain themselves or cause a problem with a prior injury.
How We Decide On The Best Bikes
As you look over these bike options, your first question might be how we came up with these particular entries. After all, there are dozens upon dozens of recumbent bikes available on the market, with more than just nine that could qualify for this list. To help file down the list, we followed a set rubric of factors, picking the options that were as good across the board as possible rather than ones that may have focused too heavily on one area, causing the others to suffer.
Pricing: The most important factor, was important to have options that were affordable while also an investment. With some exercise bikes costing as little as $200, we needed to make sure that we weren’t sacrificing quality for cost nor creating a list of premier, prohibitive bikes that no one could afford.
Stability: After pricing, the next area of focus was stability. All of the bikes we’ve included have a high level of stability and max weight capacity. This means that just about anyone can hop on these bikes without worrying about any “wobbling” or it falling apart as they rode on it.
Overall Comfort: Comfort is a serious area of focus since it determines how likely a person is to use the device. As such, we made a point of looking for bikes that were noted for having comfortable seats, pedals, and handlebars.
Accessibility: For accessibility, this fell into a similar situation as comfort, as we wanted to make sure that as many people could use the bikes as possible. As such, adjustable options were a focus.
Reviews: Reviews are one of the more important considerations as they give a real-life recounting of whether what the companies are saying and what the customer is getting are the same. It’s one thing to say you have comfortable seats. It’s quite another for a customer to give you “five stars” because your seats were so comfortable.
Preset Options: The preloaded fitness options, while a great inclusion, weren’t strictly necessary. Still, we were on the lookout for bikes that had any preloaded options available for use as well as multiple options to help a person stay engaged with their indoor exercise bike.
Additional Features: Lastly, we spent some time looking out for other fun features that, while not essential, helped sweeten the experience. For example, if they had an LED monitor, audio speaker capabilities, or a fan, they were strongly considered over equally good bikes that didn’t.
What To Consider When Getting A Recumbent Bike
Because there are a lot of different options when it comes to recumbent bikes, it can be a bit overwhelming when it comes to making a decision. While all of the aforementioned options are great for the majority of people, not every option may be ideal for every person. To find out what works for you particularly, here are some important factors to keep in mind before making a final decision one way or another.
Pricing
Probably the most important factor to consider in your recumbent bike or any other exercise equipment is the price in relation to your budget. You want to make sure you’re looking within your budget and not something too high over or too low under. Overall, it’s better to invest in a higher-quality bike since it’s easy for accidents to happen.
While there are bikes that can go upwards of $3,000, that’s way too much for even the most serious fitness person. Instead, the optimal budgetary range is going to be around $400-$500, with some wiggle room on either end depending on if you plan to use it more or less.
Weight & Height Capacity
It’s also important that you consider the bike’s height and weight capacity. This also goes towards the bike’s overall quality and durability (and therefore price). The more expensive a recumbent bike is going to be, the sturdier and more weight-bearing it will be.
Generally, weight and height capacities will vary from model to model and brand to brand. If you’re on the heavier side, you want to make a note of how much weight it can reliably hold while remaining stable.
Similarly, some bikes are better for short people while others are more geared toward taller people. While this isn’t quite as serious an issue if it is important for you, consider making a point to review the description.
Resistance Options
A recumbent bike’s resistance is something you should seriously focus on since it is where you’re going to see the bulk of your benefits in terms of weight loss and muscle growth. There are multiple types of resistances your bike can offer: magnetic, air, and contact.
Magnetic resistance is the more popular option for many bikes as it uses magnets to create resistance against the flywheel. Generally, this is going to be the quieter of the three options while also requiring much less maintenance. The downside is that these are generally the more expensive of the three types so you’ll need to square how important this is with your existing budget.
The air resistance option is often seen with air bikes and works to generate resistance by pushing the air through a large fan while you’re pedaling. These are considerably louder than the other two (especially when resistance is cranked up) and so are often used in commercial gyms. They are a favorite for those that love HIIT (high-intensity interval training) enthusiasts since they are the closes thing to an upright bike in terms of effort.
Lastly, the contact resistance bike quite literally uses a leather or felt pad to apply actual resistance to the flywheel. It’s louder than the magnetic option but quieter than the air resistance option. The biggest challenge is that, while it’s more affordable the magnetic option upfront, the more you use the bike the more often the resistance pad will need replacing.
Accessibility
Something many people don’t think about until it’s too late is the bike’s adjustable accessibility options. Specifically, in relation to the bike’s seat adjustability, it’s important that you can sit comfortably while exercising, factoring in your leg length as well as how the seat itself is positioned. You’ll also want to determine the foot cage and how secure it is compared to how comfortable it is. If it’s too snug, that can be an issue, while too loose can result in your foot coming loose.
Take some time to review your particular bike option and see if it comes with an adequate number of adjustable and accessible options based on your physical situation.
Additional Features
Lastly, you want to make sure you’re looking out for any potential add-on features that may be of interest. Things like an extensive monitor display, while not essential, can give you a more thorough and complete understanding of how hard you’re working, including things like heart rate, calories burned, as well as a resistance level. Your monitor could also have different programs, to better challenge yourself and your fitness goals
#1. How Much Should You Spend On A Recumbent Bike?
Recumbent bikes can go for a good range of prices based on quality and size. Generally, you can expect the cheaper ones to go for around $150 while the most expensive options tend to be around $800. For most people that want an effective and useful exercise bike while not breaking the bank, you should ideally look for options within the $300 to $600 range.
If you’re a person with a bigger home gym setting, or you’re someone that plans to use your bike for long periods daily, it may be worth it to consider investing in the higher-priced options. This is because anything under $450 is meant for those that plan to use it a few times in the week.
#2. How Good Of A Workout Can You Get From A Recumbent Bike?
Recumbent bikes are a great way to get a cardio workout in without ever leaving your home. It helps focus on your lower body, strengthening and toning your legs. It’s particularly great for people looking to build up and stabilize their core. It’s also a great option for those just getting started with exercises as it is easy on the joints and is fairly low-impact.
The specific lower body muscle groups you can expect to strengthen include the hamstrings, quadriceps, shins, glutes, and calves. Because of their low-impact nature on the body, recumbent bikes are also great for hips and knees, being perfect for those with osteoarthritis.
#3. Can You Lose Weight Using A Recumbent Bike?
As with most cardio workouts, the recumbent bike is a great way to burn calories, especially when used in tandem with a healthy and balanced diet. If used for an extended period of time, you can reasonably expect to lose some weight over time.
The best thing to focus on, when working out, is not if you’re losing weight, but how well you’re able to perform the exercise. If you can find that your performance is improving and you’re able to go for longer rides without getting tired, that will indirectly show your body is becoming healthier and more conditioned. This is true even if the scale itself doesn’t show any difference.
In addition, it’s also important to keep in mind factors like your initial age, weight, and body composition. The older you are or the more weight you carry, the longer it may take to see dramatic changes when weighing yourself. This is why how you physically feel and how you look in the mirror is a more accurate representation of your overall health.
#4. Recumbent Bike Vs. Walking – Which Is Better?
Both walking and biking have a lot of similar health benefits and are great methods of burning calories in a fairly low-impact way. If you’re someone that has a core abdomen that they’d like to stabilize, if you’re someone that may be self-conscious about their looks, or someone that simply wants to get a more intense cardio workout in without needing to leave your home, a recumbent bike is the ideal option.
On the other hand, if you’re someone that loves the outdoors, has a full range of motion when moving, or like to visually track your timed performance (how far you can go in an hour), walking may be worth looking into.
#5. How Many Calories Can I Burn When Biking For 30 Minutes?
Depending on the intensity of the biking session, the number of calories burned can range between 100 and 300 calories. In addition to intensity, you should consider the amount of resistance on the bike as well as your overall weight when starting the workout.
#6. What Is The Difference Between Recumbent & Upright Exercise Bikes?
While recumbent and upright exercise bikes are both great indoor cardio options, they are not identical to one another. If you’re riding an upright bike, you’re focusing on the glutes as well as the back and the abdomen. This is because you’re quite literally positioned “upright” and in a leaned-over position.
Recumbent bikes are ideal for beginners and those looking for something more low-impact and easier on the body overall. They won’t burn quite as many calories or strengthen the core nearly as much, but they are also more accessible options and great for those with joint or back issues as well as for those that may have a large amount of weight to burn.
#7. Which Bike Is Best For Me?
It’s important to know that, regardless of the option picked, the bikes listed above are simply some of the best to choose from overall and all make a great addition to any home gym. That said, not all of these bikes are meant for the same person. If you’re someone looking for a great bike overall, you’ll seriously want to check out the Sole LCR as it manages to excel in just about every category, especially comfort. The Comfort R is an ideal option for people that are absolute beginners, while the 910SR is best for people on a budget.
Conclusion
Whether you’re just getting started on your fitness journey, looking to put together a home gym, or simply want a way to get a cardio workout without leaving the house, a recumbent exercise bike has a lot to offer. It comes with a host of benefits ranging from improved endurance and conditioning to help rehab an injury, to simply exercising without stressing the joints. Because they are low-impact, recumbent bikes are ideal for older adults as well as those that are overweight and may suffer from knee, back, or hip pain.
Bottom line, a recumbent bike is something that every person should use regularly, even if they don’t plan to get it for their particular home gym. They offer a wide variety of different options and features based on what you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to invest. Take some time and look over the different options above as well as consider what you want in a bike. Then, once you know exactly what you’re looking for, leap and get started on the path to excellent health.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and lifelong fitness fanatic. He has run half marathons, done mud runs, placed in body transformation contests, coached wrestling, and now coaches girls’ soccer. Not to mention he has also tried literally hundreds of supplements over the years and has a vast and thorough supplement knowledge. He has written for Muscle & Strength, Testosterone Junkie, The Sport Review and other publications. He is also the editor-in-chief of this website and has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Feel free to connect with him on his LinkedIn page below.
