The Best Recumbent Bikes for Comfortable Cardio at Home

As runners, we love nothing more than feeling the road or trail under our feet as we bop along on our favorite training loops. Unfortunately, the weather outside isn't always ideal, and that sometimes leaves us to tap out a workout in the gym. A treadmill might be a first option for many, but those indoor workouts can actually be a perfect time to experiment with cross-training. Enter the recumbent bike, a cost-effective alternative for fitness lovers who still want to enjoy the benefits of an upright exercise bike.

Recumbent bikes are designed to allow users to sit in a reclined position, offering a more comfortable cycling experience and placing less stress on the joints than upright stationary bikes. This makes them additionally well-suited for older users, arthritis sufferers looking for a lower-impact workout, or anyone working through a physical therapy or injury recovery program.

Recumbent exercise bikes are a staple at almost every gym, and for good reason: They're accessible to almost all fitness levels, and the best ones are exceptionally simple to operate. If you're ready to add a spin to your own home gym (forgive the pun), give these 6 top picks of ours a look.

The Best Recumbent Bikes

• Best Overall: Schwinn 290 Recumbent Bike
• Best Value: Sunny Health & Fitness Essential Recumbent Exercise Bike
• Best Advanced Display: NordicTrack Commercial R35 Recumbent Bike
• Best for Just the Basics: Marcy ME-709 Recumbent Exercise Bike
• Best for Arm Workouts: Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike

What to Consider

When choosing a recumbent bike, think about what features would be most beneficial to you and your fitness goals. If you really want to dive into a serious workout program, consider choosing a bike with a good variety of programs and resistance levels, allowing you to continually increase the difficulty level as you get fitter. You’ll also probably want a model with a large, interactive screen that allows you to better visualize your progress and your current workout. (If you want a workout that’s even closer to actually riding a bicycle, you might want to consider an upright bike instead.)

If your priority is having an immersive workout—or simply staving off the insanity of staring at the wall—you could choose a bike with a display or a dedicated space for your own device. This'll allow you to easily enjoy streaming entertainment, even if you’re not in a room with a TV. The more engaging your workout experience is, the more likely you’ll be to do it regularly.

Perhaps most importantly, think about how much space you have in your home, and choose a bike that will fit comfortably. It may take a few minutes, but take the time to use a tape measure to really make sure your recumbent bike will fit in the space you’re planning on using it. This step can save yourself a huge hassle in the long run.

How We Selected

We selected the options on this list by first researching current recumbent bike options; having used several models in the past, we used our personal experience to help select a range of our favorites. The options below all feature intuitive controls, multiple resistance settings, and a size and weight that's manageable for at-home setup. Although we didn’t physically test the models on our list, we enlisted a combination of customer feedback on specific models and the advice and recommendations of well-respected review sites to help us land on our top picks. We also kept pricing in mind during our search, ensuring that, regardless of your budget, you should be able to find an option that still fits your needs.

For more great additions to your home gym setup, check out our picks for the best home gym equipment, upright exercise bikes, and adjustable dumbbells!