Beginners The 11 Best Exercise Bikes of 2021 Keep calm and pedal on By Alena Hall instagram Alena is a writer specializing in health, wellness, and fitness. She writes about fitness and health products for Verywell Health, Verywell Mind, and Verywell Fit. Learn about our editorial process Alena Hall Fact checked by Fact checked by Ashley Hall on December 30, 2020 linkedin Ashley Hall is a writer and fact checker who has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery. Learn about our editorial process Ashley Hall Updated on February 18, 2021 Print More in Fitness Beginners Motivation Sports Nutrition Fitness Trends Running Strength Walking Workouts Cardio Flexibility Yoga Pilates Tools and Equipment Health and Safety Special Features View All Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Verywell Our Top Picks Best Overall: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1714 Evolution Pro Cycling Bike at Amazon "This pick checks all of our boxes, from its stabilizing flywheel to an adjustable magnetic resistance to caged toe pedals." Best Budget: YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike at Amazon "It features a LCD monitor that tracks your speed and distance, while the iPad bracket makes it easy to follow a guided workout." Best Splurge: Peloton Bike+ at Onepeloton.com "A splurge-worthy pick, it's built with durable materials that will make your living room feel like a private spin studio." Best Natural Ride: NordicTrack Commercial S15i Studio Cycle at Amazon "The wide touch screen displays beautiful routes for an immersive ride, and it makes it easy to track your estimated calorie burn." Best Recumbent: Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-716R at Amazon "A recumbent style option, the magnetic wheel is supported by a tension adjustment knob so you can change the intensity." Best Folding: Exerpeutic Heavy Duty Foldable Exercise Bike at Amazon "Ideal for those with limited home gym space, it folds to half its full size for easy storage post-workout." Best for Total Body Workouts: Schwinn Fitness Airdyne AD6 Exercise Bike at Amazon "It promises a total body workout in minutes while the wind resistance technology works for both elite athletes and beginners." Best for Your Core: Bowflex VeloCore Bike at Best Buy "The leaning capability of the handlebars really lights up your core muscles as you ride along with your instructor." Best Deal: ProForm Studio Bike Pro at Proform.com "You literally get this bike for free when you commit to the monthly iFit membership for three years." Best Bundle: Myx Fitness The Myx Plus at Myx Fitness "The all-inclusive set includes a stationary bike, a six-piece weight set, a kettlebell, an oversized exercise mat, and more." In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQs Why Trust Verywell Fit? Biking is one of the best forms of aerobic exercise. Endurance-style rides keep your heart healthy and strong while hilly rides help to build and maintain muscle strength and tone. Meanwhile, any riding will help improve joint mobility, decrease stress and anxiety, benefit your posture and coordination, and more. Seriously, we could list the pros of biking all day long. Luckily, you don’t always have to take to busy roads to get a good ride in. In fact, it’s surprisingly easy to add a good stationary exercise bike to your home gym space. With plenty of styles and specs and price points to choose from, there really is a bike for everyone. What to Look for in an Exercise Bike Style There are three primary types of exercise bikes: upright, recumbent, and indoor. All are excellent options, all feel quite different to use, and all have a unique target user base. Consider the style that best meets your needs before shopping around. After all, if you’re aiming for a Peloton experience and you buy an air bike, you’re going to be confused and likely disappointed. Resistance Different bike styles use different mechanisms to create resistance on the pedals, which is the primary way for you to increase or decrease the intensity of your workout at any given time. Think about whether you want to adjust resistance with a manual knob like on an indoor bike or with keypad buttons like on a recumbent or upright bike. All lead to a quality workout, but your user experience will determine how often you use the bike. Durability When you’re purchasing any exercise equipment for home use, you want it to feel as sturdy as the pieces you’d get to use in a gym and you want it to last. Check out the bike’s primary materials, construction style, weight capacity, and user reviews before spending big bucks on a new workout tool. Adjustability If the bike you choose doesn’t fit your body ergonomically, you could end up with extra stiff muscles and even an unwanted injury from overtraining in the wrong position. So be sure that the bike’s seat, handlebars, and pedals can be adjusted to fit your specific body measurements, as well as anyone else in your home who plans on using the bike. Customization is key. Here are the best exercise bikes on the market. Best Overall: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1714 Evolution Pro Cycling Bike Buy on Amazon Buy on Dick's Pros Heavy duty flywheel Easy to customize fit Easy to assemble Cons No digital display No "smart" features Expensive This indoor cycling-style bike checks all the boxes on our list in impressive ways. The heavy-duty, 44-pound flywheel keeps the bike stable in place during vigorous exercise so you don’t feel any jolting mid-ride, and the high-durability steel frame construction supports a maximum weight capacity of 330 pounds. The bike uses a magnetic resistance mechanism that is easily adjusted by the user and requires virtually no maintenance over the lifetime of the bike. It also features a fully-adjustable seat, moving forward, backward, up, and down to give you the best fit. The bike comes equipped with four-way adjustable handlebars and caged toe pedals for a secure ride. Bike Style: Indoor cycling | Resistance Style: Manual resistance knob | Product Weight: 136.5 pounds | Maximum Weight Capacity: 330 pounds | Dimensions: 48.5 x 24 x 53.5 inches The Best Workout Equipment Deals at Walmart for April 2021 Best Budget: YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Yosudabikes.com Pros Smooth, quiet ride Provides basic ride stats Additional tablet mount Cons Lower weight capacity than other options Very firm seat For half the price of our overall pick, you can enjoy many of the same cycling perks with this YOSUDA bike. The 35-pound flywheel and heavy-duty steel frame give you the stability you need, and the belt-driven system makes for a smoother and quieter ride. At 270 pounds, the maximum weight capacity is a little lower, but the two-way adjustable handlebar and four-way padded seat ensure that you’ll find a comfortable position for your daily workout. Meanwhile, the manual resistance knob gives you total control and the caged foot pedals keep your feet in place at all times. What’s more, this model features a LCD monitor that tracks your time, speed, distance, and calories burned, and the additional iPad bracket makes it easy to listen to your favorite music or watch your favorite guided workout. Bike Style: Indoor cycling | Resistance Style: Manual resistance knob | Product Weight: 68 pounds | Maximum Weight Capacity: 270 pounds | Dimensions: 40 x 22 x 45 inches The Best Fitness Equipment on Sale at Best Buy for April 2021 Best Splurge: Peloton Bike+ Buy on Onepeloton.com Pros Sleek, stylish, and compact design Smooth, quiet ride Top-notch workout program integration Cons Delivery timeframe Only supports Look Delta cleats Expensive If you’re looking for a peak indoor cycling experience, you can’t beat the Peloton Bike+. The indoor cycling-style bike is top of the line, built with durable materials that give you a smooth and quiet ride every time. This new model features a digital auto-follow resistance in addition to the manual resistance knob, making it even easier to stay in sync with the live workout projected on the 24-inch swivel touch screen. The bike is both compact and adjustable, making it easy to fit in tight spaces in your home and still find your comfortable seat. It also supports a maximum weight capacity of 297 pounds. Simply put, the Peloton Bike+ makes your living room feel like your private spin studio with every workout you could ever need. Bike Style: Indoor cycling | Resistance Style: Manual resistance knob and digital auto-follow resistance | Product Weight: 135 pounds | Maximum Weight Capacity: 297 pounds | Dimensions: 59 x 22 x 59 inches The 21 Best Peloton Bike Accessories of 2021 Best Natural Ride: NordicTrack Commercial S15i Studio Cycle Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy Buy on Nordictrack.com Pros Truly immersive experience Ergonomic design Easy to track key stats Cons No pre-programmed workouts Relies on iFit membership Want your indoor ride to simulate an outdoor experience? Consider this bike from NordicTrack. The 15-inch touch screen displays some of the most beautiful routes for a truly immersive ride, and it makes it easy to track your distance, speed, and estimated calorie burn. The 350-pound capacity bike is plenty sturdy and features an ergonomic saddle and handlebars that are adjustable for your comfort. The inertia-enhanced flywheel uses silent magnetic resistance for a smooth, quiet ride, and you can choose from 22 digital resistance levels on the touch screen as you exercise. The pedals are also compatible with standard road bike pedals for a more immersive cycling experience. Bike Style: Indoor cycling | Resistance Style: Manual resistance knob and 22 digital resistance levels | Product Weight: 202 pounds | Maximum Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Dimensions: 55.75 x 22 x 61 inches The Fitness Deals to Snag at Kohl’s for April 2021 Best Recumbent: Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-716R Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Marcypro.com Pros Fits a wide range of users Safe for seniors and beginners LCD screen tracks basic stats Cons No "smart" features Resistance lacks intensity If you’re more interested in the recumbent style of an exercise bike, we recommend this model from Marcy. It features a fully-adjustable seat for a wide range of users, ensuring that your legs are positioned comfortably as you pedal. The soft, foam-covered handlebars also give you the additional support you need for every exercise session. The magnetic wheel is supported by a tension adjustment knob with eight presets, so you can easily change the intensity of your workout at any time. The bike also includes an LCD screen that tracks your speed, distance, time, and calories burned. Sleek yet sturdy, this bike can support a maximum capacity of 300 pounds. Bike Style: Recumbent | Resistance Style: Manual resistant knob with 8 settings | Product Weight: 59 pounds | Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Dimensions: 52 x 25 x 38 inches The 10 Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes of 2021 Best Folding: Exerpeutic Heavy Duty Foldable Exercise Bike Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Pros Easy to store post-workout Surprisingly sturdy LCD screen tracks basic stats Cons Low-tech Limited resistance options For folks with limited home gym space, a foldable exercise bike can be the best solution. This heavy-duty steel frame from Exerpeutic supports an impressive weight capacity of 400 pounds, all while folding to half its full size for easy storage post-workout. It also features easy transportation wheels that help you move the bike from room to room as you need. The upright-style bike utilizes a magnetic tension control system with eight smooth resistance settings, making it easy to work at your ideal intensity. The seat is also large and padded, fitting virtually any exerciser comfortably. The bike includes an LCD display that shares your calories burned, distance, time, speed, and pulse. Bike Style: Upright | Resistance Style: Manual resistance knob with 8 settings | Product Weight: 51.6 pounds | Maximum Weight Capacity: 400 pounds | Dimensions: 39 x 26.4 x 48.8 inches The Best Home Fitness Tech of 2021 Best for Total Body Workouts: Schwinn Fitness Airdyne AD6 Exercise Bike Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Best Buy Pros Moving handlebars Self-powered Great for HIIT Cons Louder than other options Very heavy Just because a bike’s primary function is to work your legs doesn’t mean you can’t activate your arms, core, and back at the same time. This upright fan bike from Schwinn gives you a tough total body workout in just a matter of minutes because you move the handlebars in addition to the pedals. The 26-blade fan is paired with a single-stage belt drive to deliver a quiet, smooth, and challenging workout experience. It’s heavy-duty, commercial-grade construction can support a maximum capacity of 300 pounds, and the progressive wind resistance technology makes it an excellent tool for elite athletes and beginners alike. CrossFitters swear by this style of bike for high-intensity interval training. Bike Style: Upright | Resistance Style: Progressive wind resistance based on your work intensity | Product Weight: 113 pounds | Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Dimensions: 55 x 26 x 53 inches The 5 Best Hybrid Bikes of 2021 Best for Your Core: Bowflex VeloCore Bike Buy on Best Buy Buy on Bowflex.com Pros Core-engaging leaning mode Bluetooth connectivity Very comfortable ride Cons Relies on JRNY membership Short warranty Exercisers are often surprised to find out just how much indoor cycling can challenge your core muscles—and this bike from Bowflex kicks that intensity up a notch. It features a leaning mode, which allows you to rock from side to side as you follow JRNY's outdoor cycling videos, making you feel as though you are actually working your way down a winding road. You can also use its stationary mode whenever you choose. The smart screen displays all the statistics you could ever want so you can get the most out of your daily training. Meanwhile, the bike's sturdy construction supports a maximum weight capacity of 325 pounds and the manual resistance knob gives you access to 100 resistance levels. It's also plenty customizable, with a four-way adjustable seat, moveable handlebars, and an adjustable display screen. What's more, the bike comes with a Bluetooth heart rate monitor armband, a set of 3-pound dumbbells, and a two-month JRNY trial. Bike Style: Indoor cycling | Resistance Style: Manual resistance knob with 100 resistance levels | Product Weight: 175 pounds | Maximum Weight Capacity: 325 pounds | Dimensions: 59.8 x 24.1 x 55.3 inches The 9 Best Indoor Cycling Bikes of 2021 Best Deal: ProForm Studio Bike Pro Buy on Proform.com Pros Payment options Built to last Easy to relocate Cons Relies on an iFit membership Lower weight capacity Not willing to pay for a brand new exercise bike outright? Consider this quality pick from ProForm that costs just $39 a month for the accompanying iFit subscription. You do have to commit to the membership for three years, which is around the same value as the bike itself, but that means you literally get both equipment and classes for the price of one. Meanwhile, the bike is a great piece of equipment and quite similar to the NordicTrack option on this list. The inertia-enhanced flywheel gives you all the power you need while remaining surprisingly quiet, and you can up the intensity of your ride with the manual resistance knob or 22 digital resistance levels. The frame's commercial-grade solid steel construction supports a weight capacity of 250 pounds, and the seat and handlebars can be adjusted to suit most riders comfortably. It also comes with a 180-degree swiveling display screen so you can enjoy workout videos both on and off the bike. Bike Style: Indoor cycling | Resistance Style: Manual resistance knob and 22 digital resistance levels | Product Weight: 140 pounds | Maximum Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Dimensions: 59.8 x 24.1 x 55.3 inches The 6 Best Bikes for Women of 2021 Best Bundle: Myx Fitness The Myx Plus Buy on Myx Fitness Pros Full home gym setup Reliable bike construction Easy workout video access Cons Doesn't include MYX membership No live classes Many at-home exercise bikes don’t include the accessories that make studio rides so great, meaning you have to spend well over the initial price tag to create the experience you want. If you’re looking for an all-in-one experience, check out the MYX Plus. It features a commercial-grade Star Trac bike that is durable, compact, and adjustable to your body’s dimensions. It supports a maximum capacity of 350 pounds and comes with a swiveling 21.5-inch touch screen that makes it easy to follow along to your favorite fitness videos while you ride. The pedals are compatible with both athletic shoes and SPD cycling shoes, so you can bike the way that feels best for you, and the 41-pound flywheel keeps you secure and cruising for as long as you want to ride. In addition to the stationary bike, the bundle also includes a six-piece weight set, a kettlebell, an oversized exercise mat, a 24-inch EVA foam roller, and more. Bike Style: Indoor cycling | Resistance Style: Manual resistance knob | Product Weight: 150 pounds | Maximum Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Dimensions: 55 x 21 x 47 inches The 10 Best Home Gyms of 2021 Best Studio Experience: SoulCycle At-Home Bike Buy on Equinoxplus.com Pros Professional delivery and setup Top-of-the-line bike design Large touchscreen display Cons Very heavy Class subscription not included Riders obsessed with SoulCycle struggle to find at-home class programming that feels like their favorite studio experience—until now. The SoulCycle At-Home Bike brings both the equipment you trust and instructors you love right to your home gym. The matte black bike has a 21-inch touchscreen display and some high-tech speakers, both of which are perfect for streaming live and on-demand classes led by top SoulCycle instructors. Meanwhile, the commercial-grade steel frame is club-quality, and the magnetic resistance flywheel and narrow carbon-fiber belt make for a smooth, silent, and natural-feeling ride. The four-way adjustable seat and handlebars ensure your customized fit, and transport wheels make it easy to stow the bike away after your workout. What's more, the bike is delivered pre-assembled and comes with access to Equinox+, which lets you stream classes from Equinox, SoulCycle, Rumble, TB12, and more whenever you want. Bike Style: Indoor cycling | Resistance Style: Manual resistance knob | Product Weight: 142 pounds | Maximum Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Dimensions: 62.2 x 22.2 x 53.5 inches Final Verdict Everybody prefers a different bike style. If you’re looking for a simple, effective, and durable indoor cycling bike that won’t break the bank, you can’t go wrong with the Sunny Health & Fitness Evolution Pro Cycling Bike. If you prefer a recumbent bike style, our top pick is easily the Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike. And if you think an upright bike would better suit your needs, try the Exerpeutic Heavy Duty Foldable Exercise Bike, which also stores easily when your workout is complete. Madelyn Goodnight / Verywell FAQs Is an exercise bike effective for weight loss? Yes, including an exercise bike in your weekly fitness routine can help you accomplish your weight loss goals. Biking is aerobic by nature, helping to burn calories held in stored body fat. It also strengthens larger muscles in the body, such as the quadriceps and hamstrings, which then helps you burn body fat more efficiently. With that said, the amount of weight loss you experience will be highly dependent on your starting body composition, the frequency and intensity of your workouts, and other lifestyle factors, such as diet, stress, and sleep quality. What muscles does an exercise bike work? All exercise bikes require a pedaling action, which targets your quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. Upright and indoor cycling bikes also require a posture that engages your back and core muscles effectively. And any time you alternate between standing up and sitting in the saddle, you engage your glutes as well. Which is better: Exercise bike or treadmill? Both machines are effective tools for at-home aerobic exercise. They can be used for high-intensity and highly effective workouts, as well as more casual cardiovascular fitness sessions. But generally speaking, exercise bikes are better for people with joint pain, injuries, or other problems, as the seated pedaling motion places far less impact on the hips, knees, and ankles. The low-impact nature of cycling also makes it a safer choice for beginners and seniors with longevity in mind. Why Trust Verywell Fit? As a former personal trainer, seasoned health writer, and avid exerciser, Alena Hall understands how important it is to pick the right home gym equipment for you. She is always exploring the latest and greatest wellness tools, machines, and gadgets, but more importantly, Alena carefully considers the quality and various features that make these fitness products worthwhile investments. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get exercise tips to make your workouts less work and more fun. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Donnelly JE, Honas JJ, Smith BK, et al. Aerobic exercise alone results in clinically significant weight loss for men and women: Midwest Exercise Trial-2. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2013;21(3):E219-E228. Strasser B, Schobersberger W. Evidence for resistance training as a treatment therapy in obesity. J Obes. 2011;2011.