When you’re building a home gym, the best recumbent bikes can be a great addition. With these bikes, it’s all about the riding position — since you’re seated in a slightly reclined position, each workout is a bit easier on your body in comparison to an upright bike that requires you to lean over the handlebars. That makes these bikes ideal for people with upper-body limitations, including seniors and people with torso or arm weaknesses. Since a recumbent bike is an investment, it’s important to pick the right one for your needs. To give you a place to start, we’ve collected 10 different options, each built for durability, stability, and a great workout.
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1. Schwinn Recumbent Bike
Exercising is a breeze with this Schwinn recumbent bike. It comes with 29 different programs, giving you the freedom to select a different workout every day of the month. Have a household with multiple people? You can even save 12 different profiles to keep track of your fitness and performance. Or, set your own workout using the resistance settings, which give you 25 different levels to choose from. No matter what you choose, the high-inertia drive system and weighted flywheel work together to give you a smooth, effective ride.
2. Vanswe Recumbent Exercise Bike
Simple and compact, the Vanswe recumbent exercise bike is a great option when you’re working with limited space. It’s all due to the streamlined frame, which features a tubular metal base. Planning a long ride? The padded seat provides all of the cushioning you need to stay comfortable. Use the LCD screen to keep track of your ride, or connect your tablet to watch TV and movies while you work out. Sixteen levels of magnetic tension make it easy to choose a challenging workout, and the adjustable design shifts to fit a variety of riders.
3. Nautilus Recumbent Bike
If you need an affordable addition to your home gym, look no further than this Nautilus model. It’s equipped with the brand’s legendary technology — simply download the Nautilus Trainer 2 app to keep track of your training, calories, and progress. This bike features 29 different workout programs, as well as nine heart-rate control options. Not sure where to start? There’s even a fitness test option that helps you gauge your abilities at any time. With 25 resistance levels and a perimeter-weighted flywheel, this bike makes for comfortable riding for any skill level.
4. Exerpeutic 4000
When you’re looking for the best recumbent bike for seniors, the Exerpeutic 4000 is a great option.This bike is built with a padded seat, a comfortable backrest, and padded armrests, so it helps you stay upright and supported. The padding is made with Air Soft technology for breathability. The contoured back is made from mesh that promotes airflow and allows moisture to evaporate faster during an intense workout. With its heavy-duty frame, this bike can support up to 325 pounds with ease. Choose from 12 preset workouts, or design your own using 24 magnetic tension levels.
5. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike
Save space in your home gym with this Marcy exercise bike. With its versatile design, this model makes an ideal men’s and women’s recumbent bike. The step-through design allows you to climb aboard quickly, and the 14-gauge steel tubing provides a sturdy foundation for your workout. As you ride using the eight resistance levels, rely on the ergonomic padded seat to keep you comfortable and secure. Be sure to glance at the LCD screen — it’s large and easy to read.
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6. EXERPEUTIC 900XL
Sturdy and stable, the EXERPEUTIC 900XL is designed for stability. This unit is an ideal exercise bike for seniors or anyone else who needs a good workout. It’s also a great option for larger people — it’s built with a strong frame that supports people up to 300 pounds. The recumbent back eases the stress on your body, and the side handles create a comfortable grip while you ride. Choose from eight different resistance levels to match your fitness, and keep an eye on the LCD display to track the distance you ride and the calories you burn.
7. PLENY 3-in-1
Working with a small amount of space? This PLENY 3-in-1 recumbent bike is the perfect choice. It features a convertible frame that transitions from recumbent to semi-recumbent and upright positions to customize your workout. The wide seat gives you plenty of stability in any position, and the high backrest enables you to lean back with confidence. Want an upper body workout, as well? This bike has built-in resistance bands for a full-body challenge.
8. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike
Exercise your full body at one time on this recumbent bike from Sunny Health & Fitness. Simply move the two arm levers as you pedal to get your heart pumping. In fact, you can even use the levers alone when you just want an upper-body workout. Eight resistance levels give you a serious challenge, and the magnetic system creates a smooth, constant pressure. We love the oversized seat and backrest, which are designed for comfort and support.
9. HARISON Recumbent Exercise Bike
With the HARISON recumbent bike, you can ride in comfort — that’s thanks to the oversized seats, which provide cushioning for riders of any size. The padding is also ventilated, so it allows a cooling stream of air to flow as you sweat. Move the seat back and forth to fit your body, and select from a wide range of resistance levels to customize the workout to your ability. With its weighted flywheel and sturdy frame, this bike holds riders up to 350 pounds.
10. Sole R92
Get serious about getting in shape with the Sole R92. It’s built with a heavy-duty steel frame encased in aluminum, so it’s tough enough to withstand frequent rides and intense pedaling. Pick from 10 different workouts to suit your needs on any given day, and track your performance using the heart rate monitor. This bike even comes with a chest strap for more efficient calorie tracking and heart-rate training.
When you have a recumbent bike at home, you can get in a powerful workout without heading to the gym. Whether you’re staying in shape in the cycling off-season or you simply want a comfortable workout, the best recumbent bikes have you covered.
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By BCR Staff
October 2019