The 7 Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes Of 2024, Lean Back And Ride

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. We’ve tested multiple models because we know home gym owners have different budgets, training and lifestyle goals, and preferences when it comes to things like recumbent bikes. What’s good for one person may not be good for everyone.

Our group of certified personal trainers, competitive weightlifters, former college athletes, and CrossFit L-1 coaches personally tested dozens of exercise bikes, including the ones we’re about to go over. We’ll give you the good, bad, and ugly of each one so you can feel confident in your decision. 

Best Recumbent Exercise Bike 2024

• Best Overall Recumbent Exercise Bike: NordicTrack Commercial R35
• Best Recumbent Exercise Bike for Seniors: Sole LCR Bike
• Best Budget Recumbent Exercise Bike: Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike
• Best Value Recumbent Exercise Bike: YOSUDA Recumbent Exercise Bike
• Best Foldable Recumbent Exercise Bike: FitNation FlexBike Ultra
• Best Adjustable Recumbent Exercise Bike: Sunny Health & Fitness Recumbent Exercise Bike
• Best Adjustable Recumbent Exercise Bike for Small Spaces: LEIKE X Bike Ultra-Quiet Folding Exercise Bike

Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes Video Review

Best Overall Recumbent Exercise Bike: NordicTrack Commercial R35

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

Best Overall

NordicTrack Commercial R35 Exercise Bike

GGR Score: 3.975

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Product Highlights

• Easy-glide horizontal seat adjustment
• Oversized lumbar support
• Max user weight of 350 lbs
• 14” HD smart touchscreen display
• Bluetooth audio capabilities
• 26 levels of digital resistance
• Free 30-day iFIT family membership
• Automatic trainer control settings

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High weight capacity
• Interactive screen
• 2 digitally amplified speakers with Bluetooth capabilities
• Ergonomic pedals and lumbar support
• Quiet and smooth ride

Cons

• Large footprint
• Not easily transported
• No pre-programmed workout options

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a recumbent bike that offers immersive training, NordicTrack’s R35 is a high-quality one worth considering.

The NordicTrack Commercial R35 is one of the best recumbent exercise bikes in recent years because it brings modern conveniences to a piece of equipment that’s desperately needed it. Many of the classic recumbent bikes—such as the Schwinns—only had an LCD screen. This NordicTrack bike has a 14-inch HD touchscreen with high-quality iFIT programming, which has 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, which makes one of the best cycling apps on the market). 

And it still has everything you’d expect in a recumbent bike—a step-through frame, comfortable seat, and a contoured and ventilated backrest.

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 Recumbent Exercise Bike for Seniors: Sole LCR Bike

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

Sole LCR

Sole Light Commercial Recumbent Bike

GGR Score: 4.39

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Product Highlights

• 40 resistance levels
• Step-through frame
• Wireless phone charging
• Comfortable seat
• Lifetime frame warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 40 magnetic resistance levels
• Padded seat and backrest
• Step-through frame
• Easy assembly

Cons

• Expensive
• Feels heavy

Bottom Line

The Sole Light Commercial Recumbent Bike is a durable and high-value recumbent bike that our testers liked for its challenging resistance, comfortable seat and backrest, and great warranty.

Even though I’m nowhere close to getting my AARP card, I can see why the Sole Light Commercial Recumbent Bike is a great option for seniors looking for an exercise bike. Certified personal trainer and cardio equipment expert Lindsay Scheele says it has “one of the most comfortable seats” she’s ever used, which is great for those longer rides.

“This is super-cushioned,” she says. “It’s a bigger seat, and I can see a lot of people being able to use and enjoy this.”

She adds that the touchscreen — a rare feature in recumbent bikes — is responsive and easy to navigate regardless of your technology literacy. “There’s not a lot of scrolling that you have to do,” she says. “I think my six-year-old would be able to use it without much difficulty.” There’s also a media stand where you can place your smartphone or tablet if you want to catch up on some Netflix binges during your ride.

Although it’s easy on the joints, Lindsay says this is no walk in the park. It has a 31-pound flywheel and 40 levels of magnetic resistance, and you can feel it get harder as you increase the intensity. “You can absolutely tell the difference,” she says.

The walk-through design isn’t unique to Sole’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. 

Best Budget Recumbent Exercise Bike: Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike

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

On a Budget

Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike

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Product Highlights

• Under $300
• 300-lb weight capacity
• Comfortable seat
• Dual handlebars
• Highly adjustable

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 300-lb weight capacity
• Transport wheels
• Dual handlebars
• Cushioned seat
• Under $300
• Adjustable components

Cons

• Batteries needed for display not included
• Lacks a bottle holder
• Short warranty

Bottom Line

This under $300 recumbent exercise bike may be a good choice for seniors, beginners, and anyone looking for a simple cardio machine.

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 Value Recumbent Exercise Bike: YOSUDA Recumbent Exercise Bike

Good for: Those looking for a well-built recumbent bike at a good price

Best Value

YOSUDA Recumbent Exercise Bike

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Product Highlights

• Budget-friendly
• 16 digital resistance levels
• Silent
• 350-pound weight capacity
• Small LCD monitor

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable
• 350-pound weight capacity
• Quiet
• 16 levels of resistance
• Only weighs 65 pounds

Cons

• Small monitor

Bottom Line

The YOSUDA Recumbent Bike is a lightweight and affordable recumbent bike that's perfect for seniors or those with lower-body injuries who are trying to remain active.

The YOSUDA Recumbent Exercise Bike may not be the fanciest exercise bike out there, but it offers all of the essentials at a great price. And before we continue, we have to admit that we haven’t tried this specific bike (yet) but we’ve used other YOSUDA bikes and have liked them.

So why would we recommend their recumbent bike? Let’s start with the 350-pound weight capacity. This tells us that this is a study and durable exercise bike that won’t move while in use, and should last for a while. We’ve seen no customer reviews complaining about it breaking, which is usually a good sign.

RELATED: Recumbent Bike Workout

The weight capacity combined with the 16 magnetic resistance settings also indicate that this will be quiet, so it won’t disturb your roommates while you’re working out.

Beyond that, it has a step-through frame, adjustable seat, and a basic LCD monitor to track your workout stats. Unfortunately, if you decide to use the media stand you won’t be able to see said monitor but this may not be a big deal to some people.

Oh, we’re also big fans of the fact that this comes mostly assembled—you just have to screw in a few parts and you’re ready to ride.

Best Foldable Recumbent Exercise Bike: FitNation FlexBike Ultra

Good for: Home gym owners who are tight on space 

Space Saver

FitNation FlexBike Ultra

Product Highlights

• Foldable
• Can be used as an upright/recumbent bike
• Arm resistance bands
• Lightweight
• 300-pound weight capacity

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Foldable
• Upright/recumbent hybrid bike
• Has arm resistance bands
• Affordable
• 8 levels of magnetic resistance

Cons

• Small LCD monitor

Bottom Line

The FitNation FlexBike Ultra can be used as an upright or recumbent-style exercise bike, and it's an affordable option for those who don't need the best of the best.

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 FitNation FlexBike Ultra. 

On top of being foldable, which allows for easy storage and portability (it only weighs 39 pounds), it’s budget-friendly at under $150—not to mention you can get free shipping. We haven’t been able to use this bike and the weight capacity isn’t listed, but we’ve used similar models that tend to have a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds. That’s not the best, but for the price it’s pretty good.  

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 FitNation Bike. You only get eight levels of magnetic resistance, a small media shelf, no cup holder, and a short one-year warranty. 

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

GGR Score: 3.8

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Product Highlights

• Just under $300
• Easily adjust the seat, foot pedals, and resistance levels
• Easy to mount and dismount

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Under $300
• User weight capacity of 300 lbs
• Adjustable seat
• 8 levels of resistance
• Pulse sensors
• Transport wheels

Cons

• Second set of handlebars are short
• Lacks a bottle holder
• No device holder

Bottom Line

For under $300, the Sunny Health and Fitness Essential Recumbent Exercise Bike is an excellent option for beginners on a budget.

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. 

““It’s lightweight, low-impact, and doesn’t take up a ton of space,” certified personal trainer Lindsay Scheele says in our Sunny Health And Fitness Essential Recumbent Exercise Bike review.

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.  

Best Recumbent Exercise Bike for Small Spaces: LEIKE X Bike Ultra-Quiet Folding Exercise Bike

Good for: Those who don’t have a large workout area

For Small Spaces

LEIKE X Bike

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Product Highlights

• Easily foldable
• Recumbent option
• Comfortable seat
• Media holder
• Basic LCD screen

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Super easy to fold, can fit behind a couch with ease
• Upright and recumbent options
• Comfortable enough to use for an hour plus

Cons

• Slightly shaky if you pedal really hard
• Have had to retighten screws occasionally (every few months)
• Minimal tech and convenience features

Bottom Line

A quiet and budget-friendly folding exercise bike that's perfect for apartment owners.

I used this exercise bike in a 300-square-foot apartment with another person (and a cat)—so it should work for your compact home gym, too. Like the Marcy Foldable Bike, it can be used as an upright or recumbent bike, so it has a lot of value for an exercise bike under $500.

It should be noted that I tested this exercise bike during quarantine, so I’m intimately familiar with how it feels. The recumbent-style use is good, though the seat doesn’t come all the way up like more expensive recumbent bikes so you might feel a lack of support there. It’s also not ventilated, but again you shouldn’t expect much from a bike that’s under $200.

The LEIKE bike provided a way for me to get some low-impact cardio in during a time when I wasn’t comfortable running outdoors. Plus, I never received a single complaint from neighbors about my bike being too loud.

While there’s no inseam length, I’ll note that I’m 6′ 3″ and I never had problems using this exercise bike. My roommate at the time was 5′ 5″ and they, too, felt it was comfortable thanks to the adjustable seat.

Other Recumbent Exercise Bikes We Researched

Although we just went through seven 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. 

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. 

Warranty

Check to see what the warranty is on each bike, and pay close attention to the different coverage periods for hardware vs. thinks like monitors and other technology.

Tech

Most recumbent exercise bikes won’t have high-tech features. Most will have an LCD screen and limited pre-programmed workouts.

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, CNC

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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