Are you looking for a recumbent exercise bike that is affordable but still has the features of the more expensive models? If so, then this article may be able to help. We have compiled a list of some of the best and most popular bikes on the market today for under $200. You will find reviews and ratings for each bike as well as information about what recumbent bikes are used for and how they work. So if you want to know which type of bike is right for your needs then keep reading!
What is the Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Under 200?
To find the Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Under 200 for you we have used several of recumbent bike under 200 and selected the absolute top 5 recumbent exercise bikes under 200.
This is based on our first-hand experiences, years of practice as well as individual research on what others have to say, so that we can give you a more well-rounded review.
Feel free to scroll to the end of this article for a short buying guide and some frequently asked questions.
1. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 55.5 x 37.5NaN inches (141 x 95.3NaN cm) Resistance Type: Magnetic Resistance Levels: 8 levels Material: 14-Gauge Steel Screen Type: LCD Screen Size: 12 inches |
The ME-709 from Marcy is a simple and cheap recumbent bike. It’s good for older and heavier people because of its design. You can assemble it fast, and it’s light with wheels, so moving it is no hassle. It can take a lot of weight, maybe more than it says. This bike is for regular exercise, not intense cycling. It has basic resistance settings and a screen to see your progress. The big seat can be adjusted, and the pedals make sure your feet stay put.
Pros
- Highly rated and affordably priced,
- Low profile design for easy mounting,
- Wide ergonomic seat for heavyweight people,
- Sturdy structure with a high weight limit
Cons
- Bike parts wear out quickly,
- Pedaling action is not stable
2. Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Resistance Type: Magnetic Resistance Levels: 8 levels Material: Steel Screen Type: LCD Screen Size: 3.3 x 1.5 |
If space is a concern, the Exerpeutic 400XL stands out, given its ability to fold down to nearly half its original dimensions. In its semi-recumbent design, pedals are positioned almost directly underneath, resembling an upright bike setup. A notable attribute is its compatibility with adjustable-height desks, enabling simultaneous work and exercise. Built from tube steel like the 900XL, it’s designed for durability and can bear up to 300 pounds. But, its narrow stabilizers and overall design might be challenging for seniors or those with mobility issues. Although it doesn’t have floor levelers, many vouch for its ground stability during workouts. The seat adjustment is vertical, contrasting with the 900XL’s horizontal adjustment. The seat, while less wide than that of the 900XL, is cushioned for comfort. Its handlebars, set slightly lower than the seat, cater to individuals with broad hips and are equipped with heart-monitoring sensors. Its resistance mechanism, magnetic in nature, offers eight adjustable settings through a tension knob. The more relaxed settings are perfect for those in post-operative recovery, while the intense settings can feel shaky and may strain the joints. With its quiet V-belt double-drive system, maintenance is a breeze. It’s also equipped with a basic console that showcases six workout metrics, aligning with its pricing. Running on batteries, its console is a separate entity from the manual operations of the bike, which many users find convenient.
Pros
- Foldable design with a small footprint,
- Easy to assemble for most people,
- Sturdy construction prevents movement,
- It fits under your work desk, It doesn’t require power to use
Cons
- Workout metrics may not be accurate,
- It doesn’t offer an intense workout
3. Mousport Recumbent Foldable Fitness Cycle with Arm Resistance
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 46.41 pounds (21.05 kg) Size: 45.4 x 15 x 8.9 inches (115.3 x 38.1 x 22.6 cm) Resistance Type: Magnetic Resistance Levels: 8 levels Material: Steel Screen Type: LCD Screen Size: 15 inches |
The Mousport stationary bike offers a semi-recumbent style, merging the advantages of an upright bike and can be folded for convenient storage. Its seat is designed in the recumbent fashion, furnished with a high-density sponge for both the seat and backrest, with height adjustability via a knob. Its compact, foldable design is perfect for limited spaces and is complemented by roller wheels for smooth relocation within your home. Unlike traditional recumbent bikes, its pedal positioning ensures a more upright posture for the cyclist. This unique structure promotes calorie-burning intense workouts and supports anaerobic exercises akin to spin bikes, encouraging muscle toning and faster weight loss. For an added benefit, it includes tension ropes for arm and shoulder workouts.
Pros
- The semi-recumbent design provides a full-body workout,
- Has quick assembly as most parts are pre-assembled,
- Excellent tension on the pedals for HIIT training,
- Compact design for tight spaces
Cons
- Foldable design makes it unstable for heavy cycling,
- It may not be ideal for short people under 5-feet
4. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 54.4 x 39.5NaN inches (138.2 x 100.3NaN cm) Resistance Type: Magnetic Resistance Levels: 8 levels Material: Steel Screen Type: LCD Screen Size: 10 cm |
The Sunny RB4616 is a basic recumbent exercise bike with a step-through design, comfy seat, and magnetic resistance. It’s like other affordable bikes I’ve looked at, offering basic features. Still, it’s great if you need a trustworthy bike for fitness, shedding pounds, or healing. It’s designed compactly and doesn’t hog room in storage. It’s also easy to move around with built-in wheels. What stands out is the easy seat adjustment using a lever without needing to get up, ensuring a good fit. Setting up and moving the RB4616 is manageable by one person. Despite being light, it’s strong, holding up to 300 pounds and remains stable while riding. Its magnetic resistance is manually adjusted, meaning less maintenance and smoother rides. However, its light flywheel gives only mild intensity. If you want weight loss results, mix workouts with a good diet like paleo. It also has a basic display showing six exercise stats, but might not be exact without personal data. A bonus is its 3-year frame warranty, longer than some other brands like Exerpeutic.
Pros
- Low-profile design allows easy access,
- Lightweight and robust construction for portability,
- Offers quick assembly with little maintenance care,
- Adjustable base stabilizers keep it sturdy,
- Good value for money
Cons
- Some metrics may be inaccurate,
- Low inertia for intense workouts
5. PooBoo Recumbent Exercise Bike for Adults/Seniors
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 53.9 x 40.1 x 23.6 inches (137 x 102 x 60 cm) Resistance Type: Magnetic Resistance Levels: 8 levels Material: Alloy steel Screen Type: LCD Screen Size: 30 x 24 mm |
With its compact size and lightness, the Pooboo is tailored for smaller rooms. It’s equipped with an external magnetic flywheel offering eight resistance levels, but the top intensity is moderate. So, it might not suit those wanting an intense workout. But on the plus side, the bike remains steady during use. It features a no-frills LCD display showing four workout metrics and includes a tablet stand for entertainment. Both tension and seat adjustments are done manually. Its gentle resistance is perfect for smooth cardio workouts, reducing joint stress, ideal for the elderly or those rehabilitating. It’s also user-friendly to set up, making it a good choice for home-based exercise.
Pros
- Clear instruction manual for easy assembly,
- Low profile design with moderate intensity levels for seniors,
- Lightweight and sturdy construction,
- Compact size for small spaces
Cons
- Not ideal for high-intensity training,
- Pedals may be difficult to assemble
Verdict
To sum up, out of the top 5 Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Under 200, our absolute top pick is Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709.
If you have the money, you can go for Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike which is our premium pick.
However, there’s nothing wrong with going for the budget option, which we found to be the Mousport Recumbent Foldable Fitness Cycle with Arm Resistance.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
- Best Recumbent Exercise Bike For Over 300 Lbs
- Best Recumbent Exercise Bike For Short Person
- Best Recumbent Elliptical
What You Should Know Before Buying recumbent exercise bikes under 200
The Key Features Of Recumbent Exercise Bikes
The distinguishing design feature of recumbent exercise bikes is the adjustable reclined seat with a backrest, ensuring comfort while working out the lower body. Other essential features include the bike’s size and weight, materials for durability, a screen to view your workout, and resistance levels. Unlike upright bikes, most recumbent bikes lack handlebars, instead having support bars near the seat or moving handlebars for arm workouts like on the Sunny Recumbent Exercise Bike. Yet, dual-action bikes like the Xspec Dual Exercise Bike provide the option of using it as an upright or recumbent bike, with handlebars for the upright position and support bars for the recumbent position.
Pedals
There are clip-ins, flat, and hybrids as the three types of stationary bike pedals. Clip-ins and hybrids are found on upright and spin bikes, while recumbent exercise bikes typically have flat pedals made of steel or plastic. Many flat pedals are textured and include a plastic strap or a toe-cage adjustable strap to hold down the forefoot securely on the pedal, preventing slips.
Maintenance
Recumbent exercise bikes, like all machines, need regular care, and we suggest getting your bike checked for any wear and tear about every six months. It’s also necessary to check the bike often for loose nuts and bolts and to oil the mechanical parts to keep it working smoothly. Additionally, for hygiene, clean the handlebars, seat, and digital console with a soft cloth and antibacterial cleaner after every workout.
Types Of Recumbent Exercise Bikes
The construction of recumbent road bikes has a wide range, but recumbent exercise bikes only show slight design feature variations. These variations include digital versus manual consoles, various seat adjustments, drive mechanisms, and sizes. We have described these features in more detail below.
Resistance
Resistance is what sets the workout intensity, and affordable recumbent exercise bikes come with 8 – 12 levels. Exercise bikes generally have a resistance mechanism that changes the pressure on the flywheel, simulating cycling uphill or on flat surfaces by making pedaling harder or easier. There are various resistance systems such as friction, magnetic, and electromagnetic. They operate the same way, but friction magnetic resistance provides an instant change in resistance like a road bike when you turn the knob. Magnetic bikes are manual and don’t need electricity, while electromagnetic ones do, making them pricier. Magnetic bikes also have a slight delay when you change the resistance level.
Comfort
Comfort is a vital design feature of recumbent exercise bikes, and is perfect for individuals requiring upper body support while exercising. The low-profile design facilitates the elderly, overweight, and infirm in safely using the bike, while the bucket seats offer back support and balance, reducing pressure on lower body joints.
Display
Comfort is a vital design feature of recumbent exercise bikes, and is perfect for individuals requiring upper body support while exercising. The low-profile design facilitates the elderly, overweight, and infirm in safely using the bike, while the bucket seats offer back support and balance, reducing pressure on lower body joints.
Drive mechanism
The drive mechanism, including the flywheel, is a key part you’ll see mentioned when shopping for a recumbent exercise bike. The flywheel, a disc at the front, creates resistance and is usually covered, linked to the pedals by a belt or chain. It’s weighted to simulate outdoor biking. Perimeter and center-weighted flywheels exist. Perimeter-weighted are heavier, offer a closer simulation to road biking, and smooth out as you pedal. Center-weighted are lighter, easier to handle but may offer a less smooth ride.
Extra Features
Recumbent exercise bikes may come with extra features like media racks to hold your gadgets, so you can enjoy online content or read while exercising. Midrange models usually have built-in speakers, Bluetooth, and USB drives for connecting your devices for entertainment and uploading workout data to apps like MyFitnessPal. Also, look for comfort features such as built-in fans for cooling and gel-padded seats to ease fatigue during extended workouts.
Adjustability
On recumbent exercise bikes, saddle adjustments help align the bike to your leg length to reach the pedals. Two types of adjustments exist depending on the bike’s design. A more budget-friendly type slides two movable frame parts to bring the saddle nearer to the pedals, like the Marcy ME-709 bike. This design features pre-set holes for seat positioning, secured with a pin and knob. Other bikes employ a lever to lock the seat position, enabling saddle adjustments while sitting, though these are pricier and ideal for commercial spaces like gyms. The saddle design supports your back and lower joints, and proper positioning is key to avoiding pain and injury. Ensure your knees aren’t excessively bent or stretched, and your legs are level or higher than your hips to protect your lower back.
Storage Space
Recumbent exercise bikes may come with extra features like media racks to hold your gadgets, so you can enjoy online content or read while exercising. Midrange models usually have built-in speakers, Bluetooth, and USB drives for connecting your devices for entertainment and uploading workout data to apps like MyFitnessPal. Also, look for comfort features such as built-in fans for cooling and gel-padded seats to ease fatigue during extended workouts.
Budget
The cost of recumbent exercise bikes changes based on what they offer. Basic ones with fewer features are priced between 200 to 600 dollars, good for simple workouts. Better quality bikes with more options range from 600 to 1200 dollars. High-end bikes like the Star Trac S-RBx, meant for frequent use, can go up to 3000 dollars.
Questions and Answers About recumbent exercise bikes under 200
How Much Do Recumbent Exercise Bikes Cost?
Cheaper recumbent bikes cost between $200 and $500 and have basic features. They’re good for light workouts, especially for older folks or those healing from injuries. Pricier bikes have more options and are better for those with serious fitness aims.
Are recumbent bikes any good?
Recumbent exercise bikes provide advantages over upright ones, like enhanced upper body support and gentle workouts suitable for seniors, those carrying extra weight, and individuals with physical limitations. Additionally, these bikes can deliver the high-level training a pro cyclist might seek, all the while minimizing joint and back muscle strain because of how one sits.
Does the recumbent bike tone legs?
Legs get toned through cycling. Recumbent bikes, even if they feel gentler, will still exercise your thigh, calf, and leg muscles. The hips and butt also receive a light workout.
How Do I Choose A Recumbent Bike?
Zeroing in on a recumbent bike requires understanding your fitness end-goals. Imperative characteristics include resistance metrics; bikes with over 12 levels are tuned for seasoned workouts. Prioritize comfort elements like seat alterations and padding. For those needing easy access, a step-through structure is a plus. Even if budget constraints exist, it’s paramount to evaluate the quality, durability, and warranty of the equipment.
Can I lose weight on a recumbent bike?
By cycling, you’re doing a heart-healthy activity that burns calories. Combined with a good diet, you can definitely lose weight.
What’s better recumbent bike or upright?
If comfort, especially for the knees and back, is your priority, go for recumbent bikes. If you’re aiming for a rigorous exercise, then uprights are for you.
Is recumbent bike as good as walking?
Whether you walk or use a recumbent bike, both are good for cardio and trimming down. The resistance in biking might help in burning more calories, but a fast-paced walk can surpass a light bike workout. Bikes are more joint-safe because of the seated posture, but walking aids in bone fortification.
Do recumbent bikes work abs?
While cycling, your core gets a workout, especially the muscles in your tummy. Cycling also helps burn fat to show off those abs.
How long should I ride my recumbent bike?
How much time you spend on your recumbent bike hinges on your workout goals. A daily dose of 30 minutes works for seniors or those leaning towards milder workouts. Yet, if you’re on a mission to drop weight or amplify your cycling and fitness levels, committing to 60-90 minutes five days out of the week can yield desired outcomes. Always exercise judiciously to evade overstraining.
Do You Need Extra Features?
Advanced recumbents might offer you extras like Bluetooth and speakers. They’re great, but it’s up to you to decide if they’re essential. The main thing is the bike’s resistance for your workouts.
Are recumbent bikes a good workout?
For sure, recumbent exercise bikes can be a reliable source of cardio. While basic bikes offer light workouts, high-end ones bring more challenge. They’re great for strengthening legs and are a top choice for those wanting a softer exercise approach.
