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Exercise Bikes
Every exercise bike page we publish, in one place: spin (indoor cycling), upright and recumbent bikes. Each ranked guide scores five bikes for one situation with FitScore, built from the Amazon US listing specs of 48 bikes and weighted for that buyer. The guides cover weight loss, the benefits of riding and how the three types compare.
- 10ranked guides
- 48bikes scored
- 3comparisons
- 2guides
Our top picks
The #1 bike of each type: spin, upright and recumbent. Each of these guides ranks five bikes of one type only; the ring shows the pick’s FitScore in that ranking.
Schwinn IC3
Spin bike · #1 in our spin bike ranking
Schwinn 190
Upright bike · #1 in our upright bike ranking
pooboo W216
Recumbent bike · #1 in our recumbent ranking
Each card names its bike type and comes from a ranking of that type only. FitScores are not comparable across rankings: each one uses the weights of its own buying guide.
Find the pick for your situation
10 situations, each with its own ranked top 5.
Choose your situation
Pick the case closest to yours. Every guide ranks five bikes with FitScore weights for that situation, so the #1 pick fits the way you will actually use it.
- 65.6Most homes (spin or upright)#1 spin bike: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1805SMART→
- 53Upright, seated cardio#1 upright bike: Schwinn 190→
- 64.9Back support#1 recumbent bike: pooboo W216→
- 68.4Older adults#1 recumbent bike: pooboo W216→
- 64.6Weight-loss routine#1 spin bike: Schwinn IC3→
- 72.6Spin and intervals#1 spin bike: Schwinn IC3→
- 70.3Entry tier#1 recumbent bike: MERACH S08→
- 62.7Folds away#1 folding upright bike: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B223011→
- 57.3No membership#1 spin bike: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1805SMART→
- 58.8Small spaces#1 recumbent bike: pooboo W216→
Spin, upright or recumbent?
Three types of exercise bike: the riding position decides comfort and intensity. Start here if you are unsure.
Spin (indoor cycling)
A heavy front flywheel (a median of 37.5 lb in our pool), a road-bike posture and pedals you can stand on. For intervals and climbs. See the picks
Upright
The seat sits above the pedals, often with a console and programs; the shortest full-size type (median 43.6 in). For steady seated cardio. See the picks
Recumbent
A wide seat with a backrest, pedals in front and a step-through frame (median length 55.5 in). For comfort and an easy step-on. See the picks
Exercise bike guides
Weight loss, benefits and how to ride, written for home riders.
How to Lose Weight on an Exercise Bike
Weekly minutes, steady rides vs intervals and a 12-week plan.
Benefits of an Exercise Bike
What regular riding does, and what it does not, with sources.
How we rank exercise bikes
One method across every exercise bike guide.
Scored for your use
FitScore weights six categories (performance, durability, comfort, practicality, features, affordability) for one buying intent, so a recumbent for older adults and a spin bike for intervals are judged on what matters for each.
Specs that matter
Resistance type and levels, flywheel, rated user weight, rider height range, footprint and warranty come from the Amazon US listing, completed from the maker's page for the same model only where the listing is silent.
Clear top picks
Every guide names one #1 pick and four alternatives with a clear role, at most two per brand. A spec no source states scores zero.
Not sure where to start?
Most homes do well with the #1 pick of our main guide. If you want back support, start with the recumbent or seniors guide.