5 Best Exercise Bikes for Heavy People

It can be tricky when you sit at your computer to finally find the right exercise bike. The options overwhelm you, and you may be unsure of your choice, especially if you have special requirements.

Things are infinitely more complex if you’re obese or morbidly obese.

The problem is you have a budget, goals, and preferences like everyone else. You may not want to spend thousands of pounds on a mammoth indoor bike that barely tells you the time.

You don’t want your weight to make you feel inferior or limit your options.

That’s why we’re here. We’ll tell you exactly what to look for in the best exercise bike for a heavy person and show you how to choose through the lens of your needs. Next, we’ll analyse five different indoor bike models, including upright, recumbent, and spinning. 

Keep reading below.

Why do Exercise Bikes Have Weight Limits?

It’s not so they can make you feel bad about yourself.

These weight limits are there for a reason: to tell you if you can safely use the exercise bike without accident or fear of damage.

Can you still use an indoor bike if you’re five or ten pounds about that limit?

Probably. The truth is nobody, not even the manufacturers, can tell you for sure if you’re going to break that bike or not. You’re probably going to be okay, although there’s a chance that the bike will squeak or get damaged faster.

If we’re talking about a lower-end bike, the resistance, seat, or pedals can become undone quickly. You have fewer chances of that happening with a commercial-grade bike.

Why risk it, though?

There are so many exercise bikes for heavy people today that you shouldn’t compromise or risk your warranty. Read the section below to learn what factors should influence your choice.

Things to Look for in Best Home Exercise Bike for Heavy People

Without further ado, here’s what to look for in a heavy-duty exercise bike:

Construction and Materials

The best heavy-duty exercise bike can support your weight, which means a sturdy construction. You can’t immediately tell if a stationary bike is flimsy when you’re buying online, especially if you’re only looking at pictures of it.

However, you can learn more if you’re also looking at videos.

Marketing videos are filmed perfectly and benefit products, so user clips are better. Seeing that bike next to a real-life human allows you to put it in perspective and see if it could fit you.

Of course, you should also analyse materials.

Rugged exercise bikes for overweight people are made from solid materials, such as stainless steel, aluminium, and steel. The bolts and bars should also look strong and thick. 

Size

A heavy, giant bike has more stability and supports your weight. 

That rule of thumb comes with some amendments. For example, you can be overweight for your gender, age, and height without packing too much weight for a bike.

Women know what we’re talking about.

Consider that even the most basic stationary bikes have a 100-110 kg weight limit.

Getting an exercise bike for overweight people becomes a problem only when you’re over 120 kg because, after this weight limit, the bikes keep getting pricier and heavier. And that’s because of all the extra material going into them.

So, you should be prepared to sacrifice some space and consider a heavier bike, especially if your budget is in the low spectrum. Of course, you shouldn’t expect a mammoth bike because many models today are foldable. At the same time, a spin bike for 80 kg max weight takes less space than a recumbent bike for over 30 stones.

Pro tip: The bike’s weight limit should be 10-15% higher than your current weight. Don’t purchase a stationary bike if its weight limit is lower than your weight because you’re going to break it – especially if you’re doing intense workouts.

Seat

Whether you’re all muscle or have loveable plushness on your bum, you need an accommodating seat. That means you have to check the seat’s width, and particularly the width between the handlebars if you’re getting a stationary recumbent bike.

Then, you have to look at the seat’s materials and construction.

A cheap sponge deflates quickly, so you should pick something more lasting, such as memory foam. Also, the seat should be firm enough because otherwise, you’re going to sink in it, and the edges will hurt your hamstrings.

That brings us to another essential point. The seat edges should be soft, plump, and cushiony. You shouldn’t feel the seat’s frame when you’re pedalling, not only because it’s incredibly uncomfortable but also because it can injure you.

Handlebars

Avoid flimsy handlebars, especially if you’re getting a spin bike.

Spin bikes allow you to pedal standing, which pushes a lot of your weight into the handles. So, make sure they’re ergonomic, grippy, and thick.

The same goes for other types of indoor bikes. 

According to studies, obese people may have osteoarthritis, and if that’s the case for you too, you have to protect your hand joints. So, make sure the handlebars are cushiony.

Adjustability Options

You need an adjustable exercise bike regardless of your weight because you must keep a correct posture throughout your workout. That way, you can target your leg muscles correctly and tone effectively.

Besides, multiple adjustability options protect your knees, lower back, and hand joints because you’re not stretching unnecessarily. So, make sure at least your seat is height-adjustable. 

But more adjustability options are always welcome in all directions. 

Resistance Type

Magnetic resistance is very smooth, so it’s friendly for your knees and ankles. Besides, magnetic bikes offer high resistance levels and are easy to adjust.

Air bikes may not be best for you because the resistance increases when pedalling faster. As such, you can strain your knees too much if you’re going fast from the get-go.

You can consider a mechanical indoor bike too.

These models are relatively sturdy, and their resistance feels natural, like cycling on a lifelike bike. Besides, these models are easy to fix if you have the right tools.

Programs and Stats

Some people thrive with multiple workout options. If you like to change between workouts to see what fits you best, consider a stationary bike with several built-in programmes. Otherwise, if you prefer to do your thing without any prompts, go for an exercise bike with few to no workouts.

Whatever you choose, stats are essential.

First, the calorie burn should be as accurate as possible because getting tricked isn’t fun for anyone. But, if you’re trying to adjust your weight, getting tricked is especially painful.

Second, the heart-rate measurements should be on point. Excess weight is associated with a slew of cardiovascular issues even if you’re relatively healthy even compared to thinner people. Thus, you have to keep track of your heart rate during exercise to avoid hurting yourself, and so the machine calculates your calories more precisely.

Best Heavy Duty Exercise Bikes

Now that you know what to consider before getting an exercise bike for heavy people, let’s see some of the best models in action:

EXERPEUTIC Gold Heavy Duty Foldable Exercise Bike: best for beginners

The Exerpeutic Gold indoor bike is one of the best upright exercise bikes for heavy people because its maximum limit is 400 pounds. Thus, it’s perfect for a 25 stone man or woman looking to push their limits and become fitter.

Besides, the height interval is also generous because it can withstand people between 5’1” and 6’5”. And that, of course, means that the seat is easily adjustable.

The Exerpeutic is very sturdy, as the bike’s made from alloy steel and weighs 51.6 pounds. The handlebars and seat are also rugged. The seat is large, accommodating, and plush with the right degree of firmness.

You can also control the 8-level magnetic resistance from a conveniently located button on top of the large display. 

Even better, the Exerpeutic bike folds quickly to half its size and doesn’t squeak when you’re using it.

On the downside, the highest resistance still isn’t very challenging, especially for people who are used to exercising. Some customers have also reported that the Exerpeutic bike underestimates the calories burnt – although that’s not as frustrating as overestimating those calories.

And luckily, the heart rate measurement is very on point for this machine.

Thus, considering the wide display with no programs, folding design, and low resistance, the Exerpeutic is best for beginners who don’t want to put a lot of time and effort into planning their fitness goals and tracking measurements. 

Check price and reviews on Amazon UK

BCAN Folding Exercise Bike for Heavy People: best for crammed spaces

 

The BCAN folding exercise bike is best for petite people because the lowest height supported is 4’9”. Of course, your whole family can use it because the maximum height is 6’1”. This height range also tells us that you can adjust the seat easily to suit your size and thus avoid aches/injury.

Besides, the BCAN indoor bike has a 150 kg max user weight.                   

You can see that the construction is sturdy because this exercise bike is made from steel and has a triangle design instead of the classic X design. Thus, the BCAN exercise bike is excellent for over 20 stone people who want more durability and safety.

Another unique selling point is the bike’s low noise, below 20 dB. 

Side-note: Some users have complained about the bike being squeaky, but that means you need to lube the brake pads. Also, you should take the resistance to the lowest level after each workout so that these brake pads have the chance to air out.

If you follow these tips, your BCAN bike will remain silent.

Couple that with the excellent folding design & tablet holder, and you get a reliable bike for compact spaces. In fact, it only takes up 0.19 square metres in your home.

Another advantage is the soft, wide seat that feels comfortable even during longer sessions. 

You can get on and off the bike quickly too. The rubber straps secure your feet neatly, while the textured pedals prevent skids.

On the downside, not everyone’s happy with the bike’s design because the pedals are located forward, and the handlebars are close to the seat. So, this triangle design that looks like a mix of upright and recumbent can feel a bit weird at first, especially for taller people.

But like we said before, the BCAN indoor bike is better suited for shorter individuals.

Another disadvantage is the low resistance feel. If you’re stronger, the eighth level of tension won’t feel like much.

Check price and reviews on Amazon UK

HARISON Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike: best breathable recumbent bike

The Harison indoor bike is the best recumbent exercise bike for heavy persons because it can support up to 25 stones, aka 160 kg and because it’s exceptionally comfortable.

Let’s analyse its features.

Firstly, you notice that the high-speed flywheel is coupled with magnetic resistance so that you have 14 levels of tension. That means a wide range of intensity levels for your workouts, from low impact to high-fat burn.

Secondly, the seat is one of the widest and most comfortable in the market. Notice the ventilated backrest that takes the pressure off your lumbar area so that you can exercise for longer.

The whole Harison recumbent bike is highly sturdy, made with heavy-duty stainless steel so that it doesn’t shake even when you’re pedalling hard.

However, the recumbent design makes pedalling easier on your core so that you won’t tone your abs/lower back as much. Still, recumbent bikes burn as many calories as upright bikes – it depends on how hard you’re pushing those pedals.

Besides, recumbent bikes are perfect for seniors, people with chronic pain or those in recovery.

Another advantage compared to the two options above is the incorporated water bottle holder. That way, hydration is always within easy reach.

On the downside, the Harison bike is heavy and takes up a lot of space in your home. It also costs the most so far, and you can’t fold it to store it away.

Check price and reviews on Amazon UK

Spirit Fitness CR800 Recumbent Bike: feature-packed and scalable recumbent bike for over 30 Stone

The first thing you notice about the Spirit Fitness CR800 is the price tag. However, this indoor recumbent bike is feature-packed and commercial-grade to accommodate morbidly obese people.

First, the seat is easy to adjust and highly comfortable – all it takes is a look at its slightly tilted backrest and plush seat. You can also notice the step-thru design that allows easy mounting even for people with mobility issues.

The 2-degree difference between the pedals is another plus in design. This inward tilt ensures more comfort because your hips will be aligned and open in an anatomically correct position. 

Besides, the Poly-V belt drive train connects to a heavy 30-pound flywheel. As a result, you will pedal smoothly, but you can increase the difficulty level with time as you increase your fitness level. Consequently, CR800 is one of the most scalable fitness bikes in this review.

Speaking of scalability, CR800 offers a slew of built-in programs to try. Thus, you can reach your fitness goals faster and more pleasantly.

The Cardiovascular Endurance Program following YMCA Protocol is another unique selling proposition.

The program increases resistance gradually until the workout time runs out or until you reach 85% of your maximum heart rate. That means you can protect your cardiovascular health and work out as hard as you can within your limits.

Besides, all the exercise data is accurate, and the large fan will keep you cool throughout your workout.

Check on Best Gym Equipment.

JTX Cyclo-6: best spin bike for over 20 stone

There are few worthwhile spin bikes for obese people. If you weigh over 120 kg, it’s tough to find a sturdy one that allows you to push your limits to the max.

Luckily, JTX Cyclo-6 is a sturdy, high-performing spin bike for 150 kg (331 pounds).

Let’s look at its features:

Firstly, you can follow free indoor spin classes online with the JTX Cyclo-6 so that you can choose the proper workout depending on how you’re feeling during a particular day. The bike doesn’t include exercises, but it’s compatible with several apps, including Peloton, Bitgym, and Aaptiv. 

Secondly, notice the 22 kg flywheel that’s heavy enough to challenge you when you increase the resistance and smooth enough not to bother your roommates. And yes, you have Infinity Resistance with the Cyclo 6, meaning there’s no limit to how much you can increase the tension.

Next, notice the plush seat that can accommodate a heavy person comfortably.

Unlike other spin bikes, the JTX Cyclo 6 shows the world that you don’t need a pointy, narrow seat pushing in your nether regions when you’re spinning for the sake of aerodynamics. A wider seat is just as practical and infinitely more comfortable.

Besides, the Quadri-Set™ adjustment system is another plus.

This trademarked technology allows customised seat and handlebar adjustments so that you can keep a correct posture throughout your workout, whether you’re sitting or standing.

Besides, the JTX Cyclo 6 offers accurate measurements and additional heart-rate training if you purchase a Polar-compatible heart monitor.

Check on JTX Fitness.

Wrap Up

This article reviewed the best exercise bikes for overweight people, going through different price points and models. You’ve also learnt what to look for in an indoor bike, depending on your needs and preferences.

So, don’t compromise solidity and strength, even if your budget is limited.