If you’ve been looking to lose weight and aren’t sure what the ideal piece of equipment is, you’ll want to check out exercise bikes. Cyclists are some of the fittest athletes on earth and you may have also noticed how lean they are. Cycling is a pure calorie-burning activity, and the great thing is that it’s easy to do.
You don’t have to start doing Cross Fit to lose weight, or train for a marathon–biking can help get you there. It is a superior cardio choice as it not only strengthens your heart and lungs, but is a consistent way to burn energy.
An exercise bike that you have at home is a safe, effective, and affordable way for you to achieve weight loss and get as healthy as possible.
But how do you navigate through all the different exercise bike options? We’ve got you covered with a review of the ten best.
ULTRASPORT F-BIKE AND F-RIDER
Ultrasport makes great home exercise bikes. Not only is this one affordable, it’s effective, and space saving. It folds up so it can be transported away and stored making it a great choice if you live in a small space.
It features 8 different resistance levels which are important for changing the intensity of your workout. Being able to increase the intensity of your workouts allows you to get fitter and stronger which helps lead to weight loss.
This is an ideal choice if you’re new to fitness, or have been exercising for quite a while.
Pros
- Pulse monitor to track your heart rate
- Adjustable seat to accommodate riders of different sizes
- Light, yet sturdy to hold up to vigorous riding
Cons
- Not many features
- No pre-programmed training options
- No space for tablets, phone, or water bottle holder
JLL IC300 PRO Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike
The IC300 is a serious entry for the best exercise bike for weight loss. This is a pro level unit that has the features to back it up. First off, it is built extremely well and provides an ultra quiet ride.
This is perfect if you live with other people and don’t want to disturb them while you exercise. It has an adjustable seat so you can find the best riding position and a heart rate monitor to make sure you stay in your target heart rate training zone.
It also features a large LCD monitor to display your workout stats including time, distance, calories, speed, and RPM. The IC300 is the type of exercise bike that you would find in a well-equipped fitness club.
Pros
- Covers you for any style of workout
- Caters to very serious workouts
- Heart rate monitors are built into the handles
Cons
- Doesn’t fold up for storage
- More expensive than a lot of other options
XS Sports SB500
The SB500 is another serious home exercise bike. This is a bit more affordable option than the IC300, but still comes with a lot of great features. This bike is designed for a heavy duty workout session and can hold up to intense exercise.
The SB500 is not just for elite athletes but caters to those just getting started in their fitness and weight loss journey. This bike has a professional racing seat but is still comfortable. It’s fully adjustable to get you in the best riding position, but it is also safe.
The SB500 features an emergency stop lever so you can exercise knowing you are safe. This is another exercise bike that would be very at home in any high-end gym.
DeskCycle2 Mini Exercise Bike
You may have not seen a mini exercise bike before, but they are still a great way to lose weight. They are also convenient and give you the option to exercise while working as they can easily fit under a desk.
Long periods of sitting have been associated with excess weight, and the DeskCycle 2 gives you the ability to break up that period of inactivity. It features a magnetic resistance which still gives you a smooth ride.
If you think of what an exercise bike is, it’s sitting while peddling. This takes away the rest of the bike and leaves you with the pedals which are the main point of the activity.
This piece of equipment can be taken anywhere to transform any environment into a workout.
Pros
- 8 levels of resistance to change intensities
- An LCD display to show time, distance, and speed
- Features the same type of magnetic resistance used on more expensive exercise bikes
Cons
- May take some getting used to
- No handles for support
ANCHEER Exercise Bike Fitness Bike
Ancheer offers a stylish, effective, and very compact bike to help you in your weight loss needs. This folding bike is also two bikes in one. It can be a regular upright exercise bike, but also folds into a recumbent position giving you another riding option.
The recumbent position is ideal if you have any type of lower back issues, as the seating position takes pressure off of the back. It also has 10 levels of resistance which is more than most exercise bikes out there. It is also fully adjustable and has a very supportive and comfortable seat that features a backrest.
Again, not many exercise bikes provide a supported backrest which makes it an ideal choice for those with stability issues.
Pros
- Digital monitor and built-in pulse hand grips
- Caters for any person from kids to the elderly
- Possibly the easiest bike to move and store
- Features an app for more training options
Cons
- Some have issues with the pedals not being securely fastened
- Takes some assembly
JLL IC400 PRO
The IC400 is one of the elite exercise bike options out there. It is more expensive than most options, but you’re getting the utmost quality with this bike. What makes this bike stand out–besides its elite build quality–is the technology it offers.
The IC400 PRO uses the iConsole Bluetooth connection to monitor everything to do with your workout. It also gives you one of the most accurate heart rate monitoring functions available.
It will measure the usual info like speed, time, distance, etc but also provides info on RPM and watts. The direct driven belt also provides the highest-quality, smoothest, and silent riding experience you can find.
Pros
- Elite build quality and performance
- Premium seat, pedals, and handlebars
- Built-in pulse rate monitors into the handlebars
Cons
- A more expensive option
- Some people have issues connecting the app
Nero Sports Upright Exercise Bike
Nero Sports offers an excellent exercise bike if you are looking to start exercising at home and lose weight. But this is more than just a simple bike, and looks right out of spinning class.
It has a premium build quality and contains all the features you’d want including a water bottle holder, and tablet holder to watch your own entertainment while working out.
It also has a super soft seat for added comfort and some great technology. You can track your heart rate while riding with built-in pulse sensors. This bike caters to the serious rider and features toe clips for cycling shoes and genuine riding experience.
This is an exercise bike that will motivate you to exercise as just looking at it makes you want to be active–and it helps you to track your journey and results
Pros
- Similar to a high-end bike you would use in quality gym or spin class
- Transport wheels for easy movement and storage
- Very silent riding experience
Cons
- May not cater to seniors or someone looking for a simple ride
- More on the pricier side
XS Sports B400R
The B400R is the option to go for if you’re looking for a recumbent bike. As mentioned earlier, the recumbent position of the seat takes the pressure off the lower back and allows for an extended period of exercise.
If you have the capacity for a regular workout but are limited by back pain–it can set you back in your weight loss pursuits. A bike like the B400R allows you to get an extended workout without the pain and aggravation that may come from being hunched over on an upright bike.
This bike is also an ideal choice for seniors or anyone with mobility issues. It is much easier to get in and out of than an upright bike and also features side handles for added support and stability.
Pros
- Usable by anyone, not just those with pain and mobility issues
- Very comfortable with a deep padded seat
- LCD display to track your workout stats
Cons
- Takes up more space than an upright bike
- More difficult to transport and store
Exerpeutic 400XL
The 400Xl is a unique exercise bike option. This is an ideal choice that can support people of any weight and size. It is a combination of an upright and recumbent bike.
It is designed to be easier to get onto so caters to those with mobility issues. It doesn’t feature regular handlebars, but side handlebars like a recumbent bike for more support.
It has a larger seat and backrest than usual which, again, helps to cater to anyone of larger weight. It still provides a smooth and quiet ride with it’s V-belt double-drive transmission system.
Besides these design advantages, the 400Xl still has a pulse rate monitor and 8-level magnetic tension control system.
Pros
- The ideal choice for those who would have trouble with other forms of exercise
- A hybrid experience which combines the best of a recumbent and upright bike
- One of the easiest bikes to get in and out of
- And ideal choice for weight loss
Cons
- Wouldn’t appeal to someone looking for an upright exercise bike
Bluefin Fitness TOUR 5.0 Exercise Bike
The TOUR 5.0 is the choice if you’re looking for the closest experience to riding outdoors. This is an exercise bike that you will see in clubs that offer virtual spin classes.
What makes this bike stand out is that it is integrated with the KINOMAP app which connects to your smartphone. With this, you have access to thousands of training videos from around the world.
You can follow outdoor journeys that are displayed to your TV. You also have access to structured workouts along with training and coaching programs.
This bike is basically like having a fitness class and personal trainer in your own home. It is also a heavy-duty bike that is virtually silent when being ridden.
Pros
- An endless amount of workouts and training programs
- Backlit LCD digital fitness console
- Magnetic braking
- Built-in wheels for easy movement and storage
Cons
- Requires some technological savvy
- Needs a smartphone and smart TV or monitor to use the programs
What to Look Out for In an Exercise Bike for Losing Weight
The first thing you need to consider is your budget. Once you have that in mind, you can start to look for the ideal exercise bike to fit your price range. You need to decide on what the must-have features are to get the best possible bike for yourself. If you’re someone who benefits from coaching and instruction, you’ll want to go for a choice that has an app, or programs that you can follow.
You also need to consider any physical limitations you might have. If you have mobility issues, or trouble getting around, you may want to opt for an exercise bike that has a recumbent seat feature to it.
If you live in a smaller space, the size of the exercise bike will be of concern to you. This list features several folding bikes which are ideal to use in a space of any size.
Another thing to consider is how much you’ll be using it. Weight loss requires some consistency and dedication and you’ll need to decide if you will be using it everyday, or a few times a week. If you are just getting started on your weight loss journey, you can go for a simple model that you could use 3-5 times a week. If you have experience with exercise, and are looking to lose a little weight, you may want a more advanced bike that would work well with regular cycling, but can also handle some high intensity intervals. It needs to be able to handle the intensity you throw at it, so consider a strong, well built bike over a smaller, fold up option.
Personal Trainer Tips
Warm up is important before cycling, and the best thing you can do is start with a 5 to 10 minute low intensity cycle to warm yourself up. This will increase blood flow to working muscles, and elevate the heart rate to get it ready for exercise. Make sure to finish with a 5-10 minute cool down at a lower intensity to avoid muscle cramping or blood pooling in the muscles.
Stretching at the end of your ride will also be important for starting the recovery period. You can use the bike to help support you during leg and quad stretches. The inside of the bike can also be used to place your heel for some hamstring stretches. Having a few days a week where you do some intervals can be a great way to boost weight loss. This form of high-intensity interval training may even burn more calories–leading to more weight loss–than just steady-state pedalling. These intervals involve doing an all-out sprint at a higher intensity on the bike’s resistance for around 30 seconds. You would then lower the intensity and pedal at a recovery phase for around 90 seconds. You can do 3-5 rounds of this 1 to 2 times a week. This, added with regular use, can be a great way to promote weight loss and better health.