1. ProForm 325 CSX+
Features:
- iFit Bluetooth compatibility
- Tablet holder included
- iPod compatible audio with 2 x 2″ speakers
- 22 digital resistance levels
- 5″ high contrast multi-color display
- Ergonomic pedals with adjustable straps
- Transport wheels included
- 24 pre-programmed workouts and EKG™ heart rate pulse grips
The ProForm 325 CSX+ is a top-of-the-line recumbent bike designed for at-home workouts. With a sleek and modern design, this bike offers a variety of features to help you reach your fitness goals. Combined with customer service and aftercare of ProForm this is our top pick of the best recumbent exercise bikes.
One of the standout features is its compatibility with iFit, a popular fitness app that provides personalised workout plans, access to personal trainers, and virtual classes. The bike comes with a 30-day trial of iFit, allowing you to try out the app and see if it’s right for you.
For resistance, the ProForm 325 CSX+ offers 22 digital levels, allowing you to adjust the difficulty of your workouts to suit your fitness level. The bike also features ergonomic pedals with adjustable straps, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit during your workouts.
In terms of design, the bike is sleek and modern, with a 5″ high contrast multi-color display that makes it easy to track your progress. The bike also has transport wheels, allowing you to easily move it around your home.
Overall, this is a high-quality bike with a variety of features to help you reach your fitness goals. With its compatibility with iFit, digital resistance levels, and iPod compatibility, this bike offers a complete home workout experience.
2. JLL RE100
Specification
- 8 Levels of Magnetic Resistance
- Display: Speed, Heart Rate, Distance, Time and Calories
- 4 kg two-way flywheel
- 12 months warranty
- Max user weight 100 kg
- Heart rate sensor
The second I sat on the seat I knew I was going to have a good workout and not be sat there staring at the timer trying to make it go faster. I do believe that if you want to be consistent with your fitness/ health goals then making your workouts tolerable is half the battle.
It is comfortable, compact and quiet. I thought that an issue with these recumbent bikes would be the amount of space that they would take up. However I was pleasantly surprised with the size and design. As the bike uses magnetic resistance it is very quiet which means you can get out of bed in the morning before work and have a quick workout and not wake up the entire house.
I try to find good and bad points with all the products I review, however with this particular bike I really can’t fault it as the quality is brilliant for a very respectable price.
3. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike
Features:
- Moveable handle bars for full body workout
- Arm workouts can be isolated by placing feet on the floor
- Pulse sensors to read heart beats per minute
- 8 adjustable resistance levels for users of all fitness levels
- Large, comfortable seat and seat back for correct posture
- Magnetic resistance system for effective workouts.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4708 Recumbent Bike is a top-quality exercise bike that offers a variety of features to help you reach your fitness goals.
One of the standout features of the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4708 Recumbent Bike is its adjustable resistance. The bike is equipped with a magnetic resistance system that allows you to easily adjust the difficulty of your workouts to suit your fitness level. This makes it a great option for users of all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced.
In terms of comfort, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4708 Recumbent Bike is designed with a large, cushioned seat and backrest. The seat is adjustable, allowing you to find the perfect position for your workouts. The bike also has large, padded pedals with adjustable straps, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit during your workouts.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4708 Recumbent Bike is also equipped with a small digital display that allows you to track your progress during your workouts. The display shows your speed, distance, time, and calories burned, allowing you to monitor your progress and set goals for yourself.
Additionally, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4708 Recumbent Bike is designed with a sturdy steel frame and a weight capacity of 220 pounds, making it a durable and stable option for your home gym.
Overall, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4708 Recumbent Bike is a top-quality exercise bike with a comfortable, upright design and adjustable resistance levels. With its easy-to-use display and adjustable seat and pedals, this bike is a great option for anyone looking to improve their fitness at home.
3. XS Sports
Features:
- 4kg two-way magnetic flywheel (pedal forwards and backwards)
- LCD display tracks: speed, distance, time, calories and pulse
- Built in heart rate sensors
- Max user weight – 110Kg
- Product weight – 28Kg
We have reviewed a number of XS sports products and I’ve always been delighted with the quality of workout you get at such an affordable price.
This model uses magnetic resistance that allows you to easily choose between the 8 different levels of resistance using the knob under the display. The added benefit of magnetic resistance helps to ensure that the bike is as quiet as possible while you are using it.
The display is basic but clear and provides you with all the information you need such as speed, distance, calories, time and pulse. There is only one button on the unit and you keep pushing it to cycle through the different metrics.
The heart rate sensors are built into the handlebars beside the seat and are easy to hold onto while you are exercising. The readings I got seemed to be accurate even though I never normally trust them entirely, but it gives you a rough idea of how hard you are working on the bike.
This is the cheapest model in our top 5 which will make it appealing to beginners that don’t have the confidence to buy models such as the DKN or Kettler. It offers fantastic value for money and will no doubt give you great workouts for years to come.
4. V-Fit G-RC Recumbent Magnetic Bike
Specification
- 6kg flywheel electromagnet system
- 8 level adjustable resistance
- 7 function display, calories, distance, hand pulse, scan, speed, time and distance.
- Heart Rate Sensors
- Max user weight 110kg
The first thing I noticed about this product that not a lot of other home gym equipment pieces provide is tools to put the equipment together. This may sound like not a big deal but it does make life easier.
Some of the other recumbent bikes on the market can cost an absolute fortune therefore if you want a recumbent bike then it can leave you with a large dent in your bank balance. However this model is considerably cheaper and does exactly what is meant for. It is perfect for someone who is looking to keep fit or anyone who needs to do some rehab.
One potential problem I have heard about this product is that some people found it took a long time to assemble. However I do think that this is just one of those things as I managed to put it together in no time at all and some others seemed to cope just fine.
5. Kettler Premium
Specification
- Electromagnetic resistance with 16 levels
- LCD display , distance, speed, time, pedalling speed, energy consumption time and date
- 12 programmes
- Compatible with polar heart rate monitor chest strap (extra)
- Max User Weight 110 kg / 130 kg
- 9kg flywheel
This model is slightly more expensive than the other two bikes but I am a fan of the Kettler bikes. They make some great quality products and this recumbent bike lives up to that expectation. It wouldn’t look out of place in any commercial gym while only costing a fraction of the price a commercial gym would pay.
It is almost silent when working out and very comfortable to use. It has some very good workouts preloaded into the computer allowing you push yourself further and it even has a heart rate controlled option which is very useful as the workout adapts to what your body is telling it.
The only little issues I can see are that there isn’t a bottle holder which can be awkward when you have to put your bottle on the floor and lean over to get it. Also the power connector is at the front of the machine which can be annoying because if you don’t point it at the wall you have to run the lead alongside the machine. But however there minor complaints don’t really affect your workout. If that the worst things I can think of about the bike then they have done a pretty good job in my opinion.
Overall I would say you definitely get what you pay for with this bike and would recommend it to anyone from beginners to experienced users.
Why Get A Recumbent Exercise Bike?
Chances are that if you are looking at this page then you are interested in the benefits of a recumbent exercise bike in comparison to an ordinary upright exercise bike, or you are considering buying one for at home.
Related: Home exercise bike reviews guide
I shall try and point out a couple of the key differences between the two types, which may make you want to give one a go. I have also done a quick comparison of a few stationary recumbent bikes that you can find on the market. There isn’t as much variety available when compared to the upright version so I shall try and show you features to look out for.
I remember when I first saw a recumbent bike and thought “isn’t that just a slightly lazier way to cycle?” Well turns out it actually has been designed to meet certain different needs of users that the upright bike can’t help with.
Firstly if you look at the images below of an upright exercise bike and a recumbent you will notice how if you are sat in the correct position on an upright bike you are leaning forwards slightly.
If you have any kind of lower back pain then this can be an uncomfortable position to sit in while exercising. Whereas with the recumbent bike you will notice how the users back is supported by the seat helping to eliminate this issue. This also applies to anyone with neck pain as you don’t have to support/ hang your head while exercising on a recumbent bike as you are sat up.
Secondly the different positioning of the pedals in relation to the seat means that you work your muscles in a slightly different way. You tend to find that with the upright bike your quadriceps take the majority of the load whereas with the recumbent bike the quads engage however you will find that your hamstrings and glutes do a lot more of the work. Therefore if you are looking to build that booty maybe you should try a recumbent bike next time and see what you think.
It has been found that recumbent bikes are slightly easier to use than the upright bikes as the body doesn’t have to work quite as hard to hold the body in a leaning position making it easier for the heart to pump blood to the muscles where it is needed. I found these kinds of bikes are particularly useful for my Low Intensity Steady State exercise.
It makes the thought of jumping on an exercise bike not quite such a dreaded task as you don’t get the numb bum half way through your workout, wriggling around on the seat trying to bring it back to life! The positioning of the seat also makes it much easier for anyone with mobility issues to get on/ off the bike as it tends to be much lower and more stable.
When I am really looking to burn some fat but I am short of time, I do like to do some interval training and I thought that it may be an issue trying to do intervals on a recumbent bike, but it works just as well as with the upright version.
Frequently asked questions
Do Recumbent Exercise Bikes Give a Good Workout?
Recumbent bikes are effective for providing a good workout. Like other forms of exercise equipment, such as treadmills and upright bikes, recumbent bikes can help build strength in your core and leg muscles. Some recumbent bikes even have features that support upper-body strength training while you ride.
Can you Lose Weight Using A Recumbent Exercise Bike?
Pedaling on a recumbent bike is a good way to burn calories and support weight loss efforts when combined with a healthy diet. The number of calories burned will vary depending on factors such as the duration and intensity of the workout, as well as individual characteristics like height, weight, age, and body composition.
You can estimate the number of calories burned during your workout using your bike’s monitor, a fitness tracker, or a workout app.
Is Using a Recumbent Exercise Bike Better Than Walking?
Riding a recumbent bike and walking are both excellent forms of exercise, each with their own unique benefits. Both activities can help improve cardiovascular fitness, burn calories, and strengthen the muscles of the lower body. However, the specific benefits of each activity will depend on a variety of factors, such as the intensity and duration of the activity, as well as the individual’s fitness level and goals.
In general, both walking and riding a recumbent bike can be part of a healthy and active lifestyle.
Is it safe for older adults or people with mobility issues to use a recumbent exercise bike?
Yes, it can be safe for older adults or people with mobility issues to use a recumbent exercise bike. These bikes are designed to be comfortable and easy to use, with a reclined seat and pedals that are positioned closer to the ground.
This makes it easier for people to get on and off the bike, and can help reduce strain on the joints and muscles. It’s important for older adults and people with mobility issues to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine, to ensure that they are physically able to use a recumbent exercise bike and to get guidance on the best type of bike and exercise plan for their needs.
