Best Indoor Cycling Trainers – 12 exercise bikes for cardio fitness

Samuel J Tan Cardio Equipment, Cycling, Exercise & Fitness, Home Gym Equipment, Sports & Outdoors 0

Cycling like swimming is a low impact exercise, a preferred by most engaging in cardio fitness and training. It is easier on the joints than compared to say running or other high impact aerobic activities.

Regular cycling can help you lose weight, reduce stress and improve your fitness as well as help get you into shape.

An example of how effective cycling can be for someone who weighs 80kg (12st 9lb), an hour’s worth of riding on an cycling machine will burn more than 650 calories and tone their legs and bottom. Some bikes with an elliptical trainer fitted also works on the upper body; toning the hips, arms and shoulders.

The best way to build your cardiovascular fitness on the bike is to ride for at least 150 minutes every week and slowly add up either on resistance, distance or time as you progress.

However, choosing to go outdoor with your bicycle as a mean of exercise meant you have to put up with potential road hazard, careless drivers, the weather, dirt on the road, and worst of all, air pollution. Think of all the hazardous exhaust fumes you breath in especially in the city during your workout. A safer and cleaner option is to take it indoor with a cycling trainer.

Choosing The Type of Exercise Bike That Best Suits You

There are two types of exercise bikes, depending on your preference, you could have the conventional upright bike or the lowered recumbent bike. Both available in folding or fixed format.

To understand the differences and benefits of each of the bikes is to take a look at the infographic prepared by LifeSpan.

However, the information provided is a bit one sided and favours the recumbent bike. As it is lower, recumbent bikes are more stable than upright bikes. Fixed recumbent bikes however take up more space compared to fixed upright bikes.

Top 12 Best Indoor Cycling Bikes for the U.S.

Here are top 12 exercise bikes to keep you strong, fit and healthy. We marked the overview list below with [R] for recumbent bikes and [U] for upright bikes.

Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike – PULSE [R]
Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse – PULSE [U]
Sunny Health Fitness Indoor Cycle Trainer SF-B1203 – [U]
Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike – [U]
Sunny Health Fitness Indoor Cycle Trainer SF-B1002 – [U]
Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike – [R]
Sunny Health Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike SF-B901 – [U]
Sunny Health Fitness Indoor Cycling Bike SF-B1110 – [U]
Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike – [R]
Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike with Pulse – PULSE [R]
FitDesk 2 Desk Exercise Bike with Massage Bar – WITH WORK SURFACE [U]
Schwinn 170 Upright Bike – [U]

Let’s dive in for a closer look

1. Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike – PULSE [FOLDABLE, RECUMBENT]

Foldable recumbent exercise bike with quiet V-belt double-drive transmission system
Precision-balanced flywheel; 8-level adjustable magnetic tension control system
Easy-to-read LCD display tracks your distance, calories, time, speed, and heart rate
Semi-recumbent design for easy entry and exit; large seat cushion and backrest
Supports up to 300 pounds; measures 19 x 46 x 33 inches (W x H x D)

2. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse – PULSE [FOLDABLE, UPRIGHT]

Large seat cushion for people of any size, easily adjustable to fit anywhere from 5’3 inch to 6’1 inch users.
Hand Pulse Monitor for heart rate reading
Folds for storage and can moved with the included transportation wheels
An 8 level Magnetic Tension control system, allows the user to adjust the tension level for an easier or more difficult workout.

3. Sunny Health Fitness Indoor Cycle Trainer SF-B1203 – [UPRIGHT]

Fully adjustable seat-Up,Down, Fore, Aft
Lowest seat setting: 27″ (Seat to Pedal) Highest seat setting: 33″ (Seat to Pedal)
Chain drive mechanism and Felt fabric brake pad – Micro adjustable tension
LCD display Speed, Distance, Scan,Time, and Calories Burned
22 lb Chromed Flywheel
Heavy duty crank and steel frame
Dimensions & Weight: 32L x 22W x 45H in, 61 lbs
Maximum user weight: 220 Lbs

4. Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike – [FOLDABLE, UPRIGHT]

Manual adjustment continuous resistance
High density foam padded seat and height adjustment for different body types
Easy to read computer screen displays speed, distance, time and calories burned
Innovative frame design folds up for easy storage
Counterweighted pedals with adjustable foot straps

5. Sunny Health Fitness Indoor Cycle Trainer SF-B1002 – [UPRIGHT]

Fully adjustable seat and handlebar
Heavy duty steel frame with a 49lbs flywheel
Belt drive mechanism for smooth and quiet workouts
Adjustable resistance with a press down brake system
Transportation wheels for easy portability

6. Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike – [RECUMBENT]

Dual track two LCD window system allows you to monitor up to 13 different display feedbacks
Schwinn Connect goal tracking and data export keep you up to date on reaching your fitness goals
22 programs, 2 user settings and goal tracking are all there to keep you motivated and challenged
20 levels of resistance aligned with a high speed high inertia perimeter weighted flywheel make every workout smooth and quiet
Charging USB port and data exchange

7. Sunny Health Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike SF-B901 – [UPRIGHT]

Indoor cycling bike with 40-pound flywheel
Heavy-duty crank and smooth chain drive mechanism
Fully adjustable seat and handlebars for comfort
Adjustable resistance systems; transport wheels
Supports up to 275 pounds; measures 20 x 46.5 x 48.5 inches (W x H x D)

8. Sunny Health Fitness Indoor Cycling Bike SF-B1110 – [UPRIGHT]

Fully adjustable seat and handlebars. Transportation wheels for easy portability.
Chain-drive mechanism for a smooth, quiet workout with 44 lb flywheel
Dimensions: 46.5L x 20.5W x 47.5H inches.
Maximum user weight: 265 lbs.

9. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike – [RECUMBENT]

Dual track two LCD window system allows you to monitor up to 13 different display feedbacks
Schwinn Connect goal tracking and data export keep you up to date on reaching your fitness goals
29 programs, 4 user settings and goal tracking are all there to keep you motivated and challenged
25 levels of resistance aligned with a high speed high inertia perimeter weighted flywheel make every workout smooth and quiet
Charging USB port and data exchange

10. Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike with Pulse – PULSE [RECUMBENT]

Recumbent stationary bike offers challenging cardiovascular workout while minimizing stress on your joints and back
Eight-level Magnetic Tension Control System allows you to customize your ride and challenge yourself over time
Large, easy-to-read LCD display indicates distance, calories burned, time, speed, and heart rate information
Measures 22 by 34 by 54 inches (W x H x D) with 63-pound weight and 300-pound maximum user weight

11. FitDesk 2 Desk Exercise Bike with Massage Bar – WORK SURFACE [UPRIGHT, FOLDABLE]

Durable: Built to Last with high quality gear box components for years of reliable operation
Unique: Desk features non-slip surface, easy access drawer and massage rollers positioned to make typing while exercising comfortable
Adjustable: Seat Back and Extender included allowing for upright and semi-recumbent use
Space Saving: Quick lock folding frame is great for easy transport and storage
Practical: Fits naturally into your daily routine, is the exercise bike you will actually use

12. Schwinn 170 Upright Bike

Dual track two LCD window system allows you to monitor up to 13 different display feedbacks
Schwinn Connect goal tracking and data export keep you up to date on reaching your fitness goals
29 programs, 4 user settings and goal tracking are all there to keep you motivated and challenged
25 levels of resistance aligned with a high speed high inertia perimeter weighted flywheel make every workout smooth and quiet
Charging USB port and data exchange

ALSO: Exerpeutic WORKFIT 1000 Desk Station Folding Semi-Recumbent Exercise Bike – WORK SURFACE

Sliding Desktop: large fully adjustable desktop with forward, back, up and down for sitting or standing positions.
3 angle adjustments (0, 16 and 33 degrees), 5 height adjustments 41″ up to 45″. Storage Drawer. Soft foam durable arm rest. LCD Computer.
2.5″ Thick AirSoft seat with extra comfort and adjustable to fit 5′ 2″ to 6′ 3″ user height
Tension Resistance: An 8 level Magnetic Tension control system allows the user to adjust the tension level for an easier or more difficult workout
Folds up for storage with a foot print of 21.3″ L x 25.5″W
Weight capacity: 300 lbs. Semi-recumbent design for comfortable, effective workouts