If you’re in the market for a new stationary piece of exercise equipment, we highly recommend looking into purchasing a Costco exercise bike.
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We’re sure you already know how important it is to get that cardio in, though going to the gym or going for a traditional bike ride is something that all of us unfortunately do not have time for.
This is where owning an exercise bike comes in handy, as you can hit your cardio goals without every leaving the comfort of your living room.
With the insane variety of exercise bikes on the market, it can be difficult to find the perfect one for you.
Most of us don’t want to blow our whole paycheck for one of these either. This is why we’ve curated a small list of some of our favorite quality stationary bikes on the market today so you can stop surfing the Internet and start burning those calories!
The 4 Best Bets
#1 Pick - Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike (MY17)
Schwinn has been doing it right with their bikes for years, and the Schwinn 270 is no different. This bike was made for a smooth and smart workout for just about any fitness level.
The Schwinn 270 comes with 25 levels of resistance, so that you can challenge yourself across the spectrum, and the high-speed weighted flywheel keeps your workout ultra-quiet and smooth as butter. Some exercise bike seats can be very uncomfortable.
This is why we love the amount of work Schwinn put into their cushioned seat. Did we mention it is also vented in the back and comes with a lumbar support feature? You can access all your workout metrics with the dual blue LCD windows and sift through the 29 different programs.
If you want to challenge your friends or put your goals up against the Schwinn community, you can even upload your stats to the MyFitnessPal and Schwinn app via USB!
#2 Schwinn 170 Upright Bike (MY17)
Again with the Schwinn! A bit different than the 270-model because of its upright design, this bike is built with an incredibly strong steel frame and comes with wheels in the front and integrated levelers in the back that make for a very sturdy workout.
The console is basically identical, and has dual blue backlit LCD windows, 29 different programs, quick access speed and resistance buttons, and USB / Bluetooth transfer to MyFitnessPal and the Schwinn Trainer App.
Oh yea, it also comes with a solid set of speakers for your cardio house mix and a three-speed fan to keep you cool. With 20 levels of computer-controlled resistance, there is a setting on here for just about any level of biker.
#3 Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse
Exerpeutic brings a high-quality magnetic folding bike to the market that provides a solid and simple workout that is perfect for your home.
The bike features 8 levels of magnetic tension resistance and has a precision-balanced flywheel and v-belt drive to keep your workout smooth and silent. The hand pulse monitor is a great little feature so you can keep track of your heart rate.
The seat is large and cushioned, though beware, even though it is adjustable, it will only work for people in-between 5’3” and 6’1” and under 300lbs. It doesn’t come with the fancy LCD screens, speakers, or fans, though if you just want a plain old workout or don’t want to sell a kidney for a bike, this is an excellent option.
#4 Body Rider Exercise Upright Fan Bike
Though it may look like it, this is not a bike for catching gators out in the everglades.
The Body Rider Upright Fan Bike has a sturdy steel “H” frame design and can support up to 250lbs, even though it is only 47lbs itself. That being said, it is a little bulky and won’t fold up very nicely in a smaller place.
Unique when compared to other bikes, the resistance on this one comes from a fan attached to an adjustable knob. Body Rider is able to make a legitimate low cost exercise bike by doing so.
The bike is very smooth and quiet and comes equipped with dual action extended handlebars to get in that upper and lower body. The pedals are nice and big for the wide-footed people and the seat is comfortable as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of exercise bikes?
There are 3 main types of exercise bikes that each has their own pros and cons.
Upright Exercise Bikes
These are probably the most popular in terms of at-home exercise bikes. They put the rider in an upright position that is fairly different from riding a traditional outdoor bicycle. You’ll typically find that these types of bikes work with magnetic tension or resistance Though an avid bike rider may not feel totally at home because of the difference in style, these are by far the least expensive types of exercise bikes out there.
Spinning Exercise Bikes
If you are an avid bike rider, you’ll probably love this type more than any other because of the riding style similarities. Because it is shaped like a bicycle that you would lean forward into, you end up being able to get more intense workouts with your ability to stand and really drive your body into it. These types of exercise bikes come equipped with weighted flywheel that will continue to spin even when you stop pedaling. If you’re used to riding a fixed gear bicycle, you’ll feel right at home.
Recumbent Exercise Bikes
These are the Jack Johnsons of the exercise bike world. We only mean that they look super chill. Don’t underestimate them though, as you can still get a great workout from riding one. They’re best for those that have back problems, as you can recline yourself when you workout. You also end up getting a much harder workout in your legs because they are basically doing all the work. These typically come with the same kinds of weighted flywheels that are on spinning bikes, though usually cost a bit more too.
What do I consider before purchasing an exercise bike?
Display
While some people may not be as critical about their workout, there are many who like having the convenience of an onboard display to give them their workout metrics, heart rate, distance, and other programmed features. Most importantly, if you do want a display on your bike, make sure that it is user-friendly.
Levels Of Resistance
If you want to really get in-depth with your workouts, having low to high resistance levels, as well as everything in between, is very important. The more you have, the more you can get a workout that is true to the terrain of the world. We’d highly recommend looking for a bike that has at least 20 different resistance levels.
Height, Weight, and Comfort
Always make sure that the bike you are going to purchase will work for you! If you’re anywhere from 5’3”-6’1”, you should be good with any bike. Any shorter or taller and you may need to search a little harder. Most bikes don’t support anyone above 300lbs, especially upright bikes, so make sure you look at the weight capacity. Lastly, if you don’t want to buy an extra cushion, make sure the seat on the bike is fit for universal comfort. Nothing worse than a sore booty after a good ride!
What muscles do exercise bikes target?
Working with an at-home stationary bike not only gets those legs working, but also gets into your glutes and hip flexors, as well as your abdominals and obliques.
