Do you want to get a good, low-impact workout in the comfort of your house? An exercise bike might be the answer.
Take a look at these exercise bike reviews in which we include both, the best budget and best high-end products.
At first, we’ll start with a buying guide so you can have a good idea of what to look out for in a good exercise bike. And after that, we’ll compare a series of the best exercise bikes that you can currently buy online in the UK. We’re looking at these holistically, analysing both their advantages and their disadvantages.
Table of Contents
IN A HURRY?
If you’re in a hurry, here are some of the best-selling exercise bikes on Amazon UK right now:
- ❗❗❗【NOTE】Please install the pedal like this way:...
- 🚲 【QUIET EXERCISE BIKE】Heavy-duty steel frame with a...
- 🚲 【Multiple Riding Positions】 Armrest Height...
- For more than 15 years and with over 5 million products...
- Foldable exercise bike, home trainer, fitness bike with 8...
- Indoor cycling with the fitness and cardio equipment to...
- 【HEAVY DUTY STEEL FRAME】 Dripex exercise bike is built...
- 【ADJUSTABLE MAGNETIC RESISTANCE & ULTRA SILENT】 Magnetic...
- 【COMFORTABLE SEAT & MULTI-GRIP HANDLEBAR】 10-level...
- 【Comfortable Saddle & Adjustable Handlebar】This indoor...
- The suction cup body under the base of the exercise bike...
- 【Super Quiet & Easy to Move】Our exercise equipment for...
- 【HEAVY-DUTY STEEL MAINFRAME】 Higher safety level. Built...
- 【ADJUSTABLE MAGNETIC RESISTANCE & SUPER SLIENT】...
- 【SOFT SEAT & ADJUSTABLE HANDLEBAR】Reduce exercising...
Things to Consider Before Buying
There are plenty of questions that pop into your head before making any big purchase, especially if you want the best value exercise bike. We’ve tried to put things into order in our short buying guide below, so read along.
Type of Bike
There are four types of indoor bikes to choose from, each with its own particular features:
- indoor or spinning bikes
- upright
- recumbent
- air bikes
You can find out more about each of these further down.
Weight and Size
If you don’t have a lot of space in your home, or if you want a portable bike, you can get one that’s smaller and more compact. Still, that sort of bike might prove a bit wobbly, so it’s not for heavier people.
On the other hand, a heavier, bigger bike, is also more sturdy, which is great if you’re planning to use it on a regular basis, for years at a time. It might mean you need a bit more space for it, but that can be a worthwhile sacrifice.
Resistance Levels
If you want to use your bike for gradual training, you need multiple resistance levels, with a smooth transition between them. Of course, the more resistance levels you have on your bike, the best this fitness machine is to accommodate different fitness levels, which might actually vary even depending on your mood or how stressful your day was.
But even if you’re just looking for a basic aerobic exercise and aren’t too concerned with multiple resistance levels, you need to check the lowest and the highest. That way, you can ensure the workouts won’t be either too hard or too easy for you.
If you want a big resistance, though, the flywheels have to be particularly heavy, which means the first rotations will be very difficult. Besides, the flywheels also need to be heavy and big for a high max resistance, which makes the bike huge.
Display and Stats
The display on your exercise bike has to be easy to read, as well as easy to operate. You might also be interested in a LED backlight, particularly if you’re exercising in a darker room.
The usual stats displayed on most exercise bikes include calories, speed, distance, and time. But some of the best indoor bikes also offer heart rate measurements, courtesy of either built-in sensors on their handlebars or an included chest strap.
These stats are important if you want to track your progress and plan your fitness objectives better.
Programs
The number and type of programs offered are also important to make sure you get the most out of your workout. Choosing a program that’s specifically tailored to your strength and stamina is a sure-fire way to improve your fitness level in no time.
So the number of programs offered is important from this perspective because you want versatility and space to improve. Besides, changing between programs is a great challenge and an awesome motivation. However, their type is also important, so you might want to look into customisable programs if your goal is to get tailored workouts.
User Weight
This can be a problem when you’re choosing an exercise bike. If you’re already weight-challenged, you need to get a bike that allows users with bigger weights, which implies getting a heavier, solid bike.
You should take into account your weight when you’re completely dressed, with shoes on. And if your weight is near the superior limit, you can expect some wobbling, unless your bike is really sturdy.
Design Particularities and Extras
Depending on your purposes, you might want to consider other design particularities offered by a certain bike. For instance, some people who don’t have a lot of space in their homes and who only want to exercise indoors during the colder seasons might want a foldable bike.
If you’re looking at a lot of time spent on this bike, and if you have lower back problems, you might also want a very well-padded seat. You should look for non-slip pedals and handlebars, particularly if you tend to sweat a lot. In fact, a secure strapping system is always a plus.
Apart from that, there are always nice extras that show interest in the user experience, as a place for your towel and your water bottle or built-in speakers for some extra motivation. And if you really like gadgets and technology, a bike with a Bluetooth connection might be a dream come true seeing as you can connect it to a fitness app or keep better track of your progress.
Best Products on the Market
With these characteristics in mind, it’s time to look at some of the best home exercise bikes on the market. We’ll take you through some very different products to make sure you find one that fits, and we’ll compare their pros and cons to help you make the right choice.
Best Upright Exercise Bikes Reviews
Upright bikes allow you to have a similar position as on an outdoors bike, though not as low-profile because of the high handlebars. With large, comfortable seats, these bikes boast a brake system that allows you to stop pedalling right away.
Ultrasport F-Bike 200B Home Trainer: best cheap upright exercise bike
- For more than 15 years and with over 5 million products...
- Foldable exercise bike, home trainer, fitness bike with 8...
- Particularly space-saving thanks to folding mechanism and...
Weight: 19 kg
Dimensions: 45 x 36 x 142 cm
Specifications: Foldable; 8 resistance levels; LCD display; 100 kg max user weight; hand pulse sensors
Best use: Intermediate cardio training
The F-Bike 200B is among the best budget home exercise bikes. It is foldable, which is a great plus but even the unfolded dimensions aren’t that big, so this bike won’t take up half your living room.
Besides, its curved folding design really saves you a lot of space, but you can’t completely fold it unless you remove both the chair and the computer. Still, that takes very little time.
With its 8 different resistance levels, you will get a hell of a workout if you choose the right intensity for your needs. However, the maximum user weight is just around 100kg, which is a bummer for heavier set people.
We love the LCD screen on this bike, it’s very easy to read, and it also works as a computer, so you get accurate readings of the time, speed, distance, and calories burnt.
And thanks to its hand pulse sensors, you’ll get a pretty accurate pulse measurement, which is surprising for such an affordable bike.
We also love the seat backrest because it’s sturdy and padded, although the main seat needs a bit more cushioning. And bonus treat: this is a very silent exercise bike too, so no annoying squeaks when you’re working out.
Check price and reviews on Amazon UK
York Fitness Active 110 Exercise Cycle: best exercise bike under £200
- Features 8 levels of magnetic resistance. Built-in workout...
Weight: 25 kg
Dimensions: 111 x 53 x 123 cm
Specifications: 8 resistance levels; hand pulse sensors; 120kg max weight; padded seat; large handlebars; self-leveling pedals; 2 AA batteries included; drink bottle holder
Best use: Beginners
In the world of the best upright exercise bikes, this York Fitness bike also earns the title of the best mini bike, because it’s compact, lightweight, and sleek. It’s also not extremely expensive, and it boasts plenty of characteristics that will make you fall in love with it, especially if you’re a beginner.
For instance, just like the Ultrasport F-Bike 200B, it has 8 different levels of magnetic resistance, so you can set the difficulty level yourself and get an awesome workout. There are hand pulse sensors here too, but they’re not extremely accurate.
Still, the included heart rate monitor is a plus considering you’re at least getting an idea of your heart rate.
The whole bike functions well, and we love the comfortable saddle. In fact, the padded seat is very large, just like the handlebars, so you can get a great grip. Besides, it only needs a couple of AA batteries to work, which are included in the package. On the other hand, it will take you a lot of time to set it up – you can have it installed at your place if you’re willing to pay extra (quite expensive).
However, although the max user weight is 120 kg, this bike might wobble when you’re using it if you’re heavier set, which feels a bit cheap. Still, we love the self-leveling pedals with their secure straps, as well as the drink bottle holder, it’s always nice to find little signs of interest in user experience.
Check price and reviews on Amazon UK
JTX Cyclo-5 Gym Exercise Bike: best upright exercise bike for heavy person
- SUPERIOR HEAVY DUTY BUILD QUALITY, feature-packed exercise...
- 17KG FLYWHEEL WITH 16 LEVELS OF ELECTRO-MAGNETIC RESISTANCE...
- ADVANCED COMPUTER WITH BLUETOOTH accurately tracks all your...
Weight: 58 kg
Dimensions: 128 x 61 x 152 cm
Specifications: Padded seat; upright; chest strap; Max user weigh 150 kg; 17 kg flywheel; 16 resistance levels; QUADRI-SET™ adjustment system; built-in speakers; water bottle holder; computer with Bluetooth; 12 programs; 3-year in-home repair or replace; lifetime warranty
Best use: Fast weight loss
If you’re looking for the best smart exercise bike for weight loss and want to train like a pro, the JTX Cyclo-5 is a feature-packed indoor bike, which is reflected in its steep price. To begin with, we can’t help but notice its sturdy, heavy-duty construction that has quality seeping through its every pore. However, this makes it heavier too, therefore it’s not a typical small, compact, easy-to-move bike but rather a heavy-duty one.
We love the seat most because it’s very comfortable thanks to its padding and ergonomic design. You also get the race-style handles, seeing as they’re upright. So basically this is the sort of training bike you’d find in a gym, so it’s the best kind for fast weight loss.
There are plenty of other features that recommend it for expert training, though, as its included chest strap for very accurate heart rate measurements. With a 17 flywheel – yes, heavy! – you get 12 different resistance levels, so the transition between them is very smooth and you can finely tune the difficulty level to your fitness capabilities.
Besides, we can’t help but notice how ergonomic the design is, thanks to the QUADRI-SET™ adjustment system. The computer has Bluetooth, so apart from tracking all your stats, it can also link to a fitness app and offer you interactive videos.
JTX is famous for offering you the possibility of working out in different cities around the world, which is a nice change of pace and does wonders for your motivation.
Speaking of motivation, this bike has built-in speakers, as well as a water bottle holder. We also appreciate the good warranties, 3 years for replacing and in-home repair, as well as a lifetime warranty for the frame.
Check price and reviews on Amazon UK
Read more: best exercise bikes under £500
Recumbent Exercise Bike
Recumbent bikes have a unique shape, thanks to their seats that look like chairs and the front pedals. But that’s what makes them really great for mobility-challenged people or people with lower back issues.
You can also work your lower body to a higher degree because you’re isolating these muscle groups, so you can actually build more strength.
XS Sports: best cheap recumbent exercise bike
- STRONG; Our recumbent exercise bike is crafted from...
- SAFE; Our recumbent bikes undergo stringent quality...
- ADVANCED; Our recumbent bike is the perfect indoor...
Weight: 28 kg
Dimensions: 120 x 61 x 84 cm
Specifications: 8 resistance levels; wide pedals; foot straps; built-in pulse sensors; measures speed, time, calories and distance; 4 kg flywheel; 110 kg max user weight; CE certification; self-assembly needed
Best use: Seniors and physical therapy
Moving on to some quality recumbent bikes on the market, this XS Sports bike is the best exercise bike for seniors or people recovering from injury. That’s because it doesn’t offer a big resistance, not even at the highest level. Still, you can juggle between 8 resistance levels, keeping in mind that you might not get a real challenge if your fitness level is already through the roof.
However, we love that you can burn plenty of calories even so, and keep in shape. The wide pedals are great in terms of grip, and the foot straps also help. Just like the Ultrasport F-Bike 200B, to which it has a similar price, this bike offers built-in pulse sensors, but these are less accurate.
However, all the other stats work well, meaning you’ll get accurate readings of your speed, time, calories, and distance. And unlike other affordable bikes on the market, this one has an odometer too, so you can rely on very accurate distance measurements.
Besides, with a 4 kg flywheel, this bike is fairly lightweight, and the good news is that you can also backpedal on it. However, the max user weight is a bit low, just 110 kg. But even if you need to assemble it yourself, that can be done without too much hassle, which is always a bonus.
Check price and reviews on Amazon UK
Spin Bikes
Spin bikes offer you a similar feeling to that of a real bike, and in order to mimic this rolling motion, they have perimeter-weighted flywheels that create momentum. You will also have a more natural, aerodynamic position on these bikes because the seat and handlebars are at the same height.
JLL IC300 PRO Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike: best overall spin bike under £500
- Quiet and smooth cycling thanks to PRO features: Adjustable...
- 3-Piece Crank, 6 vertical handlebar adjustment levels, 6...
- Large 6 readout monitor displays: Time (mins/secs), Distance...
Weight: 49 kg
Dimensions: 112 x 103 x 51 cm
Specifications: direct belt driven; 20kg flywheel with adjustable magnetic resistance; 3-piece crank; 7-function monitor; emergency stop system; ergonomic handlebars with heart rate sensors; fully adjustable seat; built-in wheels; 12 months home use warranty; ROHS CE compliance; 130 kg max user weight
Best use: Intermediate spinning
The JLL IC300 may just possibly be one of the most popular spin bikes on the market. But there are plenty of features that recommend it for that purpose, starting with its smooth, 20 kg flywheel that spins without you even feeling it. Besides, there are no vibrations when it moves, which makes it really comfortable and fairly silent.
Besides, this is a direct belt-driven bike, so it feels like you’re actually pedaling on a real mountain bike. With its magnetic resistance and 3-piece crank system, this bike is really sturdy and reliable, though it’s quite heavy. The 7-function PRO display monitor is another strong point, you’ll get very accurate readings of all your stats including RPM and pulse thanks to the heart rate sensors that are built in the handlebars.
Speaking of the handlebars, we love their comfortable grip and ergonomic feel, just like the seat which is fully adjustable. The emergency stop system is another definite plus, while the built-in wheels are a dream for people who don’t have a lot of space and are looking for a portable bike.
However, the seat might need retightening every so often, and the highest resistance isn’t much of a challenge for expert spinners, which is why we think this bike is better for intermediate spinners. Still, we appreciate the 12 months home use warranty, the valuable ROHS CE certificate, as well as the 130 kg max user weight.
Check price and reviews on Amazon UK
We R Sports RS4000 Indoor Exercise Bike: a great spin bike under £300
- 22KG Perimeter Weighted Flywheel
- Multi-Function Trip Computer
- Ergonomic, Non-Slip & Durable Handlebars
Weight: 47 kg
Dimensions: 104 x 107 x 54 cm
Specifications: 22 kg perimeter weighted flywheel; trip computer; 2-step adjustable seat; no-slip RACING handlebars; anti-slip pedals; toe cage; strap stabilizers; rubber-coated non-marking wheels; variable resistance levels; emergency stop; 1-3 years warranties
Best use: Intermediate and expert spinners
Another one of the best value spin bikes for home use, this bike has a similar price range to the JLL IC300, which places it right in the middle of the price pool. It has some awesome features like its 22 kg perimeter weighted flywheel, that’s really sturdy, albeit a bit squeaky.
With its multi-functional trip computer, you can get accurate readings of your speed, current and total distance, time, and calories. We love that the seat is adjustable, and its 2-step mechanism for doing that is really easy to operate, so you can adjust both the seat height and depth. However, you only have three increments for locking the seat, so there aren’t a lot of positions to choose from.
The saddle is really comfortable and supportive, and we love the RACING handlebars that offer a perfectly ergonomic non-slip grip. Besides, the pedals are anti-slip too, we love the toe cage and strap stabilizers on the pedals, as well as the rubber-coated non-marking wheels.
There are variable resistance levels with a smooth transition between them, while the emergency stop is really easy to use. The transport wheels are a plus in terms of portability, but remember that this is quite a heavy bike. That said, the warranties are quite good too, ranging from 1 year for the pedal chain and brake pad, to 3 years for the frame.
Check price and reviews on Amazon UK
What Does Riding An Exercise Bike Do For Your Body?
Riding an exercise bike improves your physical and mental condition. As such, you will have a stronger heart and lungs as you’re improving your cardio capacity. Your muscles will also be stronger, and your blood circulation will improve. Therefore, you can lose weight and gain endurance.
As you do that, you’ll notice other changes in your body. Firstly, you’ll decrease your blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and stabilise your blood sugar levels. Secondly, you’ll have more energy and reduce your stress so that you’ll sleep better too. As you’re in a better physical and mental state, your immune system will be stronger and you will reduce mental fogginess.
How long does it take to lose weight on an exercise bike?
You can lose about 1 pound of body weight every two weeks or ten days if you’re using a stationary bike. However, that depends on your size, the intensity of your workouts, and the duration of your exercise.
The rule of thumb is that you need to burn 3500 calories to lose one pound. Harvard University shows that you can burn 210 calories per 30 minutes at moderate intensity if you’re 125 pounds, and 311 calories if you’re 185 pounds. As such, you need about 16 days of exercise to drop one pound if you’re 125 pounds and 10 days if you’re 185 pounds.
Remember not to overdo it. More exercise doesn’t necessarily mean losing more weight. Excess cardio and constantly pushing your lower body can slow down your metabolic rate so that you can reach a weight loss plateau.
The smarter choice involves a mix of high-intensity exercise bike workouts and strength training to increase your resting metabolic rate. You should also eat as healthily and cleanly as you can, reducing processed sugar and trans fats.
Final Thoughts
In our indoor bikes reviews, we’ve taken you through a series of great exercises bikes. We’ve selected the best upright, recumbent and spinning bikes, each with its own different set of characteristics and price ranges, so now you have a wide array of choices right at your fingertips. And hopefully, our introductory buying guide helped you make the right choice.
She had to trade the gym for home fitness equipment when her two little angels were born. But she successfully managed to make the transition, and sharing her vast fitness experience online is the engine that keeps this website going.
- At What Incline Should You Walk on a Treadmill? - August 29, 2022
- 7 Best Budget Exercise Bikes (under £200) - April 5, 2022
- 6 Best Compact Treadmills for Small Spaces - April 5, 2022