5 Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes for an At-Home Cardio Workout

Our fitness professionals at the Good Housekeeping Institute test sports equipment year-round ranging from e-bikes to exercise bikes and rowing machines.

When researching recumbent exercise bikes, we focus on highly rated models from trusted brands with proven performance across our fitness equipment tests. Our experts prioritize bikes with adjustable features, smooth resistance, built-in workout programs, and comfortable seating.

We also consider options tailored for seniors and those with joint pain, along with weight-inclusive choices. Plus, we look for smart, interactive models that offer a more engaging experience for tech-savvy users.

Finding a high-quality exercise bike requires taking a close look at everything from assembly to resistance levels. Here are a few factors to consider when selecting the best option for your needs:

✔️ Comfortable seating: Whether you prefer a padded seat or a seat with ventilation is personal preference, but a comfortable seat is important so you can ride for a significant amount of time without discomfort.

✔️ Display: A display that tracks metrics, even basic ones such as speed and distance, is useful on a recumbent bike. Some bikes offer more metrics and larger backlit screens than others. Certain units even feature smart touchscreens for an even more interactive experience.

✔️ Resistance: Looking for a recumbent exercise bike that offers a range of levels and a smooth resistance system, such as a magnetic one, is key for an efficient and effective ride.

✔️ Adjustable settings: Ensuring that the seat positions and handlebars are highly adjustable can help accommodate a variety of different body types and heights. We also included information on the maximum user weight for each bike on our list.

✔️ Special features: Some bikes have heart-rate monitors on the handlebars that sync up to the screen, built-in workout programs, and options for connecting apps or music.

✔️ Dimensions: The most important thing to consider is the dimensions of the bike and whether or not it will fit into your home gym space, whether that's a spacious basement or a small bedroom corner.

Recumbent exercise bikes are designed for low-impact workouts, making them an ideal choice for the following individuals:

✔️ Seniors: With the seat lower to the ground, the design of most recumbent bikes makes them easier to balance on as well as get on and off of compared to traditional upright ones.

✔️ People with joint pain: The positioning of a rider when they exercise on a recumbent bike allows for reduced strain on joints, including the knees and hips. Stationary bikes, in general, are great for low-impact activity, but the setup of a recumbent bike is even lower-impact than that of an upright one.

✔️ People with back issues: A supportive backrest and the reclining position of a recumbent bike provide back support, unlike other traditional stationary bikes.

✔️ Overweight riders: Most recumbent exercise bikes have a more substantial seat than other bikes, making them a more comfortable choice for a heavy person.

✔️ Beginners: Recumbent exercise bikes allow you to go at your own pace, so if you're looking for a more leisurely workout to get yourself into an exercise routine, then they can be an excellent place to start. Since they have variable resistance, you can amp up the intensity as you become fitter.

Aside from offering an effective cardio workout, a recumbent exercise bike provides a variety of benefits:

✔️ Low impact: The reclining position and substantial seat size compared to other stationary bikes work to distribute weight more evenly and reduce impact on joints.

✔️ Comfort: Back support on a recumbent bike can reduce strain on your back, neck, and even your wrists, allowing you to ride more comfortably and for longer periods of time. It also gives you the option to ride the bike hands-free, so you can stay busy by reading a book or catching up on text messages during your workout session.

✔️ Safety: Since recumbent bikes are lower to the ground than upright ones, they can be easier to get on and off of, especially for senior riders.

Absolutely. A recumbent bike can be an effective and safe option for regular exercise. The low-impact workout is easier on the joints than other cardio equipment, like treadmills. Not only can recumbent exercise bikes help improve heart health and endurance by providing a solid cardio workout, but they can also help strengthen leg muscles.

As with any piece of exercise equipment, what you put into the workout is what you'll get out of it. You can go more leisurely on a recumbent exercise bike than on an upright bike or a stationary bike, but you can also push quite hard for an intense workout, too.

You can definitely ride a recumbent bike multiple times per week, and for many people, it’s a safe and effective form of low-impact cardio. That said, as a personal trainer, I wouldn’t recommend doing this (or any single type of cardio) every day. The repetitive motion and lack of variety can lead to strain, overuse injuries, and even muscle imbalances, since you’re constantly engaging the same muscles and joints in the same movement pattern.

Your body needs variation in its workouts, full-body engagement, and recovery time to avoid burnout. I think it’s safe for most people to use a recumbent bike several times a week, but I would advise balancing this with other forms of cardio, strength training, and mobility work for a more well-rounded routine.

All three are excellent pieces of exercise equipment. The choice ultimately depends on your fitness goals and whether you are dealing with any injuries or limitations that affect your activity.

A treadmill can provide a higher intensity workout and may burn slightly more calories per minute if you are running. However, a recumbent exercise bike is easier on the joints, making it suitable for a variety of riders. The reclined position provides support, allowing you to work out for a longer period of time.

Since recumbent bikes place you in a reclined position with added back support, they tend to be more comfortable and accessible than traditional exercise bikes, especially for beginners, older adults, and even individuals with lower back pain or knee issues. Traditional upright bikes don’t offer the same support, requiring you to engage your core and postural muscles more actively to maintain proper alignment throughout the workout. This increased muscle engagement can result in a more intense cardio session, but both options are solid forms of cardio exercise, and neither is necessarily better.

NASM-Certified Personal Trainer and Women's Fitness Specialist Stefani Sassos serves as the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Nutrition and Fitness Lab. She has been working in the fitness industry for over 10 years, specializing in indoor cycling and strength training. Stefani uses her expertise and exercise science knowledge to create informed fitness content for Good Housekeeping. From vigorously testing exercise equipment and apps to curating workout plans for GH readers, Stefani is passionate about leading an active lifestyle and inspiring others to do the same.