A recumbent bicycle is a type of stationary bike that has a seat that allows an exerciser to recline during their routine.
These types of exercise bikes are more ergonomic and provide a more positive effect on the spine and the posture.
With this type of bike, you won’t have to bend over; rather, you can even watch television while you pedal.
There is a wide array of engaging exercises that you can do on a recumbent bike.
With the benefits in mind, you can use this guide so that you can find the best recumbent exercise bike models for your workout.
Top 10 Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Comparison Table
| Picture | Name | Features | Rating (1-5) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Exerpeutic WORKFIT 1000 Desk Station | Comfortable seat 300-pound capacity Space for a large laptop Folds up for small footprint | 3 | $$ |
 | Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike | Built-in pulse monitoring Adjustable Odometer Settable tension feature | 3 | $ |
 | Exerpeutic 2000 High Capacity Programmable Magnetic Recumbent Bike | Stabilized so that you can't fall over Smart console with 12 programs Measures several metrics Has transportation wheels | 3 | $$$ |
 | Exerpeutic 1000 High Capacity Magnetic Recumbent Bike | Has an LCD monitor with workout stats Great for larger exercisers Wheels for easy transport Step-through design | 3 | $$ |
 | Exerpeutic 4000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike | Seat has air-chambered structure Elbow pads Can manage up to 325 pounds Pedalling quiet and still | 3.5 | $$$$ |
 | Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Exercise Bike | Fully adjustable seat Very comfortable design Pedals for your hands Wheels for easy transport | 4 | $$$$$$ |
 | Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike (MY17) | Includes a fan Comfortable mesh seat Pulse rate monitors Goal tracking features | 4 | $$$$ |
 | Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike | Tension knob is easy to operate Supports up to 300 pounds Larger semi-recumbent seating system Flywheel and balancers for stability | 4.5 | $ |
 | Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike | USB connector 20 levels of resistance 22 preset programs Built-in speakers | 4.5 | $ |
 | Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709 | Highly padded seat Digital display provides workout metrics Eight levels of resistance Smaller sizing | 5 | $ |
What Type of Recumbent Exercise Bikes Are There?
When you’re ready to begin your search for a new recumbent bike, it’s important to understand that there are two main types of these products: folding and standard. As you might expect, a folding unit is designed with portability in mind.
These types might not be something that you’d take with you from place to place in most situations, but they are perfect when you need a machine that can be stored away between uses.
Standard machines have a tendency to have a higher weight capacity than folding and also have more inherent adjustability. These also tend to have little features like digital displays, heart pulse sensors, and more comfortable saddles.
Benefits of the Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes
When you’re looking to get in shape, using a stationary bike like a recumbent is a great way to exercise without overstressing your joints and muscle groups.
Recumbent stationary bikes are also excellent on the lumbar spine so that you have less chance of accidentally injure yourself during your routine.
Also, the saddle of a recumbent tends to be larger than the bike-style saddles of a standard stationary, which means you’ll be more comfortable on a recumbent over hours of exercise.
Downsides of Recumbent Exercise Bikes
Unfortunately, if you’re trying to build muscle, a recumbent bike won’t be your best recourse. These exercise machines have a tendency to really tone rather than build though they are great calorie burners as well.
Also, if you have a small space, you won’t really be able to get the full experience with a folding device; larger units tend to be very large, so consider your space options before purchase.
10. Exerpeutic WORKFIT 1000 Desk Station Folding Semi-Recumbent Exercise Bike
When you don’t have a lot of space, this folding recumbent bicycle from Exerpeutic can definitely help you manage your space more efficiently and still get your exercise in.
It folds up to a thinner vertical shaping that lets it easily be stored within the confines of a closet or in a smaller corner.
Currently, treadmill desks are very important due to the fact that they provide a work area that allows you to exercise and get work done. This product also includes a desktop that will allow you to do something similar.
During your regimen, you can increase the tension of the machine so that you can experience more resistance. The folding recumbent is also very durable; it can even manage individuals that weigh up to 300 pounds.
Pros:
- Comfortable seat
- 300-pound capacity
- Space for a large laptop
- Folds up for small footprint
Cons:
- Doesn’t adjust well
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9. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike Exercise Bike, 300lb Capacity, Easy Adjustable Seat, Monitor, Pulse Rate Monitoring – SF-RB4616
This Sunny Health and Fitness recumbent bicycle performs as a non-foldable standard product that doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Similarly to the first product in the guide, this bike has a weight capacity of 300 pounds, which means larger people can use this product fairly easily.
In addition to this capacity, the bike also has a heart monitoring system that will give you updates on your pulse rate so that you can optimize your workout.
The seat assembly on this product is very comfortable and reclines back to a very ergonomic positioning.
Alongside the saddle, is a pair of grips that house the pulse rate monitoring system. As you exercise, you can also monitor several other key metrics like calories burnt, distance, and speed via the digital display.
Pros:
- Built-in pulse monitoring
- Adjustable
- Odometer
- Settable tension feature
Cons:
- Electronics hard to read
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8. Exerpeutic 2000 High Capacity Programmable Magnetic Recumbent Bike with Air Soft Seat and Heart Pulse Sensors
The second product from Exerpeutic on this list, the 2000 is an excellent product for people looking for a full-featured experience.
The product has a built-in pulse rate function that allows you to monitor your heart rate so that you can stay within your optimal range.
To use the product, you simply “step through” so that you can safely mount the saddle.
The saddle itself uses “Air Soft” technology that keeps the cushioning cool, even after you’ve worked out for hours. The product also features comfy armrests that will keep your arms easily suspended while your heart rate is measured.
Pros:
- Stabilized so that you can’t fall over
- Smart console with 12 programs
- Measures metrics like range, speed, and calories burned
- Has transportation wheels
Cons:
- Seat can move
7. Exerpeutic 1000 High Capacity Magnetic Recumbent Bike W/ Pulse Wider Seat Extended
For larger individuals, the Exerpeutic 1000 is a great option. This recumbent bike has a maximum user weight of 325 pounds, which means that this is an excellent product for those that want significant results for cardio health.
For this purpose, Exerpeutic also increased the size and comfortability of the seat; it even features their “Air Soft” tech that helps the saddle area stay cooler over longer periods of time.
This product also features hand pulse rate pads that can help you find a good target heart rate.
In order to provide a higher level of resistance, the 1000 includes a magnetic tensioning system for those that are looking for a more challenging regimen.
Pros:
- Has an LCD monitor with workout stats
- Great for larger exercisers
- Wheels for easy around-the-house transport
- Step-through design
Cons:
- Can’t adjust seat while in chair
6. Exerpeutic 4000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike with 12 Workout Programs
This Exerpeutic product has one of the best seating systems available for a recumbent bicycle.
Its seatback is comprised of comfortable and breathable mesh, its seat uses “Air Soft” tech so that it stays plush and cool over time, and it’s fully equipped with comfy armrests.
Additionally, the armrests extend forward to provide pulse rate handles so that you can monitor your performance at a target heart rate.
The magnetic tension system on this product has 24 settings that can really add intensity to your regimen.
Additionally, the LCD computer in the 4000 is fully programmable and can store the information of four users.
Pros:
- Seat has an air-chambered structure
- Elbow pads make workout easier
- Can manage individuals up to 325 pounds
- Flywheel makes pedaling quiet and still
Cons:
- Shorter people can struggle to reach pedals
5. Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Exercise Bike
Many of these products provide a great workout but won’t quite work for every muscle group.
This product, by Stamina, includes hand pedals so that you can work your upper body while your pedal down below.
This product also features magnetic resistance so that you can select from eight levels of tension. This feature will help you intensify your workout so that you can always progress.
The bike also features an LCD that provides statistics like speed, distance, and calories burned.
This feature is very useful for keeping track of your daily and weekly performance metrics. The device also has pulse sensors so that you can stay within your target heart rate.
Pros:
- Fully adjustable seat
- Very comfortable design
- Pedals for your hands
- Wheels for easy transport
Cons:
- Can only manage people that are 250 pounds and lower
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4. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike (MY17)
Schwinn, which is a dedicated bicycle company, has designed the 270 recumbent bikes to provide a truly high tech exercise experience.
This recumbent even has Bluetooth connectivity so that you can wirelessly and seamlessly transfer workout data from the bike to your smartphone.
In addition to this, the bike also has 25 built-in levels of resistance that you can access with just the touch of a button.
This function is completely computer-controlled so that changing your resistance level is just one click away at all times.
Want to listen to some tunes on your mobile device? The product also features speakers and the ability to actually control playback and charge your device.
Pros:
- Includes a fan
- Comfortable mesh seat
- Pulse rate monitors
- Goal tracking features
Cons:
- Seat can cause users to slide downwards
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3. Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike
Another folding bike from Exerpeutic, this 400XL has a lot of great features that will make this product seem like a full-sized recumbent bicycle.
When it comes time to end your workout, the 400XL folds neatly to about half its deployed size and can be transported seamlessly via its transportation wheels.
Since it only weighs 53 pounds, moving this product around, even when taking it to a friend’s, is very easy.
The product uses a flywheel design that’s made to run silent and without much vibration, which means this is a good product to purchase if you have downstairs neighbors.
It even has an eight-level tension control lever that makes resistance workouts simple to set up.
Pros:
- Tension knob is easy to operate
- Supports up to 300 pounds
- Larger semi-recumbent seating system
- Flywheel and balancers for stability
Cons:
- Has some flimsy and cheap components
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2. Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike
When you want to exercise with and gain some helpful workout metrics, the 230 recumbent bike provides one of the best full-featured experiences on the market.
Not only does this device display metrics on the large screen in front of the exerciser, but there is also a smaller LCD screen that you can use to track time and calories burned.
When you want to watch some videos or read a book, the 230 has a media rack that’ll let you place your tablet of reading materials in front of the larger screen.
The recumbent bike has some high-tech features as well; you can transfer your workout metrics via a USB connection and even charge your phone during your workout.
The 230 also features a set of speakers and a three-speed fan so that you can stay cool and hear your favorite songs during your daily routine.
Pros:
- USB connector
- 20 levels of resistance
- 22 preset programs
- Built-in speakers
Cons:
- The seat is plastic
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1. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709
While the ME-709 isn’t foldable, its smaller size makes it a great product for portability.
Add to that the fact that it’s also a very inexpensive product and you’ve got a great device for people that are just learning about the benefits of using a stationary recumbent bike.
Like many of the popular products, this Marcy bike has a step-through design that makes it very easy to mount and dismount; you won’t have to step over anything and risk tripping.
The pedals on this product are also counterbalanced, which means that you’ll feel supported as you work out.
The straps are also fully adjustable in order to provide a secure fit.
Pros:
- Highly padded seat
- Digital display provides workout metrics
- Eight levels of resistance
- Smaller sizing
Cons:
- There’s no pulse rate monitor
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Editors Choice of Best Recumbent Exercise Bike
When you’re looking to work out, there are very few exercise machines that are as low-impact and easy to use than a recumbent bike.
The products that we’ve selected here are all excellent bikes that will help you tone, burn calories, and exercise ergonomically.
Insofar as which of these products is the Editor’s Choice, we’ve picked the Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709.
This bike is lightweight, has more than enough great features, and has a small footprint that makes it easy to use just about anywhere.
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