Much like Columbus, who discovered America while searching for India and said, “Close enough,” your hunt for the best treadmill may leave you feeling lost, confused, and ready to settle. But despair not, those with a few extra bucks to spend may find their destination in the Bowflex Treadmill 22, a high-end splurge that can support those with serious goals looking to tackle sprints and hills. 

This treadmill’s HD touchscreen allows you to follow along with trainers, explore the world via scenic routes, track your workout stats, and even access streaming services to view movies and TV shows. With a top speed of 12 miles per hour, 20 percent incline, and -5 percent decline capabilities, you can also up the ante with hill sprints. The $2,499 price tag is a hefty one, but the Treadmill 22 is a hefty machine that can support the cardio goals of fitness fanatics — and entertain them along the way — across daily workouts. 

Main Takeaways

You’ll have access to train hard with 12 miles per hour max speed and -5 to 20 percent incline capabilities.

The 22-inch touchscreen is integrated with the JRNY app — an additional $19.99 a month — giving users access to workout programming. 

JRNY also lets users stream entertainment from apps like Netflix, Hulu, or Prime Video.

The steel frame supports users up to 400 pounds, but weighs a whopping 336 pounds, making it difficult to move around.

Bowflex Treadmill 22 Highlights

Price: $2,799

Max Speed: 12mph

Max Incline: -5%-20%

Dimensions: 70″ H x 85″ L x 39.6″ W

Weight: 336lbs

Weight Capacity: 400lbs

Warranty: 15-year frame, 5-years mechanical parts, one-year electronics, touchscreen, and labor

If you’re looking to invest in a home treadmill to take your training to the next level, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 is a worthwhile consideration. This machine is a tank, with a 400-pound user weight capacity that makes it suitable for cardio fiends of many shapes and sizes. The 12 miles per hour max speed and a -5 to 20 percent incline can supplement your cardio with heart-pounding hill sprints.

Certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto assessed qualities to look for in the best treadmills for tall runners. “For running and especially sprinting, you’ll want a deck… 60 inches long. As for width, 20 to 22 inches is ideal in order to accommodate arm motion while running and potential side-to-side movement that can occur when sprinting.” The Bowflex Treadmill 22’s spacious 22-inch by 60-inch tread deck provides enough length for tall runners and enough width to comfortably power through your sprints.

Our BarBend Tester walks on a Bowflex Treadmill.

While many high-end treadmills provide touchscreens with access to apps like iFIT or Peloton, the Treadmill 22 is integrated with JRNY, a fitness app that pairs workout programming with access to apps like Netflix, Hulu, Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. The only catch is that you’ll have to keep up with your JRNY subscription in order to stream on the treadmill’s 22-inch display. 

Our biggest qualm with this treadmill is its 336-pound weight and 85-inch by 40-inch footprint. That’s a heavy machine that’s nearly 10 inches longer and 5 inches wider than many of the high-end treadmills we’ve tested. While there are folding capabilities, we prefer to get our workout on the treadmill rather than from trying to maneuver this goliath of a machine around.

Pros

JRNY integration allows users to access workout programming and entertainment apps like Netflix via the 22-inch touchscreen.

The max speed of 12 miles per hour and -5 to 20 percent incline offer a substantial amount of training versatility.

The treadmill’s steel frame can support users up to 400 pounds — roughly 50 to 100 pounds more than most treadmills.

Cons

Bowflex won’t tell consumers what motor sizes they use for their treadmills. 

At 336 pounds, this treadmill is nearly 40 pounds heavier than other high-end treadmills with screens we’ve tested. 

Despite its folding mechanism, the 85-inch by 40-inch footprint may make this treadmill unsuitable for apartments or small homes.

Training With the Bowflex Treadmill 22

While we haven’t gotten our hands on the Bowflex Treadmill 22 yet, we have tried and tested over 40 of the most popular treadmills and took note of how this machine stacked up against the competition. We’ve also rigorously tested the Bowflex Treadmill 10, which provides similar training capabilities, mechanical parts, folding mechanics, and belt deck design. The primary difference is the 22-inch screen on the Treadmill 22 compared to the 10-inch screen on the Treadmill 10.

JRNY Interactive Programming

At $11.99 a month or $99 for a full-year subscription, JRNY is one of the most affordable training apps for treadmill running. With a subscription, users get access to scenic routes, in-studio classes with personal trainers, and adaptive workouts that adjust your workout based on your ability. Whether you’re looking for how to run a faster mile or just want something to help you start a new routine, the JRNY provides. However, “JRNY doesn’t have as many offerings as iFIT does,” noted our tester who gave this dynamic programming a 3 out of 5.

Our Tester’s hand resting on the handle of a Bowflex Treadmill

You’ll also be granted access to some of your own subscription services, like Hulu, Prime Video, or Netflix so you can stream your favorite shows or movies from the 22-inch screen.

If you like to cry while you run, may I suggest the first season of Michael Chriton’s “ER” (the same Chriton who brought us, “Jurassic Park”)? Perhaps the serotonin you get from exercise will help to balance out how grim and upsetting (in a good way!) that season is. 

Speed and Incline Control

The 20-percent incline, -5 percent decline, and max speed of 12 miles per hour allow users of any fitness level the ability to climb, walk, sprint, or jog at the intensity that’s right for them. The incline range, in particular, is impressive, as it’s the largest range we’ve seen on any folding treadmill.

This range of training capabilities is great for those looking to mimic outdoor terrain or incorporate hill sprints. Walking at an incline activates different muscles than on flat ground and can also reduce knee pain. (1) Our expert reviewer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto notes, “If you plan to use your treadmill to train for outdoor events such as a marathon or a hike, incline is essential.”

A close up view of the wheel on the base of a Bowflex Treadmill

A max speed of 12 miles per hour allows users to pick up their workout to a 5-minute mile pace, providing ample resistance for HIIT workouts or sprint trials. Speed and incline adjustments can be made in three different locations: there are quick-adjust buttons on the bottom of the console, and speed and incline buttons located on the arms and beside the heart rate monitor hand grips. The customizations on the Treadmill 10 scored a 4 out of 5 for a smaller incline range.

Rumor has it that the Treadmill 22 has a 4.0 HP motor. If the rumors are true, this is less robust than the 3.0 CHP motors we like to see for more serious runners. I even called customer service to verify the motor size and was told Bowflex doesn’t share this information. Certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto noted, “Ideally, a running treadmill will have a powerful motor with at least 3.0 CHP.” 

Belt Deck

The 22 by 60-inch deck is spacious enough to accommodate taller runners or those with long strides. “This treadmill deck is really comfortable to use. Because of how wide and long it is, I had a ton of space to move freely and never felt like I was close to falling off,” said our tester when trying out the identical Treadmill 10 running surface. Both models also utilize Bowflex’s ComfortTech deck cushioning, which works to absorb shocks to help reduce joint pain. We scored the Treadmill 10’s adjustability and ergonomics a 4.5 out of 5.

Conveniences

This treadmill has tons of storage space, with water bottle holders and a media shelf. Bluetooth connectivity makes tracking your workout with apps like Zwift or Strava simple. And we also like that it has a built-in fan with multiple power levels. 

Close up view of the heart beat handle on a Bowflex Treadmill

Plus, you can keep track of how hard you’re training with the heart rate sensors on the handrails, which can help you maintain a fat-burning heart rate zone. Of course, you could also utilize the included Bluetooth armband heart rate monitor.

What to Consider Before Buying the Bowflex Treadmill 22

There are many factors to consider before pulling the trigger and bringing a treadmill into your home. When scanning models, you’ll want to have a budget range in mind, the amount of floor space you can dedicate to a machine, and the type of training you’d like to use your treadmill for.

Price

The Bowflex Treadmill 22 costs $2,799, which lands between the $2,000 to $3,000 average range for a high-end treadmill. It certainly earns its price point with its max speed of 12 miles per hour, 20-percent incline, -5-percent decline, 22-inch HD touchscreen with JRNY integration, and 400-pound weight capacity, but before emptying your wallet it’s worth asking if this level of versatility and stability aligns with your needs. 

If you’re not one to engage with dynamic programming, you could save a few bucks by opting for a more utilitarian machine that eschews a screen entirely. The same goes for this treadmill’s impressive incline and decline range — if you’re more interested in endurance than hill training, you can certainly find a more budget-friendly model with a more modest range. But if you’re in the market for a top-of-the-line model that can support your training goals (and entertain you at the same time), then we think this model is absolutely worth the price. 

[Related: The 8 Best High-End Treadmills]

Footprint and Portability

Only you can know how much floor space you have available for a treadmill, but we can provide you with detailed dimensions so that you can take some measurements to help envision how a treadmill will fit in your home. 

A view of a folded up Bowflex Treadmill..

The Bowflex Treadmill 22 takes up 85 by 40 inches of floor space. When folded, you’ll save 40.5 inches, as the 85-inch length folds up to 44.5 inches. Folded or unfolded, the 70-inch height remains the same. Folding and unfolding this treadmill is easy with the SoftDrop folding system, which uses hydraulics to assist in lifting and lowering the belt deck. 

[Related: The 8 Best Folding Treadmills of 2024 (Expert Tested)]

Training Modality

With impressive speed and incline capabilities, this machine was built for hikers training for their grand adventure, athletes looking to train for endurance races, or those looking for some hill work or sprint intervals to increase their speed. 

If you’re a cardio fiend, then the Treadmill 22 delivers. If you’re more in the market for a jogging treadmill, then this machine may be overkill. Before scooping it up, ask yourself: Will you be cranking up that incline to 20 percent? Will you be sprinting at 12 miles per hour? Consider your own fitness goals, then assess whether the Treadmill 22 aligns with them or if a less expensive machine can still check your boxes. 

Bowflex Treadmill 22 Vs The Competition

The chart below highlights some comparisons between the Bowflex Treadmill 22 and its competition.

When comparing the Bowflex Treadmill 22’s specs to similar products, the price paid for a screen size of 22 inches is nearly $200 cheaper than the NordicTrack 2450 or the Peloton Tread. Additionally, the warranty for both the Bowflex 22 and the 10 are more substantial than Peloton or NordicTrack’s.

You’ll also have access to more affordable programming with the JRNY app ($11.99 a month), which costs nearly $30 less than Peloton’s All-Access ($44 a month) or NordicTrack’s iFIT membership ($39 a month). Of course, there’s a reason Peloton and NordicTrack are so well-renowned in the dynamic programming space — their virtual classes are among the best we’ve taken — so if you’re looking for immersion in your fitness classes, those apps are worth the cost. 

The dimensions are where the Bowflex Treadmill 22 doesn’t impress. At 85 inches long, it’s nearly 17 inches longer than the Peloton and 6.5 inches longer than the NordicTrack. As for width, it’s also about 4 to 7 inches wider than the competition. While you may save some cash if you opt for the Bowflex Treadmill 22 over the Peloton Tread or NordicTrack 2450, you’ll be losing out on more space-saving designs.

Places to Buy the Bowflex Treadmill 22

The Bowflex Treadmill 22 can be purchased directly through the Bowflex website.

Warranty

Your purchase comes with a 15-year frame and motor warranty, 5 years for mechanical parts, one year for electronics and HD touchscreens, and 2 years for labor. Shipping is free, although they will not ship to P.O. boxes or international destinations.

Company Information

Bowflex started over 30 years ago with at-home gym equipment. Over the years, they’ve expanded to become one of the most popular fitness manufacturers, with treadmills, ellipticals, spin bikes, home gyms, and a variety of innovative free weights.

If you need to speak to someone in customer support, you can reach them at 1-800-618-8853. In my experience, I was able to speak with a living, breathing, real-life-not-a-robot customer support agent within 2 minutes of calling.

In Conclusion

The Bowflex Treadmill 22 is stable, sturdy, and built to withstand a beating. Featuring a max speed of 12 miles per hour, a -5 to 20 percent incline, and a generous 22-inch by 60-inch running deck, the treadmill provides the space and versatility for high-intensity training and longer endurance runs.

The 22-inch touchscreen display allows you to access content to keep you entertained from apps like Netflix, Max, and Hulu. However, access is limited to those who subscribe to JRNY, which provides training programs at a reasonable $11.99 monthly subscription. All in all, If you’re looking to invest in a treadmill to support serious training, and floor space isn’t an issue, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 is a worthwhile consideration. 

FAQs

References

Haggerty, M., Dickin, D. C., Popp, J., & Wang, H. (2014). The influence of incline walking on joint mechanics. Gait & posture, 39(4), 1017–1021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.12.027

The post Bowflex Treadmill 22 Review (2024): A Big Machine to Support Big Goals appeared first on BarBend.

ProForm makes some of the best treadmills on the market with impressive training capabilities and mid-range prices between $1,000 and $2,000. With features like lengthy running belts, powerful CHP motors, and iFIT compatibility, users can find a treadmill for their home gym that provides them with the training versatility that suits their goals.

Wading through your options when looking to invest in a treadmill can be daunting. If you’re lucky enough to have landed on the ProForm brand, you’ll still have to figure out exactly which treadmill model is right for you and your goals. Our team of expert product testers put every ProForm treadmill we could get our hands on through the wringer by sprinting, walking, and running at a variety of speeds and incline levels to give you our honest review. Here are our top choices for the best ProForm treadmills.

The 4 Best ProForm Treadmills

Best ProForm Treadmill Overall: Pro 9000

Best ProForm Treadmill for Running: Pro 2000 

Best Budget ProForm Treadmill: Carbon TLX 

Best ProForm Treadmill for Training: Trainer 14.0 

How We Tested and Chose the Best ProForm Treadmills

BarBend is stacked with CrossFit coaches, former D1 athletes, and lifelong fitness fanatics who have spent countless hours testing more than 40 of the top treadmills in the market — including 8 of the top ProForm treadmills — and scoring them from 1 (bad) to 5 (fantastic) on 13 different factors, including footprint, adjustability, and overall value. Here are some of the areas we zeroed in on when choosing the best ProForm treadmills. 

Price

Whether you’re looking for a premium machine or one of the best budget treadmills, we’ve got you covered. Our selections range from lower-priced options with solid basics to costlier choices boasting larger touchscreens and decline capabilities. The best ProForm treadmills span a price range of $949 to $1,999, offering a more affordable alternative to premium treadmills we’ve tested that cost between $2,000 to $4,000.

Motor Size

Continuous horsepower (CHP) motors are built for serious runners. When browsing ProForm’s treadmills, we looked for motors between 3.0 and 4.0 CHP. “3.0 to 4.0 CHP is ideal for running and sprinting,” noted BarBend expert reviewer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto. While not every athlete needs at least a 3.0 CHP motor, we wanted to make sure each of the treadmills we highlighted would be durable and powerful enough for running.

Personal Goals

We know every athlete has a different goal. Some may be curious about how to burn fat, while others may be looking to increase their speed for an upcoming race. There are countless reasons for why users would want a home treadmill, so we made sure to put every training capability to the test. We walked, we ran, we sprinted, making sure to choose treadmills for our list that would suit whatever fitness goal a user might have — from speed gains to weight loss.

Best ProForm Treadmill Overall: Pro 9000

For seasoned racers or those looking to add a splash of cardio into their routine, running on a treadmill is a convenient way to support your goals. ProForm offers some of the best cardio equipment on the market, and our pick for the best overall ProForm model is the Pro 9000. This machine’s 3.6 CHP motor outpaces the 3.0 to 3.5 CHP motors on other ProForm treadmills, supporting speeds up to 12 miles per hour and a -3 to 12 percent incline. Durability, customizations, adjustability, and dynamic programming scored a 5 out of 5.

Our BarBend Tester adjusting the incline on a ProForm Pro 9000.

“The ProForm Pro 9000 is one of my favorite treadmills,” says Amanda Capritto, BarBend’s expert reviewer and certified personal trainer. Tall runners or those with longer strides will find room to cruise on the 60-inch length deck. “The cushioned deck helps prevent joint pain, and the -3 to 12 percent incline/decline range is great for runners who need to train hills,” adds Capritto. 

Kate Meier, BarBend editorial member and expert tester, is a fan of the Pro 9000’s Quick Speed controls. “It’s great for intervals because you don’t have to keep pressing up or down to change your speed or incline,” she said. Adjustability and ergonomics scored a 4.5 out of 5.

“Even when I was sprinting and had the incline all the way up, the treadmill felt stable,” added Meier who rated its durability a 5 out of 5. However, this comes at the cost of portability, which scored a 3.5 out of 5. “At 236 pounds, this is a heavy treadmill. And even though it folds up, it’s pretty difficult to move around.” 

A close up view of our BarBend Tester using the touchscreen on a ProForm Pro 9000 treadmill.

We also like the Pro 9000’s compatibility with the iFIT fitness app, which grants athletes access to over 17,000 cardio, strength, and mobility studio classes on the 22-inch HD touchscreen. “iFIT programming… is some of the best interactive fitness programming available, especially for cardio,” says Capritto. 

iFIT, however, does cost an additional $39 per month. We think an iFIT membership is worth the cost — especially when you factor in its AutoAdjust capabilities — but it’s worth noting that the touchscreen doesn’t swivel, which can make it tougher to take non-cardio classes off the tread.

Read our full ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill Review.

Best ProForm Treadmill for Running: Pro 2000

For runners looking to take their training to new heights, the $1,599 ProForm Pro 2000 is one of the best treadmills under $2000. It’s also our pick for the best ProForm treadmill for running, as its robust 3.25 CHP motor can support speeds of up to 12 miles per hour max speed and -3 to 12 percent incline training. “Ideally, a running treadmill will have a powerful motor with at least 3.0 CHP,” says our expert reviewer, Amanda Capritto. 

While we haven’t gotten our hands on the Pro 2000 model, we have experience with the Pro Series and have tested the Pro 9000, which has many of the same features. That includes a generous 60-inch tread deck, which Capritto says is the ideal length you want to “accommodate the length of a typical running stride.”

The speed and incline capabilities on the Pro 2000 also match the Pro 9000. For this reason, adjustability and customization scored a 5 out of 5. Certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial member Kate Meier, said, “Just below the screen you’ll have access to QuickSpeed controls, which will change your incline, decline, and speed. This feature can really help with interval training.” 

Our BarBend Tester working out on a ProForm Pro Series Treadmill.

Runners will also like this treadmill’s compatibility with iFIT, which is packed with interval and HIIT classes that can kick your training up a notch. With AutoAdjust, the app can work in tandem with the Pro 2000 to automatically adjust your speed and incline to your onscreen trainer’s specifications, allowing you to focus on your sweat. This dynamic programming scored a 5 out of 5. 

However, the 10-inch HD touchscreen is smaller than the average 12 to 16-inch screens we’ve seen on treadmills in this price range. Also, it’s worth pointing out that iFIT costs an additional $39 a month after a 30-day free trial.

While we love a sturdy treadmill for running, the 262 pound weight of this model — one pound lighter than the Pro 9000 — makes moving it around a pain. Its EasyLift hydraulic folding mechanism helps, as do its transport wheels, but we still recommend users have a dedicated space for this treadmill. 

Read our full ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill Review.

Best Budget ProForm Treadmill: Carbon TLX

The ProForm Carbon TLX is one of the best treadmills under $1,000 we’ve tested, with its $949 price tag making it roughly $500 to $1,000 less expensive than other ProForm models. Perhaps most impressive is its 3.0 CHP motor, which is one of the strongest we’ve seen at this price point. With a max speed of 12 miles per hour, a 12-percent incline, and a roomy 60-inch running surface, athletes can feel comfortable running, jogging, or walking. Value and setup scored a 5 out of 5, and durability scored a 4.5 out of 5.

A person is shown walking on a ProForm Carbon TLX treadmill.

Certified personal trainer and BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto says, “For a commercial treadmill experience at home, you’ll want to look for… [a] motor with at least 3.0 CHP, speeds topping out at 12-15 miles per hour, incline range of up to 12 percent, [and a] large running deck measuring 20 inches wide by 60 inches long.” Check! Check! Check! It’s rare to find all of these features (and more) for under $1,000.

Rather than streaming iFIT’s interactive training — an additional $39 per month — from a bulky touchscreen, the Carbon TLX allows users to stream the app’s classes from their own device after linking up with the machine via Bluetooth. This way, they can still take advantage of the app’s AutoAdjust feature, which can make automatic adjustments to your speed and incline during classes. A built-in tablet holder provides a sturdy shelf, placing the screen right in your eyesight. 

Our tester, a certified personal trainer, found the running experience on this treadmill to be less comfortable than other ProForm models they’d tested. “The ProShox cushioning didn’t provide a lot in terms of cushioning, I found it less shock-absorbing than the ProForm Trainer 12.0,” they said. Adjustability and ergonomics scored a 3.5 out of 5. 

A close up view of a person holding the heart-beat bars on the ProForm Carbon TLX treadmill.

However, we did appreciate the folding nature of this treadmill and its 249-pound weight, which is about 14 pounds less than the Pro Series models. Its foldability and reasonable weight is why the Carbon TLX made its way onto our list of the best portable treadmills.

Due to the budget nature of this purchase, you won’t find all of the conveniences and amenities that ProForm offers with the rest of their treadmills. For example, you won’t find any heart rate sensors or decline capabilities here. 

Best ProForm Treadmill for Training: Trainer 14.0

Take your training seriously with one of ProForm’s mid-priced treadmills: the Trainer 14.0. With a 3.0 CHP motor, you can pick up the pace with a max speed of 12 miles per hour. And if you’re in need of a treadmill incline workout, the 12-percent incline provides. Additionally, the running deck is 20- by 60-inches long, which is spacious enough to support various modes of training, from endurance to HIIT. 

The Trainer 14.0 is the newest trainer model, so we haven’t gotten our hands on it yet, but once we do we’ll update this review accordingly. The following is our research into specs compared to our experience with other ProForm treadmills. 

At $1,404 you’re getting a machine with iFIT compatibility and a 14-inch touchscreen to stream iFIT’s vast library of scenic and immersive classes. We’re iFIT stans here at BarBend. “iFIT is absolutely awesome. The company is going toe-to-toe with Peloton and I’d recommend iFIT over basically any other brand’s programming,” noted our tester, a certified CrossFit Level 1 coach. Keep in mind, though, that an iFIT subscription will cost you $39 a month after a free 30-day trial.

A person is shown in the process of unfolding a ProForm Trainer treadmill.

While the 14-inch touchscreen is larger than the Pro 2000’s 10-inch display, the Pro 2000 — about $200 more expensive — packs a stronger 3.5 CHP and decline capabilities compared to the Trainer 14.0’s 3.0 CHP motor. That’s the same one you’ll find on the Carbon TLX — for an additional $450, we would have liked to see a bump in motor power.

Customizing your training is simple. Certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial member Kate Meier noted as much when reviewing the Pro 9000, which has similar conveniences. 

“The Quick Speed controls make interval training seamless, as you won’t have to click through various levels of speed or incline to get to the level you want. You just press one button and you can quickly go to your desired training intensity,” she noted. We rated the Pro 9000’s dynamic programming and customizations a 5 out of 5.

Benefits of ProForm Treadmills

ProForm treadmills provide impressive training capabilities with prices ranging from $799 up to $1,999. These machines are foldable, offer HD touchscreens and LCD screens compatible with the iFIT app, and deliver high speeds with strong 3.0 to 3.6 CHP motors. 

Training Capabilities

ProForm doesn’t compromise when it comes to training, from long-distance running to HIIT treadmill workouts, each treadmill packs a powerful motor and high incline and speed ranges. While every ProForm treadmill provides at least a 3.0 CHP motor or a 12 percent incline, there are options up to 3.6 CHP and decline training down to -3 percent for those so… inclined. 

Spacious Decks

We love having enough deck length to run without restraint, and this is exactly what ProForm provides. The majority of ProForm treadmills provide at least 60 inches of deck length, suitable for taller runners or those with long strides. Certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto noted, “A comfortable deck… for running, and especially sprinting, [should be] 20 inches wide by 60 inches long.”

iFIT

All of ProForm’s treadmills (and ellipticals and exercise bikes and…) are compatible with the iFIT fitness app. iFIT boasts a library of over 17,000 classes with options to hike, walk, or run through scenic locations around the world. 

A close up of the red side-decking on a ProForm Carbon TLX treadmill.

You’ll also have access to off-treadmill workouts like strength training and yoga. iFIT programming also offers most (but not all) ProForm treadmills the ability to opt into AutoAdjust features, where your trainer takes control of your speed and incline so all you have to do is focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

Users can also forge their own trails with Google Maps virtual runs, providing you the ability to explore anywhere in the world.

[Related: The Best Treadmills with iFit]

Warranty

ProForm offers a 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and one-year labor warranty on their treadmills. This is a reasonable warranty for the $1,000 to $2,000 price range. It’s comparable to the $2,999 NordicTrack 2450’s 10-year frame warranty, and better than the $2,995 Peloton Tread’s 5-year frame warranty. 

However, you’ll want to be cautious where you keep your machine, as your warranty might be voided if it’s not kept in a climate-controlled environment, such as a garage without insulation or my parents’ house, where they refuse to turn the AC on in the summer. “Oh, you’re hot? Why don’t you have a glass of water?” 

How Much Do ProForm Treadmills Cost?

ProForm treadmills are mid-level splurges, ranging in price from $1,000 for their most budget steal up to $2,000 for their most tricked-out machine.

Primarily, prices seem to adjust based on the power and durability of the motor, screen size, and decline capabilities. You’ll also want to keep in mind that ProForm treadmills were built to be compatible with iFIT programming.

You’ll get to try out iFIT free of charge for one month, and after that, you’ll have the option to cancel or subscribe to iFIT family membership at $39 a month, $396 a year, $699 for two years, or $899 for three years. 

What to Consider Before Buying a ProForm Treadmill

When making a choice for what fitness equipment to bring into your home, take into account the type of training you’d like to do, the space you plan to put it, and any preferences you have in terms of tech and conveniences. Do you want a built-in touchscreen or would rather save some cash and stream iFIT workouts from your own device. 

Screen or No Screen

ProForm treadmills often come with a touchscreen display, but the sizes of these screens will vary from 10 to 22 inches. You’ll notice that as the screen size increases, so will the cost. Big screens can be useful if you plan on taking advantage of iFIT’s dynamic programming, but they also add extra pounds and can also be cumbersome during transport. 

A close up of our BarBend tester adjusting the screen tilt downward on the ProForm Trainer 12.0 treadmill.

ProForm also has options that swap out huge touchscreens for LCD displays as small as 5 to 7 inches. You can access basic stats on these displays, but not much else. They will, however, make the treadmill easier to move than models with screens. Also, you can still take advantage of iFIT compatibility on these machines — you’ll just have to connect your own mobile device. 

Incline and Decline

Most ProForm treadmills provide up to 12-percent incline capabilities, but if you’re interested in decline training, they also have options with -3 percent abilities. We find that this combo of incline and decline is great for hikers preparing for an upcoming outing, or athletes looking for the benefits of HIIT training via hill sprints. 

Weight and Floorspace

A top-performing treadmill with a large screen, rugged motor, and enough running space to kick your training up a notch often comes at the cost of your floor space. Make sure to measure the space you have available before perusing this list — we’ve provided the dimensions of each machine so you know how comfortably it will fit in your home gym.

While some of ProForm’s more luxury treadmills have folding capabilities, they’re heavy machines and difficult to move, often weighing more than 260 pounds. In comparison, ProForm’s more budget-friendly offerings will have fewer bells and whistles and weigh around 20 to for 40 pounds lighter. These lighter machines will also have a smaller (albeit only mildly) footprint.

Final Word

ProForm makes some of the most popular treadmills on the market, so if you want to invest in a high-quality machine that’ll help support your training efforts, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to improve your endurance, hit some hill sprints, hike to new heights, or kickstart a new routine, there’s a ProForm treadmill that’ll fit the ticket.

We know that sorting through your options can be as stressful as sitting through a dream ballet in a musical that has two intermissions, but we’ve aimed to provide you with the information to help navigate through your options. Figure out your budget. Figure out what sort of training you want to do. And then use our list to help narrow down your options for the best ProForm treadmill.

FAQs

The post The 4 Best ProForm Treadmills of 2024 — Expert Tested and Approved appeared first on BarBend.

CrossFit Albuquerque – Home Workouts

View Public Whiteboard

Warm-up

2 MIN CARDIO

3×10 band walkouts

10 bird dogs

1 min plank

Metcon (AMRAP – Rounds and Reps)

SATURDAY SHRED!!!

PARTNER PAIN SPLIT:

With a Partner…

25 MIN AMRAP:

5 shuttle runs (each)

While Partner A runs, partner B holds heavy KBs.

Then switch.

Then…

10 TTB (each)

While Partner A does TTB, partner B holds heavy KBs.

Then switch.

*REPEAT Sequence*

RX – 70/53lbs

Scaled L1 – 53/44lbs

Scaled L2 – 44/35lbs

Scaled L3 – coach directed

The post Home Workouts – Sat, Feb 24 appeared first on Crossfit Albuquerque.

CrossFit Albuquerque – CrossFit

Warm-up

2 MIN CARDIO

3×10 band walkouts

10 bird dogs

1 min plank

Metcon (AMRAP – Rounds and Reps)

SATURDAY SHRED!!!

PARTNER PAIN SPLIT:

With a Partner…

25 MIN AMRAP:

5 shuttle runs (each)

While Partner A runs, partner B holds heavy KBs.

Then switch.

Then…

10 TTB (each)

While Partner A does TTB, partner B holds heavy KBs.

Then switch.

*REPEAT Sequence*

RX – 70/53lbs

Scaled L1 – 53/44lbs

Scaled L2 – 44/35lbs

Scaled L3 – coach directed

The post CrossFit – Sat, Feb 24 appeared first on Crossfit Albuquerque.

CrossFit Albuquerque – Open Gym

View Public Whiteboard

Warm-up

2 MIN CARDIO

3×10 band walkouts

10 bird dogs

1 min plank

Metcon (AMRAP – Rounds and Reps)

SATURDAY SHRED!!!

PARTNER PAIN SPLIT:

With a Partner…

25 MIN AMRAP:

5 shuttle runs (each)

While Partner A runs, partner B holds heavy KBs.

Then switch.

Then…

10 TTB (each)

While Partner A does TTB, partner B holds heavy KBs.

Then switch.

*REPEAT Sequence*

RX – 70/53lbs

Scaled L1 – 53/44lbs

Scaled L2 – 44/35lbs

Scaled L3 – coach directed

The post Open Gym – Sat, Feb 24 appeared first on Crossfit Albuquerque.

Sometimes, a little distance can be healthy. While folding up and rolling away your dog or partner may not be morally acceptable, the best exercise bikes don’t have feelings. After working up a sweat in a virtual studio class or just pedaling while you catch up on Love is Blind, the best portable exercise bikes easily drift away out of sight without consequence. 

With lightweight frames, transport wheels, and upright folding, our favorite portable exercise bikes are designed to save you some space after you finish your workout. After years of pumping the pedals on more than 20 exercise bikes in our home gyms and studio apartments, we’re confident in our ability to spot a quality portable bike. Check out our top picks for exercise bikes that, after adding wonderful and terrific value to your life, can politely buzz off.

The 9 Best Portable Exercise Bikes of 2024

Best Overall Portable Exercise Bike: NordicTrack S22i

Best Lightweight Portable Exercise Bike: Concept2 BikeErg

Best Budget Portable Exercise Bike: ProForm Carbon CX

Best Adjustable Portable Exercise Bike: Schwinn IC4

Best Foldable Portable Exercise Bike: Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike

Best Compact Portable Exercise Bike: Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike

Best Portable Exercise Bike for Small Spaces: Sharper Image Space Saving Stationary Bike

Best Portable Mini Exercise Bike: DeskCycle 2

Best Portable Exercise Bike for Seniors: Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike

How We Tested and Chose the Best Portable Exercise Bikes

The BarBend team is loaded with cyclists, certified personal trainers, CrossFit professionals, and fitness enthusiasts. We’ve never met an exercise bike we didn’t want to clip into, and after completing countless workouts on over 20 bikes, we donned our expert-colored glasses to bring you the perspectives of some real cardio fiends. 

Throughout our testing, we kept in mind how easy or difficult each bike would be to relocate. Across the 13 categories in our methodology, we assigned ratings of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) for aspects like footprint and portability, adjustability, and tech capabilities, among others. In addition to the actual bikes, we worked hard to bring our experience to life to give you a feel for what it’s like to take the best cardio machines for a spin. Here are a few of the main factors that drove our decisions.

Footprint and Portability

Our biggest consideration was — unsurprisingly — the amount of space these bikes take up, as well as how easily they can be moved. In the specs for each machine, we included the exact dimensions so you can grab your measuring tape and map out the exact spot your bike needs to go. If your exercise bike is going to be living the nomadic lifestyle, it’s important that it will be (relatively) lightweight, so also check the weight of each machine to get a sense of whether you could comfortably tilt and roll it across a room or down a hallway. 

Our BarBend tester riding the NordicTrack S22i.

Most of our picks measure roughly 20 to 22 inches wide, but range from 61 inches in length down to just 10.24 inches in our smallest option. Just as we did, identify the size and weight of the exercise bike that matches your fitness goals to ensure it works in your space.

Price

The bikes on our list come at a wide range of prices — $189 to $1,999 — because we wanted to accommodate as many budgets as possible. Whether you’re counting your exercise bike as your next five Christmas presents, or you just need something to pedal while sitting at your desk, one of these bikes should suit your purposes.

[Related: The 12 Best Budget Home Gym Equipment]

Bikes closer to the upper end of the range may include more technology, heavier-duty builds, or larger footprints. As you approach the $189 mark, you’ll notice fewer conveniences, as well as less tech, but these options tend to be smaller and lighter, which could be a deciding factor for you.

Adjustability

Between the seat height and depth, handlebar placement, and levels of resistance, the exercise bikes on our list can suit the needs of athletes of various body types and fitness levels. Beyond finding your perfect fit, though, the adjustability on your machine may indicate just how portable it is. Options with four-way adjustable seats and handlebars may include a bit more hardware, which may affect the overall weight. 

Our BarBend tester adjusting the seat stack on the Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike.

Another factor influencing the weight is the flywheel. Heavier flywheels create more momentum, which generally equate to smoother operation, but the heavier the flywheel, the heavier the bike — thank you, first-grade math.

Best Overall Portable Exercise Bike: NordicTrack S22i

As our pick for the best overall portable exercise bike, the NordicTrack S22i checks a lot of boxes — heavy-duty steel frame, 24 levels of quiet magnetic resistance, and the technology to create a studio-quality virtual experience. It earned at least a 4.5 out of 5 in nine of 13 categories during our testing, including perfect 5-out-of-5 scores for its tech capabilities, customizations, and dynamic programming, which comes courtesy of its iFIT integration.

Our BarBend product tester moving the NordicTrack S22i.

On the swiveling 22-inch HD touchscreen, you can follow over 16,000 live and on-demand iFIT classes, including — of course — indoor and outdoor cycling, strength training, yoga, Pilates, and more. The display and the iFIT experience caught the attention of Kate Meier, certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial member. “The tech built into the S22i kind of blew me away,” she said. “I think ‘immersive’ is the best word. My scenic rides through Hawaii were absolutely stunning.”

While it will cost a monthly subscription of $39.99, Meier and Jake Herod — BarBend’s expert product tester and certified nutrition coach — both feel it’s worth the extra cash. “You don’t have to purchase iFIT, but I personally think that’s how this was meant to be used,” Herod explains in his video, which you can watch below. .

As far as its footprint and portability, with all the technology and customizations on board — like 24 levels of magnetic resistance and incline and decline capabilities — Meier rated the S22i just 3.5 out of 5. “Even with the front wheels, 205 pounds may be a lot for some people to move by themselves,” she explained. “When I was moving it, I also noticed the screen could kind of throw off the balance.” 

Despite its heavy build and footprint of 9.32 square feet, some may find it just portable enough for their space. The S22i occupies slightly less space than other high-end bikes with large displays that we have ridden. Both the Peloton Bike+ and Echelon Connect EX-8s are a bit wider and require 9.42 square feet of floor space. 

Read our full NordicTrack S22i Exercise Bike Review.

Best Lightweight Portable Exercise Bike: Concept2 BikeErg

Air bikes, with their massive flywheels and moving handlebars, aren’t the most portable cardio machines, but the BikeErg isn’t like other air bikes. It swaps out moving handlebars for fixed ones, and its flywheel — which has a damper system that works to emulate the gears of a mountain bike — is less unwieldy than what you’ll find on something like the Rogue Echo. This allows it to be more compact than other air bikes, and, at 68 pounds, roughly 42 to 62 pounds lighter than many exercise bikes. 

Our tester taking the Concept2 BikeErg for a spin.

The front wheels should allow most users to tilt and roll it without assistance. And without huge handlebars or a bulky screen above the handlebars, balancing the bike while moving is much easier. Citing its 7-square-foot footprint, our tester scored the footprint and portability category a 4.5 out of 5. “I think it would fit in most home gyms or even apartments without much issue,” they noted.

[Related: The 6 Best Air Bikes]

The customizations earned a 4 out of 5 from our tester, as adjusting the seat and handlebars allowed them to find a comfortable fit. “All I had to do was flip a lever and pull the seat up, so finding the right spot was pretty easy,” they pointed out. “I could also move the handlebars up and down, as well as forward and backward.” If you’re loyal to a particular brand of pedals, the ones on the BikeErg can be switched out for clipless options or other compatible units.

Our product tester adjusting the seat stack on the Concept2 BikeErg.

The LCD screen is about all the tech there is on this bike, but our tester took advantage of the ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity to connect their fitness tracker and heart rate monitor. Its tech capabilities earned a rating of 3 out of 5, but again, replacing a screen with a smartphone cradle is part of what makes this bike so portable. 

Best Budget Portable Exercise Bike: ProForm Carbon CX

The $399 ProForm Carbon CX is our pick for the best budget portable exercise bike because it’s up to $450 less expensive than other bikes that feature 16 levels of magnetic resistance and compatibility with the iFIT fitness app. Sure, you’ll need to link up your own device to access the app’s bounty of classes, but we still think it’s a quality option for those on a limited budget. When I tested the Carbon CX, I scored its portability, customizations, durability, and ergonomics all at least a 4.5 out of 5.

BarBend reviews writer Matt Cummings on the ProForm Carbon CX.

During testing, I had no issues tilting or rolling the Carbon CX on gym flooring. At 125 pounds, I was expecting a more difficult time, but once I got it upright, I was comfortably driving it with one hand. Its 8-square-foot footprint is close to average for upright bikes, so after seeing how easy it was to move, I scored its overall footprint and portability 4.5 out of 5.

An area where the Carbon CX may be lacking is its onboard technology, as its LCD display can only display basic metrics. It’s worth noting, though, that the bike’s iFIT compatibility means it can make automatic adjustments to your speed and incline based on the specifications of iFIT classes. 

BarBend reviews writer Matt Cummings adjusting the resistance knob on the ProForm Carbon CX.

I also rated the Carbon CX’s ergonomics 4.5 out of 5, because in addition to the seat being adjustable up, down, forward, and backward, you can also swap it out for a more comfortable option. 

I used the vertical grips the most, but you can also grab the triangle in the center, as well. My feet felt secure in the adjustable cages on the pedals, but these can also be switched out if you have a preferred style of pedals. 

Read our full ProForm Carbon CX Exercise Bike Review.

Best Adjustable Portable Exercise Bike: Schwinn IC4

The Schwinn IC4, with its adjustable seat and handlebars and 100 levels of magnetic resistance, is our pick for the best adjustable portable exercise bike. Naturally, its adjustability earned a rating of 5 out of 5, but four other categories — including customizations and durability — also earned perfect scores.

Our tester riding the Schwinn IC4.

Certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial member Kate Meier completed multiple workouts on the IC4, moving it around in between rides to get a sense of its portability. “It wasn’t the lightest bike I’ve used, but the wheels definitely made it easy to move,” she explained, rating its footprint and portability 4 out of 5. “It’s just over 100 pounds, so I guess some people may need a little help moving it.” The 7.17 square feet it takes up is roughly the same as the average exercise bike, so while it’s not the most compact bike we’ve tested, it’s certainly not bulky.

Its steel frame prompted a rating of 5 out of 5 for durability from Meier. “For being so lightweight, I was totally expecting some wobbling, but it was solid as a rock,” she said. While most bikes top out at 24 or 30 levels of resistance, the 40-pound flywheel on the IC4 provides 100 levels of magnetic resistance, putting it on par with the Peloton Bike. 

Our BarBend tester adjusting the seat on the Schwinn IC4.

While the LCD display can display your workout metrics in real time, there is no built-in screen. However, you can sync your own device using popular apps like Peloton, JRNY, or Zwift to follow workouts and keep track of your stats and workout history. Meier thought that, overall, the IC4 was an incredible value, also rating that category 5 out of 5. “For about half the cost, I thought the ride was as smooth as any high-end option, so I think you get a ton for the price.”

Read our full Schwinn IC4 Exercise Bike Review.

Best Foldable Portable Exercise Bike: Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike

In addition to being the best foldable portable exercise bike on this list, the Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike is one of the best folding exercise bikes we’ve used. It features a time-tested, classic, simple, elegant, intuitive folding mechanism: a metal pin. Just slide the pin out, fold it up, and slide it back in. Voilà. 

Once it’s folded up, the wheels can make moving this 37-pound bike feel effortless for most users and our tester, a CrossFit Level 1 trainer, rated five categories a 4 out of 5 or higher — including its footprint and portability.

With 14-gauge steel tubing and a 250-pound weight capacity, our tester noted the high-quality build when they tried it out, rating its durability 5 out of 5. “For $189, I was shocked at the quality,” they said. “My rides were steady and smooth and I didn’t even notice any wobbling.”

Another area this foldable wonder shines is in its customizations, which scored a 4 out of 5 from our tester. The seat is adjustable within a 4-inch range and the company claims riders between 5 feet 1 inch and 6 feet 3 inches should be able to use it comfortably. Our tester, however, estimated that that range more realistically tops out around 6 feet. 

Once you find the right height, you can rotate the knob just above the pedals to switch between its 8 levels of magnetic resistance. Another adjustable feature is the foot strap on the pedals, which our tester recommended using. “I wouldn’t call the pedals ‘secure,’ so strapping in is probably the way to go,” they pointed out.

The folding design doesn’t lend itself to conveniences like water bottle holders or even a small device holder, but it does feature an LCD display so you can keep track of your metrics. 

Best Compact Portable Exercise Bike: Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike

The best compact portable exercise we’ve taken for a spin is the Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike. At just 6.11 square feet, it can save you up to 2 square feet of floor space when compared to other portable exercise bikes we tested. It earned at least a 4 out of 5 in three categories — including footprint and portability — from our tester, a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. 

Our tester riding the Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike.

Its design doesn’t lend itself to a huge HD touchscreen or hefty flywheel, but as far as compact exercise equipment goes, it’s a cost-effective bike that our tester thought would be a solid cardio machine for beginners. “For less than $300, it definitely is a good value. I wouldn’t say it’s a ‘forever bike,’ but even if you had to replace it in a couple years, I’d still recommend it,” they said, rating its value 3.5 out of 5.

[Related: The 9 Best Exercise Bikes For Heavy People]

As our tester pointed out, this bike may not be best suited for Tour de France-level action. After just a couple rides, they started to see some evidence of that. “It only took a few rides to see some cracks along the seat, which is not a performance thing, but speaks to the overall durability,” they explained. 

Its durability earned just a 2.5 out of 5, and they also noted the housing on the LCD display. “The display itself was fine — speed, time, distance — but the plastic that supports it looks like it could go at any moment.”

The LCD display on the Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike.

In the context of an average exercise bike — around $600 to $2,000 — the Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike is a bargain at $279 on Amazon. For the price, we think apartment dwellers looking to do cardio workouts at home will find value in this model.

Best Portable Exercise Bike for Small Spaces: Sharper Image Space-Saving Stationary Bike

At just 27.5 inches long and 22 inches wide, the Sharper Image Space Saving Stationary Bike is the best portable exercise bike for small spaces we’ve gotten our hands and feet on. Its footprint of 4.20 square feet is roughly half of the average for most exercise bikes — around 7 to 9 square feet. It unsurprisingly earned a 5 out of 5 from our tester, a CrossFit Level 1 trainer, for its footprint and portability.

In its folded position, it measures just 7 inches wide, 23 inches tall, and 25.5 inches long, so it could easily be stored under a couch or bed. That compact design also helped it earn a 5 out of 5 from our tester for delivery and setup. “It’s only 45 pounds, so I just carried it right up the stairs myself,” they said. Even with such a small profile, it does have built-in transport wheels to roll it around your small space.

While its space-saving design was a big plus, our tester was less optimistic about its actual function. “I’d probably only use this bike on hardwood floors because I think it would be pretty shaky on carpet,” they noted. 

Without a screen, backrest, or handlebars, it does force you to engage your core more than a typical exercise bike. However, it earned just a 3 out of 5 for durability because of our tester’s fear of toppling over. “It honestly feels like riding a unicycle,” they said.

We think this bike is best suited for super tight spaces like dorm rooms or studio apartments, but it could also be used under a standing desk if you have the space. Our tester gave it a 3.5 out of 5 for value because compared to the average folding bike — roughly $180 to $200 — $349 is a bit steep for a bike that lacks just about everything except pedals. “Someone very tight on space would probably appreciate being able to fit an exercise bike in that space at all, so I can see it working for those people,” our tester pointed out.

Best Portable Mini Exercise Bike: DeskCycle Under Desk Bike

As far as mini exercise bikes go, the DeskCycle Under Desk Bike is our top pick for portability because of its alloy-steel build and the adjustable height of the pedals, which can be adjusted from nine to 10 inches. At just 23 pounds, most users will be able to simply pick it up and move it. Among the best mini exercise bikes we’ve tested, it weight is a bit above average — several we have tested are under 10 pounds — but relative to other portable exercise bikes, mobility should not be an issue.

Also a non-issue — noise. The bidirectional flywheel provides 8 levels of magnetic resistance and is designed to not disturb your officemates, should you choose to slide it under your desk. Although it’s heavier than most mini exercise bikes, that extra weight allows a little more stability. While I haven’t gotten my feet on the DeskCycle myself, I’ve used several mini bikes around 10 pounds and can attest to their shakiness. 

[Related: Best Exercise Bikes Under $500]

An area where the DeskCycle separates itself is its compatibility with Apple Watch and Fitbit, which allows you to sync your workout data. The five-function LCD monitor is also removable, so you can keep an eye on your metrics without having to awkwardly look under your desk.

Using the DeskCycle at a desk could be tricky for users over 5 feet 10 inches, but the adjustable pedal height does allow some wiggle room. We’d recommend using a desk chair that can raise and lower to give you a few more inches to work with.

Best Portable Exercise Bike for Seniors: Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike

By virtue of their backrest, recumbent bikes offer a low-intensity alternative to the typical upright exercise bike, making them a good option for anyone looking for less strenuous exercise. Enter the Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike, our pick for the best portable exercise bike for seniors. With its folding capability and 43-pound overall weight, it earned ratings of 5 out of 5 in four categories — including footprint, portability, and durability — from our expert tester, certified personal trainer Kate Meier. 

Our BarBend tester riding the Exerpeutic 400XL.

After folding it up, Meier noted how easily she could move it. “In the folded position, it’s only about 17 inches wide, so it felt like rolling around a little suitcase,” she said. Even with a footprint about as small as a dining room chair, its steel frame can support users up to 300 pounds, making it more accessible for heavier users. (1) 

[Related: The 8 Best Recumbent Bikes]

Adjustability, ergonomics, and customizations all earned ratings of 3.5 out of 5 from Meier, and she highlighted how comfortable it was to use. “The padded seat was large, very cushioned, and I’m 5 foot 4 inches, so being able to adjust it up and down allowed me to find just the right height,” she said. The 8 levels of magnetic resistance were also easy to change and, while that’s fewer levels than the other portable exercise bikes we tested — they tend to range from 16 all the way up to 100 — they should be more than enough for most seniors to get their heart rate up.

Our tester unfolding the Exerpeutic 400XL.

Another area that received a perfect 5-out-of-5 rating from Meier was its value. At $200, it’s around $400 less than other budget-friendly recumbent bikes we’ve tested. “It’s just a no-nonsense, low-frills option that gets the job done,” Meier said. You won’t find the tech capabilities — a 3.5 out of 5 from Meier — of recumbent bikes that push $1,500, but it does feature an LCD monitor that shows your time, distance, and speed.

What to Consider Before Buying a Portable Exercise Bike

Before you decide to saddle up on your own portable exercise bike, there are a few factors that may determine how you find your best match. Take into account where exactly you’ll use it in your home gym or living space, how often you’ll need to move it, and the type of bike that suits your fitness goals. 

Mobility

When we lay out our lists, we include the dimensions of each bike so that you can physically measure the space where you plan on using it. There’s nothing quite as disappointing as assembling your bike, squeezing into your shorts, and not being able to fit it in your gym because you didn’t measure the space. Grab a tape measure, write down the dimensions, and ensure your bike will fit where you need it.

Our tester moving the Concept2 BikeErg.

After you visualize where you’ll be pumping the pedals, maybe even map out how you’ll be moving it around. If you’re looking for a portable exercise bike, you may need to move it from room to room or in and out of storage. Before making your big purchase, double check you can relocate your bike as needed.

Durability

Whether you need a foldable exercise bike or just one that is light enough to move around frequently, consider the durability of the frame and key parts. Stability can be an issue with some foldable and portable options, as they require a less rigid design. There are portable options that don’t fold, so if you have enough floor space and are concerned about durability, consider a non-folding option for more stability.

Type of Exercise Bike

If you are debating the merits of recumbent bikes vs. upright bikes, first establish your fitness goals and training regimen. If you know it will be a while before you are back to 100 percent following an injury, the lower intensity of a recumbent bike could make sense for you. (2) If you’re thinking about trying out for USA Cycling, the intense workouts an upright bike can provide probably make it your best bet. In a vertical position, you’ll engage your core to support your bodyweight, as opposed to leaning back in a recumbent bike seat. 

Benefits of the Best Portable Exercise Bikes

Exercise bikes designed with mobility in mind can help you save some real estate in a smaller home gym or living space, while still providing the cardiovascular benefits — lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease — of larger, heavier bikes. (3) Here are a few of the benefits of cycling with a portable exercise bike.

Easy to Move

If you’re getting more of a workout just moving furniture to make room for your cardio machine, it might be time to explore the lighter, foldable, and more mobile options out there. These bikes are designed to be folded, wheeled, and stashed away so you can reclaim some of your floor space — and sanity. 

Our BarBend tester tilting and rolling the Schwinn IC4.

Compared to the average exercise bike, these portable options tend to have lighter overall weights, occupy less square footage, and can be tilted and rolled out of sight.

Convenience

Having your own versatile piece of home fitness equipment at the ready is convenient, but also removes a big obstacle to sticking to a consistent training regimen. Even among the cardio machines, exercise bikes may be a great entry point for some people as they typically require less space — and cash — than treadmills, ellipticals, or rowing machines.

[Related: The 9 Best Tried and Tested Treadmill Alternatives]

Our expert reviewer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto spelled it out when she assessed the best exercise bikes for BarBend. “Indoor exercise bikes provide access to cycling no matter the weather or outdoor conditions. Many people do not feel safe cycling outside. An exercise bike eliminates traffic as a reason to skip your session, so it can be someone’s golden ticket to exercising more frequently. “

Low-Impact Cardio

Anyone trying to train with joint issues or chronic back problems could testify — preach! — that the impact absorbed during forms of cardio like running can be painful. (4) Even worse, it can be a deterrent to exercising at all. Saddling up on an exercise bike can still offer the cardiovascular benefits of other types of training — lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease — as well as improved flexibility, reduced stress, and even improved mood. (3)(5)

How Much Do the Best Portable Exercise Bikes Cost?

While exercise bikes can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, most people may be best served by the machines toward the middle of that range. How you use your bike, how much space you can devote to it, and the amount of technology features onboard are three of the main factors that can determine the price of an exercise bike. Here is a breakdown of the cost of the best portable exercise bikes on our list.

While all of these bikes are portable, some could be considered more portable than others by virtue of their weight, design, or type. A mini exercise bike that weighs 23 pounds will naturally cost less than a studio-quality bike with a 22-inch HD touchscreen. 

The pedals on the ProForm Carbon CX.

Options closer to $189 may be just the kind of simple machine you’re looking for — no frills, just something to pedal while you watch TV. At the other end of the range, you can expect sturdier builds and more tech features that can mimic outdoor cycling or sweat-drenched studio classes.

Types of Exercise Bikes

If you’re lost trying to figure out what to look for when buying an indoor cycle, the first step is deciding what type of bike fits your needs. Amanda Capritto, our expert reviewer and certified personal trainer, explained who may benefit most from each type of bike.

“Recumbent bikes allow people with mobility limitations or injuries to enjoy cycling, as they are reclined and take pressure off of the hips and back. Upright bikes are your typical stationary bikes, which are excellent for high-intensity exercise and tech-savvy cyclists who love to take fitness classes.”

Upright

This kind of bike is what most people picture when thinking of indoor exercise bikes. They’re meant to mimic a road bike in both experience and aesthetics, so you can either pedal while sitting or rise up to a standing position, and the seats and handlebars are typically adjustable to help accommodate various body types. Most upright bikes use a weighted disc — called a flywheel — to provide different levels of adjustable resistance.

Recumbent Exercise Bike

Imagine an upright exercise bike, then lean back and you’ve got a recumbent bike. These bikes have larger, more comfortable seats with back support and, while your legs and glutes still get some good work in, it generally provides a less strenuous workout than upright or air bikes. Recumbent bikes are great for those in recovery following an injury or for anyone struggling with achy joints. (2)

Air Bike

What distinguishes air bikes from upright or recumbent exercise bikes is what provides the resistance. You guessed it — air. Most air bikes also have large, movable arms which, along with the pedals, power the fan. While some air bikes rely only on the pedals to power the fan, models with moving arms offer an upper-body burn in addition to a lower-body one.

Final Word

Trying to find the space for an exercise bike, treadmill, or other home gym essential can be a tall task if you’re short on space. Rolling or carrying away one of the bikes in our list will let you reclaim some precious floor space while still pursuing your fitness goals. With small footprints, transport wheels, and adjustable seats and handlebars, these bikes can help you reap the benefits of cardiovascular exercise, like reduced risk of heart disease, and then disappear until you need them again. (3)(6)

Whether you’re after a studio-like experience or just need to pedal at your desk during work, an exercise bike doesn’t have to be a fixture in your living room. Take advantage of the time we spent riding, folding, and moving these bikes to find the best portable exercise bike to get your heart pumping.

FAQs

References

Newman, K., Gibson, K., Zeller, H., Carter, S., and Joyce, B. (July 7, 2009). “Recumbent Exercise Bicycle for Low-Impact Rehabilitation of Obese Individuals.” ASME. J. Med. Devices. June 2009; 3(2): 027516.

McLeod, W. D., & Blackburn, T. A. (1980). Biomechanics of knee rehabilitation with cycling. The American journal of sports medicine, 8(3), 175–180.

Chavarrias, M., Carlos-Vivas, J., Collado-Mateo, D., & Pérez-Gómez, J. (2019). Health Benefits of Indoor Cycling: A Systematic Review. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 55(8), 452.

Dong, X., Li, C., Liu, J., Huang, P., Jiang, G., Zhang, M., Zhang, W., & Zhang, X. (2021). The effect of running on knee joint cartilage: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine, 47, 147–155.

Sandmeier R. H. (2000). Osteoarthritis and Exercise: Does Increased Activity Wear Out Joints?. The Permanente Journal, 4(4), 26–28.

Mersy D. J. (1991). Health benefits of aerobic exercise. Postgraduate medicine, 90(1), 103–112.

The post The 9 Best Portable Exercise Bikes of 2024, According to Our Experts appeared first on BarBend.

2018 World’s Strongest Man Hafthor “The Mountain” Björnsson returns after a four-year break from elite strongman competition. He will compete at the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) in Columbus, Ohio, on March 1-2, 2024.

Björnsson’s hiatus was caused by the need to recover from serious injury. In April 2023, Björnsson tore his left pectoral muscle while bench pressing in a powerlifting meet. The road to recovery has been long.

On Feb. 16, Björnsson shared his last heavy deadlift session on his YouTube channel before his 2024 ASC return. He spoke to his mindset going into the event. Check it out below:

The deadlift event at the 2024 ASC will be on an Elephant Bar — a specialist barbell made by Rogue Fitness exclusively for the contest. The 10-foot-long bar, combined with the two-inch weight plates it uses, has much more bend than a standard power bar or deadlift bar.

Elephant Bars are not used elsewhere, so Björnsson improvised a stand-in barbell in training. He added collars inside the weight plates and alternated bumper plates with steel weight plates to move the weight as far out as possible to approximate the flex he would experience in competition.

Björnsson worked up to 400 kilograms for his working sets, completing two sets of three repetitions each. He said he was trying to be smart with the weight selection in training as he had been progressing fast and wanted to take a step back to guard against injury.

I feel like this is my event to lose, but I still have to put in the work.

Björnsson used lifting straps and a lifting belt during his deadlifts, which are permissible in strongman competition. Both sets of three appeared comfortable, with the third rep moving almost as well as the first.

The workout continued with stone pressing and static behind-the-back holds. Björnsson used 210 kilograms for his top sets and held the lift for 10 seconds.

2024 Arnold Strongman Classic Events

Elephant Bar Deadlift

Frame Carry

Dinnie Stone Carry

Apollon Wheels

Stone Medley

2024 Arnold Strongman Classic Roster

Mitchell Hooper

Hafthor Björnsson

Martins Licis

Oleksii Novikov

Tom Stoltman

Mateusz Kieliszkowski

Evan Singleton

Bobby Thompson

Maxime Boudreault

Tom Evans

Oskar Ziółkowski

Björnsson plans to lift 460 kilograms in the Elephant Bar deadlift event at the 2024 ASC. Find out on March 1, 2024, whether he will be successful.

Featured image: @thorbjornsson on Instagram

The post Hafthor Björnsson’s Final Heavy Deadlift Session Before Returning to Elite Strongman Competition appeared first on BarBend.

Cranking out reps in the weight room is fun — and it’ll undoubtedly improve your fitness — but if you want to turn up the turbo engines, you’ll need to work in some cardio. Whether you’re on the treadmill or out on the track, running can boost your work capacity in the weight room. And interval running workouts can prep you mentally and physically for churning out big efforts.

If you prefer to train your body in short bursts rather than long, plodding sequences of steady-state cardio, interval running is a solid place to start. If you’re ready to take that plunge, interval running will upgrade your body’s ability to perform under pressure. Let’s get into it.

Editor’s Note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. When starting a new training regimen and/or diet, it is always a good idea to consult with a trusted medical professional. We are not a medical resource. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. They are not substitutes for consulting a qualified medical professional.

What Is Interval Running?

Interval running is exactly what it sounds like — bursts of speed performed in different rounds (intervals). For example, you’ll run at a challenging pace for two minutes, jog or walk for one minute, and repeat for a certain number of rounds. 

During interval training, recovery periods can consist of slow jogs taken as active recovery runs, or they can include rest times that call a halt to all activity.

[Read More: HIIT Vs. LISS — Which Type of Cardio Is Better?]

As a beginner, you can use interval training to help you get faster gradually. Can’t run a full mile yet? Run it in intervals, interspersing walking with jogging until you build up your strength and stamina. 

When you have more experience under your belt, you can turn up the challenge for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), performing shorter, faster speed sessions. When you’re pushing that hard, doing 20 minutes of interval training can be more than enough to improve your strength and cardio fitness.

Benefits of Interval Running 

Sometimes you’ll be doing a 5-4-3-2-1 interval training session. You’ll push your limit for five minutes, recover for five minutes, push for four, recover for four, and all down to one minute.

Other times, you’ll be blazing out a quick and dirty 10-minute HIIT workout on your favorite cushioned treadmill. Here are some of the benefits you can expect.

Improved Aerobic Capacity

Across several studies, interval running has been shown to accelerate running speed and sustain endurance more reliably than steady-state cardio. (1)(2) This makes varying your running speed an ideal strategy if you want your body to hold itself together under stressful performance conditions.

Optimized Energy Production

Interval running has been shown to maximize the VO2 max of trainees beyond what is achievable through running at a steady state. (3) This means if you train using interval running, your body will be able to use greater amounts of oxygen to generate more energy. 

[Read More: The 6 Benefits of HIIT to Inspire You to Go Hard]

Since you’re using more energy, interval running may also be helpful for weight loss if that’s a goal of yours. Just make sure you’re eating enough to fuel your hard training, too.

Increased Mental Toughness

Sometimes, you’ll structure interval workouts for beginners where you run or jog quickly for a few minutes, walk for a few minutes, and so on. Other times, you’ll be doing shorter, faster intervals in HIIT workouts.

[Read More: Use High-Intensity Training to Unlock New Gains]

Either way, you will develop your mentality to push yourself to your limit over and over. This will translate into a greater mental ability to crank out more reps on the platform and push yourself through even tougher workouts.

5 Interval Workouts 

One of our cross-country and track and field coaches, Billy Caldwell, designed each of the following interval running workouts for our readers. Providing commentary on the workouts is ultra-distance runner and cross-country coach Lee Whitaker. 

“Each of the workouts below can be useful to runners of all types aiming to get faster and improve their running,” Whitaker tells BarBend. “All of the workouts take runners through activating and training multiple energy systems — high-intensity anaerobic training and lower-intensity steady-state training.”

Lactate Threshold Interval Workout

“This workout will help to train both aerobic and anaerobic capacity through improvement in lactate threshold,” Whitaker says. “The recovery portions help the body to clear the waste products from the muscles and bloodstream, helping this process to improve over time. The faster portions of the workout also train the neuromuscular system improving efficiency and speed.”

Here’s what you’ll do.

600s, 400s, and 200s

600 Meters: Fast

400 Meters: Recovery jog

8 x 200 Meters: Fast

200-Meters: Recovery jog between each 200

400 Meters: Recovery jog

600 Meters: Fast

400 Meters: Recovery jog

400 Meters: Fast, but controlled

Coach’s Tip: “Make sure the recovery portions are truly recovery and don’t take them too fast,” Whitaker advises. “Not recovering properly will leave too much waste product in the system deteriorating the effectiveness and intention of the workout.”

1,000 Meter Interval Workout

This one will also push your lactate threshold, Whitaker explains. But this time, you’ll be doing 10 intervals of a whole lot of meters — 1,000, to be precise. Your work-to-recovery ratio will be relatively small, meaning that you’ll need a lot more mental and physical stamina for this one.

 1,000s and 300 cut-downs

10 x 1,000 Meters: Fast, but comfortable

200 Meters: Recovery jog after each 1,000 meters

5 x 300 Meters: Pick up your speed after each 100 meters, sprinting the final 100 meters of each run.

Rest for 2 Minutes between each 300-meter interval

Coach’s Tip: “The ‘comfortable’ portion is key,” Whitaker says. “While the 1,000 meters may be challenging, it should be comfortable to maintain the same pace hopefully throughout all of them.”

4-Mile Interval Workout

You’ll run a total of four miles here. Since each mile is about 1,600 meters, you’ll run half a mile at a hard, challenging pace. The latter half of each mile, go at a more moderate pace. If you need to slow it down even further, you can — the idea is to repeat this pattern four times to add up to a four-mile interval run. Make a note of your time to compare to future efforts.

“This is a tough workout if done correctly and will also build some mental toughness for the runner,” Whitaker explains.

4 miles of alternating 800s

4 x 800 Meters

Each segment is followed by a moderate 800-meter run

Coach’s Tip: “Focus will be key in maintaining the paces of this workout,” Whitaker explains. “Be mentally prepared.”

Long Interval Workout

You’ll be doing 1,000 meters at a time again, interspersed with four 200-meter runs at a hard effort. You’ll be challenging yourself with a very long interval and a series of relatively short intervals. This workout will feel long, mentally and physically.

1,000s and 200s

8 x 1,000 Meters: Fast, but comfortable

200 Meters: Recovery jog after each 1,000 meters

4 x 200 Meters: Hard

Rest for 2 minutes between each 200-meter interval

Coach’s Tip: “Make the 200s fast and really focus on efficiency and form,” Whitaker advises.

Short Interval Workout

“This workout provides a comprehensive training stimulus in a structured progression in order to improve aerobic and anaerobic capacities, lactate threshold, running economy, and sprint mechanics,” Whitaker says. 

400s and 200s

10 x 400 Meters: 90 seconds rest between each 400

First 4 at 80% effort

Second 4 at 90% effort

Last 2 at 100% effort

Rest until fully recovered

2 x 200: 90-95% effort

Coach’s Tip: “Get a good feel for the effort for each pace range and know it well,” Whitaker advises. “As in other workouts, if the pace and effort are not appropriate, the workout loses its intention and may create a runner who is out of sync with their workout plan.”

Interval Running Tips From a Running Coach 

It never hurts to have an expert on hand to help you apply some fine-tuning to your plans. Here are some practical tips from an experienced running coach to help you extract the most value from your interval running strategy.

Relate Your Training to Your Distance Goal

Runners typically utilize interval runs to get fitter over specific distances. Your preparation for a half marathon may require longer intervals of lower intensity. Likewise, sprint workouts may require you to complete a higher number of intervals of a higher intensity level.

[Read More: The Best 30-Minute HIIT Workouts for a Quick Sweat Session]

“You have to ask, what is it that I’m trying to target with that interval?” advises Whitaker. “If it’s a really short, really fast interval, we’re probably working on something like lactate tolerance. When we start to talk about moving intervals to a longer repetition of 1,000 meters or even a mile, we’re going at a slower pace and training to clear our processed lactate or maybe we’re trying to raise our lactate threshold.”

Include an Adequate Rest Period

There’s a tendency to judge interval running workouts by the number of intervals included, and how many of them are work intervals at a speed that’s at or near race pace. In reality, much of the value and effectiveness of interval running stems from the quality of the recovery intervals. 

“The rest and recovery period is a key part of getting interval training right,” says Whitaker. “If you’re looking for a more intense interval, you’ll have a longer rest period so that you can be recovered and fresh when you start the next one. If you’re looking for a less intense interval, you need to shorten your rest period.”

Use All of Your Energy Systems

A properly developed interval training program will put your body through the full spectrum of physiological states between your dynamic warm-up and your cool-down. You’ll want to do some slower running and some faster running to stimulate your aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. This will give you better endurance while also making you stronger and more powerful.

[Read More: Try This Dynamic Warm-Up for Running]

“When you first start, your heart rate is low and working more at an aerobic level,” explains Whitaker. “As you speed up, it moves through your lactate threshold, your critical velocity zone, your VO2 max zone, and up to some peak that might be even faster than a VO2 max.” This prepares you for a wide range of stressors that you’ll encounter on your runs and in the squat rack.

Clear the Rest of Your Schedule

While it might be tempting to slide your interval runs into the midst of your other daily training methods, that may not be the wisest choice to make. This is because coaches design interval running workouts to be extremely challenging. Packing in too much training intensity and volume may eat into your recovery and heighten your injury risk.

[Read More: The 5 Best HIIT Treadmill Workouts to Bring Some Heart to Your Training]

“Typically, we don’t put a lot of other workouts with the interval session so that we get good quality interval sessions,” warns Whitaker. “I want the quality to be high … I either do interval training as a standalone workout, or I’ll place all other work after it and keep it recovery-oriented.” That’s so you’re recovered enough to really put in a quality workout.

One Interval at a Time

Interval running isn’t all sunshine and daffodils, and it certainly isn’t an ideal training program if you prefer to have a relaxing bout of training. However, if you’re prepared to focus while you sweat, then breaking apart your running routine into intervals may be the key to preventing your body from breaking down instead.

FAQs

Interval running programs can be challenging to arrange. The answers to the questions asked below should help you put together an interval running program that can help you reach your fitness goals.

References

Wisløff U, Støylen A, Loennechen JP, Bruvold M, Rognmo Ø, Haram PM, Tjønna AE, Helgerud J, Slørdahl SA, Lee SJ, Videm V, Bye A, Smith GL, Najjar SM, Ellingsen Ø, Skjaerpe T. Superior cardiovascular effect of aerobic interval training versus moderate continuous training in heart failure patients: a randomized study. Circulation. 2007 Jun 19;115(24):3086-94. 

Kavanagh T, Shephard RJ. Conditioning of postcoronary patients: comparison of continuous and interval training. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1975 Feb;56(2):72-6. 

Helgerud J, Høydal K, Wang E, Karlsen T, Berg P, Bjerkaas M, Simonsen T, Helgesen C, Hjorth N, Bach R, Hoff J. Aerobic high-intensity intervals improve VO2max more than moderate training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007 Apr;39(4):665-71. 

The post The Best Interval Running Workouts and Tips from Top Running Coaches appeared first on BarBend.

Jay Cutler will receive the 2024 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award. The Arnold Sports Festival (ASF) announced that the bodybuilding great will receive the honor on Saturday, March 2, 2024, as a part of the Saturday night finals of the 2024 Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH.

The announcement was made on the organization’s social media outlets:

“We’re proud to announce this year’s recipient of the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award is 3x consecutive Arnold Classic champion & 4x Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler!”

Their Instagram post can be seen below:

According to the Arnold Sports website, the award is given to individuals “who have made notable contributions to the fitness industry and offered a lifetime of service to the enhancement of sports performance and promotion.” Promoter Arnold Schwarzenegger presents the award to the recipient every year.

Cutler’s recognition is due to his success and contributions to the sport of bodybuilding on and off the competitive stage. Cutler was the first athlete to win the Arnold Classic thrice and did so in consecutive years — a feat that has not been matched since.

Cutler won the Mr. Olympia title four times. His greatest feat may be that he was the first man to regain the Mr. Olympia title after losing. Culter, the 2006 and 2007 winner placed, second to Dexter Jackson in 2008 but reclaimed the Sandow Trophy in 2009.

Cutler’s efforts on the business side of the sport have served as a template for other bodybuilders who followed. Fans still revere him, and Cutler stays connected with them through his supplement brand, clothing line, YouTube channel, and podcast, among other ventures.

Cutler joins a long list of notable award winners from in and out of the sport of bodybuilding, including fellow Olympia winners Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney, as well as Hollywood greats Lou Ferrigno and Sylvester Stallone. The full list of the 23 previous recipients is as follows:

Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

2000: Joe Weider  

2001: Reg Park

2002: Jim Lorimer  

2003: Frank Zane

2004: Bill Pearl

2005: Jack LaLanne

2006: Lee Haney  

2007: Cory Everson

2008: Ben Weider

2009: Franco Columbu

2010: Sylvester Stallone  

2011: Lou Ferrigno

2012: Robert Kennedy

2013: Rich Gaspari

2014: John Balik  

2015: Jim Manion

2016: Dr. Raphael Santonja

2017: Betty Weider

2018: Dr. Robert Goldman

2019: Drs. Terry & Jan Todd  

2020: Paul “Triple H” Levesque

2021: Ronnie Coleman

2023: Ken “Flex” Wheeler

The presentation will be made onstage at the Battelle Grand ballroom in the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Fans can watch the moment live on the 2024 Arnold Sports Festival livestream free of charge.

Featured Image: @arnoldsports on Instagram

The post Jay Cutler to Receive 2024 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award appeared first on BarBend.

When you think of an at-home exercise bike, your mind likely jumps to a high-end brand with fancy equipment and luxe streaming services that sells a bike for upwards of $1,500. But what if we told you that you could get a home exercise bike with many of the same mechanical features, but at a third of the price? Affordable exercise bikes offer the same health benefits as their fancier counterparts, including a low-impact, beginner-friendly workout that boosts cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength. (1)(2) 

We’ve tested over 20 exercise bikes and curated the best at a super low price point. These exercise bikes all come in under $500 (likely less than your annual gym membership) while still offering the necessary features, comfort, and durability that you want in a piece of cardio equipment. Whether you’re looking for a gentle recumbent bike, one to slide under your desk as you work, or a studio-style bike for a more intense cycling experience, there’s an affordable exercise bike option here for you. Keep reading to see our picks for the best exercise bikes under $500.

The Best Exercise Bikes Under $500

Best Overall Exercise Bike Under $500: Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike

Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Under $500: Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike

Best Adjustable Exercise Bike Under $500: Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycling Trainer

Best Upright Exercise Bike Under $500: Schwinn 130 Upright Bike

Best Exercise Bike Under $500 for Small Spaces: Sharper Image Space Saving Stationary Bike

Best Budget Exercise Bike Under $500: Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike

Best Magnetic Exercise Bike Under $500: JOROTO X2 Indoor Exercise Bike

Best Folding Exercise Bike Under $500: Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike

How We Tested and Chose the Best Exercise Bikes Under $500

Investing in exercise equipment is a big deal. As a customer, you likely can’t vet every option yourself — but that’s where BarBend steps in to help. Our team has been testing fitness equipment, including exercise bikes, for years. We combed through countless models online and tried more than 20 of the best exercise bikes on the market to sort out which are worth a purchase. 

Our group of expert testers (including certified personal trainers and an Olympic lifter) evaluated them on criteria including footprint and portability, durability, adjustability and ergonomics, tech capabilities, warranty, and even customer service. The result: these eight picks, which we think will serve you well. Here are a few factors we paid special attention to when picking these eight bikes.

Durability

When you’re buying a low-cost piece of exercise equipment, you may have doubts about quality and durability — especially because you, or your friends or family members will be the one sitting (or, in the case of low-cost treadmills, running) with your full body weight on the machine in question. Luckily, you don’t need to spend big bucks to get a machine that’ll last, and many of the budget exercise bikes we tested and examined surprised us with their sturdiness and follow-through. In fact, we have only included reliable options that we have tested on this list. 

When you’re spending under $500, the warranties tend to be limited, but they can make or break your experience with a bike, so that affected our decisions, too. The most durable bikes offer a 10-year warranty, but our certified personal trainer recommends looking for “at least five years on the frame, two years on parts, and one year for labor.”

Price

If you’re here, you’re not looking to spend $2,000+ on an exercise bike, and we understand that. That’s why we curated a list of bikes that range in price and features, so you can spend as little or much as you want and get only the things you need. At the absolute maximum, though, these bikes will cost $499.99 on the dot.

Features

Budget bikes may not have all the techy features included in high-end workout equipment, but they should still cover the basics. We kept an eye out for all the necessities, like a water bottle holder, media shelf, and adjustable parts to fit riders of different sizes. Beyond that, it’s up to you which features matter for your individual workout needs and goals — because no bike in this price range really has it all. However, we’ve included a range of different options with varying features, so there is likely a fit for you here.

Best Overall Exercise Bike Under $500: Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike 

Yosuda YB001R Exercise Bike

Yosuda YB001R Exercise Bike

Smooth and quiet cycling with a 35 lb flywheel and attached transport wheels so you can cruise where you want to. Simple LCD screen with a lip for an iPad, tablet, or phone.

Shop Yosuda

The Yosuda YB001R Indoor Cycling Bike is our pick for the overall best exercise bike under $500, as it offers a pretty solid workout experience for an affordable price tag.

This is a cycling-style bike, like those you’ll see in organized cycling classes. One of the standout features is the 35-pound flywheel (the spinning metal disc that provides resistance and momentum as you pedal). Generally, the heavier the flywheels the better, as it offers a less jerky ride. This one is almost on par with higher-end bikes like the Peloton Bike or Echelon Connect EX-8s, which both have 38-pound flywheels but go for about $1,500 and $3,000, respectively.

The Yosuda has a heavy flywheel, but small footprint, coming in significantly shorter length- and height-wise than a Peloton Bike. That’s why our expert tester and certified personal trainer gave it a 4 out of 5 for footprint and portability. “It’s quite compact and easy to move, thanks to transport wheels under the handlebars,” they say. Reviewers agree that it’s an especially great option for small living spaces, like apartments, or slipping into the corner of a room.

Our tester riding a Yosuda YB001R exercise bike

Otherwise, the bike has pretty standard features, with quiet magnetic resistance, a water bottle holder, a tablet shelf, a four-way adjustable seat, adjustable handlebars, and an LCD display that rotates between stats. “The digital display is nothing fancy, but it has the basics,” our expert tester says.

While this is the best budget bike we’ve found, it’s still a budget bike. Customers have some concerns about its durability, as does our tester. “It’s a great price but it’s not a very durable bike,” our expert tester admits. “I already have some tears in the bike seat, the LCD monitor can be wobbly, and I noticed that the pedal strap comes apart easily. Many people will probably need to replace it within a couple of years, which is fine if you’re looking for a quick fix but it’s not if you want a forever bike.” 

For that reason, they gave this bike a 3 out of 5 for value, despite its low price. (You’re covered by a limited warranty after purchase, but it times out after six months for parts, one year for labor, and three years for the frame.) The good news is that customers who’ve taken advantage of it have great things to say about their customer service. 

Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Under $500: Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike

If you’re shopping for an exercise bike because you want a low-impact cardio workout, are a beginner or senior, or are dealing with an injury, it may be smart to choose a recumbent bike instead of an upright bike. A recumbent bike is a type of stationary bike where the seat is situated far behind the pedals rather than above them. This means more of your body weight is in the seat versus in the pedals, making it easier to pedal and putting less force on your lower-body joints. Recumbent bikes also have backrests, so your torso is supported while you ride.

“Recumbent bikes allow people with mobility limitations or injuries to enjoy cycling, as they are reclined and take pressure off of the hips and back,” says Amanda Capritto, a certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer. This Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike, in particular, has a 300lb user weight limit (above the industry average), making it a great exercise bike for heavy riders as well. 

This bike doesn’t have tons of bells and whistles, but it has all you need to get a decent cardio workout. Adjust the magnetic resistance within eight present levels while you ride, and see basic stats on your time, speed, distance, and calories burned on the little LCD screen. There’s no media shelf to hold a tablet, phone, or book, so this could be a better exercise bike option if you’re planning to pedal while doing audio-only workouts or watching something on your TV. 

The limited warranty runs out after two years, but reviewers have good things to say about its durability. (It’s earned a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Amazon from a collective 20,000+ reviews.) Many happy customers report using this bike for years without any issues, logging multi-hour workouts many times per week. “This machine reminds me of an old truck I used to own: looked terrible, but ran like a champ,” one reviewer writes. “The bike is approaching 9000 [miles] on the odometer and is showing its age, but has otherwise held up well.” And at just $250 — the price of about 50 to-go lattes — that kind of performance just can’t be beat.

Best Adjustable Exercise Bike Under $500: Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycling Trainer

If you typically ride outside or in a cycling class, you’re used to setting up your bike, so it fits you exactly. With the Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycling Bike, you can nearly replicate that fit and feel at home, thanks to the highly adjustable seat and handlebars. Both can be moved vertically, and the seat can also slide forward and back. With these tweaks, the bike can support riders up to 275 pounds and with a 31” to 42” inseam.

Once you find your ideal setup, you can ride hard without worry. In Amazon reviews, customers are impressed with how sturdy the bike feels, even when riding out of the saddle, thanks to the alloy steel frame and floor stabilizers. (It earned a 4.4 out of 5 overall rating after 6,000+ reviews.) The 49-pound flywheel and belt-drive system means this bike is smooth and quiet. “I can ride out of the saddle vigorously with no movement or instability. Thing is a rock,” one review wrote.

This is the only bike on this list with friction-based resistance. When you turn up the resistance, there’s a little leather strip that gets pressed against the flywheel to make pedaling harder. This means you have to judge the resistance level yourself by feel, and it isn’t always consistent from ride to ride, reviewers note. You’ll also need to keep it lubricated, so it doesn’t get noisy and, after a while, replace the leather completely, since it wears out with use. The common alternative, magnetic resistance, doesn’t require any upkeep but typically costs a little more at the outset.

The bike doesn’t have any onboard tech, though you can purchase a cadence or speed monitor separately to track your ride metrics if you’re invested. (And if you buy the bike on Sunny’s website instead of Amazon, they’ll throw in one for free.) You can then connect the monitor to a cycling app like Peloton or Zwift, or the brand’s completely free workout app called SunnyFit, which streams 1,300+ different types of workouts, including cycling, running, strength, stretching, and rowing.

The Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycling Bike is a simple, solid exercise bike that doesn’t offer anything fancy, but doesn’t have any real downsides, either. And because it doesn’t come with much, you can customize the bike to your liking. As one reviewer puts it: “All in all, this is an excellent machine and at this price point, it’s also a phenomenal value.”

Best Upright Exercise Bike Under $500: Schwinn 130 Upright Bike

Schwinn 130 Upright Bike

Schwinn 130 Upright Bike

This bike has a standard LCD display and offers a comfortable seat that places you directly upright for your ride. It’s also quite compact, making it great for home use. 

Shop Schwinn

Upright bikes are a great compromise. They offer a more comfortable and accessible experience compared to athletic cycling-style bikes (which pitch you forward as if on a road bike) but allow you to work a little harder than a leaned-back recumbent bike. The Schwinn 130 demos exactly why they’re called upright bikes: When you’re pedaling, your torso will be more or less vertical. 

It has a cushy seat and handlebars within reach, so you don’t need to lean forward to hold them. Because you’re seated upright, it’s also compact; this model’s footprint is about the size of half a yoga mat, and customers note that it can be easily moved around by tipping it up onto the front wheels — a win if you’re looking to save space.

Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

This Schwinn has a standard LCD screen with stats and basic guided workout programs — but it also comes with a pretty snazzy feature you can’t see just by looking. This bike can connect via Bluetooth to your phone, tablet, or TV, so you can use other indoor cycling apps to coach your rides. Amazon reviewers are obsessed with this capability and say that using the bike with an app like Zwift or JRNY has made their cardio significantly more engaging. Use the bike with guided workouts from the compatible Zwift or Explore the World apps, and the bike will even auto-adjust resistance as you ride.

The hardware’s not too shabby, either; this bike has a padded, contoured seat, oversized pedals, heart-rate-enabled handles, and a sleek-yet-solid metal frame. And it comes with a 10-year frame warranty and a 2-year parts warranty to back it up. (That’s pretty generous for a bike under $500.) One reviewer calls it, “surprisingly robust for a low cost option,” and says that it’s sturdy, quiet, and smooth, and offers a good variety of magnetic resistance across the 16 available levels. It comes with a water bottle holder and a media shelf (super handy if you’ve connected via Bluetooth). 

Overall, it earned a 4.6 on the brand’s site and a 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon as a result of more than 5,000 reviews. What’s keeping it from being a five? Like most other upright bikes, you can’t stand up to pedal on this model, so your workout intensity is limited to a certain extent. The seat can easily be swapped out, and that’s a good thing, as one customer wrote: “Only complaint I have is the seat becomes uncomfortable after the first 15 minutes of riding. I had to purchase a gel seat cushion which works wonders.”

Best Exercise Bike Under $500 for Small Spaces: Sharper Image Space Saving Stationary Bike

This home exercise bike is so small, it’s almost unbelievable. The seat and legs fold in when not in use, turning it into a sleek black rectangle and taking up very little space (about the size of a slim carry-on suitcase). You can slide it into a corner or under a table without anyone noticing you have a cycling bike in your home. Whether you live in a tiny apartment, share a dorm room, or want a bike that can fit under your office desk, this could be the difference between skipping your workout or logging 30+ minutes of easy cardio a day.

Despite its small size, this Sharper Image Stationary Bike can support riders up to 250lbs and between 5’ to 6’4” tall. Though it doesn’t have any type of display, the bike offers eight different resistance levels. The catch: It doesn’t have handlebars, so you’re not going to be able to stand up on this bike or log any intense workouts. 

Instead, it makes a great bike for those looking to gently pedal while working, watching TV, or reading. “It is so quiet I was able to use the bike as my wife was taking a nap right next to me,” one reviewer wrote. “It’s compact when it folds up and you can easily store it in a closet. It’s about 40 pounds but has wheels on the front which makes it easier to tuck away.” Though there are only 33 reviews on the Sharper Image site, it earned a 4.7 out of 5 rating.

The lack of handlebars means it can be tricky to get on and off, but there are some upsides: It forces you to engage your core and even gives you room to do arm exercises with hand weights while you pedal, as one reviewer points out. The bike features a cup holder for small items like a water bottle or phone. If you’re looking for something even smaller — perhaps a bike that doesn’t come with a seat, and lets you pedal while sitting in your office chair — check out these mini exercise bikes, too.

Best Budget Exercise Bike Under $500: Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike

If you’re looking for an exercise bike that has a minimal impact on your wallet and living space, a foldable exercise bike could be just the thing. This is one of the most affordable bikes on our list, and it’s a steal, coming in at under $200 on Amazon, where many reviewers call it a great piece of equipment for the price. 

When not in use, this bike folds up into a compact upright shape with a 22” x 20” footprint and transport wheels, making it easy to hide inside a coat closet. These two standout features are why Kate Meier, our expert tester and a certified personal trainer, gave it a stellar 5 out of 5 for footprint and portability as well as value. “It’s no frills, but super light and portable, so it’s great for small spaces,” she says. “You can roll it away as easily as a suitcase.”

Tester riding the Exerpeutic Folding Bike

Because it folds, this exercise bike isn’t quite as solid as the ones you’ve ridden in cycling classes or at the gym. You can’t stand and pedal, and the limited eight levels of resistance mean you can challenge yourself, but won’t be able to train too aggressively. It’s not a piece of equipment for athletes, but well suited for someone who wants a gentle cardio workout — for instance, to rehab an injury or pedal while watching TV. Still, despite the foldability and low price tag, Amazon reviewers — who’ve given the bike a 4.6 out of 5, overall — report that the bike is surprisingly stable, even on different types of floors.

The easy-to-read LCD display cycles between showing your distance, calories burned, time, speed, and heart rate, which it obtains via the hand pulse monitors on the handles. It’s not a lot, but it covers the basics, which is why Meier gave the tech capabilities a 3.5 out of 5. She gave the same rating for customizations, due to the fact that there’s no media shelf or water bottle holder, and limited adjustability of the seat and handlebars. “Overall, you get what you pay for,” Meier says. If you’re looking for a simple place to pedal, it could be just the thing you need.

Best Magnetic Exercise Bike Under $500: JOROTO X2 Indoor Exercise Bike

JOROTO X2 Indoor Exercise Bike

JOROTO X2 Indoor Exercise Bike

The quiet magnetic resistance here makes this a great option for at-home cardio workouts. Our testers think this is a great bike for beginning to intermediate riders — especially at its budget price tag. 

Shop Joroto

What creates resistance on an exercise bike? Sometimes it’s friction via a brake pad that’s pressed into the spinning flywheel. Other times, as is true in the case of this bike, the resistance comes from magnets. As you turn up the resistance dial on the JOROTO X2, the six built-in magnets move closer to the metal flywheel, increasing the magnetic pull and intensifying the resistance on each pedal stroke. 

Magnetic resistance comes with a few notable benefits: For one, unlike friction-based resistance, it’s silent and very smooth. There’s nothing pressing or rubbing against the flywheel, so you make less noise as you spin. It also requires less maintenance, as there are no brake pads that may need to be replaced. Many high-end exercise bikes use magnetic resistance (like those from Bowflex and NordicTrack), but you don’t need to pay big bucks to get it. Case in point: the JOROTO X2, which rings up just under $500.

For that price, you don’t just get magnetic resistance. This bike has many of the other essentials, including a dual water bottle holder that doubles as a tablet mount; a rotating digital display that shows speed, distance, time, and calories; a smooth belt-drive system; and a 35-pound flywheel that’s on par with other mid-range and even high-end models.

Reviewers — who’ve given it a 4.7 out of 5 rating overall on JOROTO’s site — are impressed with this bike’s value. “The weight and feel of the machine make it feel like the bike should have cost more than it did,” one customer writes. Some of the only critiques are that the seat is small and uncomfortable, that the resistance doesn’t go high enough, and that the digital display is lackluster and prone to issues — though many customers report that JAROTO’s customer service is outstanding and quick to send replacement parts, even occasionally outside the 1-year warranty. 

“I’d consider myself a beginner at spinning but am otherwise quite active. I can get at a 7/10 for difficulty when attempting to cycle [on this bike] at a slow speed with higher resistance,” one reviewer writes. It’s a great bike for beginner to intermediate riders who want a solid machine, but don’t want to splurge on a $1,000+ bike. Advanced riders may want to cough up the extra cash for a riding experience that meets their skill level though.

Best Folding Exercise Bike Under $500: Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike  

Folding exercise bikes might seem too good to be true, but they can serve their purpose rather well. Take it from one reviewer, who defends her Marcy Foldable Upright Bike even to her “bike snob” friends: “Just because these folding bikes look like folding ironing boards doesn’t mean they aren’t mechanically sound for what they do — it’s a great design that I wish I had decades ago — lightweight and takes up little space…this folding bike can be moved around (in front of the TV or in the kitchen) whenever I want.” The transport wheels make it easy to roll around, and when it’s folded, it can stand up by itself, meaning you don’t need to lean it against a wall or sofa.

The Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike provides users a stable ride.

Countless other customers report back happily, even after having this bike for years and years, earning the machine a 4.4 out of 5 after more than 7,000 global ratings. Users vouch that it’s held up well, and helped them cross-train for running races, stay active while dealing with injuries, or continue to exercise in old age. They attest that the magnetic resistance is whisper-quiet, the bike feels relatively sturdy while pedaling, and that it doesn’t vibrate the floor when in use. The bike has a large, padded foam seat and digital display that shows speed, distance, time, and calories.

That said, this bike isn’t one for intense training; it doesn’t offer much resistance (just eight levels) or support standing rides, and has a tendency to wobble if you pedal too hard. It’s also not the most inclusive option. Riders under 5’4” report having issues reaching the pedals and the recommended user weight maxes out at 220lbs, one of the lowest ratings we’ve seen in an exercise bike, folding or otherwise. If you’re within the height and weight range, though, and looking to pedal leisurely — and without sacrificing much space to a piece of cardio equipment — this under-$200 folding exercise bike is a steal.

Benefits of Exercise Bikes

Even the most budget-friendly home exercise bikes cost a few hundred dollars, which can be tough to stomach if you don’t have the extra cash. Instead of viewing it as a frivolous big purchase, try instead to think of it as an investment in your health. The hype around working out is warranted. Regular physical exercise is one of the single best things you can do for your health and indoor cycling is a great way to reap the benefits. (4) “There’s a reason kids are encouraged to learn how to ride a bike from a young age: It’s fun, and it’s great exercise!” says Amanda Capritto, a certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer.

Stronger Mind and Body

“Cycling brings an impressive collection of health benefits to the table: cardiovascular health, endurance, stamina, and muscular endurance are all improved with cycling, to name a few,” says Capritto. Stationary biking also increases bone density, which reduces your risk of breaking bones or developing osteoporosis later in life. (5) And any type of exercise is also strongly linked to positive changes in mental health; it can help reduce anxiety and depression, and improve mood, self-esteem, and cognitive function, according to research. (6)

Low-Impact, Beginner-Friendly Cardio

If you’re a beginner to exercise, starting a weight-loss journey, dealing with an injury, or have limited mobility, other types of cardio — think: running, plyometrics, jump-roping, or bouncy dance cardio classes — may leave you feeling worse instead of better. Indoor cycling is a fantastic, low-impact exercise option that allows you to get moving without putting tons of force on your body. Research shows that, over time, the workout can help you build lower-body strength and cardio fitness while maintaining a low risk of injury. (7)  

All-Weather Workouts Without Leaving the House

“Indoor exercise bikes provide access to cycling no matter the weather or outdoor conditions,” Capritto says. “Many people do not feel safe cycling outside. As someone who lived in Miami and trained for triathlons there, riding outside can be brutally terrifying for city dwellers. An exercise bike eliminates traffic as a reason to skip your session, so it can be someone’s golden ticket to exercising more frequently.” Not to mention, working out at home nixes the added time and cost that comes with commuting to the gym, which can make it a more accessible option for people who work multiple jobs, care for family members, or just have a lot to juggle.

What to Consider Before Buying an Exercise Bike Under $500 

An exercise bike is a big purchase even when you’re spending $500 or less. Since you’re sacrificing time, money, and space for a machine to help you meet your workout needs, you want to make sure it’s going to do what you want. Take a few minutes to think: Exactly what are you looking for in an exercise bike? 

Our tester riding a Schwinn IC4 exercise bike

Do you want a tool for high-intensity interval training or just a place to pedal while watching Netflix? Do you plan to store it away, or leave it in one place? How much are you really willing to spend, and how long do you hope it lasts? Here are a few key characteristics to consider when shopping for an at-home bike.

Space and Storage

Budget exercise bikes, in general, don’t have a hefty footprint. But one of the best things this category offers is exercise bikes that fold up for easy storage. Is that important to you, or would you rather have a more sturdy ride that stays in sight 24/7? Recumbent bikes are generally bulkier, so keep that in mind if you’re looking at that type of bike.

Resistance Type

When you’ve been tapping the resistance up or down on an exercise bike, you probably haven’t stopped to give much thought to how that dial or button is making it harder to pedal. The exact mechanism of resistance depends on the bike, usually falling into a few different camps. The most basic is friction-based resistance, which involves pressing a brake pad (usually made of leather or cotton) into the spinning flywheel. The next level up is magnetic resistance, which uses magnetic pull to slow the momentum of the flywheel. Then there are air bikes, which use air; they have a fan flywheel that becomes harder to pedal the faster you go. 

Workout Intensity

When checking out at-home exercise bikes, you’ll need to consider how hard you like to work out. If you love doing HIIT training or riding out of the saddle, you’ll want an upright bike that’s stable, durable, and built to withstand that kind of movement. If you’re looking to pedal at a more leisurely pace, an upright bike with a bigger seat, a recumbent bike, or a foldable exercise bike might work for you.

Cost

If you’re on this page, cost is already one of the main factors you’re keeping in mind as you look for an exercise bike. No budget bike will rival the experience you get on a high-end bike, with features like a built-in HD touchscreen and automatic resistance and incline adjustments, but it will give you a place to log some low-impact cardio at home. How long do you want to bike to last, and how much are you willing to spend per day, month, or year of use? That can help keep the cost in perspective.

How Much Do Exercise Bikes Cost?

Like other pieces of workout equipment, the price range for exercise bikes is huge, from about $100 to several thousands. All the bikes here come in under $500, but there’s still a big difference from the most affordable to the top of the category. To help you see the price differences clearly, here’s a cost breakdown of all our top exercise bike picks under $500.

For as little as $180, you can get a home exercise bike that lets you pedal and increase the resistance, but not much more. To get more features, you’ll need to bump your budget by at least $200. That’ll get you into a range of products with more comfortable seats, better digital displays, and a more sturdy feel. If you’d like to log more athletic or aggressive workouts or stand up while you pedal, you’ll need to get closer to $500 to find a bike that’s suitable for you. These models are still budget-friendly but will feel more like what you’ve tried in a gym.

Riding the Yosuda YB001R Magnetic Exercise Bike.

Our expert testers and online customer reviews echo the sentiment that, when it comes to budget exercise bikes, you typically get what you pay for. These bikes will serve their purpose and perhaps stick around for a few years, but beyond that, aren’t likely to stand the test of effort or time. If you’re looking for a “forever bike”, a slightly more mid-market or high-end exercise bike might be the move for you.

Types of Exercise Bikes 

If you’re shopping for an exercise bike, your first step should be to determine which type of bike you want. There are four main categories: upright, cycling, recumbent, and air. Here are the details on each type.

Cycling

Cycling bikes are the ones you’ll see in a studio class or gym. They have a spinning metal flywheel, a seat more-or-less directly over the pedals, and handlebars somewhat far away from the seat — so you have to lean forward to hold them. They typically have hard, slim seats and allow you to stand up and pedal. In all, they replicate the experience of being on a road bike that you’d ride outside.

Upright

An upright bike is exactly what it sounds like: a stationary bike that positions you in a relatively upright position with the handlebars within reach. They typically have bigger, cushier seats than cycling bikes, and aren’t conducive to riding out of the saddle. If you’ve ridden a cruiser bike outside, that’s a great reference for what upright stationary bikes feel like.

Recumbent

A recumbent bike offers the most easy-going workout of the four types of exercise bikes. A recumbent bike usually has a backrest in addition to a spacious seat, allowing you to sit back while you pedal. The seat is typically situated well behind the pedals rather than over the top. 

Our tester on the NordicTrack Commercial R35

Because you have less of your own weight in your legs while pedaling, and you don’t need to support your torso to stay upright, recumbent bikes tend to be easier overall and offer a lower-intensity workout. “Seniors and individuals with limited mobility may struggle to get on and off of an exercise bike, in which case a recumbent bike is recommended,” adds Amanda Capritto, a certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer.

Air

There aren’t any air bikes (aka fan bikes) on this list, but you may have seen one in a gym, functional fitness studio, or CrossFit box. “Air bikes are powered by the user, with a fan flywheel that creates resistance,” Capritto says. They’re generally motorless, and instead of handlebars, they often have two large moving arms that you push and pull in addition to pedaling with your feet. For this reason, “air bikes differ from recumbent and upright bikes in that they engage the upper body, thus providing a full-body workout,” Capritto adds.

Final Word 

Buying a piece of at-home cardio equipment can make a big difference in your workout routine, and thus, your life. It sounds like a tad dramatic, but squeezing in some exercise every day or a few times per week can help you feel better mentally and physically — and one of the best ways to make that happen is to have a dedicated place to break a sweat within your home. If you’re looking for a basic tool to fill that need, the good news is that there are plenty of exercise bikes under $500 that are up to the task. 

Even on a budget, you can find an exercise bike that fits you, depending on your home, workout routine, and needs. Are you looking to power through a virtual spin class, train for a race, or pedal leisurely while catching up on TV shows? Do you prefer the comfort of a recumbent bike, or want to be able to stand up out of the saddle? Is it important that you can stash the bike away when you have company, or do you have a spacious home gym or guest room where it could live? And finally, is it important to get the most affordable exercise bike possible, or would it be in your best interest to bump it up a notch? All of these questions are worth considering before you hit “add to cart.”

FAQs

References

Chavarrias M, Carlos-Vivas J, Collado-Mateo D, Pérez-Gómez J. Health Benefits of Indoor Cycling: A Systematic Review. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 Aug 8;55(8):452. 

Rissel C, Passmore E, Mason C, Merom D. Two pilot studies of the effect of bicycling on balance and leg strength among older adults. J Environ Public Health. 2013;2013:686412. 

Recumbent Bike vs. Upright Bike: What’s the difference? International Sports Sciences Association. (2019, July 31). https://www.issaonline.com/blog/post/recumbent-bike-vs-upright-bike-whats-the-difference 

Benefits of Physical Activity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, Aug 1).  https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm 

Petersen BA, Hastings B, Gottschall JS. Low load, high repetition resistance training program increases bone mineral density in untrained adults. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2017 Jan-Feb;57(1-2):70-76.

Sharma A, Madaan V, Petty FD. Exercise for mental health. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2006;8(2):106. 

Ozaki H, Loenneke JP, Thiebaud RS, Abe T. Cycle training induces muscle hypertrophy and strength gain: strategies and mechanisms. Acta Physiol Hung. 2015 Mar;102(1):1-22. 

American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart Association. (2024, Jan 19).

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