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Cycling is a great way to keep in shape. More and more adults are bringing their love of cycling indoors with an exercise bike. There are multiple advantages to using an exercise bike for health and wellness. If you work late and don’t want to ride outdoors in the dark, you can use your indoor bike for a great workout. If you have trouble with balance, you can also use an exercise bike that won’t tip over in the road.
These bikes are also great if you don’t have a place around town that’s safe to ride, or if you’re trapped indoors by the winter weather or heavy rain. While bicycles, both the kinds you ride on the road or on trials and stationary bikes that you use in your fitness room, are great forms of exercise, some people may find them difficult to use. The seat may be too uncomfortable, and there is no back support. If you suffer from back pain, neck pain, or other types of conditions and pain that prevent you from hopping on a traditional exercise bike, why not try out a recumbent bike?
What is a Recumbent Exercise Bike?
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A recumbent bike is similar to a traditional bike in a lot of ways, but it also has quite a few notable differences. Both have wheels, as well as a chain or other mechanism that is used to turn the wheels when the pedals are rotated. They both have handlebars, although they are in different places, and they both offer a great workout. The primary difference is in the seating. A regular bike has a narrow seat that does not have a back, and in most cases, you sit only to take a brief rest.
If you suffer from some sort of pain or you’re going through physical therapy, you may find that this upright position with no support is extremely uncomfortable. This is where a recumbent bike comes into play. This has a larger seat, often padded, which features a full back and is supportive. The handlebars are located on either side of the seat, instead of at the front. It also allows you to sit in a more reclined position, as opposed to sitting straight up or even standing.
What are the different types of Recumbent Exercise Bikes?
Once you begin shopping for a recumbent bike, you’ll notice that they are all generally made the same way. However, there are a variety of different brands, features, sizes, and colors available. When distinguishing between types, there’s really only two: basic bikes and high-end bikes.
• Basic recumbent bikes – These bikes are the least expensive, and they are good for anyone who wants a good workout without spending a lot of money. These may be equipped with very basic features, like a display panel that times your ride or counts your calories, but they often don’t have many of the bells and whistles found on high-end bikes.
• High-end bikes – These bikes have more features, and may be better made, so that they can last through years of intense workouts. These bikes are more expensive, but they’re easier to pedal, have more settings, and may be equipped with great features like a color or backlit display, Bluetooth functionality, and heart rate monitors.
What are the Advantages of Owning a Recumbent Exercise Bike?
If you want to stay in shape and you don’t want to cycle out in the heat, cold, or rain, this is the best way to get the same health benefits right in the comfort of your own home. A recumbent bike is ideal for those who suffer from back pain, knee pain, or other conditions that prevent them from riding a regular bike. If you are recovering from an injury, this type of bike provides you with the back support you need to build strength and muscles again, and it’s found in many physical therapists’ gyms.
When you own your own bike, you can get in shape and stay healthy right at home with just one investment. You won’t have to worry about driving to a crowded gym or paying a fortune in monthly gym dues when you own your own recumbent bike.
Who are the contenders for Best Recumbent Exercise Bike?
Marcy ME 709 Recumbent Exercise Bike – This bike is an excellent choice for anyone on a budget who wants to get in shape. This bike is great for all fitness levels, as it has eight different tension levels you can use to increase or decrease the difficulty of your workout. It is easy to use, easy to adjust, and with transport wheels, it’s very simple to move it from room to room or out of the way while not in use. The very affordable price tag is just another advantage to purchasing this model.
Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike – Once you go past the $200 to $300 price point, you can really see the difference in bikes, as seen on this model from Schwinn, a leader in cycles. This has an ergonomic seat that is very comfortable for hours of pedaling, and it has a large display that keeps up with your stats. In addition to providing you with a smooth and comfortable ride, it also has modern features you won’t find on less expensive bikes, including a USB charger and the ability to sync your data with fitness apps.
Diamondback 510SR Fitness Recumbent Bike – You can have so much fun on this bike, you’ll never realize you’re sweating away pounds and inches. You’ll be able to enjoy a smooth ride, comfortable seat, and a large digital display that is easy to read. This top-of-the-line model boasts other features you won’t find elsewhere, including an integrated speaker system with MP3 capabilities to listen to your favorite tunes and real-time feedback.
Considerations for Choosing the Best Recumbent Exercise Bike
You should never go to make a purchase and not know what to look for in a recumbent bike. While you may think that one point, like price, is all you need, it actually extends much further than that. Sure, you could buy the cheapest bike, but does it perform the way you expect? You may think dropping money on the latest model is a smart move, but do you really desire all of those complicated features? Instead of just looking at one thing, look at these four important points and always use your own criteria to make a sound purchase.
Price
While price shouldn’t just be the only thing you consider, this doesn’t mean it’s not important. In fact, you have to look carefully at each model, including the price, to make sure you get the best bang for your buck. One model may be priced more expensively, but it may have a better warranty and more functions. Weigh out all of the features and the overall quality, then compare prices before you make your purchase.
Warranty
Over time, you’re bound to have to repair or replace something on your bike, especially if it sees a lot of heavy use. However, you should expect to receive a reasonable amount of use before belts break or the control panel starts acting strange. If this happens prematurely, it is likely due to a manufacturer’s error, and with a warranty, it will be covered at no expense to you.
Resistance levels
If you’re new to indoor cycling, you’ll want to start off slow. However, as you build up strength, you’ll want to increase the resistance. Make sure there are multiple settings that allow you to gradually increase the difficulty of your workout. It’s also important to make sure that changing the settings isn’t a hassle.
Tracking features
Tracking features can help keep you on track with your fitness goals. Look for displays that time the length of your ride, estimate your distance, track your heartbeat, and keep up with other important stats for every workout.
Price
Marcy ME 709
You won’t break the bank with this bike, which is available for an affordable price.
Schwinn 230
This is a mid-priced bike that is approaching the high-end category.
Diamondback 510SR
With it’s bigger price tag, this is considered more high-end than most household recumbent bikes.
Warranty
Marcy ME 709
This model comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
Schwinn 230
This model has a 10-year warranty on the frame, a 2-year warranty on mechanical parts, a 1-year electrical warranty, and a 90-day labor warranty.
Diamondback 510SR
The frame and brakes have a limited lifetime warranty. The parts and electronics come with a 3-year warranty. You’ll receive a 1-year warranty on labor, and 90-days on items that will wear out, like the belt.
Resistance levels
Marcy ME 709
You can choose from eight different resistance levels to increase or decrease the intensity and difficulty of your ride.
Schwinn 230
You’ll be able to choose from 20 different resistance levels, as well as pre-programmed workouts.
Diamondback 510SR
This has 16 resistance levels and multiple workout programs.
Tracking features
Marcy ME 709
The digital display tracks time, distance, speed, and calories burned.
Schwinn 230
You can monitor 13 different areas of feedback to help you track your fitness goals. You can also connect it to your phone or mobile device to share information.
Diamondback 510SR
This model provides real-time feedback on your progress, including target heart rate programs, calories burned, and other information vital to your workout routine.
Conclusion: Our Recumbent Exercise Bike Reviews Are In
Marcy ME 709 – Best Cheap Recumbent Exercise Bike
This bike is a great choice if you want a no-frills model that is easy to use and very affordable. This bike weighs just 66 pounds and has attached wheels, so it’s easy to move when not in use. When you’re ready to use it, though, you’ll find it has a lot of great features, including a large, easy-to-read display that tracks calories, speed, and more.
You can choose from eight resistance levels, and each level can be adjusted with just the spin of a knob. It has a weight limit of 300 pounds, it comes with adjustable foot straps, and it has a padded seat for your comfort while you’re losing weight or toning up.
Schwinn 230 – Best Recumbent Exercise Bike for the Money
Once you’re ready to get serious about your fitness, you need more than just a basic bike. You need to take it to the next level, and you can do so with ease with the use of this bike from Schwinn, which has features you won’t find on lower-end models.
Standout features of this bike include a comfortable, padded seat that feels better than the less expensive ones. It has dual LCD displays that are easy to read and provide you with 13 different types of feedback. You can use Schwinn Connect to export your data so you can keep up with your goals, helping you hit your target weight right on time. It has 22 workout programs, 20 levels of resistance that are easy to change with the push of a button, a USB charging port and export center, and a 300-pound weight limit.
Diamondback 510SR – Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Overall
If you want to bring one of those high-tech bikes home from the gym, this model is just right for your home. It boasts many of the great features you’ll find on the most modern commercial bikes in a smaller, more compact size that’s perfect for your workout room or spare space at home. Even though you’ll pay a bit more for this model, it’s loaded with features you won’t find on cheap bikes.
This has a large LCD screen with backlight that’s very easy to read. It tracks lots of important data, including calories burned, speed, and time spent on the bike. You have the option to link it to several apps, so you can track your fitness right from your smartphone or other device, or you can add data from your phone to the bike.
This bike features 16 different levels of resistance and 20 workout programs you can use to really work up a sweat. It has an ergonomic, sculptured seat and seat back that provide you with a comfortable ride, as well as other convenience features including a magazine rack, cupholder, USB charger, input jack to plug in your phone or MP3 player, built-in speakers, and a multi-speed fan to keep you cool during the most difficult workouts. It is very quiet when in operation, and it has one of the best braking systems in the industry.
All in All
If you’re ready to get in the best shape of your life, but you want to be comfortable while doing so, a recumbent exercise bike is the perfect solution. Whether you suffer from pain, are rehabilitating an injury, or you just want something more comfortable than an upright bike, you’ll love using one of these, which provides a difficult workout combined with the comfort you’re looking for.
If you want the best of the best, the Diamondback 510SR will not disappoint. This modern bike has all of the features you could ever want, a smooth and quiet ride, and comfort options that make even the most difficult workouts more enjoyable.