The Best Exercise Bikes | Barton Haynes

Today’s post comes as a suggestion from our readers over at reviews.com. After finding my blog, they asked me to review a recent article they published titled “The Best Exercise Bikes.”

I recently received an email stating the following:

In recent years, spin classes and stationary bikes have become all the rage for anyone looking for a fun and challenging way to get their cardio in. However, with all the options out there, it’s easy to get lost in the hype.

That’s why our research team at Reviews.com spent months evaluating 43 of the most popular bikes. After narrowing the results, we personally tested seven options to compare overall ride feel, adjustability, and usability. In the end, two bikes rose to the top.

After explaining their analysis, they asked me to share their findings with you all. Therefore, today, I’m sharing their highly involved and well-done study regarding the best exercise bikes in the categories of basic spin bike, spin bike programming, recumbent bike, recumbent upgrade, and budget recumbent bike.

Reviews.com shared the following:

The best recumbent and spin bikes, the two most popular stationary styles, provide all of cycling’s top fitness benefits with ergonomic adjustability and far-ranging resistance. We liked spin bikes for the challenging workouts they offered, while recumbent bikes offered greater comfort and programming. Here, we cover our favorite from both camps to help you decide which style is right for you.

What Bike is Right for You?

There’s a lot of diversity in stationary bike styles, and each design produces unique ride quality and exercise benefits. We took deep dives into the two most popular styles — recumbent and spin — and found that both have points of excellence. The one that’s right for you depends on your body, preferences, and fitness goals.

Spin bikes are best for those…

who already have some spinning experience under their belt
have a generally high level of fitness
prefer to self-direct their workouts

The exercise bike used in high-intensity spin classes models its construction after speedy road bikes, and supports the physically demanding way cyclists employ them. Spin bikes pitch the rider forward at a 45-degree angle, with curved handles that are on roughly the same plane as the seat. Resistance levels are typically controlled by a knob or lever, but the real intensity comes from how quickly you pedal. As you increase speed, the flywheel begins to store your excess effort, generating a powerful forward momentum. But reaching and maintaining that point of inertia requires a ton of force.

Recumbent bikes, with their easy-entry design, are best for those…

with back injuries
mobility issues
or who want extensive programming

With a low, long profile and a bucket seat, recumbent bikes allow the rider to lean against the backrest with legs outstretched at a shallow decline from the hips. While recumbent riding foregoes the core engagement demanded by upright bikes, these bikes do provide greater back support. You don’t have to carry your body weight on top of the pedals, which reduces joint load, while motorized resistance levels recreate the intensity of weight plus terrain. Control intensity and switch between programs using their replete consoles.

Below are the reports found by reviews.com. To read exactly how the best exercise bikes were decided upon, check out the full article HERE.