6 Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes of 2023

I love biking, but even the best exercise bikes can be a literal pain in the butt—not to mention the back and legs, too. The Pelotons of the world were not built with comfort in mind, they were made to help you get a heart-pounding cardio workout.

If you’re looking for something a little cozier, then allow us to show you our picks for the best recumbent exercise bike. These bikes allow you to sit back, stretch your legs, and still get your heart rate up without the discomfort some people experience on an old-fashioned stationary bike. 

Whether you’re a tall person (like myself), suffer from a back or leg injury, have mobility issues, or are a senior looking for a more accessible exercise bike, you’ll be sure to find one on this list. 

Lean Back and Let Us Do the Hard Work 

Shopping can be difficult, especially in this economy. How do you know you’re making the right purchase, and can you trust all the customer reviews you read about a product? 

The good news is you can relax because you’re in the hands of trained professionals. We’re not a bunch of Karens or keyboard warriors—we’re certified personal trainers, competitive weightlifters, former college athletes, and CrossFit L-1 coaches who personally tested dozens of exercise bikes, including the ones we’re about to go over. We’ll give you the good, bad, and ugly on each one so you can feel confident in your decision. 

Best Recumbent Bike 2023

• Best Overall Recumbent Exercise Bike: Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike
• Best High-End Recumbent Exercise Bike: NordicTrack Commercial R35
• Best Budget Recumbent Exercise Bike: Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike
• Best Recumbent Exercise Bike for Seniors: Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike
• Best Foldable Recumbent Exercise Bike: Exerpeutic 400XL Recumbent Bike
• Best Adjustable Recumbent Exercise Bike: Sunny Health & Fitness Recumbent Exercise Bike

Best Overall Recumbent Exercise Bike: Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike

Good for: Those looking for a well-built recumbent bike with built-in workouts 

Schwinn Wins

Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike

The Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike is a  low-impact cardio machine that’s both easy-to-use and efficient. It comes equipped with 29 pre-programmed workouts, two fitness tests, one recovery test, one quick start and a four-user capacity that will keep multiple users on track with their fitness goals. Two LCD screens allow you to monitor up to 13 different display feedbacks. What’s more, the 270 has a USB data transfer functionality to the Schwinn Connect website that is compatible with MyFitnessPal and the Explore the World app. So, easily upload your fitness metrics and track them to assess progress towards your health goals. The Schwinn 270 uses 25 levels of resistance aligned with a high-speed, high-inertia perimeter flywheel that makes for a smooth and quiet ride. With a user weight capacity of 300 pounds and an adjustable seat, this is a great training tool for users of varied size. Ergonomically placed pulse grips make for a relaxed riding position when using the heart rate program. The Schwinn 270 is also telemetry heart rate-enabled which, if you purchase the chest strap, is more accurate than pulse grips.Design features such as the aluminum slider seat rail with fore and aft adjustment capabilities, a large padded seat bottom with contoured leg area, a large vented seat back, cooling console fans, transport wheels, and 10 resistance quick keys to quickly change levels, make the Schwinn 270 convenient, effective, and comfortable. Several reviews stated the resistance stops working after a few years. While there were only a handful that reported this problem, we felt it was worth noting. And with a warranty of only two years on parts (plus one year on electronics, 10 years on the frame and 90 days on labor), this could be an issue. 

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The Schwinn 270 is the quintessential recumbent exercise bike, and at around $650 it’s also a great value. It’s one of the most comfortable exercise bikes we’ve ever sat in, thanks to the ventilated and contoured backrest along with the padded and contoured seat. These features help give the rider lumbar support to prevent any cramps or pain during longer rides. 

Speaking of rides, the bike comes with 29 programmed cardio workouts that vary by fitness goals. Although it only comes with a basic LCD console (more on that in a second), we’re big fans of the quick access buttons that allow you to cycle through workout programs and the 25 levels of eddy current magnetic resistance settings. The flywheel is only 13 pounds, which may not be the best for those looking for more of a challenge. 

RELATED: Recumbent Bike Workout

Most recumbent exercise bikes have not caught up to the rest of the fitness equipment industry when it comes to smart home gym technology. The Schwinn 270’s LCD console is pretty standard for this type of stationary bike, which is something you should keep in mind when shopping for one. 

That said, we would’ve liked to see this bike be compatible with more than just the Explore the World app and MyFitnessPal—even its younger sibling, the Schwinn 230, is compatible with Zwift. It is great that it can be used with those apps and has Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities. 

Also, several customers have complained of this bike having software problems, such as the screen not working or not being able to change resistance levels soon after the short one-year electronics warranty runs out.

Best High-End Recumbent Exercise Bike: NordicTrack Commercial R35

Good for: Anyone who wants the most premium recumbent bike on the market

Oh You Fancy

NordicTrack Commercial R35 Exercise Bike

The R35 is a high-quality model in NordicTrack’s line of recumbent bikes. It boasts some impressive features, including 26 levels of digital resistance, silent magnetic resistance technology, a 14-inch HD smart touchscreen display, and two 2-inch digitally amplified Bluetooth speakers.The combination of its 25-pound flywheel, 26 levels of resistance, and SMR technology results in a fluid, quiet, and smooth ride with plenty of variability in intensity. Additionally, SMR is a frictionless magnetic resistance which not only minimizes noise emission, but also reduces the wear-and-tear on the flywheel.Included in your purchase is a 30-day family membership trial which provides access to thousands of on demand professional trainer-led classes which range in length, type, and intensity.When using iFIT, riders have the option to utilize the automatic trainer control to adjust resistance or to override this feature for manual control. Beyond the 30-day trial, a paid membership is required to access classes. Unfortunately, there are no pre-programmed workouts on the R35.As most recumbent bikes do, the R35 carries a hefty footprint and, even with front transport wheels, its shape makes it cumbersome to move around. So you will want a dedicated spot for this machine.

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The NordicTrack Commercial R35 is the exception to the rule that most recumbent bikes aren’t equipped with smart home gym technology. There’s a 14-inch HD touchscreen on the bike that comes with high-quality iFIT programming, where you can access hundreds of live and on-demand home workout classes. Normally we’d say a 14-inch screen is pretty small, but considering you’re much closer to it, it’s a perfect size for this bike. 

Another smart feature of this bike is the automatic tension control, which allows trainers to set the resistance for you based on the workout you’re doing. This is standard with most ProForm and NordicTrack bikes (both companies are owned by iFIT). 

Our expert product tester Caroline Lubinsky, who used recumbent bikes following her ankle reconstruction surgery, found the NordicTrack R35 to be an enjoyable exercise bike. It comes with 26 digital resistance levels and is super-quiet and stable during use. The weighted flywheel is 25 pounds, which is on the higher end of recumbent bikes but still pretty light in the grand scheme of exercise bikes. 

It also has oversized pedals and a ventilated and contoured seat, so even though your heart will be pounding with the iFIT workouts, your back and knees will be A-OK. 

The two major downsides of the R35 are its size and price. At nearly 200 pounds, it’s pretty difficult to move around if you don’t have a dedicated place for it. And at around $1,500, it’s on the pricier side for a recumbent bike, but if you’re a fan of exercise bikes with screens then it’s the best choice for a recumbent bike. 

Read our full NordicTrack Commercial R35 review for Caroline’s full thoughts on this bike. 

Best Budget Recumbent Exercise Bike: Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike

Good for: Those who want an affordable recumbent bike that’s still durable 

Biking on a Budget

Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike

At just under $300, this recumbent bike is a good value Variety of adjustments to the seat, foot pedals, and resistance with ease 8 resistance levels Easy to move thanks to the handy transport wheels

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It must be said that the Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike is not the cheapest recumbent bike on the market, but if you go any lower in price, you sacrifice some of the bike features found elsewhere. For one, this bike comes with a 300-pound user weight capacity, which is the industry standard but is also pretty impressive considering this bike only weighs 69 pounds. 

And though it can’t fold, its lightweight nature and transport wheels make it pretty easy to move around your home gym. You also get a tablet holder, which is something cheaper recumbent bikes don’t have (you think that’d be standard in this day and age, but you’d be wrong). However, it doesn’t have a cup holder or heart rate monitor but neither do the cheaper recumbent bikes. 

Users have reported that assembly takes less than an hour, the LCD screen is easy to read and well lit, and the seat is comfortable for people of all heights. The backrest might not be ventilated like the more expensive models, but considering the price, we can’t complain too much. 

If you’re looking for something to just get you moving throughout the day, the Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike will do a great job of that. If you’re looking for a challenging workout, then you’ll need to spend more money. 

The Marcy, along with other models in the same price range, only has eight magnetic resistance levels. It’s nice that something this affordable uses low-maintenance magnetic resistance, but again if you’re an avid biker, you won’t break much of a sweat on this thing. 

You’ll also have to supply your own AA batteries for the console, and be aware the warranty on this bike is only two years. 

Best Recumbent Exercise Bike for Seniors: Schwinn 230

Good for: Seniors, or those who want a more accessible recumbent bike 

Schwinn Wins Again

Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

Not everyone needs a recumbent-style bicycle, but if you're someone who does then the Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike is one of our top picks. At only $500, with free shipping, this bike comes with 16 levels of magnetic resistance, only weighs 80 pounds, and has Bluetooth connectivity so you can use it with any heart rate monitor or fitness tracker you want.One of the other great features of this bike is that you can connect to apps like Zwift or Explore the World for live and on-demand workout classes. The bike comes with its own media stand, so you can place your iPad or other smart device on the console when you're ready to ride.The bike is made with lots of plastic, which we generally don't like, and the console isn't backlit, but all told those are minor problems. If you're simply looking for a bike that can help you maintain or improve your cardiovascular fitness, you'll want this one.

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Even though I’m nowhere close to getting my AARP card, I can see why the Schwinn 230 recumbent bike is a great option for seniors looking for an exercise bike. It’s lightweight (at 80 pounds) and easy to move around your home gym, comes with 16 levels of resistance, and the seat and backrest are both ventilated and contoured to keep you cool and comfortable for the ride’s duration. 

The walk-through design isn’t unique to Schwinn’s recumbent bikes, but it’s a great feature to have on an exercise bike for seniors or those with mobility issues. This allows the user to walk right in front of the seat and just sit down, instead of having to climb up and down it as you do on a traditional exercise bike. 

That little step might not seem like much to most able-bodied people, but those with mobility issues will appreciate not having to do much work to get on the bike. 

Just like the Schwinn 270, this is not a bike for serious riders. In fact, the Schwinn 230 has fewer built-in workout programs (13) and magnetic resistance levels (16) than the 270. It does, however, allow you to connect to the Zwift app, which has additional indoor cycling workouts and is not accessible on the 270 recumbent bike. 

If your vision isn’t the best, I’d recommend placing a tablet or smartphone on the bike’s media shelf. The LCD console is only 5.5 inches and, unlike the 270’s, is not backlit. On the bright side, this bike has fewer software complaints than the more expensive model so you don’t need to worry as much about the screen giving out on you. 

Check out our Schwinn 230 recumbent bike review for our full thoughts on this bike. 

Best Foldable Recumbent Exercise Bike: Exerpeutic 400XL Recumbent Bike

Good for: Home gym owners who are tight on space 

Space Saver

Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike

The Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike is a small but sturdy recumbent bike great for casual cycling. Thanks to the recumbent position, it takes pressure off of the joints and can easily be used while working, watching TV, or reading.

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You’ll usually find recumbent bikes in the corner of most commercial gyms since they’re often bulky and hard to move. But if you want compact exercise equipment, we recommend the Exerpeutic 400XL as the best recumbent bike. 

On top of being foldable, which allows for easy storage and portability (it only weighs 43 pounds), it’s budget-friendly at under $200—not to mention you can get Amazon Prime shipping. And though it is little, it possesses a fierce 300-pound user weight capacity and low-maintenance magnetic resistance. 

There’s also Bluetooth connectivity that allows the bike to sync with the MyCloudFitness app, which isn’t something we’ve tried but it’s better than nothing. 

The seat and backrest are padded, and though they’re not as wide as other recumbent bikes, there are several customer reviews that state they work just fine for people of all sizes. 

As is the case with most budget exercise bikes, there’s a few luxuries you’re going to sacrifice with the low cost of the Exerpeutic 400XL. You only get eight levels of magnetic resistance, no media shelf or cup holder, and a short one-year warranty. 

The assembly process is also quite difficult, though professional assembly services are available. 

Best Adjustable Recumbent Exercise Bike: Sunny Health and Fitness Essential Recumbent Exercise Bike

Good for: Anyone who needs a recumbent bike that can fit people of multiple sizes

For All Sizes

Sunny Health And Fitness Essential Recumbent Exercise Bike

The Sunny Health & Fitness Essential Recumbent Exercise Bike is under $300 and is a great choice for older adults or people just beginning their fitness journey. The seat is cushioned and comfortable (plus, it can be adjusted) for your best ride yet.

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Besides having the industry standard 300-pound user weight capacity, which is fantastic for a bike that itself only weighs 58.7 pounds, the reason we picked the Sunny Health and Fitness Essential Recumbent Exercise Bike as the best adjustable option is its inseam options.

Inseam here refers to the distance between the seat and the pedals—or how much “leg room” it has. This bike has an adjustable inseam that starts at 29 inches and goes up to 38. There’s several customer reviews of people taller than 6 feet, 5 inches who say the various seat positions didn’t make them feel cramped, and speaking as a tall person (standing at 6 feet, 3 inches) I can tell you that’s greatly appreciated among us giants. 

The seat is another big plus, measuring at 14.5 inches wide by 11 inches long, and the adjustable foot strap means you can fit any size shoe into the pedal. 

If you’re OK with having an exercise bike with no technology features, this Sunny Health and Fitness bike will cost you under $200, and under $300 if you want Bluetooth capabilities. There are no built-in workouts, and the LCD console only displays your metrics so it’s up to you how high-tech you want this bike to be. 

Being a budget bike, you’re only getting eight magnetic resistance levels, no water bottle or phone holder, and the front handlebars are pretty short. Those might not matter to people who just want to move their legs, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking to use this daily.  

Other Recumbent Exercise Bikes We Researched

Although we just went through six of our favorite recumbent exercise bikes, we tested many more than that. Here are a few bikes that get an honorable mention from our expert product testers. 

ProForm C10R: The ProForm C10R is a smart recumbent exercise bike that has a step-through design, padded seat, ventilated backrest, and a 10-inch HD touchscreen with iFIT capabilities. We didn’t include it on our list because it has a lot of plastic parts, and aside from the screen, doesn’t have anything that separates it from cheaper recumbent bikes like the Schwinn 270.  

ProForm C10U: The ProForm C10U can be used as an upright bike or a recumbent exercise bike, and comes with a 10-inch HD touchscreen. It’s a fine option if you’re looking for a versatile stationary bike, but if you just want a recumbent-style bike, there are more affordable options. 

ProForm Hybrid Trainer Elliptical:  Again, not technically a recumbent bike—and not technically a bike either. Rather, it’s a piece of equipment that looks like a recumbent bike but has an elliptical stride. If you’re into hybrid equipment it’s not a bad choice, and it costs around the same as some of our top picks.  

Exerpeutic ExerWORK 1000: This is almost the same bike as the Exerpeutic 400XL Recumbent Bike, but with a shelf you can place a laptop on while you’re riding. The only reason we didn’t include it on our list is the shelf makes it a bit harder to fold than the 400XL, but that might not be a problem for some people. 

LEIKE X Bike Ultra-Quiet Folding Exercise Bike: This is another bike that can be used as a recumbent or upright bike, but the seat is smaller than the ones on our list and the durability is not the best. 

How We Picked and Tested the Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes

We took the following factors into consideration before finalizing our picks for the best recumbent bikes. 

Size 

Recumbent exercise bikes are not the most space-friendly pieces of fitness equipment, but that doesn’t mean they need to take up half your home gym either. We wanted to make sure all our top picks would be able to fit in most home gyms.

Workout Programming 

With few exceptions, recumbent bikes don’t usually come with smart touchscreens. Because of that, we looked at recumbent bikes with built-in workout programs or Bluetooth capabilities so you could connect to certain fitness apps. 

Comfort 

Comfort is one of the recumbent bike’s main selling points, but not all are created equal. We checked the seat, backrest, and the inseam to make sure users of all sizes would feel comfortable on these bikes. 

Price 

As always, we wanted to offer options ranging from budget-friendly to high-end so people working with every type of budget could get the bike that works best for them. 

Resistance 

Truth be told, you’re not going to get the same resistance on a recumbent bike as you would an upright bike like the Peloton or the NordicTrack Studio Cycle S22i, but that doesn’t mean pedaling on them should be a walk in the park either. We looked at whether the resistance would be good for beginners, as well as people of higher fitness levels who are looking for a challenge. 

Adjustability

We wanted to make sure each bike didn’t leave taller people feeling cramped or shorter people struggling to reach the pedals. 

Benefits of Recumbent Bikes

If you’re still wondering “Why should I buy a recumbent bike?” Well, there are a few reasons.

Low-Impact workout 

Stationary bikes are more of a low-impact piece of equipment than treadmills because they don’t require your feet hitting the ground. Recumbent bikes are more joint-friendly, however, because they place the user’s feet in front of them, thereby putting less strain on the lower-body muscles than an upright bike where your feet are below your posterior chain. 

Comfortable 

Recumbent bikes often come with padded and/or ventilated seats and backrests, which create a more comfortable riding experience than upright bikes that have smaller seats and no backrests.

Easier on the Cardiovascular System 

According to a German study¹, biking in a recumbent or reclined position puts less of a strain on your cardiovascular system than biking upright, making recumbent bikes a great choice for those with cardiovascular issues.  

What To Look for in a Recumbent Exercise Bike

Make sure to consider the following things before purchasing a recumbent bike for your home gym. 

Size 

It should go without saying, but check the footprint of any recumbent exercise bike you’re considering to make sure it can fit in your home gym or apartment. You should also make sure you’re able to move it, if necessary.

Seat and Backrest 

Check to see if the bike’s seat is padded (this may matter more to some people than others), and if the backrest is ventilated. A ventilated backrest will help reduce sweat from accumulating on your back during more intense workouts. 

Display 

Most recumbent bikes will come with a basic LCD console that displays your workout metrics (calories burned, time, heart rate, etc.), but there are some that offer smart touchscreens. This comes down to a personal preference. 

Resistance 

You’re never going to feel like you’re biking the Tour de France on a recumbent exercise bike, but you should still find one that has enough resistance settings to challenge yourself. Also be sure to look for magnetic resistance, which is quieter and more low-maintenance than friction resistance. Friction resistance will require replacing brake pads every few years to keep the bike functional, and it creates a grinding noise during use. 

Price 

Most recumbent bikes cost under $1,000, unless you’re getting one with a touchscreen. Regardless, most companies offer financing options to help you split your payment into monthly installments. 

Adjustability 

Make sure your legs feel comfortable on the bike, and that they’re neither squished nor struggling to reach the pedals. 

Best Recumbent Bike FAQs

REFERENCES

1. Albarrati, A. (2017). Effect of Body Posture on Cardiovascular Performance and Recovery during Cycling Exercise. In Physikalische Medizin, Rehabilitationsmedizin, Kurortmedizin (Vol. 27, Issue 01, pp. 53–57). Georg Thieme Verlag KG. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-122145

Anthony O'Reilly, CPT

Anthony O'Reilly is a NASM-certified nutrition coach and personal trainer whose work has been featured in Muscle & Fitness and BarBend, and previously was an award-winning reporter and photographer for newspapers on Long Island and Queens, NY. After spending most of his life overweight, he dropped 80 pounds and took control of his health and fitness. Outside of work, he still enjoys Little Debbie cakes but offsets them with rigorous hikes and workouts. He's an avid Manchester United supporter, through thick and thin.

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