7 Best Exercise Bikes For Weight Loss (2022 Update)

Celebrities like Kelly Ripa, Khloe Kardashian, and David Beckham all have bodies to die for. Don’t we all love their lean, muscular, and fit physique? If you follow these celebrities on social media, you know that their secret to success is working out on high-end bikes in boutique fitness studios.

You can get that calorie-shredding, fat-blasting cycling workout at home on your own exercise bike! All you need is to find the best exercise bikes to lose weight, and you’re ready to spin off those pounds.

In this article, you’ll find a list of the best exercise bikes for your home so you can find the best bike fit for you. We’ve got the shortlist so that you don’t have to waste your time scrolling through all the stationary bikes on the market.

Check out our buying guide below to help you narrow down your search and start using your bike for weight loss as soon as possible. The best stationary bike for you is the one that fits your needs and can get you cycling off those calories! Cancel your spin class membership because you are bringing spin class home on your personal exercise bike!

Purchasing an Exercise Bike

It’s important to remember that if you buy an exercise bike, you become responsible for its care and maintenance. Wondering how you’ll do that? Later in the article, we’ll cover some helpful tips and tricks for keeping your stationary bike clean and in top condition.

How Can an Exercise Bike Help Me Finally Lose the Weight?

Exercise bikes are highly versatile machines that can help everyone from kids to seniors become more active and lose weight. Different bikes are more beneficial to some people than others, but everyone can benefit from the right exercise bike.

Doctors and trainers capitalize on the safety of exercise bikes for people with seizure disorders, the elderly, and people who suffer from osteoarthritis. Dedicated cyclists train on indoor exercise bikes when the weather is unfavorable for outdoor biking.

For everyone on an indoor exercise bike, the low impact, high-cardio workload is beneficial for your heart health and calorie burn (1). Check out this study on how the calorie burn of indoor cycling compared with step aerobics and resistance exercise. For an extra boost, you can add natural supplements such as apple cider vinegar pills to your routine to make the pounds melt off even more quickly.

Another big benefit of exercise on a bike is the ability to do high-intensity interval training. This is where you perform an all out burst of activity for around 30 seconds followed by a 90-120 second slower-paced recovery period. You can perform 5-10 rounds of this and it’s an amazing workout that can burn more calories than a longer period of steady-state cardio. It also creates an afterburn effect called post-exercise oxygen consumption where you will burn calories for as long as 24-hours after the workout. Studies show that this HIIT training is an ideal choice to burn more body fat.

As you can see, all people should use exercise bikes, but not all bikes are perfect for you. Let’s refine your search with the following review of stationary bikes available:

Types of Exercise Bikes: What Are Your Options?

You may think that stationary bikes are pretty straightforward in their design: pedals, handlebars, and a wheel to spin. That’s it, right? Wrong! There are too many types of indoor exercise bikes to count, but luckily we only pulled the best to show you.

Here’s a list of several of the best exercise bikes for you to consider for your lifestyle. See our buying guide below where we breakdown some bike lingo so that you understand what makes a high-quality bike fit for your needs:

Best Home Exercise Bike for Athletes (To Help you Prep for Tour de France!)

Pro Indoor Cycling Bike by Sunny Health & Fitness

This exercise bike boasts a heavy-duty design for long workouts and would be best for professional cyclists, elite athletes, and those who want a wicked cardio workout.

Highlights:

• Built with a 40-lb flywheel (See our buying guide below for more information about flywheels)
• Heavy-duty frame (110 lbs)
• Chain drive mechanics (We define this in our buying guide)
• Dimensions: 20in x 46.5in x 48.5 in

Who Makes It:

Based in Los Angeles, California, Sunny Health & Fitness is a newer company that sources its products from a variety of manufacturers all over the world. This method of working allows them to offer affordable home gym equipment to their customers. In a short time, the company has become well known for its top-ranked exercise equipment, which includes items such as ellipticals, treadmills, rowers, stair climbers, stationary bikes and more.

The Bottom Line:

If you are a cycling professional, elite athlete, or someone who wants a heavy-duty machine for long cycling workouts, this is the bike for you. It is moderately priced compared to other bikes on this list and is great for someone who has other fitness equipment and expenses. Keep in mind, however, this is a heavy piece of equipment. It has small wheels for ease of movement. But, make sure you know the exact location where you’ll place the exercise bike when the installers get there, otherwise, you may have to make the adjustments yourself.

Best Upright Home Exercise Bike

170 Upright Bike by Schwinn

Some notable features on this exercise bike include its variable resistance settings, Bluetooth connectivity, and free RideSocial app subscription with purchase. This exercise bike is great for tech-savvy riders who want to keep themselves occupied with music, video, and social biking platforms that are built into the bike. This bike has all the bells and whistles!

An upright bike may also be beneficial for those with low back pain. It keeps your upper body in a more upright position which increases stability and spine neutrality. This type of bike is also easy to get on and off.

Highlights:

• Bluetooth connectivity and Schwinn Trainer app built-in
• RideSocial app subscription with purchase to compete against your friends on their stationary bikes
• 29 programs and 25 resistance levels for various fitness capabilities and adding diversity to your workouts
• Total product weight is 76 lbs. Dimensions: 40.7in x 13in x 22.2in

Who Makes It:

Schwinn is a long-standing company specializing in outdoor bikes as well as indoor fitness equipment to maintain your healthy and active lifestyle. The Schwinn motto is “Fitness for the good life,” and with these products, you can keep up the calorie burn both indoors and outdoors.

The Bottom Line:

If you want added fun and technology weaved into your workout, this is the best exercise bike for you. Those who miss the loud music, group support and trainer motivation from your classic studio spin class will be comforted that this bike has all that in the comfort of your home.

Best Recumbent Exercise Bike

ME-709 Recumbent Exercise Bike by Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Company

Recumbent bikes are designed much differently than an upright exercise bike but may be a better choice for someone who wants a lower-impact workout. For the pros and cons of recumbent bikes, click here. This recumbent exercise bike is relatively affordable and one of the cheaper stationary bikes on the list. This is a great option for someone who wants to work out at home without having to spend thousands of dollars right off the bat. Beginners and the elderly would benefit the most from this machine due to the large padded seat, easy-to-read screen, and adjustable foot straps on the pedals.

Another big benefit of the recumbent bike is how it takes the pressure off the lower back. Anyone with degenerative disc disease, or back problems in general, will benefit from this style of bike. You do not have to lean forward, which puts added stress on the back. Instead, you are in the recumbent position, which is safer and more stable.

Highlights:

• Simple and open recumbent design allows for easy mounting and dismounting from the machine
• Easy-to-read screen with big numbers that record speed, distance, and calorie burn
• Weighted pedals offer extra foot support and adjustable foot straps for total control of movement
• Total product weight is 60 lbs. Dimensions: 55.5in x 25in x 37.5in

Who Makes It:

Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Company was founded in 1959 by a man named Walter Marcyan. Marcyan was a professional strongman and bodybuilder who was the first to offer personal trainers to clients at his commercial gym. He was an advocate for strength training throughout the lifecycle from childhood to adulthood. This brand continues to strive for widespread fitness for all with innovative and affordable products.

The Bottom Line:

If you are a beginner or elderly, this is the best stationary bike option for you. It is safe, comfortable, and has a simple design for a no-fluff workout. With only eight resistance levels, however, this bike would not be suitable for someone who is interested in making drastic gains in speed and strength. This recumbent exercise bike is great for the person looking to maintain or gradually build their fitness abilities.

Best Folding Exercise Bike

Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse by Exerpeutic

This is a great product for someone who wants to make the most of their investment and feel good about their purchase. This stationary bike’s folding design and light weight allow for easy storage.

Highlights:

• Max user weight is 300 lbs
• Adjustable for users between 5’3” and 6’1”
• Contains 8 resistance levels
• Total product weight is 42.8 lbs. Dimensions: 31in x 19in x 46in

Who Makes It:

The Exerpeutic stationary bike is a line of fitness equipment from a company called Paradigm Health and Wellness. With its headquarters in California, this fitness equipment company is famous because it makes machines for popular brands like ProGear and Ironman. In addition, they make children’s jungle gyms under the Ironkids brand.

The Bottom Line:

It’s a given that this foldable exercise bike is great for someone in a small apartment or who wants to be able to hide their exercise equipment when not in use. This bike folds to half of its size! Despite only being 42.8 lbs, someone up to 300 lbs can operate this foldable stationary bike. The large seat cushion allows for comfy cycling while you lose weight.

Best Mini Exercise Bike

Under Desk Exercise Bike and Pedal Exerciser by DeskCycle

This mini exercise bike is included in the list for its compact design that can help you lose weight at your work desk (or under the kitchen table). This small exercise bike gives you the calorie burn without all the space needed by the other exercise bikes on the list. This is a versatile and portable exercise bike that is good for multi-taskers, the elderly, or even for a kid who can’t sit still!

Sitting for long periods of time with no activity can be damaging to health. Not only can it lead to weight gain, but it can also lead to the weakening and wasting away of muscles in the leg. Sitting too long can also lead to problems with your posture, lowering your metabolism, metabolic syndrome, and chronic pain. Having access to a mini exercise bike is ideal if you’re stuck at a desk for long periods of time.

Highlights:

• Portable and quiet magnetic resistance which is great for home or office
• Simple display to show time, calories burned, speed, and distance
• Contains 8 resistance levels
• Total product weight is 23 lbs. Dimensions: 24in x 20in x 10in

Who Makes It:

DeskCycle is a fitness brand dedicated to improving your fitness while multi-tasking at work, at school, or while watching TV. They have featured their products on the Hallmark Channel. DeskCycle claims that anyone can use their machines from ages 5 to 100! DeskCycle has also provided these mini exercise bikes to overactive children who have trouble paying attention in class. In a book called Ready, Set, Go! The Kinesthetic Classroom 2.0 written by an education consulting firm and health teachers, research shows that kids who use exercise equipment during school have improved memory, retention, and focus.

The Bottom Line:

This compact and versatile exercise bike is great for a wide variety of people, needs, and environments. The low-impact, smooth gliding motion of this machine makes it a great option for the elderly and those who need a quiet way to exercise. Take this mini exercise bike to the office or school and pedal away all day long!

Best Exercise Bike for the Whole Family

SF-B1002 Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike by Sunny Health & Fitness

If you are looking for a great exercise bike that is fit for the whole family, this exercise bike by Sunny Health & Fitness is a great investment. It is moderately priced when compared to the other bikes on this list. This bike offers several resistance levels, a safety brake, and adjustable handlebars and seat. An athletic teenager, a new mom, or grandpa can all use this stationary bike in the same household for weight loss and cardio workouts.

Highlights:

• Built with a 49-lb flywheel
• Heavy-duty equipment (115 lbs)
• Belt drive system for a smooth quiet ride
• Dimensions: 44in x 20in x 44in

Who Makes It:

Appearing for the second time on this list of top-rated best exercise bikes, Sunny Health & Fitness is the company behind this piece of equipment. Along with their renowned exercise bikes, they produce other affordable fitness equipment to consider for your home workouts.

The Bottom Line:

If fitness is important to your whole family, this exercise bike is a great option to add to your home. It is quiet, adjustable, and moderately priced for families who want to make health and fitness a priority. With its sturdy frame, this exercise bike can be passed down through the generations for years to come.

Best Desk Exercise Bike for the Ultimate Multi-Tasker

ExerWork 1000 Fully Adjustable Desk Folding Exercise Bike by Exerpeutic

Want an exercise bike? Need a desk? Love to multi-task? This desk exercise bike is essential for the stay-at-home working mom, college student, or video gamer who wants to workout while getting something else done. If you work at your computer all day long, you can burn calories and lose weight while doing so on this exercise bike! This exercise bike has a built-in desk that can tilt for writing and laptop use.

This type of bike also combats the issues that come from sitting too long.

Highlights:

• Built-in desk with large desktop and adjustable height
• Thick, soft seat for prolonged sitting while cycling
• Max user weight is 300 lbs
• Product weighs: 64.7 lbs. Dimensions: 45in x 51in x 25in

Who Makes It:

Exerpeutic and Paradigm Health and Fitness showed up again on this list, proving that these companies surely do offer high-quality and top-ranked products! Check out the other product lines through Paradigm Health and Fitness since they offer equipment for elite athletes, working professionals, and kids.

The Bottom Line:

If you work at home and want to lose weight, this is an easy decision! You can burn calories all day long with this desk exercise bike. No more excuses that you had to spend too much time at your desk and could not get a workout in. This desk exercise bike is for the hard-worker that is ready to get down to business!

Our Guide to Picking the Best Exercise Bike: Learn the Lingo Before You Buy

Now that you’ve read the list of the top exercise bikes out there, you can see that there is a stationary bike fit for everyone. When you are looking for the best exercise bike that fits your needs, make sure you know the lingo. Here’s a guide to understanding the most important factors in finding the perfect bike for you:

Flywheel weight: 

The flywheel is the circular wheel built into nearly every exercise bike (big or small). Flywheel weight is the measure of the rotational momentum on a flywheel. Differences in the flywheel weight affect the smoothness and resistance of the ride. In general, the higher the flywheel weight, the harder it is to keep the rotation going, requiring you to burn more calories. The typical flywheel weight is 40 lbs. Consider your needs in flywheel weight before buying. Seniors may want a lower weight than an athlete trying to increase the resistance from the bike.

Chain Drive vs. Belt Drive:

Some of the products above have “chain drive” mechanics and others have “belt drive” mechanics. Chain drive is like regular outdoor bikes that have a chain that moves the wheels. One thing to keep in mind with chain drive: chain drive machines tend to wear out more quickly than belt drive. Belt drives are quieter, more efficient, and durable, so it is something to consider when you are looking at an exercise bike as a whole.

Adjustable Seat:

Be conscious of how the seat adjusts before you buy it. Some exercise bikes have seats that only move up and down, whereas others adjust up, down, forwards, and back. If you’re exceptionally short or tall, not every exercise bike may be the correct fit for you. If your exercise bike has adjustable handlebars as well, that’s a plus.

Direct Resistance vs. Magnetic Resistance: 

Make sure you look at what type of resistance your stationary bike has built-in. An exercise bike with direct resistance uses friction to create resistance. While direct resistance bikes offer challenging exercises, the friction pads tend to wear down over time. Magnetic resistance bikes use magnets and the flywheel to create frictionless resistance, which is very quiet. This technology can be more expensive than direct resistance, however.

Tips for How to Care for Your New Exercise Bike

1. Regardless of which exercise bike you purchase, make sure you have ample space wherever the machine will be used. Even the small under-desk exercise bikes have a specific height and space requirements.
2. As an exercise equipment owner, you’re in charge of cleaning and performing maintenance on your equipment. Exercise bikes require cleaning for proper mechanics and aesthetics, so clean the surface, flywheel, and junction where the pedals meet the body of the machine. Not sure what products to use for cleaning? Here are some popular choices:
   • Disinfectant sprays and wipes such as Lysol
   • Specialty gym equipment wipes (look for these in equipment stores for commercial gyms)
   • Polish for fitness equipment (Spintech is one brand you can try)
   • DIY equipment cleaner. To make, combine 1 cup of white vinegar, 1/2 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of hot water. Mix and add it to a spray bottle. Spray down your equipment with the mixture and then wipe it off with a clean towel.
3. Not sure about the details of maintaining your bike? The user manual is an excellent starting point for any questions about your equipment. If you still have questions, call the customer support number to clarify any uncertainties. Following these guidelines will help make sure your equipment lasts as long as it should.

The Bottom Line on Purchasing an Indoor Exercise Bike

Nowadays there are so many types of bikes depending on your environment and lifestyle. Don’t use time, space, or work as excuses not to invest in an exercise machine for your home! Exercise bikes are great machines to test your cardio endurance and can be keys to losing weight. As seen in the list above, these bikes can complement a busy life where multi-tasking is essential to get everything done.

With lots of workout bike options comes the necessity to make the best decision for you. Use the guide above to be a pro at stationary bike lingo and understand the different features of each machine you investigate. Refer back to our analyses of each top stationary bike to find the category of stationary bike that will work best for your needs. By using our buying guide, you can be sure you will buy the best exercise bike for you and get started on shedding off the pounds!

What factors determine which exercise bike you buy? Size? Ability to multi-task? Various family needs? Tell us about your thoughts and experiences in the comments section.