Best Exercise Bike Brands
Exercise bikes provide a convenient way to get a good indoor workout without sacrificing the feeling of being on a real bike. Use our guide to research the best exercise bike brand for you. We explain how exercise bikes have become more specialized with multiple features that tailor to many types of riders. Exercise bikes have become popular in fitness centers and home gyms as easy-to-use, low-impact machines for casual users and pro cyclers to elevate their heart rates, burn calories and stay in shape.
- Our recommendations are based on what reviewers say.
- 4,241,241 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
- We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
Compare Reviews for Top Exercise Bike Brands | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sells home and exercise equipment including treadmills, bikes and rowers. Partners with expert trainers to provide, iFit, interactive personal training at home. 30-day return policy. Financing available. Free shipping. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Founded in 1895 and headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Schwinn designs and manufactures all types of bicycles and fitness equipment. Schwinn’s fitness equipment division has opened retail stores across North America. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Headquartered in Chicago, Life Fitness has been developing fitness solutions for over 45 years. It started with the Lifecycle exercise bike and now makes multiple cardio and strength products. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Headquartered in Roseville, Michigan, ProForm is an internationally recognized fitness brand and has been manufacturing fitness equipment for over 30 years. It boasts hundreds of patents and 20 years of top sales numbers. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Sole Fitness is located in Taipei, Taiwan and has been providing hotels and small and residential gyms with fitness equipment for decades. The brand has expanded internationally, adding global dealers yearly. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Gold's Gym exercise bikes offer a comfortable, effective workout with features like a wide seat, entertainment options, workout arms and more. Buy Gold’s Gym exercise bikes at Walmart, Kohl's and other retailers starting at $299. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Founded in 2012, Peloton makes indoor cycles that are on par with an actual road bike experience. It brings the benefits of group exercise into the home by fully engaging cyclists through technology and social connection. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Manufacturers smart bikes, rowers, treadmills and smart mirrors. Provides access to live and on-demand workouts. Equipment prices start at $999. Offers financing to Echelon United members. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Read Author Review | Located in Carlsbad, California, Diamondback Fitness is owned and operated by LifeCore Fitness, Inc. It has been developing and manufacturing fitness equipment for residential and light commercial use for over 30 years. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
Read Author Review | Owned by Johnson Health Tech, Horizon Fitness is headquartered in Taichung, Taiwan, and has been manufacturing fitness equipment for over 30 years. It distributes its equipment to over 60 countries around the world. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent |
Common questions about exercise bikes
What types of displays are on exercise bikes?
With the exception of professional indoor cycles, most exercise bikes come with a display screen that can make exercising more educational and fun. They can monitor the user’s heart rate, play TV shows and even feature pre-programmed routes to follow.
- Resolution: The resolution for displays can be either liquid-crystal displays (LCD) or light-emitting diodes (LED). LCD displays are commonly used in computers, TVs and instrument panels. LED lighting is typically found in consumer electronics lighting and automobile lighting. LED displays have a higher screen resolution than LCD displays.
- Heart rate monitoring: Many exercise bikes can track and display your heart rate. By gripping the heart rate sensors on the handlebars, the rider can get a reading of their heart rate, allowing them to monitor it and stay within the targeted rate for their age. Some bikes come with wireless chest strap heart rate monitors that transmit real-time data to the display.
- Music/TV: Almost all displays come with built-in speakers or MP3 jacks so a rider can watch television or listen to music.
What ergonomic features do exercise bikes have?
Exercise bike design continues to improve by focusing on ergonomics. With recumbent bikes being the most ergonomic bike for a rider’s back, upright and indoor cycles come with ergonomic bike seats to help minimize back pain as well. It is important to find the correct riding position based on height and weight.
- Seat: When choosing an exercise bike, riders should make sure the seat is adjustable both vertically and horizontally. Riders should adjust the seat according to their height for upright bikes and length for recumbent bikes.
- Riding position: Having an ergonomic seat will not help much if a rider’s positioning is incorrect. A general rule of thumb for positioning on a recumbent bike is that the legs should be at the same level as, or higher than, the hips. Your legs should never fully extend as the bike is being pedaled. An upright bike riding position should have the seat height as high as the rider's hips with knees slightly bent at a full downstroke. The seat can be adjusted forward or backward to find a comfortable position as well.
- Spine health: Exercise bikes are widely recommended for people with spine and back issues. Their low-impact workout and multiple riding positions can support the back in multiple ways depending on the type of back pain the rider is experiencing.
What are the different types of resistance on exercise bikes?
There are a few ways to make an indoor exercise bike feel like an actual road bike, resistance being at the top of the list. Exercise bikes can provide resistance as the rider pedals in many different ways. The most common types of resistance are direct-contact and magnetic braking systems. A less common type of resistance is known as fan-based resistance.
- Direct contact resistance: Direct contact resistance works by using brake pads to provide friction to slow the flywheel. This type of resistance is popular because it allows riders to choose multiple resistance levels. Because this type of resistance is more mechanical, it tends to be noisier and requires more maintenance.
- Magnetic resistance: Magnetic resistance bikes are becoming very popular because they encounter very few maintenance issues due to their low-friction flywheel. These bikes use electromagnetic induction to provide resistance. They are the quietest exercise bikes on the market.
- Fan-based resistance: Using a resistance fan instead of a flywheel, this type of bike works by connecting a fan to the pedals by a belt. For more resistance, the rider must pedal faster.
What are the different ways you can program an exercise bike?
Many exercise bikes come with programmable features on their display. Programmable bikes can record and store ride times, distance and calories burned. They can store multiple rider profiles, so each rider can set their own goals and targets. More advanced programs are compatible with smartphones and devices via Bluetooth or can have actual GPS mapped routes for riders to follow.
- Basic information: Riders can set up profiles that will keep track of their personal statistics as they complete a ride. They can set target calories to burn, times, speeds, resistance and distances.
- Smartphone capabilities: Many exercise bikes today are smartphone-compatible and allow the rider to sync their phone with the exercise bike display. Riders can listen to music, upload pre-programmed routes or watch videos straight from their phone.
- GPS: Some bikes come pre-loaded with GPS routes from around the world. Routes such as ones from the Tour de France will display on the screen and will include the appropriate resistance for where the rider is on the route.
What are some safety features on exercise bikes?
Most exercise bikes come with built-in safety features to make operating the machine as safe as possible. Often, the safety features on stationary bikes will be seen on the pedals and braking systems.
- Foot straps: Many exercise bikes come with foot straps over the pedals to mimic clipless bike pedals on an actual road bike. This also prevents the rider's foot from slipping.
- Press-down brake system: Some bikes have a press-down brake feature that allows the rider to quickly stop the rotation of the flywheel with the push of a button.
- Counterbalanced pedals: Counterbalanced pedals are another safety feature found on exercise bikes. They make sure the pedal doesn’t rotate if the rider’s foot slips off.
Do exercise bikes come with warranties?
Almost all exercise bikes come with a warranty of some kind. They are usually broken up into a parts warranty, frame warranty and lifetime warranty. Each part of the bike will generally have a specific warranty length.
- Parts: Parts warranties are typically shorter in length. They can range anywhere from 90 days to multiple years.
- Frame: Frame warranties are common and will generally be in the range of one to 30 years, all the way up to a lifetime warranty.
- Lifetime: Rarely will an exercise bike come with a lifetime warranty for all parts. The most common lifetime warranties on exercise bikes are for the frame and brakes.
What are the different types of exercise bikes?
Recumbent bikes
Recumbent bikes place the rider in a laid-back riding position with their legs out in front. Recumbent bikes are popular for ergonomic reasons because they distribute body weight over a larger area than upright bikes.
Upright bikes
Upright exercise bikes mimic the standard bicycle riding position, making them a popular option for younger people. Riders can stay seated or stand and pedal.
Indoor cycles
Indoor cycles, or spinner bikes, are similar to upright bikes, but with different resistance options. They have direct breaking and a weighted front wheel to mimic a real road bike. They are very popular with professional cyclists.
Dual-action bikes
Dual-action bikes involve not only pedaling, but arm movement as well. They can be recumbent or upright with varying degrees of arm motion.
Who uses exercise bikes?
People who want to lose weight
People who want a fast and easy way to get in shape can benefit from the simplicity of an exercise bike. They are a quick way to elevate heart rate and are easy on hip, knee and ankle joints.
People rehabilitating injuries
People needing a gentle way to rehabilitate a leg injury can find recumbent exercise bikes useful. Their ergonomic design minimizes the impact on joints and distributes weight more evenly.
Professional athletes
Professional cyclists can benefit greatly from an indoor cycle during the offseason to maintain their fitness level. Regular athletes can use upright exercise bikes as a way to warm up, cool down and elevate their heart rate.
People with home gyms
Exercise bikes are a great way to get in shape without leaving the house. Their slim design takes up less space than most treadmills, and they can be easily moved.
Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter!
Compare Reviews for Top Exercise Bike Brands | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Read Author Review | Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Fresno, California, Keiser has been designing and making fitness equipment for over 35 years. Its equipment is used by professional sports teams, fitness and rehab centers and home gyms. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
Read Author Review | LifeSpan got its start in 2001 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City. It specializes in fitness solutions created for everyday life, including home and work. LifeSpan makes and distributes their fitness equipment worldwide. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
Read Author Review | Founded in 1987, Stamina Products Inc. is located in Springfield, Missouri. It makes exercise equipment from treadmills to pilates machines. Stamina distributes its products through many channels, including TV shopping networks. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent |
Information in this guide is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal, health, investment or tax advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use.
You’re signed up
We’ll start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. We value your privacy. Unsubscribe easily.