While the initial purchase of a bike may cost less than a year of spin classes, many exercise bike companies require an app-based subscription to get started. When selecting indoor cycling bikes to feature in this story, we spoke with three cycling experts and spent hours considering options from best-in-class brands and budget-friendly big box stores. "Indoor cycling shoes should fit like a regular gym shoe, and you can typically go by your normal shoe size," says Lutsch. "Indoor cycling is a full-body workout," says Lutsch. Recumbent bikes provide a more leisurely experience, with extra support and a backrest. productslearn more about Justin Krajeski is an associate editor for Select on NBC News. And make sure the seat and handlebars are adjustable so you can customize your fit. It comes with a touchscreen display, dual water bottle holders, dual-sided pedals and a variety of resistance levels (though it only offers 24 compared to Bowflexs 100 levels). It features a commercial-grade Star Trac bike that is durable, compact, and adjustable to your body's dimensions. Lutsch also says it's important to have the correct settings on your bike to avoid injury.

Though the bike boasts a pretty slim profile, the base is equipped with levelers that keep it stable as you ride. Always consider space when purchasing an exercise bike. There are three basic types of exercise bikes: Indoor cycling bikes mimic the feel and posture of actual cycling. While this model lacks a fancy touchscreen, we like that the LCD monitor tracks your time, speed, distance, and calories burned. For those looking for an indoor ride that simulates your favoriteoutdoor experience, we recommend this bike from NordicTrack. The four-way adjustable seat and handlebars ensure your customized fit, and transport wheels make it easy to stow the bike away after your workout. Well-built and easy to use, it features 100 resistance levels that offer riders an effective challenge, no matter their experience with a bike. We recommend this affordable option from YOSUDA to those looking for a simple, safe, effective, yet budget-friendly ride. Resistance: Manual tension knob | Product Weight:150 pounds |Maximum Weight Capacity:350 pounds |Dimensions:55 x 21 x 47 inches | Assembly: Professional assembly provided, "I live in a very small studio in New York City, which leaves me with little to no room for exercise equipment. Are you a runner or a rower? The A-frame stand rests under your back wheel while a riser rests under your front wheel. An indoor cycling bike is no different. The Bowflex C6 Bike comes with lots of fun additions, like a one-year fitness membership to JRNY, Bowflexs workout app that comes with trainer-led videos. If You Find a Lower Price, Well Match It. The Exerpeutic bike doesn't have a large screen, but an LCD display helps you track distance, time, speed, and calories burned. It has a 4.7-star average rating from more than 800 reviews on Bowflex. Keep in mind these factors when selecting an exercise bike: If you find a lower price on an exercise bike somewhere else, we'll match it with our Best Price Guarantee. LEARN MORE How to shop for a stationary bike. The Pooboo Magnetic Resistance Indoor Cycling Bike has an LCD digital monitor that tracks your time, speed and distance, among other metrics. 4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best indoor cycling bikes we reviewed. 12 Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes, Reviewed by a Personal Trainer, The Best Rowing Machines to Maximize Your Workout Routine, Here Are the Best Ellipticals for a Low-impact Cardio Workout at Home, The 10 Best Vertical Climbers, Recommended by Personal Trainers, 12 Best Cycling Pedals for Smooth, Customized Rides, The Best Mountain Bikes for Rugged Terrain, The 11 Best Under Desk Bikes and Ellipticals of 2022, Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B901 Pro Indoor Cycling Bike Review, The Best Treadmill Desks of 2022 for Walking and Working, The Best Home Gyms, Recommended by a Personal Trainer, New Study Sheds Light on Mental Health of Elite Athletes. "It also requires a lot of core strength and constant ab engagement. Many stationary bikes come with multiple levels of resistance, so you can modify your ride to your fitness needs. Not all indoor bikes require cycling shoes, but they can offer you more stability while giving you a stronger base for solid strides. The more money you spend on cycling equipment and gear, the better it will be, she said. BalanceFrom Bike Trainer Stand, Best Natural Ride: The bike is both compact and adjustable, making it easy to fit in tight spaces in your home and still find your comfortable seat. Like the Bowflex C6, it has two water bottle holders and a knob that allows you to access 100 resistance levels, according to the brand. The 40-pound flywheel provides a smooth, quiet ride, and you can turn the tension knob on the bike's frame any time you want to increase the resistance of your ride. The manual resistance knob gives you total control over the intensity of your ride, allowing you to feel the difference with every quarter turn and challenge your muscular endurance. Smart bikes might require monthly subscriptions, especially when it comes to on-demand training and cycling classes. The sleek and versatile design of this Bowflex bike makes it an excellent addition to any home gym setup, and the reason we recommend it as our top pick for indoor cycling bikes. Next, measure a forearm's length of space between the front of the seat and the handlebars and secure both pieces accordingly. Myx Fitness The MYX II Plus, Best Folding : We also like that it has an adjustable inseam heightallowing people of different heights and up to 300 pounds to use the bike. Look for a comfortable seat and features like wide pedals and adjustable handlebars. Everyone I know whos invested in a Peloton (including Select editor Morgan Greenwald) seems pretty happy with their decision, though I cant help but wonder if they bothered considering what else was out there first. Did it make it easy to stream workouts directly to the bike, either through a built-in screen or convenient device mount? Like the Pooboo before it, the Lanos Stationary Exercise Bike offers an LCD digital monitor to track various metrics as well as a tablet mount to watch instructional YouTube videos or simply pass the time by watching TV. These nice-to-haves may not be necessary, but they can make a workout more fun. In addition to a bike that offers adjustable resistance, you should also look for features such as cushioned seats, padded handlebars, and wide pedals.

Accessorize for the workout with exercise bike gear, like pedals and bike seats. It has a 4.6-star average rating from nearly 4,500 customer reviews on Amazon. If you're buying any piece of home gym equipment, you likely have some fitness goals you're trying to reach. It also features multi-grip handlebars and comes with a set of dumbbells to give your upper body a solid workout, too. It's also equipped with four built-in speakers, which you can crank up to recreate the experience of your favorite cycling class. If you prefer a choose-your-own-adventure workout where you're in control of your settings, these modes may not matter much to you. How do I set up my indoor cycling bike correctly? The Lanos Stationary Exercise Bike has a 4.4-star average rating from more than 300 reviews and its ranked highly on Amazons list of best-selling exercise bikes. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike with Pulse, Best Recumbent: The bike incldues a 10-year warranty for its frame and has a 4.7-star average rating from more than 2,700 customer reviews on Bowflex.

Being able to move the handlebars meant the bike worked for people of different heightsand it helped ease any tension in our backs as well." Exclusions Apply. Find out which piece of cardio equipment best suits your fitness goals. 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. It's just 39 pounds, and although it features a lightweight frame, it fits users from 5 feet 3 inches to 6 feet 1 inch and up to 300 pounds. Resistance: Magnetic tension resistance | Product Weight:39 pounds |Maximum Weight Capacity:300 pounds |Dimensions:31 x 19 x 46 inches | Assembly: Required. Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike, Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike Review, The Peloton Bike Offers an Exclusive, Studio-like Cycling Experience at Home, The 21 Best Peloton Bike Accessories of 2022, Best Studio Experience: The seat has a ventilated design as well, effectively keeping you cool as you embark on long rides. Find out how having your own exercise bike can allow you to reach your fitness goals at home. Our editors selected these deals and items because we think you will enjoy them at these prices. The Schwinn IC3 comes with a digital LCD monitor as well as a water bottle or tablet holder. "Riding on a flat road while outdoor biking has substantially different intensity than indoor resistance training riding," she adds. The heavy-duty bike comes with a swiveling, 21.5-inch touch screen with a camera that makes it easy to follow along to your favorite fitness videos while you ride. Before you decide which bike is the right fit for your needs, here are a few things to consider: Regardless of which stationary bike you invest in, its important to make sure youre keeping your workouts diverse. Because the stand converts your outdoor bike to an indoor bike, you can enjoy the authentic feel of outdoor cycling even when riding indoors. Biking offers and efficient, low-impact cardio workout, and having your own exercise bike lets you log miles on your own time. A basic indoor bike will easily run you a few hundred dollars or more. But when I moved my MYX II Plus bike into my apartment, I was pleased to find that it was super compact and didn't take up much floor space. The Myx II Plus also doesnt provide a water bottle holder. (Unlike most of the higher-end models, budget stationary bikes dont list how many resistance levels they have.). Did the bike include multiple resistance levels and several workout modes? We recommend them without reservation. It also offers the same one-year JRNY fitness membership, dual-sided pedals, 3-pound dumbbells and Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor. It comes with a 4.5-star average rating from more than 6,100 customer reviews on Amazon. And if you have a bike with live workouts or guided instruction, you can find some with arm workouts to ensure your biceps and triceps are worked too," says Lutsch. If you want to give the Pooboo a boost, it offers a tablet stand where you can place your iPad or water bottle. Earn One Point for Every $1 and get a $10 Reward for Every 300 Points. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. When looking for a bike, try to find one with comfortable characteristics like cushioned seats, padded handlebars, and wide petals. Slide your feet into the toe cages or clip your cycling shoes into the pedals for a more efficient ride. What's more, the converter comes with a built-in tension knob, allowing you to adjust your bike's resistance level the same way you would with a spin bike. Crafted with powder-coated steel, the bike features a durable frame with a five-year warranty. From here, you can make any fine-tune adjustments for a truly customized fit. That said, if youre on the hunt for your own at-home bike, be sure to prioritize what your basic needs are many of them might be met by relatively affordable options. "Set your bike seat at hip height and make sure your legs can fully extend (without locking) at the bottom of your stride. The inertia-enhanced flywheel uses silent magnetic resistance for a smooth, quiet ride, and you can choose from 22 digital resistance levels on the touchscreen as you exercise.