Everybody knows that exercise is good for them. However, they are too busy or don't have enough space to practice. A recumbent bike is a great choice in this situation.
Here are the best recumbent bikes you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Marcy Bike ME-709
- Affordable: Exerpeutic 900XL
- Best Budget: Sunny SF-RB4616
- Most Compact: Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR
- Premium Choice: Schwinn 270
| Top 5 Best Recumbent Bikes | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Marcy Bike ME-709
| Read Our Review |
Affordable | Exerpeutic 900XL
| Read Our Review |
Best Budget | Sunny SF-RB4616
| Read Our Review |
Most Compact | Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR
| Read Our Review |
Premium Choice | Schwinn 270
| Read Our Review |
Top 5 Best Recumbent Bikes
When it comes to exercise bikes, there are 4 common types, which are:
- Upright Stationary Bikes
- Indoor Cycling Bikes
- Dual-action Stationary Bikes
- Recumbent Stationary Bikes
The recumbent is the most comfortable and easiest type of bikes among them.
It is like a chair with pedals in front of the seat. When you’re pedaling, you lean your back on the seat back, holding the back handlebar to lift your body up, and straightening your legs to reach the pedals.
This posture helps you exercise with least stress on back and knees. So, you will feel enjoyable and won't have any injury while practicing.
Recumbent bikes are ideal for blood flow, cardiovascular and lower body workouts. They are suitable for those have problems with joints or being injured, especially for kids, women, and elders.
Best Overall: Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike ME-709
- Good build, and Compact design
- Comfortable
- Magnetic resistance mechanism
- Affordable price
- No pre-programmed exercise mode
- Large padded seat makes you feel hot after long-hour workouts
- 1-piece pedal crank
Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike ME-709 is an excellent recumbent bike despite the low price.
It is compact, lightweight, and able to be disassembled with a nice look thanks to the grey powder coated finish. The frame is made from heavy-duty construction 14-gauge steel tubes, thus, it is really sturdy and shows no shaking while practicing.
The bike has the weight capacity over 300 lbs, and is suitable for those from 5’ to 6’7". You can adjust the length of the chair from 40 to 49 inches to fit your height. The LCD screen helps you monitor your practicing performance through several metrics, consisting of Speed, Distance, Time, Calories, Odometer.
Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike ME-709 is really supportive of your body.
It is due to the smooth magnetic resistance that is the most advanced resistance mechanism for recumbent bikes. This kind of mechanism operates smooth, quiet, and last longer than other mechanisms. You can adjust the resistance level using the knob of the bike.
It is also due to the foam-covered handlebar, the counterbalanced pedals, the large padded seat and backrest, which provide users with maximized comfort and ease. However, if you work out for long hours, you may feel a little hot and humid.
Marcy ME-709 has some drawbacks:
- The bike uses 1-piece pedal cranks that operate not as smoothly as 3-piece cranks.
- Because it is not a premium bike, it lacks some features, such as heart rate sensors and preprogrammed exercise modes.
Specifications:
Product Dimensions | 55.5L x 25W x 37.5H inches |
Product Weight | 60 lbs |
Weight Capacity | 300 lbs |
User Height | 5 ft to 6 ft 7" |
Seat | Large, padded |
Backrest | Large, padded |
Special Features | 3.5" LCD display, 8-level magnetic resistance |
Marcy ME-709 is the best recumbent bike for general uses.
Affordable: Exerpeutic 900XL Recumbent Bike
- Heart rate sensors at the handlebar.
- Magnetic resistance mechanism
- Affordable price
- No pre-programmed exercise mode
- Large padded seat makes you feel hot after long-hour workouts
- 1-piece pedal crank
Heart rate information is very important. It helps you understand your health and fitness status better. If you want an affordable recumbent bike that has Hand Pulse Sensors, Exerpeutic 900XL is quite a great choice.
In general, Exerpeutic 900XL is not so different from Marcy ME-709. Both have large padded seat and backrest, LCD display, 8-level magnetic resistance. Both are basic recumbent bikes, so they don’t have exciting preprogrammed exercise modes or 3 piece pedal crank.
However, it seems that Marcy ME-709 has a higher quality build that more sturdy and more reliable than the Exerpeutic 900XL.
Specifications:
Product Dimensions | 30.9 x 15.2 x 21.6 inches |
Product Weight | 70 pounds |
Weight Capacity | 300 lbs |
User Height | 5' 3" - 6' 6" |
Seat | Large, padded |
Backrest | Large, padded |
Special Features | Hand Pulse Sensors, LCD display |
If you like the heart rate feature, you should choose the Exerpeutic 900XL, otherwise, go for the Marcy ME-709.
Best Budget: Sunny Health & Fitness Recumbent Bike SF-RB4616
- Looks like a premium recumbent bike
- Heart rate sensors at the handlebar
- Magnetic resistance mechanism
- Affordable price
- No pre-programmed exercise mode
- Large padded seat makes you feel hot after long-hour workouts
- 1-piece pedal crank
Another budget choice. Although it’s not as popular as Marcy ME-709 or Exerpeutic 900XL, the reason I recommend Sunny SF-RB4616 for you is that the bike looks really nice.
No one can deny that a good design would give us a better inspiration to commit to exercising. The good appearance is due to the appropriate edge and curve, also the black, white and grey powder coating.
The bike is also equipped with Integrated Pulse sensors, Self Leveling Pedals, and a Slide Rail System for Seat Adjustments.
Specifications:
Product Dimensions | 54.5 x 26 x 39.5 inches |
Product Weight | 59 pounds |
Weight Capacity | 300 lbs |
User Height | 5' 3" - 6' 6" |
Seat | Large, padded |
Backrest | Large, padded |
Special Features | Hand Pulse Sensors, LCD display |
Sunny SF-RB4616 is suitable for those want a good-looking recumbent bike that has Heart Rate feature, but is still affordable.
Most Compact: Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR Folding Recumbent Exercise Bike
- Super space-saving
- High weight-capacity
- Heart rate sensors at the handlebar.
- Magnetic resistance mechanism
- 3-piece pedal crank
- The seat is hard and has no shock absorption system
- No preprogrammed exercise mode
- Not suitable for intense workouts
Recumbent bikes tend to take much more space than other types of exercise bikes. However, with Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR, exercising in a small apartment is no longer a problem.
When being unfolded, Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR is already compact. And when being folded up, it can be stored in the room corner or in the cabinet.
The 3 piece crank system and the magnetic tension control system together offer you a firm, smooth, and consistent pedaling feeling. Also, it operates quietly, so it won't interfere with watching TV or listening to music.
Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR is featured with Hand Pulse Sensors and an LCD display for you to monitor your workout statistic.
It does have some drawbacks:
- The seat seems little too hard as it doesn’t have the shock absorption system. You may feel uncomfortable after long hours of working out.
- The foldable design with low pedals makes it hard to practice intensely. This bike is only suitable for rehabilitation therapy treatment and cardiovascular practice.
- It doesn't have advanced console programs like three bikes above.
Specifications:
Product Dimensions | 48.5H x 24W x 46L inches |
Product Weight | 54.7 lbs |
Weight Capacity | 400 lbs |
User Height | 5'2" to 6'5" |
Seat | Padded |
Backrest | Padded |
Special Features | Foldability, Hand Pulse Sensors, LCD display |
To sum up, Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR is still a great bike for those living in a small apartment.
Premium Choice: Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike
- A high-class recumbent bike with super comfortable pedaling feeling
- Variety of workout and entertaining programs
- Two types of Heart Rate Sensors
- High price
- Heavy and space-consuming
This is the most advanced recumbent bike on my list. The riding is smooth, quiet, and supportive. The build is sturdy and firm.
The seat, the handlebar, and the backrest are all ergonomics and being designed for air circulation. So you can feel the maximized support. You also won’t feel hot and humid after hours of exercising.
The most valuable features on Schwinn 270 is the console table.
First, there is a tablet tray that you can place your tablet on the console table, connecting the tablet with the bike through the USB port, uploading your data to SchwinnConnect App, and tracking your progress.
The console has 4 user profiles, so that you can share this bike with your whole family to save their workout results and progress.
Second, there are 29 Pre-Set Programs and 25 Resistance Levels, such as fun ride modes, mountain climbing modes, and challenge modes.
Or you can use the Schwinn App together with RideSocial App to ride the world’s most breathtaking trails from the comfort of your living room. There are 8 real-world maps in HD for you to ride solo or in live time with your friends from anywhere on the planet.
Specifications:
Product Dimensions | Height 50 ins Width 27 ins Length 64 ins |
Product Weight | 86 lbs |
Weight Capacity | 300 lbs |
User Height | 5'2" - 6'03" |
Seat | Ergonomics, padded, really comfortable |
Backrest | Ergonomics, being vented for air circulation |
Special Features | 29 Pre-Set Programs, 25 Resistance Levels |
Schwinn 270 is one of the most advanced recumbent bikes on the market. The bike has a high price, but it is worth it.
How To Choose The Best Recumbent Bike?
- Your budget: You need to identify your needs and budget. A common recumbent bike costs from $150 up to $600. If you just want a basic recumbent bike for cardio, $150 bikes like Exerpeutic 900XL. If your budget is big, you can consider Schwinn’s recumbent bikes.
- Your height and your weight: are the most important criteria. If you’re above 5”3’ and less than 250 pounds, you don’t need to worry about this. Read the table of specifications to make sure that the bike matches your criteria.
- Your specific needs: You might want to consider some special features like heart rate sensors, pre-set programs, and built-in speaker. Also, look at the dimensions of the bike to see if it is fit to your apartment or not.
Best Recumbent Bike Brands
Here are my top 3 picks:
Marcy
- Marcy is the exercise bike brand of Impex. Impex was founded in 1982, in Pomona, California, USA as a manufacturer of fitness products. Since then, Impex has been developing constantly and now is one of leading health and fitness equipment provider.
- Impex products are well-known for its innovation, superiority and competitive price, as well as the great customer service.
- There is an interesting fact that Bruce Lee was one of Marcy's first customers. He bought his home workout equipment from Marcy.
Exerpeutic
- Exerpeutic Therapeutic Fitness is the exercise bike brand of Paradigm Health and Wellness Inc. They are one of the top suppliers to the Fitness, Health and Wellness industry in the US.
- They are famous for their dedicated team of design engineers and physical fitness specialists. Therefore, they have provided high-quality and innovative fitness appliances for years.
- Exerpeutic has a diverse range of products. They have the best recumbent bikes for your money.
Schwinn
- Schwinn Fitness is the oldest high-quality bike manufacturer in the US with more than 100 years of experience. They use their great understanding of customer need to make the most premium exercise bikes.
- You can always trust Schwinn for their smart design, excellent build, and innovative integrated technology.
- You can also consider these brands: Sunny Health and Fitness, Nautilus, and Progear.
FAQs
What is the best recumbent bike for home use?
I recommend Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike ME-709 if you just want a decent bike for common practice.
If you live in a small apartment, I recommend the most space-saving bike: Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR Folding Recumbent Exercise Bike.
If money is not big deal to you, I recommend the most advanced recumbent bike: Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike.
You can read my reviews of these three bikes above.
Which bike is better upright or recumbent?
The answer is: it depends.
If you have problems with joints, being in a physical therapy treatment, or just want mild practice while relaxing, you should go for a recumbent bike. It’s super supportive of your knees and back.
If you want to practice more seriously, you should choose an upright bike.
Is recumbent bike a good workout?
Recumbent bikes are suitable for mild lower body workouts. They are perfect for cardiovascular and blood flow health maintenance, not for muscular training.
If you want more intensity, you should choose an upright bike or even an indoor cycling bike. If you want to practice your all body, you should choose a dual-action stationary bike.
What does a recumbent bike do for your body?
Because the design of recumbent bikes is focused to maximize the comfort of your body while practicing, your back, joints, and knees will be fully supported and won’t have any injury.
Therefore, this type of exercise bikes is suitable for relaxing and for physical therapy treatments.
Can you lose belly fat on a recumbent bike?
What muscles does a recumbent bike tone?
How many calories do you burn riding a recumbent bike for 30 minutes?
How long does it take to burn 500 calories on an exercise bike?
Conclusion
Above are my full review of best recumbent bikes. Hope that information in this article will help you find the suitable recumbent bike for you.
Nancy Lang
