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Losing weight is an arduous task. Changing eating habits, starting exercise, and general torture are what most people think of when it’s time to lose weight. Fortunately, advances in exercise equipment have made the task more enjoyable as time has progressed. One of the most common and essential pieces of equipment that you will find in any gym is an exercise bike. You can see people of all age groups using them during their workout sessions. Exercise bikes are also known as stationary bikes, spinning bikes, or exercycles. The history of exercise bikes dates to the 18th century when an inventor named Francis Lowndes built the first exercise bike, a Gymnasticon.
Back then, Gymnasticon was considered to have emerged from the newly developed science of orthopedics. People were using Gymnasticon to exercise their joints. Gymnasticon is an example of the series of technologies which were being developed in the field of Gymnastics at the time. These developments in the field of gymnastics paved the path for development of the science of physical therapy in the nineteenth century. In the present, Vision Fitness, BH Fitness, SOLE, Matrix, Lifespan etc. are some of the common manufacturers of exercise bikes.
Eating habits, increased stress levels and irregular sleeping patterns are some of the practices that are leading us towards an unhealthy lifestyle. Obesity has become a major problem as it often leads to many heart related issues. With an exercise bike in the home, most are better able to manage their schedules and still get in enough exercise to promote a healthy lifestyle. On average, if cycling on an exercise bike for around 30 minutes with the intensity set to low, can burn up to 200 calories depending on your current Body Mass-Index (BMI). Additionally, fitness bikes help you with joint movements. Joint movement is very essential for your mobility. It keeps your muscles flexible and exercises your ligaments. This is extra important if you are training for athletic events, such as a marathon. If, on the other hand, you are trying to get in shape, read below to find our pick for the best exercise bike to lose weight.
Schwinn 270 |
Exerpeutic Folding Upright |
Marcy ME-709 |
SF-B901 | |
| Honors | Best in Class | Best Value | ||
| The Good | Many pre-programmed workouts, high number of resistance levels, heart rate monitoring, Bluetooth, large padded seat, USB charging port | Foldable with minimal footprint, high capacity weight limit, large pedals, simple assembly | Lightweight, easily moved, very good assembly instructions, comfortable seating, affordable, great for tall riders | 40 lbs flywheel, quality construction, adjustable handlebars and saddle, 275 lbs capacity |
| The Bad | No chest strap included, no hard copy of instruction manual - only available online | Not intended for intensive workouts, could have trouble seating very short or very tall riders comfortably | Poor grip on side handles, low range of resistance levels | Minimal features |
| Overall | A wide range of features, compact design, high-quality engineering, and comfortable ride make this the best bike to lose weight. | A great entry level exercise bike. Geared toward light to moderate workouts, it is an great and affordable starting point. | A good bike for those on a budget. Not the most technically advanced, but it is solidly constructed and comfortable. | High quality materials lend to a more comfortable and quiet ride. Minimal features can be enhanced. Good choice for affordable spinning. |
| Our Rating | 8.5 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
The Schwinn 270 is one of the best exercise bikes you’ll find without stepping into a gym. Feature-rich and high quality construction help to create a smooth and comfortable exercising experience in your home. The Schwinn 270 recumbent bike has a high weight capacity, 29 workout programs, 25 resistance levels, Bluetooth connectivity, a high inertia driving system, heart rate monitoring, two best in class displays, USB charging port, a cooling fan, speakers with iPod and MP3 port, a media tray, and even more! The deluge of features and conveniences can be overwhelming at times, but once you ride something like this, you’ll never want to go back to another run of the mill bike again.
This bike offers few drawbacks as it is impressively made, but a few improvements could be made. First, an included chest strap would have made the heart monitor a smoother experience. Users are sometimes surprised that they need to purchase the strap separately. The manual isn’t readily accessible directly from the product packaging either. It is easy to download online, but it would be nice to have a hard copy. Finally, as the bike must be plugged in while in use, rechargeable batteries could be a nice touch to eliminate cords.
Overall, you can’t really ask for a better exercise bike to get in shape without going to a gym and riding one of those bikes that costs triple this one. The dizzying array of features gives users options galore to make their ride as enjoyable as possible. Furthermore, the Schwinn reputation shines here as the quality materials used during construction help to increase durability and ride comfort. This recumbent exercise bike fits most budgets, gives a splendid workout experience, and will most likely exceed any expectations you may have.
If you live in a small area or are maybe looking for an exercise bike for your office, you have probably looked into folding bikes. The Exerpeutic folding exercise bike is an affordable option that has a very small footprint by folding to approximately half its size for easy storage. It also includes transportation wheels to further improve its portability around the home/office. Furthermore, the Exerpeutic exercise bike can accommodate a wide range of boy types as it can support up to a maximum of 300 lbs and those who are between approximately 5 ‘ – 6′ 1″. While it lacks some common features found on more advanced exercise bikes, it is comfortable, performs well for the money, and has excellent usability.
The Exerpeutic is not designed to be a robust exercise bike for athletes or those engaging in intense training. It provides an ample workout for an average person, but it is not as durable or intense as one would expect from a bike in the gym. Also, if the rider is shorter than 5′, problems reaching the pedals could occur, although there are workarounds. The same goes with those over 6’ 1″. Pre-set workouts and a wide range of resistance levels are also missing. The eight resistance levels feel as if they don’t give enough variations in your workout.
The Exerpeutic Folding Exercise Bike is a good choice for an entry level bike for smaller homes or in the office. It will give you a solid workout as long as you aren’t expecting to train for a marathon or something similar. The high weight capacity and low pricing allow a wide range of new or existing exercise enthusiasts to try out a folding bike with minimal investment.
This recumbent exercise bike offers a number of benefits at an affordable price. The lightweight nature and transportation wheels allow for easy movement, depending on your floor plan. Assembly is a breeze, as the instructions are clear and concise. Like most recumbent bikes, the Marcy ME-709 provides comfortable seating, an LCD display to monitor your workout, and a high weight capacity to support almost any rider.
The Marcy exercise bike does have a few issues of which to be aware. First, the side handles have a poor grip for those that use them while exercising. The grip can be uncomfortable with prolonged use and do not measure up to a typical recumbent exercise bike’s handles. Also, the minimal number of resistance levels impacts the range of workouts you can attempt. Only eight resistance levels limits users to fairly broad jumps in resistance when compared to other models with ranges in the 20’s. Finally, the calorie counter seems to be inaccurate (a common complaint across models).
The ME-709 works well if you aren’t in the market for a mid-grade or top-tier recumbent exercise bike. Entry level bikes such as this are excellent for those seeking a comfortable ride and solid workout, but aren’t quite ready for the plethora of features (and higher cost!) of the more advanced models. As it is a budget model, the Marcy recumbent bike suffers from some design issues such as the uncomfortable handle grips and low levels of tension. Overall, the Marcy ME-709 is a good entry level recumbent bike for beginners to get a feel for what they want to do with their workouts.
The Sunny SF-B901 is a good entry point for those interested in entering the realm of spinning. This indoor cycling bike does a good job at allowing enthusiasts to train or exercise at any time of the year at an affordable price. The 40 lbs flywheel is integral in ensuring the ride is smooth and gives you the best workout. The steel frame has a high weight capacity for a spin bike at 275 lbs to better accommodate its users. As there are few features on this bike to mention, the cost of construction was thrown into the quality materials used throughout to eliminate those small movements and noises that are common in this kind of exercise bike. Furthermore, the small and lightweight nature of this bike allows it to inhabit a wide range of spaces. Assembly is fairly easy with the provided tools, but if you have them available, your tools will probably make the job go by faster.
The main complaint about the Sunny Health and Fitness SF-B901 is the lack of features. There is no LCD display, heart rate monitor, calorie counter, iPod or other device support, or a host of features commonly seen on exercise bikes. As this is a spinning bike dedicated to the workout, it isn’t really that uncommon, but it would be nice to see a couple additional features.
The Sunny exercise bike is very good at providing an excellent workout for new and experienced riders. If you’re just starting spinning and want to see what it’s all about, the Sunny SF-B901 is a good starting point. If you’re a more experienced enthusiast, the 40 lbs flywheel and sturdy construction will appeal to you as hallmarks of a good workout
Exercise bikes allow you to customize your workout to your liking, for better weight loss management. You can plan your workout sessions around your busy life when you own your own fitness bike. You can also adjust the intensity at which you want to work out. As you become more comfortable with your current workout regimen, it is essential to increase difficulty so your body will stay on track to lose weight. In efforts to make your exercise more comfortable, exercise bikes come with adjustable seats and handle bars so that you can adjust them to best suit your body type. You can do this setup during the installation process or every time before you start your exercise.
This setup is essential because it will help you maintain an ergonomically stable posture. These bikes also come with tension resistance systems. In the manual version of tension resistance systems, a knob will be provided in the bike for resistance adjustment. This will help you to select the level of intensity you want in your workout. They are also available in motorized or non-motorized versions depending on the price and manufacturer.
Did You Know?Apart from joint mobility of your lower body, exercise bikes also help strengthen your heart and lungs. Regular use of these bikes can help you improve your body’s ability to utilize oxygen efficiently and improve respiratory function over the time. As it is an excellent cardio exercise, it helps improve blood flow and keeps blood pressure in check. Furthermore, in the never-ending debate pitting treadmills against exercise bikes, stationary bikes are a much lower impact exercise on the lower body. Consistent exercise is key to living a healthy lifestyle and ensuring a long life without serious medical complications. These bikes are an efficient means to that end.
Exercise bikes allow you the convenience of cycling inside your own home. This means whether it is at dusk or dawn, you can use your bike whenever you like. Being indoors has its own benefits. Your workout sessions will not be affected by the external environment conditions. It does not matter if it’s a rainy day, sunny day or even freezing winter. Furthermore, these machines are often compact enough that you can store them in any nook and corner of your house. While this is not the case for all types, such as the recumbent bikes, they leave a small footprint overall.
Space being one the most important constraints in modern houses, exercise bikes do a good job of maximizing your living space. You can dismantle the bike with the proper tools and keep it in your basement if you don’t intend to use it for some time or if you need to make space for guests. These bikes come with an easy user installation guide and the basic tools that you can use to setup or dismantle the bike as needed. Most of these bikes are equipped with digital displays which will help you keep track of the progress you have made in your workout sessions. In the more advanced models, you can use the digital console to adjust your workout intensity with just the click of a button.
Assembling an exercise bike for the first time can often be a daunting task. Although they sometimes look complex and would require a master craftsman, instructions are provided to make the task easy, even for novices. Many of the parts are often already put together and come pre-assembled straight out of the box. Furthermore, assembling most models can take as little as 30 minutes. If you purchase one of the more advanced models with all of the bells and whistles, it could take longer as there will be more accessories to install. Overall, assembly of exercise bikes is a simple task that almost anyone can do, provided you can follow directions. If you have another person who can help, you can usually reduce the required time to assemble a bike.
Schwinn 270 Recumbent
Jack | 5 stars
Jack is 82 years old with degenerative arthritis and two knee replacements, which led to difficulty moving without pain. He has been using the Schwinn 270 for 1/2 – 1 hour per day with no pain or setbacks. Jack loves the bike as it is more sturdy than other exercise bikes he compared it to when buying. Furthermore, Jack says that the bike has exceeded his expectations for those with a disability or trouble using one of the upright bikes or treadmills.
Exerpeutic Folding Upright
Rock Scrambler | 3 stars
Rock Scrambler is a former personal trainer and states that the quality of the bike is very good, but that the bike interacts with how your body interacts with the bike while cycling. Due to the pedals being too far forward, stress is put on your back while pedaling and limits your range while pedaling. He also believes the seat may be too wide from some, which could lead to your thighs rubbing against the seat over time. While Rock has some issues with the bike, he also believes the positive features, such as the low price, make it a good option for many.
Marcy ME-709 Recumbent
Duane | 3 stars
Duane says that the machine does a good job for exercise for both him (6′ 3″) and his wife (5′ 0″), but resetting the position is frustrating. Adjusting the positioning is difficult at his age (83), as the sliding mechanism gives him problems. While it does well in the exercise department, it leaves a little to be desired as far as ease of use.
Sunny SF-B901 Upright
Yoshi | 4 stars
Yoshi says that he is new to spinning, but his wife is an experienced spinner and she loves this exercise bike. Yoshi says that it is very heavy, with the majority of it being from the flywheel. The bike offers a smooth and quiet ride, but he encountered a problem with the chain causing a noise. After some tinkering, he was able to get it corrected and now the bike is operating effectively.
You always have the option to order online from the website of the same manufacturer or any other e-commerce websites which deals with the exercise bikes. We have found Amazon offers the best deals and options. The price generally ranges anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands (rare), depending on the build and features. It also varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. You can visit any nearby fitness store that sells the brand of exercise bike, where you may be able to “try before you buy”. If the store does not currently have the bike in stock, you can provide your required specifications to the sales person and he can order one for you.
Commonly Asked QuestionsWhat are the best exercise bikes for small spaces?
Low-cost upright bikes will have a compact and easy to setup design. So, you can go for one of those to easily fold or dismantle them as needed.
Where should I buy an exercise bike?
You can buy the bike for a nearby fitness store where you can have the benefit of getting it assembled by the store representatives at you home. Or you can buy one online and you can pay someone to assemble it for you if you are not able to do so.
Who can use an exercise bike?
People of any age group can use the bike with different resistance settings. Kids should use it under parent’s supervision.
The range of exercise bikes currently available is truly dizzying at times. Spin bikes, recumbent bikes, fan bikes, and the list goes on and on. After reviewing some of the top exercise bikes from a variety of configurations, we have determined that the Schwinn 270 is the best of the bunch for a variety of reasons that will help to lose weight effectively without doing those awful situps every day. The huge amount of features is integral in making your ride as effortless and fun as possible. The recumbent nature of the exercise bike and comfy seating allows even those who have never exercised to be completely comfortable as they work towards a healthier lifestyle. Although it is somewhat expensive compared to the other models we reviewed, the bang for your buck is staggering. You really can’t go wrong with the Schwinn 270 recumbent exercise bike if you are looking for the best exercise bike to lose weight.
