The 8 Best Exercise Bikes for Beginners (2024)

With a powder-coated steel frame and 20 sealed cartridge bearings, this bike was built to last so long as proper upkeep is maintained. This durability scored a 4 out of 5. 

However, you won’t find much in the way of tech or conveniences. “There isn’t a water bottle holder or a speaker I can blast tunes from, but Assault Fitness makes sturdy bikes meant to simply get the job done,” mentioned our tester who rated its tech capabilities a 3 out of 5 and conveniences a 2 out of 5.

Users will want to be aware that this bike uses a chain-drive system, which is noisier and requires more upkeep than bikes with a belt-drive system. Assault Fitness recommends lubricating this chain every 3 months to keep things running smoothly. 

Read our full Assault AirBike Classic Review.

Best Exercise Bike with Screen for Beginners: ProForm Studio Bike Pro

ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22

ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22

The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 is a high-tech, high-quality indoor bike. It has a 22” HD touchscreen display that swivels 180 degrees to accommodate workouts both on and off the bike. It comes with a free year of iFit and features silent magnetic resistance making it a great option of in-home use.

Investing in an exercise bike with a screen can help immerse you in virtual spin classes or zone out to all 524 seasons of “Survivor” during high-intensity or LISS cardio sessions. The $1,299 ProForm Studio Bike Pro comes fitted with a 10-inch HD touchscreen that’s compatible with iFIT programming. It also has 22 levels of magnetic resistance that can accommodate novice riders and seasoned cyclists. Tech capabilities, conveniences, ergonomics, adjustability, and setup scored a 4 out of 5, and dynamic programming scored a 4.5 out of 5.

“The 10-inch screen is small, especially compared to bikes I’ve tried with nearly double the screen size, but it’s right for the price and I love that it’s compatible with iFIT,” noted our tester, a certified personal trainer.

As of this writing, the bike comes with a 3-year membership to iFIT, granting you access to over 17,000 classes suitable for beginners, intermediate, and advanced cardio seekers, not to mention outdoor scenic rides. It can also automatically adjust your resistance during select classes, allowing you to focus on your sweat. And since the screen tilts up and down and can swivel 180 degrees, you can get a comfortable view during off-bike strength and mobility classes. This dynamic programming scored a 4.5 out of 5. 

[Related: The 8 Best Exercise Bikes with Screens]

After your three-year membership, you’ll have the option to keep using iFIT by paying the $39 monthly subscription. If you opt out of an iFIT subscription, you’ll still have access to a limited amount of iFIT workouts. Plus, you can use the bike in manual mode.

The 250-pound weight capacity is disappointing, and lower than the 300-pound capacity we’ve seen on comparable bikes. “A 250-pound weight capacity is low for a bike at this price,” said our tester. “I felt pretty steady in and out of the seat, but the handlebars did move from side to side when I pulled on them.” They scored durability a 2.75 out of 5. 

[Related: ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 Review: A Connected Bike at a Price We Like]

Best Recumbent Exercise Bike for Beginners: NordicTrack Commercial R35

NordicTrack Commercial R35 Exercise Bike

NordicTrack Commercial R35 Exercise Bike

This recumbent bike features a 25-pound flywheel and 26 levels of magnetic resistance. With your purchase, you’ll receive a 30-day trial to iFit, granting you access to over 16,000 workout classes ranging from cardio to strength training. 

We like the NordicTrack Commercial R35 — one of the best recumbent exercise bikes for seniors — because of its ease of use, lumbar-supporting backrest, and tech capabilities. This recumbent bike places the user in a more reclined position as compared to an upright bike, and provides a cozy backrest to aid in stability and comfort. Value, adjustability, customizations, tech capabilities, and durability all scored a 4 out of 5.

Comfort is key when it comes to recumbent bikes, and the Commercial R35 has an oversized seat with lumbar support that may help those with achy backs. Also, the Easyglide seat adjusts forwards and backwards to make your ride as ergonomic as possible. “The seat was easy to adjust, but if there was a way to adjust the handlebars, I couldn’t find it,” noted our tester, a CrossFit coach. They scored adjustability a 4 out of 5.

If you’re new to indoor cycling, you can access the iFIT app via the 14-inch HD touchscreen to help get a routine going. It has more than 17,000 on-demand cardio, strength, and mobility classes for subscribers, and can even make automatic adjustments to your resistance during select sessions. “With SmartAdjust, you won’t have to mess around with settings since the trainer does it for you,” mentioned our tester, who gave dynamic programming a 5 out of 5. 

iFIT, however, does cost an additional $39 per month after your 30-day trial. If you opt out of this subscription, you’ll still have access to a handful of coach-led workouts and your stats when pedaling in manual mode.

This recumbent bike is built out of commercial-grade steel that can support users up to 350 pounds. “That weight limit makes it an inclusive option for heavier riders who want a sturdy and stable exercise bike,” said our tester. Durability scored a 4 out of 5. 

You will want to measure your home gym, however, to make sure this bike can fit. It measures between 3 and 10 inches longer than many recumbent bikes we’ve tested and may not work for people with limited floor space. Footprint scored a 3.75 out of 5.

Read our full NordicTrack Commercial R35 Exercise Bike Review.

Best Interactive Exercise Bike for Beginners: BowFlex VeloCore

BowFlex VeloCore Bike

Bowflex features an innovative leaning mode and can support users up to 325 pounds. Plus, you’ll receive a two month free trial to JRNY with your purchase.

The BowFlex VeloCore is like a spin bike out of a sci-fi movie, as it includes an immersive HD display and a mode that lets you lean side to side to better replicate the experience of riding a road bike outdoors. The interactive JRNY app, with its access to virtual classes and scenic trails, enhances that immersion that much more. Durability, customizations, adjustability, and ergonomics all scored a 4.5 out of 5. Tech capabilities and dynamic programming scored a 5 out of 5.

JRNY can also suggest training based on an initial fitness assessment and ongoing tracking that makes adjustments as you get stronger. Tech capabilities scored a 5 out of 5.

That said, our tester, a CrossFit coach, didn’t love the class offerings on JRNY. “The classes I took with JRNY weren’t as good as classes I’ve taken on Peloton,” they said. However, they gave dynamic programming a 5 out of 5 because the ability to lean side to side while taking a class was “honestly, really fun.”

In addition to its adaptive training fitness programming, the JRNY app provides access to streaming content from Netflix, Max, Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+. However, it will cost you an additional $19.99 a month after a 2-month free trial.

[Related: The 9 Best Exercise Bikes for Heavy People]

We found this bike plenty durable, and loved its 325-weight user capacity — 25 pounds more than many comparable bikes we’ve tested.“The screen only shook a little, and even though I was leaning over to one side, it never felt like I would tip over,” said our tester, who scored its durability a 4.5 out of 5. Plus, the dual-sided pedals include clips for SPD cleats and toe cages for sneakers, so users can choose the type of ride they want.

Assembly isn’t a walk in the park. “The box that I received was practically impossible to move without help,” noted our tester. “There were only six steps for building this bike, but it was difficult and I’d recommend paying the $199 fee to have BowFlex send someone to do it for you.”

Best Folding Exercise Bike for Beginners: Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike

Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike

Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike

An affordable exercise bike that can fold up for easy storage. With vertical seat adjustments for an inseam between 28″ and 33″, the recommended height of users ranges from 5’1 to 6’3″.

The Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike is one of the best folding exercise bikes we’ve tried and tested. Sturdy, compact, and portable, users can work up a sweat and then fold this bike up, saving 15.25 inches of floor space as the bike’s length shrinks from 33.5 inches to 18.25 inches. Footprint and customizations scored a 4 out of 5, and durability, warranty, and shipping scored a 5 out of 5.

While the average upright exercise bike weighs in around 150 pounds, this Marcy model weighs just 37 pounds, about the weight of two over-fed (but still adorable) pug dogs. This means when you fold this puppy (not the pugs) up, you’ll be able to easily move it out of the way by either hoisting it overhead or using the transport wheels to roll it away. “It’s not the smallest folding exercise bike, but it’s easy to move and easily fits in my closet or under my bed,” noted our tester, who scored footprint and portability a 4 out of 5.

While folding bikes are great for those with limited space, the trade-off when compared to non-folding bikes tends to be the durability. However, this bike’s frame is constructed with heavy-duty 14-gauge steel, which provides a sturdy ride. “This is easily the most durable folding bike I’ve ever used,” said our tester. Durability scored a 5 out of 5.

While you won’t find impressive tech features, that tends to be the norm with folding exercise bikes. However, we were disappointed at the lack of conveniences. “There isn’t a water bottle holder or a phone or tablet holder. Plus, the monitor requires batteries and unlike other bikes, it didn’t come with any,” noted our tester, who gave conveniences a 2 out of 5 and tech capabilities a 3 out of 5.

We recommend this bike for those who are short on space, but not for serious cyclists, as the eight levels of magnetic resistance may not provide enough of a challenge.

Read of full Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike Review.

Best Exercise Bike off Amazon for Beginners: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1002

Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycling Bike

Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycling Bike

This bike’s 49-pound flywheel is one of the largest we’ve seen on a consumer indoor cycle and will help you build momentum while keeping your ride smooth. The transport wheels are also large and durable, so you can move tip this bike and move it out of the way when your workout is over.

I will not approach this write-up from an impartial position because I’m biased and will not deny my love! I love this bike. This was a budget-friendly pandemic purchase I made after getting into backpacking, as I needed a way to train from home when I couldn’t hit the streets (a.k.a. I wanted to binge TV while cycling instead of spending eight hours training in nature where there is no TV). Also, Amazon offers a 90-day return window, as compared to the 30-day return window offered on the Sunny Health & Fitness website, which was a big reason I purchased this bike from Amazon. 

[Related: The 7 Best Budget Exercise Bikes of 2024]

Setup and delivery scored a 3 out of 5. The box this bike came in was heavy — I needed to unpack it at the base of my staircase and carry the individual parts up to my apartment. Amazon offers expert assembly for an added fee, and some reviews on Reddit say that the extra $100 to $200 was worth every penny. 

The seat has four-way adjustability and the handlebars move up and down, accommodating users between 5 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 1 inch. Also, the 49-pound flywheel is one of the largest I’ve seen on an exercise bike at this price point, helping to create a smooth pedaling experience. Customization and adjustability scored a 5 out of 5.

For $399, I think this is one of the best exercise bikes under $500 on the market. I’ve ridden over 1,000 miles on this bike and I’ve found it to be smooth and relatively quiet. Also, the transport wheels are high quality, so I’ve been able to move this from my living room to my office with ease. I do, however, wish it had a media holder or phone mount. 

Because this bike uses friction resistance, there is some minor maintenance to attend to, like greasing the flywheel and checking the leather friction pad for wear. Personally, I’ve yet to replace the friction pad and have greased the flywheel just once or twice in the last 3 years. Durability scored a 5 out of 5.

Best Under-Desk Exercise Bike for Beginners: DeskCycle2

DeskCycle Under Desk Bike

DeskCycle Under Desk Bike

The DeskCycle Under Desk Bike was designed to help you stay active while firing off emails at work. The low-profile pedals are adjustable and compatible with desks as low as 27 inches. Its magnetic resistance, meanwhile, works to provide a whisper-quiet pedal that won’t distract coworkers.

The DeskCycle2 is one of the best portable exercise bikes we’ve tested, and also our choice for the best under-desk exercise bike for beginners. It’s forged from alloy steel, and weighs 23 pounds. That’s roughly 8 to 13 pounds heavier than other mini bikes, but with that extra weight comes more stability, which is essential in an under-desk unit. Also, since a standard desk has a leg clearance of around 29 to 30 inches, the DeskCycle2’s 20-inch height should fit under one nicely. We scored its stability and pedal function a 5 out of 5, and its resistance and durability a 4.5 out of 5.

Our tester, a certified personal trainer, appreciated the bidirectional flywheel’s quiet magnetic resistance during their office workout. “I didn’t expect there to be enough resistance for a real workout, but the top two levels were really hard!” Resistance scored a 4.5 out of 5.

The DeskCycle2 sets itself apart from competitors with Apple Watch and Fitbit connectivity, which allows you to sync it to your tracker to access workout data. The LCD display can also pop off the mini bike so you can keep it on your desk to view training stats. “It’s also super quiet, so I’ve been able to use this while on work calls,” mentioned our tester, who gave adjustability a 4 out of 5.

While the foot pedals can adjust from 9 to 10 inches, and the straps adjust for varying foot sizes, users over 5 feet 10 inches or with long legs may struggle to find a comfortable and ergonomic position with the DeskCycle2. And, despite its lightweight frame, we do wish it had a handle to assist with transport. 

At $199, it’s on the higher end of mini and under-desk bikes, but we think the stability, flywheel, magnetic resistance, and fitness tracker connectivity justify the price. 

What to Consider Before Buying an Exercise Bike for Beginners

Before you invest in an exercise bike to elevate your home workouts, consider what your needs are and what you’d like to accomplish with a bike. Do you want programming to help guide your workouts? How much adjustability will you need to provide for an ergonomic and comfortable experience? Keep these questions in mind as you consider what to look for when buying an indoor cycle for beginners.

Adjustability

For beginners, comfort is key. Users are less likely to stick to a new routine if their bike doesn’t adjust for an ergonomic fit or their feet slide in and out of the toe cages. While standard exercise bike seats and handlebars adjust bidirectionally, some options offer four-way adjustability to dial in your riding position in the saddle. 

For users who are below 5 feet 3 inches or taller than 5 feet 10 inches, you’ll want to look for four-way seat adjustability to make sure you’re bringing a bike into your home that’ll fit you. However, recumbent bikes tend to only have forward and back adjustability, since users won’t need to lean forward to hold onto handlebars. Lastly, keep in mind that mini bikes have few adjustment capabilities, so they may not work for taller riders or those with long legs. 

Programming

There are a ton of high-tech indoor bikes available on the market, and knowing whether or not you’d benefit (or be keen on spending the extra cash) from built in programming, live classes, touchscreens, and apps will help you narrow down your search. Beginners, after all, may benefit from the structure and motivation provided by the dynamic programming available via apps like iFIT, JRNY, SunnyFit, and Peloton. 

However, this coach-led programming often comes with an added cost in the form of monthly subscriptions ranging from $19.99 up to $44. As a beginner, you may be curious about this type of programming, and you’ll be able to try out many of these options with a free trial period that can range from 1 week (Peloton) up to two months (JRNY).

[Related: The 8 Best Exercise Bikes with Screens]

Your Needs

Working on one’s fitness encompasses many different interpretations. Some users may be looking to strengthen their hearts to aid in their everyday life, others may want to drop some weight, and those in recovery may be looking to incorporate some low-impact work to help them heal from an injury. 

Or maybe your needs more closely align with convenience. “An exercise bike eliminates traffic as a reason to skip your session, so it can be someone’s golden ticket to exercising more frequently,” notes BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CF-L1, CES, CSNC. 

Benefits of Exercise Bikes for Beginners

The benefits of cycling include building stronger hearts, increasing endurance, lowering blood pressure, and lifting some symptoms of depression and anxiety — studies have shown that even just one session of exercise can increase people’s moods. (4) (5) If that’s not a tasty list of reasons to start spinning, I don’t know what is. Here are some additional benefits that come along with beginners bringing exercise bikes into their homes.

Time Efficient

Bringing an exercise bike into your home can help save you the time and energy it takes to brush your hair, put on deodorant, find your car keys — WHERE ARE MY CAR KEYS — and drive to the gym. There’s no need to brush your hair or put deodorant on when you’re cruising from your palace! Personally, this is one of my favorite reasons for having a spin bike at home. I often work out in my pajamas.

When you have an exercise bike glaring at you from the corner of your living room, there’s no excuse not to hop on for a quick ride while you’re waiting for dinner to thaw.  

Low-Impact Cardio

Growing older is tough on the body, but trading in your cardio routine isn’t the solution. Exercise bikes provide low-impact cardio for users with bad knees and stiff joints, and recumbent bikes provide additional support for users with bad backs and limited mobility. Due to the seated nature of riding an indoor cycle, you’re taking pressure off of your lower body, giving your heart the training it needs without the high-impact workloads you might experience while running outside or on a treadmill. (6)

[Related: Running on a Treadmill Vs. Running Outside — Which Is Best for Your Goals?]

Safer Alternative to Riding Outdoors

For riders who live in busy cities or climates where the weather is unpredictable and unpleasant, an indoor exercise bike can provide the ability to safely pedal from the comfort of your own home.

“Many people do not feel safe cycling outside,” says BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CF-L1, CES, CSNC., “Indoor exercise bikes provide access to cycling no matter the weather or outdoor conditions. As someone who lived in Miami and trained for triathlons there, riding outside can be brutally terrifying for city dwellers.” 

How Much Do Exercise Bikes for Beginners Cost?

Exercise bikes can cost anywhere from a few hundred bucks to nearly $3,000 for connected machines with all the bells and whistles. This range is affected by the intensity of training provided, tech features like HD touchscreens and integrated apps, and the materials used in construction of the bike. The chart below will show you how each bike’s price from our list compares against one another. 

The most affordable exercise bikes for beginners tend to be mini bikes, folding bikes, and friction-resistance upright bikes, all of which tend to be best suited for low-impact cycling as they lack high-end construction. 

Air bikes are a solid mid-range option. Though they tend to lack dynamic programming, they do incorporate moving arms for a full-body workout. 

Upright and recumbent bikes often carry the most cost — on our list, they range from $1,299 up to $2,199 — as they’re the most likely to incorporate screens, app integration, and other high-end amenities.

Types of Exercise Bikes for Beginners

Whether it’s a versatile upright spin bike, a joint-friendly recumbent bike, a user-powered air bike, or a mini bike that can fit snugly under your desk, there’s an indoor cycling bike on this list that can provide the accessibility of use you need and the right amount of intensity for your training.

Upright

Upright bikes are the standard bikes you may come across in fitness studios like SoulCycle or any other type of sweaty, dimly-lit spin studio. “Upright bikes are your typical stationary bikes, which are excellent for high-intensity exercise and tech-savvy cyclists who love to take fitness classes,” says BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CF-L1, CES, CSNC. 

These bikes tend to have a weighted flywheel ranging from 20 to 49 pounds, which provides resistance either through friction or with magnets. While friction resistance is more affordable, it can also be noisier and require more upkeep than magnetic resistance bikes.

Air Bike

If you’ve ever strolled into a CrossFit gym (or strolled in and strolled right back out muttering, “There’s no way I’m doing that”), you’re likely to have seen an air bike with a pair of moveable arms. What’s great about these models is they’re non-motorized and don’t require an outlet to operate. The more you pedal and pump your arms, the more resistance is created by the fan spinning. “Air bikes… engage the upper body, thus providing a full-body workout,” notes Capritto.

Additionally, these bikes are great for high-intensity interval training, which can provide physiological benefits similar to cardio in a shorter amount of time. (4)

Recumbent

With a reclined seat and back support, recumbent bikes are often seen in physical therapy offices since they provide a low-impact and supportive tool for cardio and increased movement. “Seniors and individuals with limited mobility may struggle to get on and off of a [standard] exercise bike, in which case a recumbent bike is recommended,” says Capritto.

Recumbent bikes will have fewer seat adjustments than standard exercise bikes, but fear not, since riders are placed in a reclined position they don’t need to reach forward to hold onto handles, which is why four-way seat adjustability is so important on upright bikes. 

[Related: Best Recumbent Bikes for Small Spaces, Streaming, Seniors, and More]

Mini Bikes

Mini bikes, or under-desk cycles, are highly portable, low-profile cardio machines that can add a light sprinkling of activity into their day. They’re best suited for people who spend hours at their desk and are sick and tired of their Apple watch saying, “Hey! Are you still alive? You haven’t moved in 8 hours. I’m concerned.”

They range in price from around $20 to $250, which is far less than standard exercise bikes, which can cost anywhere from $300 to $2,600 (and beyond). However, users looking for a more serious workout may be disappointed by the limited resistance on these devices.

Final Word

Exercise bikes for beginners can provide access to low-impact cardio capabilities for those new to cycling, recovering from injury, struggling with limited mobility, or simply curious about dipping their toes into the world of spin bikes. 

Exercise bikes can help you increase your cardio, which can strengthen your heart and make chasing your grandkids around a walk in the park (even if it’s actually a run, or a sprint, in the park). Regardless of your experience with cycling, there’s an exercise bike that’ll help you start and maintain a routine to help you reach your goals. We know the market is awash with options for indoor bikes, so we hope this list helps you narrow down your search and find the right fit. 

FAQs

References

1. Hellsten, Y., & Nyberg, M. (2015). Cardiovascular Adaptations to Exercise Training. Comprehensive Physiology, 6(1), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c140080
2. Peluso, M. A., & Guerra de Andrade, L. H. (2005). Physical activity and mental health: the association between exercise and mood. Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 60(1), 61–70. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1807-59322005000100012
3. Chen, H., Chen, C., Spanos, M., Li, G., Lu, R., Bei, Y., & Xiao, J. (2022). Exercise training maintains cardiovascular health: signaling pathways involved and potential therapeutics. Signal transduction and targeted therapy, 7(1), 306. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-022-01153-1
4. Chavarrias, M., Carlos-Vivas, J., Collado-Mateo, D., & Pérez-Gómez, J. (2019). Health Benefits of Indoor Cycling: A Systematic Review. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 55(8), 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55080452
5. Ligeza, T. S., Maciejczyk, M., Wyczesany, M., & Junghofer, M. (2023). The effects of a single aerobic exercise session on mood and neural emotional reactivity in depressed and healthy young adults: A late positive potential study. Psychophysiology, 60(1), e14137. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14137
6. Sandmeier R. H. (2000). Osteoarthritis and Exercise: Does Increased Activity Wear Out Joints?. The Permanente Journal, 4(4), 26–28.