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The Best Exercise Bikes

What's the Best Brand of Exercise Bike Out There Today?

If you're looking for a versatile machine easily accessible for a home gym, exercise bikes are a top choice. Exercise bikes offer motion that's ideal for individuals with sensitive joints, sore backs, bad knees (shout out to the crunchy knees gang), or other conditions that make high-impact exercises hard or impossible to do.

On top of being low-impact, one of the popular points for exercise bikes is the all-season approach. Picture this: you get to sweat it out whenever it suits you. No gym crowds, and no clock-watching. Convenience is your new fitness buddy. Plus, no more worrying about how you look or comparing yourself to others. Or whether the sweaty guy before you wiped down the bike seat (ew!). Basically, you get all the pros of a spin class without any of the ick of a public gym.

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Exercise Bike Reviews

NordicTrack Review Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award 5 Star Rating

NordicTrack

5 Star Rating Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

NordicTrack, a renowned name in home fitness equipment, offers four exercise bike models ranging from $999 to $2,499. NordicTrack's bikes come with a 30-day trial of the iFIT app membership, providing access to various trainer-led workouts. The brand's "A" rating from the Better Business Bureau, coupled with positive reviews, establishes NordicTrack as a top choice for home exercise bikes, despite potential return fees. For these reasons it takes the top spot in this review, and a 5-star rating.

Xterra Review 4.5 Star Rating

Xterra

4.5 Star Rating

Xterra, known for affordable and durable home gym equipment, offers a variety of exercise bikes, including a folding upright model starting at $99.99. With 13 bike options, Xterra provides free shipping, helping the brand stand out from competitors. Customers praise the quality, durability, and effectiveness of Xterra's budget-friendly fitness gear, resulting in a 4.3-star average rating. Xterra earns an exceptional rating here, making it a top choice for budget exercise bikes.

CAROL Review 4 Star Rating

CAROL

4 Star Rating

CAROL introduces a unique exercise bike with AI technology promising incredible fitness improvements in short sessions. Priced at $2,595+, the CAROL Bike uses AI to personalize workouts and links to streaming services like Peloton and Zwift. Despite the high cost and additional fees for warranties and assembly, along with a membership cost, CAROL's 100-day trial period and positive customer reviews, averaging 4.7 stars, earn the brand a solid rating for its potential in the evolving exercise bike landscape.

ProForm Review 4 Star Rating

ProForm

4 Star Rating

ProForm, under the Icon Health and Fitness umbrella, offers affordable exercise bikes with 5 models priced from $399 to $1,403. The basic Carbon CX at $399 features Automatic Resistance Control and a trial iFIT membership, while the top-tier Studio Bike Pro at $1,403 includes a 3-year family membership and a pivoting 10" HD touchscreen. ProForm maintains a positive reputation with an "A" BBB rating, but recent reviews elsewhere express difficulties in reaching customer service. With this concern and the expensive return policy, ProForm doesn't beat out the top brands on our list. However, for its exceptionally low prices, ProForm still receives a strong rating for budget-conscious buyers.

Precor Review 3.5 Star Rating

Precor

3.5 Star Rating

Precor, known for gym-quality machines, offers eight exercise bike models priced from $3,040 to $8,090. However, the bikes, while highly rated, are often out of stock and there are some questions about value for money. Plus, Precor lacks a return policy, but its "A+" BBB rating and positive customer reviews highlight efficient service. Despite the high-quality machines, the steep prices, lack of standout features, and the absence of a return policy contribute to a just-above-average rating here.

Life Fitness Review 3 Star Rating

Life Fitness

3 Star Rating

Short Life Fitness offers a wide range of exercise bikes with 14 models, but the distinctions between them in terms of cost and features may be unclear for customers. The base model, C1 Lifecycle, starts at $1,471, while the top-tier Platinum Club Series Recumbent Lifecycle is priced at $6,284. However, the absence of free shipping, a limited 15-day return policy, and concerns about customer service contribute to an average rating. Despite positive ratings on the Life Fitness website, verified reviews on third-party sites raise questions about the brand's overall quality and service, making the bikes not necessarily worth their higher pricing.

Yosuda Review 3 Star Rating

Yosuda

3 Star Rating

Yosuda, founded in 2018, offers a range of exercise bikes, including an under-desk model and the Pro-R Magnetic Exercise Bike, priced between $139 and $799. Despite questionable grammar on the website, Yosuda is a legitimate Chinese company focusing on family fitness equipment. With 10 bike options, free shipping, and a 30-day return policy, Yosuda is ideal for budget-conscious consumers. Although lacking a BBB rating and third-party reviews, customer feedback is positive, praising the bikes' comfort, functionality, and value. However, for more advanced features, other top-rated brands may be preferable.

Bowflex Review 2.5 Star Rating

Bowflex

2.5 Star Rating

Bowflex, a well-known home gym equipment brand, offers four exercise bike models priced from $699 to $2,199. However, despite extras like a 2-month JRNY membership, Bowflex faces criticism for product quality and challenging customer service. The top-tier Velcore Bike, priced up to $2,199, raises concerns about its high cost compared to minimal upgrades and a shorter warranty, making the base model a better value choice.

LifeSpan Fitness Review 2.5 Star Rating

LifeSpan Fitness

2.5 Star Rating

LifeSpan Fitness offers a unique selection of exercise bikes, including the R5i Recumbent starting at $1,199, and the innovative Cycle Boxer priced at $2,499. The R5i features an oversized seat with built-in heart rate sensors and 34 exercise programs, while the Cycle Boxer combines cycling and boxing with an interactive screen. Despite free shipping and a 30-day return policy, LifeSpan Fitness receives a low score due to limited model availability, a "D-" BBB rating, and negative customer reviews citing delays in deliveries and warranty-related concerns.

Schwinn Review 2 Star Rating

Schwinn

2 Star Rating

Schwinn, part of the Nautilus family, offers reasonably priced exercise bikes but lacks advanced features and touchscreens. With 4 models ranging from $699 to $1,099, Schwinn, known for its bikes, should be a top competitor. However, the brand's bikes receive average ratings of 2.3 out of 5 on third-party sites, with frequent complaints about both product issues and customer service. While Schwinn is competitively priced, they suffer from a lack of features and negative reviews.

Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

For athletes (especially you biking enthusiasts) who don't want to lose their form during the winter, nabbing an exercise bike can change your winter fitness regimen to more closely fit your regular training. But if you're not a tri-athlete (like many of us aren't), having an exercise bike at home is still a huge plus.

As you start browsing the different exercise bike brands, you'll realize that there's a lot of variety to choose from. Many modern exercise bikes come with cool features like built-in screens for virtual classes, fitness app hook-ups, and even virtual outdoor rides. So, exercise bikes aren't like one of those creaky metal contraptions from your grandma's basement anymore. They've got all the bells and whistles to upgrade your workout.

Imagine pedaling through scenic routes without leaving your living room or gamified paths to keep you engaged. These bikes aren't just tools; they're like your personal fitness sidekick, cheering you on and giving you all the stats you need to track your growth and celebrate your fitness level-ups. There are even exercise bikes designed to fit under your desk or that feature a built-in tabletop/desk, so you can work and work out at the same time.

But there's a lot to look at when you're shopping for the perfect exercise bike. Starting your search for the right exercise bike can be overwhelming. Studio style? Recumbent? Touchscreen or basic console? Fortunately, we've gone through the best options out there and put together some criteria to help you narrow down your choices and find a bike that suits you.

  • Number of exercise bike styles. The more models a brand has in their inventory, the higher the chances of finding one that fits your fitness needs. Also, keep an eye on which brands actually have their bikes in stock.
  • Features. Consider what features matter most to you. Is it connectivity with your smartwatch or fitness apps? Weight capacity that accommodates all household members? Interactive displays with games and leaderboards for motivation? Identifying your must-have list makes it possible to find a bike that meets your preferences.
  • Price vs. value. Price isn't the sole factor; some lower-end exercise bike models provide significant features, while some pricier options may not deliver as expected. So, make sure you get the perfect balance of value for your money. The most expensive model might not actually be the best, whereas the cheapest out there might be missing some features you need for your fitness.
  • Customer-friendly policies. Check if you can get a free trial, the return policy duration, and if delivery includes a professional setup. If a company doesn't serve customers well, it's hard to feel comfortable purchasing their expensive fitness machines.
  • Reputation. Tied into the customer policies, you'll want to take into account customer reviews and Better Business Bureau scores to make sure you're buying from a reputable brand. A reliable customer service department is crucial, even if the warranty is promising, to make sure you'll get fast and friendly assistance if anything goes wrong.

To make sure that your fitness journey takes off, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best exercise bike brands available online today. We hope this will help you curate your perfect home gym and get back to the ride of your life on your new exercise bike. Pedal on, friend!

The Best Exercise Bikes Compare Exercise Bikes Compare Exercise Bike Reviews What are the best Exercise Bikes Best Exercise Bike Reviews

Exercise Bike FAQ

There are plenty of reasons that people buy an exercise bike for home use. For people with balance or mobility issues who still want a good cardio workout, bikes are a much better option than a treadmill or elliptical machine. They also take up much less room, are more portable/movable, and easier to maintain than larger pieces of cardio equipment.
That's up to you. Recumbent bikes have a seat like a chair, and the pedals are in front of you; they're the exercise bike of choice for people with joint and back issues. Upright bikes offer more flexibility in your workout: you can ride seated or pedal standing up for a more intense experience.
As with most products, the more features an exercise bike has, the more it will cost. You can get a basic, entry-level model for under $500 - or pay $7,000+ for one that has every bell and whistle imaginable (but it won't do the exercise for you!).
How does "free" sound? Many retailers include delivery in the price of the exercise bike. That definitely beats trying to lug it home from a brick-and-mortar store in your car!
Not necessarily. Most manufacturers have step-by-step instructions and even videos for how to put your bike together. You can also purchase professional installation/set-up from some retailers, either with their in-house team or through a third-party partner.
That depends on the store. Some offer no return policy whatsoever, while others give you 30-60 days to try your bike and decide if you want to keep it. Even then, you may still be responsible for return shipping costs and/or restocking fees.
Most bikes come with warranty coverage, usually with longer protection on the higher-end models. You may have lifetime coverage of the frame and brakes, 1-3 years on parts and electronics, and 90 days to 3 years on associated labor costs - but the specifics vary by manufacturer and bike model. Some retailers offer extended warranty plans as well.
That's one of the hottest trends in the fitness industry, and many bikes come with some kind of workout option with live coaching or on-demand classes. But, even if your bike doesn't, there are plenty of apps you can subscribe to and follow along on your own; you just need to have a way to see your phone, tablet or TV from wherever you position your exercise bike!
See the Best Exercise Bike
The Best Reviews of Exercise Bikes