Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker. She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series (as Shereen Jegtvig).
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For people who aren’t ready to give up the high-energy atmosphere of an indoor cycling studio, go for an indoor bike that brings the class to you, such as the Peloton bike. The highlight of the bike is a sweat-proof touchscreen for streaming live studio classes as well as 5,000 on-demand workouts. The bike is known for its smooth ride and quiet belt drive and features a knob that allows you to quickly and easily adjust the level of resistance. You can also opt to purchase weights with the bike, so you can get an upper body workout, too.
People who own this bike say that the Peloton studio instructors are motivational and that they like having multiple classes to choose between. Another big selling point: The bike is set up by a team of delivery professionals, ensuring that you won’t have to fumble through assembly instructions.
If you’re willing to splurge on an indoor cycling bike, then check out the sleek Keiser M3i. The bike is Bluetooth enabled, allowing it to pair with certain heart rate monitors. It also connects to BKOOL, a 3D virtual training system. Magnetic resistance makes for a smooth, whisper-quiet ride, which is why this bike is a great choice if you want to avoid disturbing roommates or waking up a sleeping baby.
One reviewer says that the Keiser M3i indoor cycling bike is virtually silent, and another says that the quiet ride allows them to watch a movie while they work out. It’s also praised for being extremely well made and easy to assemble.
The key to a comfortable ride is a bike that’s fitted to your exact proportions. The Sunny Health & Fitness indoor cycling bike allows you to make tweaks until the bike is just right. The handlebars move up in down in height while the leather padded seat moves both up and down as well as forward and backward with a simple twist of the knob, allowing you to adjust in the middle of your cycling workout. The bike is also equipped with a 40-pound chrome flywheel.
People who own the Sunny Health & Fitness indoor cycling bike say that adjustments are quick and easy. One reviewer was so impressed with the bike that they ordered more than ten to use in their fitness facility.
If you want the same level of quality you get at a pricey indoor cycling class in the comfort of your home, look no further than this choice from Bladez Fitness Master. The GS Indoor Cycle Trainer has a heavy flywheel (45 pounds!) and a top-down magnetic resistance which will make it feel like you are on the road and not in your living room. You can move the seat both forward and back to give you a custom fit so you can get the most out of using your stationary bike. The LCD screen will display your time and calories burned but if you want a more accurate read you can easily pair this with a Polar heart rate monitor (sold separately) that will monitor your intensity.
Reviewers commend this for its solid construction, low sound volume, and overall great performance for a mid-level priced bike.
Affordable doesn’t mean minimal when it comes to the ProGear 100S indoor cycling bike. The workout machine is decked out with a 22-pound flywheel, LCD computer that displays calories burned, distance, time, speed, and pulse (thanks to heart pulse sensors), and water bottle holder.
One reviewer notes that this ProGear model exceeded expectations based on the price, and another says that the bike is sturdier and heavier than they expected it to be. People also agree that the indoor cycling bike is easy to assemble and adjust to the rider’s height.
Our writers spent 32.5 hours researching and testing the most popular indoor cycling bikes on the market. All of this research adds up to recommendations you can trust.
Price: The price of bikes can vary widely, from those that cost less than $200 to options in the thousands. While it’s generally true that you get what you pay for, there are good, solid bikes that are inexpensive — they just may not offer all the features of fancier models. Consider what you really need in a bike and don’t be blinded by all the bells and whistles.
Comfort: You want a bike that can be easily adjusted to your proportions so that riding is as comfortable as possible. If more than one person uses the bike, this is even more important. You also want to consider the comfort of the bike’s seat, as some are more padded than others, and the last thing you want is saddle soreness.
Features: Do you love the indoor cycling class atmosphere, or just want a basic riding experience? There’s a bike for each style and a host of others in between. Most experts agree that you want a bike with a flywheel, but beyond that, there are those that offer a variety of options including motivational videos, training systems, and more. Some are also quieter than others, so if you’re worried about disturbing others in your home, look for one that doesn't make a lot of noise.
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