Optimum Fitness Fitness News and equipment reviews
Exercise bikes are by far our favorite form of Cardio Workout.
We want to give you the best information possible to make your next buying choice, so we have review, places to buy and guides on all the top bikes on the market. This guide for Exercise Bikes will take you through everything you need to know to buy the best product for you. Our site is packed with the best exercise bike reviews, and we have even found the best price deals so you can save money and lose weight.
Top Exercise Bikes 2024:
| Product name | Rating | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ASUNA 4100 Commercial Indoor Cycling Bike, Gray | $535.95 | ||
 | Body Rider Fan Bike | $125.63 | ||
 | Diamondback 510SR Fitness Recumbent Bike | $707.56 | ||
 | Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike | $149.00 | ||
 | Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike with Pulse | $169.00 | ||
 | Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse | $149.00 | ||
 | Exerpeutic GOLD 500 XLS Foldable Magnetic Upright Bike | $189.99 | ||
 | Keiser M3 Indoor Cycle | $1,795.00 | ||
 | Marcy Upright Mag Bike | $149.00 | ||
 | Nautilus U614 Upright Bike | $249.99 | ||
 | $449.00 | |||
 | Schwinn 130 Upright Bike | $329.00 | ||
 | Schwinn 170 Upright Bike | $449.00 | ||
 | Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike | $429.00 | ||
 | Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike | $549.00 | ||
 | Schwinn AD2 Airdyne Bike | $399.00 | ||
 | Schwinn AD6 Airdyne Exercise Bike | $599.00 | ||
 | Sunny Health & Fitness Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike | $327.79 | ||
 | Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike | $254.07 | ||
 | Sunny SF-B1001 Indoor Cycling Bike | $213.68 |
Exercise Bikes By Price:
If price is your goal, then all of our reviews have been grouped into three price brackets:
- Under $200 Exercise Bikes
- $200 – $499 Exercise Bikes
- $500 – $1000 Exercise Bikes
- Over $1000 Exercise Bikes
Your best choice for an upright Stationary bike for less than $200
If you are on a limited budget, you don’t have to let that stop you from finding some great workout equipment. Here are the top selling exercise bikes for under $200, we will then give you our best buy picks.
| Product name | Rating | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Rider Fan Bike | $125.63 | ||
 | DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser, White | $159.00 | ||
| Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike | $149.00 | ||
| Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike with Pulse | $169.00 | ||
| Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse | $149.00 |
Chosing the best of these is tricky, as there are three different types of bike here. When you break the choice down it becomes more simple as are broadly three types:
Best Under $200 Recumbent Bike
Comfortable and easy to use if you are new to exercise. Generally these bikes have a high weight limit and a good comfortable seat. They do take up a little more space than upright bikes though.
Our pick of the best under $200 Recumbent bike is the: Exerpeutic 400XL
- Foldable recumbent exercise bike with quiet V-belt double-drive transmission system
- Precision-balanced flywheel; 8-level adjustable magnetic tension control system
- Easy-to-read LCD display tracks your distance, calories, time, speed, and heart rate
- Semi-recumbent design for easy entry and exit; large seat cushion and backrest
- Supports up to 300 pounds; Product setup dimensions: 33"L x 19"W x 46"H
Best Under $200 Upright Bike
The most common form of exercise bike. These bikes sit you up in the traditional cycling pose. Good for gentle exercise, and perfect for beginners. While there is a huge number of choices for reliable and smooth upright bikes under $200 our pick is the Schwinn A10 bike:
- Easy to read large LCD window tracks your speed, time, distance, calories and more
- 7 workout programs to keep you challenged
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance
- Grip heart rate monitor
- Speakers
Best Under $200 Indoor/Spin Bike.
Designed for a more intensive workout, great if you have a basic level of fitness and good mobility. Our pick for the best Indoor Bike under $200 is the basic, but incredibly capable Sunny Indoor Bike:
- Surprisingly affordable performance stationary bike offers design features and benefits you'd expect from a more expensive model
- Fully adjustable seat and handlebars; smooth, quiet chain drive mechanism
- Heavy-duty crank and steel frame; adjustable resistance; transportation wheels for easy portability
- 30-pound flywheel, 85-pound weight, and 220-pound maximum user weight
- Measures 20 by 43 by 46 inches (W x H x D)
So there you have it, 3 great affordable exercise bikes that will save you hundreds in gym costs. If you are looking to spend a little more then read on..
Your best choice for an Exercise bikes for less under $500
In this section we have three options, the best Recumbent, best Upright and the best Indoor/Spin Bike:
Best Under $600 Recumbent Bike
- Bluetooth® connectivity, syncs with the Schwinn Trainer App and other apps for fitness tracking
- Sync with free downloadable RideSocialTM App and see the world as you virtually ride alongside friends in real time
- 29 programs: 12 profile, 9 heart rate control, 4 custom, 2 fitness test, 1 quick start
- 25 levels of resistance for a wide range of workout intensity options
- High speed, high inertia drive system with a perimeter weighted flywheel for easy start up and smooth, consistent workouts
- DualTrackTM LCD displays, media shelf, in-console speakers with MP3 input port, USB media charging and adjustable fan
Best Under $500 Upright Bike
- Bluetooth® connectivity, syncs with the Schwinn Trainer App and other apps for fitness tracking
- Sync with free downloadable RideSocialTM App and see the world as you virtually ride alongside friends in real time
- 29 programs: 12 profile, 9 heart rate control, 4 custom, 2 fitness test, 1 quick start
- 25 levels of resistance for a wide range of workout intensity options
- High speed, high inertia drive system with a perimeter weighted flywheel for easy start up and smooth, consistent workouts
- DualTrackTM LCD displays, media shelf, in-console speakers with MP3 input port, USB media charging and adjustable fan
Best Under $500 Indoor / Spin Bike
- CYCLE BIKE: The sturdy frame, 49 Ib flywheel and 275 lb user weight gives this bike a rock solid build that will keep it moving ride after ride. Easily moveable with the front-mounted transport wheels
- RESISTANCE: The cycle bike trainer resistance system gives you the experience of a realistic, real-road feeling while the built in push down emergency brake will bring the bike to an immediate stop.
- SILENT RIDE: Experience a smooth and quiet ride with the maintenance free belt drive system which allows you to workout without interrupting your workout or anyone around you.
- CUSTOMIZABILITY: With a height inseam of 29 - 40 in, adjust the seat horizontal/vertical to fit you while pedals are built with toe cages to keep your feet in place. Handlebars can be moved up/down.
- Transportation wheels for easy portability
Best under $1000 Exercise Bikes:
As you head over $500 there is a significant bump in quality of the bikes on offer. We have picked three of the best bikes in this category, one Spin/Indoor Bike, one Upright bike and a recumbent. All of these are highly rated and top sellers:
Best Under $1000 Spin/ Indoor Bike:
It looks good too, with its X Shaped frame and striking red highlights. The little features that we really like are the handle bar mounted bottle racks, and its impressive build quality.
- Reviewed as a best buy in its price range
- Heavy 48 lb. Flywheel for smooth resistance
- Offers multi seat and handlebar adjustments
- Comfortable ergonomic padded saddle for long distance training
- Vibrant, easy to view console
- Stationary exercise bike with 48-pound flywheel and knob turn adjustable resistance
- Integrated blue, backlit LCD console displays RPM, time, Kcal, distance, and speed
- Compatible with wireless chest strap for heart rate monitoring
- Fore/aft and up/down adjustments for seat and handlebars
- Warranties: frame--lifetime; parts/electric--three years; labor--one year
Best Under $1000 Upright Bike:
- Upright stationary bike has carefully thought-out design enabling challenging workout that keeps you comfortable, as well
- Vertically and horizontally adjustable seat and handlebars; six standard programs, two custom programs, and two heart rate programs; nine-inch LCD console and built-in fan
- Pulse grip heart rate monitoring and chest strap heart rate monitoring compatible (strap included); custom, oversized pedals with ECB resistance; MP3 compatible sound system and water bottle holder
- Measures 23 by 55 by 44 inches (W x H x D), with 123-pound weight and 300-pound weight limit
- Includes the following manufacturer's warranties against defects in materials and workmanship: lifetime on frame; three years on electronics and parts; and one year on labor
Best under $1000 Recumbent Bike:
First, why would you consider buying an Upright Exercise Bike?
Exercise bikes are the most popular form of home fitness equipment. Easily outselling treadmills and ellipticals combined. The basis of their popularity is simple. Exercise Bikes are easy to use, anyone of any fitness level can benefit from riding them. Exercise bikes are compact, unlike Elliptical Trainers they do not take up to much space in the home. Upright Exercise bikes are low maintenance, once set up they can be used for years with little work. Compare that to a treadmill that requires regular lubrication and servicing
Next up is price. Because they sell in such high volumes it is very easy to find great quality exercise bikes at very affordable prices. You can spend less than $150 on an exercise bike and still see great results. My next door neighbour bought one of the cheapest bikes on the market, and used it every day. He lost over 140lbs in weight, just with that bike and a healthy diet.
If you are an experienced cyclist with lots of power and strength looking for indoor training then you would need to consider spending more than $150. Top of the range bikes sell for over $800, such as the amazing LifeCycle GX, or a spin bike such as the Keiser M3
What we have done to ensure that you don’t end up spending more than you need is to look at the best bikes in each of the price ranges. For each bike we will describe what exactly you are getting for your money, and how it will benefit you.
Our Best Exercise Bikes: Types of Exercise Bikes
Exercise bikes can be split into four different categories. It is useful if we look at each in a little more depth in order to understand the differences.
1: Upright Exercise Bikes
This is the most common form of exercise bike. Upright bikes feel the most like normal bikes in the way they operate. The saddle is directly above the pedals, and there are comfortable easy to reach handle bars. The bike forces you to sit in a comfortable upright position, which most riders find perfect for long periods of exercise.
Pedals on an upright bike are so called free wheel. This means that you can stop turning your legs at any point. On a spin bike this is impossible as the pedals are fixed to the free wheel and turn constantly. Being able to stop pedalling at any point is great if you need to get off the bike for any reason, or just need a quick break.
Upright bikes tend to be the best value for money, basic models such as the Exerpeutic Folding Exercise Bike is less than $150. As you can see in the review its basic, yet still good value for money not surprising that its the biggest selling Exercise Bike on the market.
Of course if money is no object then Trixter Xdream Exercise Bike combines a top of the range bike with a full virtual reality experience, yours for $6995.
Our top pick for a good all round exercise bike that wont break the bank:
- Bluetooth® connectivity, syncs with Nautilus TrainerTM 2 App and other apps for fitness tracking
- Sync with RideSocialTM App and see the world as you virtually ride alongside friends in real time
- 29 workout programs: 12 profile, 9 heart rate control, 4 custom, 2 fitness test, 1 recovery test, 1 quick start
- 25 levels of resistance for a wide range of workout intensity options
- High speed, high inertia drive system with a perimeter weighted flywheel for easy start up and smooth, consistent workouts
- DualTrackTM LCD displays, media shelf, in-console speakers with an MP3 input port, USB media charging and adjustable fan
2: Recumbent Bikes
Not as common as upright bikes, yet for us recumbent bikes make the best choice. recumbent means that you lie back on the bike in a comfortable relaxed position. One of the big drawbacks from upright exercise bikes is sitting on the small, sometimes uncomfortable, saddle.
Exercise bikes are the biggest selling form of exercise equipment. This is because they are safe to use, simple to operate and tend not to take up to much space.
While prices can range from less than $200 to upto $2000 there is a huge amount of choice depending on your budget.
So to help you we have a full range of guides and advice including:
- Exercise Bike Buying Guides
- Exercise Bike Reviews
- Exercise Bike Brands
- Benefits of using an Exercise Bike
Of course not everyone has unlimited money to invest, so we have grouped our reviews according to price, and features.
Recumbent vs Upright Exercise Bikes:
If you are looking for either an upright or recumbent bike then you can find them here, not sure which one is for you? Then check out our quick guide to them both here:
Our Pick of Recumbent Bikes for 2024
Best for Size and Price: Schwinn 270Recumbent bike
- Bluetooth® connectivity, syncs with the Schwinn Trainer App and other apps for fitness tracking
- Sync with free downloadable RideSocialTM App and see the world as you virtually ride alongside friends in real time
- 29 programs: 12 profile, 9 heart rate control, 4 custom, 2 fitness test, 1 quick start
- 25 levels of resistance for a wide range of workout intensity options
- High speed, high inertia drive system with a perimeter weighted flywheel for easy start up and smooth, consistent workouts
- DualTrackTM LCD displays, media shelf, in-console speakers with MP3 input port, USB media charging and adjustable fan
Are you looking for a Spinning Bike, or a more traditional Bike?
Spinning bikes have a big heavy flywheel that maintains its momentum, and fixed pedals so you have to keep the legs turning. Traditional Exercise bikes are designed to feel more like a normal outdoor bike. They are smoother and can free wheel. My preference are spin bikes, they give a high intensity workout that melts fat, and pushes the heart to its limits.
Our top picks are for Spin style upright Bikes:
- CYCLE BIKE: The sturdy frame, 49 Ib flywheel and 275 lb user weight gives this bike a rock solid build that will keep it moving ride after ride. Easily moveable with the front-mounted transport wheels
- RESISTANCE: The cycle bike trainer resistance system gives you the experience of a realistic, real-road feeling while the built in push down emergency brake will bring the bike to an immediate stop.
- SILENT RIDE: Experience a smooth and quiet ride with the maintenance free belt drive system which allows you to workout without interrupting your workout or anyone around you.
- CUSTOMIZABILITY: With a height inseam of 29 - 40 in, adjust the seat horizontal/vertical to fit you while pedals are built with toe cages to keep your feet in place. Handlebars can be moved up/down.
- Transportation wheels for easy portability
- Incredibly durable, no wearing parts, nearly maintenance free.
- Whisper quiet in operation.
- Smooth magnetic resistance system.
- Modern complementary design, built in the U.S.A.
- Computer with power output tracking included at no extra cost.
- Indoor training bike with heavy-duty steel frame and powder-coated paint
- 46-pound precision flywheel is perimeter weighted for high inertia
- German-made SKF sealed bearings and Hutchinson V-ribbed automotive belt
- Micro-adjustable stainless-steel seat post; aluminum alloy pedals with toe straps
- Top-quality Velo saddle; 300-pound capacity; measures 24 x 47 x 43 inches (W x H x D)
Summary: Sunny Health, although if money was no object then the Keiser M3 is a better bike!
For budget bikes, then for less than $200 the Exerpeutic bikes are hard to beat!