Cyclists are some of the fittest athletes on earth. Their cardiovascular endurance is second to none, and they have extremely low levels of body fat. This is because when you pedal, you primarily engage your cardiovascular system. Your heart and lungs are directly targeted due to the seated position. When you have to run—or be upright—there are many other functions working. There is more muscular endurance recruitment as the legs and core have to keep you supported and propel you. There is more direct muscle engagement from running, and if the muscles fatigue—your workout will have to end even if your cardiovascular system can still go.
This is one of the enormous benefits to an exercise bike; you can exercise for a long duration compared to when you may have had to cut a running workout short. In the long run, an exercise bike can be one of the best ways to boost your cardiovascular health, your fitness, and decrease body fat at the same time. A longer cardio session on an exercise bike means more calories burned, and the decreased body fat that comes from that.
But with all the exercise bikes out there, how do you choose the best to get your results? And what if budget is a concern for you, as it is for most of us right now? Whether you have a budget of £200, £300 or a budget of £500 our experts have done the research and compiled a list of the best available bikes for each budget.
This is a look at the best exercise bikes for under £300.
Best Exercise Bike Under £300
We have researched and tested 10 of the most popular exercise bikes on the market right now. We have then selected our top five recommendations and provided at least one buyer’s tip for each bike.
Customers Top Rated
| Image | Exercise Bike | Max User Weight | Resistance | Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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WINNOW Exercise Bike Fitness Bike | 120kg | 8 Resistance Levels | Check Feedback and Price |
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2WD Exercise Bike | 120kg | Variable | Check Feedback and Price |
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We R Sports Exercise Bike | 100kg | Variable | Check Feedback and Price |
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XS Sports SB500 | 125kg | Variable | Check Feedback and Price |
Our Top Picks
| Exercise Bike | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasport F-bike And F-rider Fitness Bike | 8/10 Best Budget Exercise Bike |
Check Price on Amazon |
| Dripex Upright Exercise Bikes | 9/10 Best Overall Exercise Bike |
Check Price on Amazon |
| Jackcomcom Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike | 8/10 Best Recumbent Exercise Bike |
Check Price on Amazon |
5. Jll Ic200 Pro Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike
Coming in at number 5 on our list is the JLL IC200. This is a tremendous—and inexpensive—indoor cycling bike. If you love spin classes, and high-intensity interval training, this is the ideal bike for you. It looks like it’s right out of a spin class and is meant for some serious exercise. The IC200 features a magnetic resistance system so you can change intensities on the fly. It comes with an 18 kg flywheel, which gives you a smooth pedal experience, but is quiet at the same time. This bike will hold up to your intense workout, but not disturb those around you.
This exercise bike also comes with some great technology. It has an LCD display monitor which allows you to track your stats such as time, distance, distance, and calories burned. It also has a built-in pulse sensor so you can accurately track your heart rate and make sure you’re in the right training zone. Another thing you’ll love about the IC200 is how customizable it is. You can adjust the seat and handlebars to find the perfect riding position for you. This is important because if you aren’t in the correct position; you’ll fatigue and expend more energy than you should be. It also has built in wheels so you can move it anywhere you want a workout. If you’re looking to get started with indoor cycling, this is the perfect choice.
Pros
- Heavy-duty but extremely quiet
- Foot straps for better security
- Only 31 kg
Cons
- Battery powered so needs battery replacements
4. JACKCOMCOM Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
At number four on our list of the best exercise bikes for under £300 is the JACKCOMCOM. This is a low profile, recumbent exercise bike. It’s perfect for those with lower back issues and can use the relief from the recumbent seat position. It is also lower to the ground making it easier to get in and out of. This is perfect for anyone with mobility issues. If you are a senior, or have mobility problems, the JACKCOMCOM is the ideal choice to still boost your cardiovascular health, and burn calories, while getting fitter. One great feature with this bike is the recumbent handles for added support. Grasping these side handles will help take away further stress on the lumbar and lower back.
This exercise bike comes with 8 different resistance levels meaning you can always adjust the intensity of your workouts. Despite its ability to still handle intense exercising, this entire unit only weighs 27 kg. It doesn’ take up a lot of room and can be easily moved around. Technology-wise, you still get an LCD display to track your workout stats, and a pulse monitor through metallic strips built-into the handlebars. This is great to make sure you are training in the right heart rate range. You don’t have to be a senior to get great results from this bike, and it is a highly rated choice on Amazon.
Pros
- Caters to all levels of fitness
- Ergonomically designed seat
- Adjustable pedals
Cons
- Not the choice for spinning workouts
- Heavier unit which can be tougher to move
3. Dripex Upright Exercise Bikes
If you’re looking to take your spin class home with you, the Dripex upright exercise bike is the ultimate choice and the number 3 best exercise bike for under £300. This is a stylish looking bike that would be at home in any high-end fitness club. What you get with it is the ability to get the best workout possible. It features a heavy bidirectional flywheel to give you a really challenging, calorie burning workout. It has a very supportive seat, and anti-slip pedals so you can go as hard as you want and know you’re being held secure. This bike is so heavy duty that it can hold weights of up to 330 pounds. It also has an emergency stop brake which will give you even more peace of mind during an intense workout.
You get the ability to track your stats with the LCD display, and your entire ride will be virtually silent because of the Dripex’s belt drive system. An amazing feature for a bike at this price point is the limitless resistance. This gives you an infinite amount of resistance levels to always change and adjust your workout to. This is the ultimate choice for intense home workouts. You’ll get a high-energy workout on a bike that looks amazing. This is the type of exercise bike that motivates you to get on and get working out.
Pros
- Can accommodate all sizes
- Emergency stop brake
- Very light and easy to move
Cons
- Requires assembly
- No pre programmed workouts
2. JLL® JF100 Home Exercise Bike
At number two on the list is the JLL JF100. This upright exercise bike is perfect if you are looking for general fitness, and aren’t concerned with super high-intensity spinning workouts. If you have any lower back issues, but don’t need a recumbent bike–an upright bike like the JF100 is your best choice. Since you are in the upright position, you don’t have to hang over the handlebars the way you would with an indoor cycling bike. But the JF100 will still give you a great calorie burning workout to get you on your way to better health and fitness.
It features an amazing 10 different levels of resistance so you can always up the intensity of your workouts depending on how you’re feeling. If you want a great long and comfortable pedal experience, this is the bike to go for. You will also be able to track your time, distance, speed, and calories burned with the LCD display. It also has a heart rate monitor built into the handlebars. The direct driven belt makes your workouts super quiet, but still very smooth. If you are looking to get fit at home, lose weight, and are on a budget–the JF100 is the ideal choice.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Very small footprint
- Multiple resistance levels
Cons
- Not ideal for higher intensity cycling
- No tablet or water bottle holder
1. Ultrasport F-Bike and F-Rider, Fitness Bike Trainer
At number one on the list is the very affordable, and convenient Ultrasport F-Bike. This amazing exercise bike not only has a ton of great features to help you get fit–but it’s also the most compact. The entire bike is foldable so can easily be stored out of the way and brought out whenever you’re ready to workout. This makes it the ideal choice if you live in a small space or apartment. What’s amazing with the Ultrasport is not only is it compact, it still can give you an intense workout. It has 8 different levels of resistance. You can still track your stats such as time, calories, speed, distance, and even your pulse.
It’s amazing to be able to train this effectively on a bike that can fold up, and that is so affordable. Despite it being foldable, you can still adjust it to get the perfect seat height for your ride. The fact you can still track your heart rate at this price point is very impressive. There is also the option to fo for the F-Bike Heavy which is an even more solid version that can accommodate weights of up to 130kg. At this price, and with these features, the Ultrasport is the ultimate way to get the fittest you’ve ever been in the comfort of your own home.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Convenience and compact folding design
- Can still accommodate up to 130kg in weight
Cons
- For general fitness
- No tablet or water bottle holder
Important Things to Consider When Buying an Exercise Bike
The first thing to consider is what are your personal exercise needs? Are you a higher end athlete, in great shape, and looking to train as hard as possible at home? You’ll want to go with an indoor spinning bike. This will give you the closest recreation to actually riding outside. It will also allow you to perform high-intensity interval training similar to how you would in spin classes.
If you are looking for more general fitness, and need not worry about something too intense, you’ll want to go with a regular upright exercise bike. This will still give you a great workout, however. Since you are in the upright position, there is less pressure on the back, and the focus can be on consistent pedaling. An upright exercise bike is perfect for improving your cardiovascular health and reducing body fat.
If you suffer from injuries—specifically lower back and knee pain—a recumbent bike is the choice for you. The recumbent position takes the pressure off the lower back and allows you to exercise with more comfort, and no impact. If you are a senior, or someone with low mobility, a recumbent bike is also the easiest to get in and out of.
It’s important to choose an exercise bike that has an LCD display. This is imperative because you want to know the relevant stats to see if you’re making progress in your fitness. Seeing how many calories you’ve burned, how far you’ve ridden, and how fat you’re going allow you to track your progress, and make adjustments to increase your results. Having a built-in heart rate monitor is also something important to consider. With this, you will know if you’re overdoing it, or are able to increase the intensity. If you’re someone who has to be aware of your heart rate for medical reasons, a heart rate pulse reader is an absolute must on your exercise bike.
Personal Trainer Recommendation & Conclusion
No matter what type of exercise bike you chose, or what type of workout you do: a warm-up is critical. You want to start with a 5-10 minute warm-up pedalling at a comfortable pace to get the heart rate up and blood flowing to the muscles. This helps to properly engage your cardiovascular, and central nervous system to prepare it for the coming intensity. Just as important, is to finish with a cooldown. If you have been pedalling at a high intensity for a while, and just stop, it will cause blood pooling the muscles. This will lead to muscle cramping and discomfort. Make sure to finish with a 5 to 10 minute cool down to transition out of exercise and start the recovery period.
This is also a good time to stretch. The beginning of a workout is more about getting warmed up and stretching should be saved for the end; as it’s also part of starting the recovery period. You’ll want to primarily stretch your legs, but don’t forget your upper body and arms. Even though your legs are doing most of the work, your upper body and arms are still keeping you upright and supported. All of this is critical to begin recovery, and it’s important to remember that what you do at the end of a workout helps prepare you for the next workout.