Fitness
Health

The best recumbent bike for low-impact home workouts

Work out without triggering joint pain.
By Miller Kern  on 
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Our Top 3 Picks

NordicTrack Commercial VR35 (opens in a new tab)

Best For A Studio Class Experience

With plenty of bells and whistles, this recumbent bike is great for cycling veterans.

The Good

  • Bluetooth enabled
  • Touchscreen with on-demand classes
  • Virtual bike paths
  • Includes a free 30 day iFit membership
  • Automatic resistance control

The Bad

  • Might have too many features for some users

The Bottom Line

The NordicTrack VR35 has tons of great features for the ultimate cycling experience.
Pros & Cons

Schwinn 270 (opens in a new tab)

Best Bang For Your Buck

With training programs and virtual trails, the Schwinn offers a lot while still remaining relatively affordable compared to the competition.

The Good

  • Virtual races and trails
  • Bluetooth connected
  • Comfortable seat

The Bad

  • Some users reported inaccuracies with heart rate monitoring

The Bottom Line

This affordable option offers some seriously great features.
Pros & Cons

Sole LCR Recumbent Bike (opens in a new tab)

Best Resistance Range

Work on your muscle tone and endurance with this bike that features a whopping 40 resistance levels.

The Good

  • 40 resistance levels
  • Ergonomic design
  • Heavy flywheel
  • Bluetooth enabled

The Bad

  • Pricey for not having connected workouts

The Bottom Line

If you want to get a cardio workout and build muscle on your recumbent bike, the Sole LCR's wide resistance level will help you do just that.
Pros & Cons

Exercise bikes provide a great home cardio workout that puts less strain on your joints than running on a treadmill. Out of the different types of stationary exercise bikes, recumbent bikes are best for beginners, seniors, or people who don't want to put as much pressure or weight on their joints.

What is a recumbent bike?

A recumbent bike is an exercise bike that positions you in a reclined form while pedaling. Think of it sort of like a rowing machine, but your feet pedal instead of your arms pulling back a cord. And unlike a typical stationary bike, the pedals are in front of your body rather than underneath it. Because you are leaning back, a recumbent bike can feel a bit awkward before you master it. (Obviously, recumbent bikes are big on the streets as well, but we're talking about the stationary, at-home workout type here.)

The difference between a recumbent bike and upright bike

An upright bike is what you’d typically think of when you picture a stationary bike. You ride it like a normal bicycle, with your body straight up and down. Think of a Peloton.

A recumbent bike has a larger seat more like a chair, so you avoid that uncomfortable soreness you'd typically get from a bike seat. The reclined position of the seat is easier on the lower back — plus most recumbent bikes have seat backs for more support than you'd find in an upright bike. You won't be hunched over handlebars like you would be on an upright exercise bike.

Which recumbent bike is best?

When determining the best recumbent bike for you, you really need to think about the design of the bike and how it's going to work with your body. If you have a bad back, you'll want a bike with a more supportive seat. While on the topic of seats: Short people, make sure the seat will slide to a position where your feet can reach the pedals comfortably. An exercise bike is worthless if you can't use it properly and safely.

The levels of resistance a bike has will determine how tough your workout is. If you're new to the world of stationary biking, you can probably stick with lower resistance, but if you're a regular cycler, you're going to want those extra levels of restraint to get the most out of your workout.

We've picked out some of the best recumbent bikes to add to your home gym. Let's ride.

Best For A Studio Class Experience
Credit: Mashable Photo Composite/nordictrack
Specs
  • Levels of resistance: 26
  • Display: 14-inch HD touchscreen

We're kicking off with the fanciest recumbent bike, the NordicTrack Commercial VR35(opens in a new tab). This baby is like having a personal trainer in your home. Its 14-inch HD touchscreen is interactive and features on-demand workout videos, virtual backgrounds that make you feel like you're cycling through the mountains of New Zealand or through a national park in Utah, and a comprehensive look at your stats like heart rate and elevation. You'll also get automatic, trainer-controlled resistance when taking classes, so you can focus more on working out and less on fiddling with controls.

The bike's seat is ergonomic, has lumbar support, and glides easily so you can adjust to a comfortable position. It features hand grips on either side of the seat and even has a cupholder so you can stay hydrated as you spin. Oh, and there's also a fan below the screen that will keep you cool as you break a sweat.

While this bike is suitable for all users regardless of skill level, it's really great for experienced riders because it has 26 levels of resistance and a 25-pound flywheel for a hearty workout.

Best Bang For Your Buck
Credit: schwinn / mashable composite
Specs
  • Levels of resistance: 25
  • Display: Backlit LCD screen with panel

You know and love Schwinn for their street bikes, so it's no surprise that people rave about the brand's recumbent bike. The Schwinn 270(opens in a new tab) combines comfort with cardio. Sit back in the ventilated seat with lumbar support and a padded, contoured base while your hands naturally fall to the ergonomic handlebars.

Through the backlit LCD screen you can track your goals, participate in programs, and try out virtual races and trails. The machine is Bluetooth connected to transfer your stats and goals to the Schwinn app so you can track your progress on your phone.

With 25 resistance levels, immersive training, and a comfort-forward design, the Schwinn 270 is a top tier recumbent bike and an excellent deal.

Best Resistance Range
Credit: Mashable photo compisite/Sole
Specs
  • Levels of resistance: 40
  • Display: 10.1-inch LCD screen

If you're looking to build endurance and muscle on your recumbent bike, the Sole LCR is your best bet. While the brand is known for treadmills, this upgraded recumbent bike packs a serious punch. It comes decked out with 40 different resistance levels — the most of any bike on this list. It also features a heavy 30-pound flywheel for an ultra smooth ride and is suitable for folks up to 350 pounds.

While the price point is a bit high for a bike without interactive workouts, the LCR is Bluetooth enabled and syncs with other fitness apps on your phone or tablet to monitor workout stats.

More in Health

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Miller Kern
Assistant Reviews Editor

Miller Kern is the Assistant Reviews Editor at Mashable, where she's been covering products and shopping since 2019. If there's a hot new product or a trend going viral on TikTok, Miller's ready to put it through the wringer to see if it's worth the hype.


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