Having an exercise bike at home is a convenient and effective way to stay in shape.
With so many options available, choosing which one best suits your needs can be challenging.
We tested tens of products over several weeks to develop this guide on the best exercise bikes for a home gym.
We’ll cover everything, from budget-friendly options to bikes with all the bells and whistles. Whether you are looking for a basic machine or something that offers more features, we had it tested and reviewed.
Read on and find out which exercise bike is right for you.
Our Top Exercise Bike for Home Gym (September 2023)
1 - Rogue Echo Bike (Editor's Choice)
Rogue’s flagship aerobic machine is an upright air bike that underscores Rogue’s ability to make durable, solid, high-quality home gym equipment.
Rogue Fitness uses a belt drive to power the exercise bike.
The bike weighs 127 pounds and has a weight capacity of 350 pounds.
Despite the heavy-duty construction, this exercise bike is quiet, except for the powerful gust of wind from the fan blades.
Everything you need is in the box for tools, hardware, and specific instructions for assembly, and we found it pretty doable for one person.
After trying out this product, we found you can easily swap out the metal pedals for cycling cleats.
- Rogue gives you everything you need for easy assembly
- Robust construction offers a sturdy ride
- LCD offers workout variations, including intervals
- You can swap out the metal pedals for cycling cleats
- The LCD display is not backlit
2 - Peloton Bike
The Peloton bike brings spin studio classes to the comfort of your home gym.
This top-of-the-line indoor exercise bike will fit any rider from 4’11” to 6’4” and up to 297 pounds.
We like the precision adjustment in the electromagnetic resistance and the flywheel, which offers a smooth and quiet ride that doesn’t interfere with the live classes.
Peloton bikes are an investment and don’t suit everyone’s budget with the ongoing subscription.
A Peloton alternative may be a better option if you aren’t looking for a library of live or on-demand classes, as our findings show these exercise bikes are pretty limited without them.
However, if you’re competitive or enjoy biking camaraderie, like many in our test group, the Peloton offers one of the most passionate and active communities in fitness.
- A sizeable virtual biking community offers camaraderie and competition
- Sturdy construction
- Adjustments allow comfort for a variety of riders
- Limited if you don’t maintain a monthly subscription
3 - NordicTrack
Users will enjoy a realistic indoor cycling ride with the NordicTrack Studio bike, as it features an impressive maximum 20% incline and -10% decline adjustability.
We found riding the bike allowed us to closely mimic some of our favorite hilly routes.
NordicTrack is another exercise bike that offers an interactive experience.
We were impressed that the trainer automatically adjusted resistance during the live fitness class, so pedaling was our only focus.
The bike has a 30-day iFit trial that offers live and on-demand training sessions.
The bike itself includes a 22-inch screen that tilts and pivots 360 degrees.
Our analysis of this product revealed that there was some inconsistent responsiveness with the screen.
- Simulates hills with max 20% incline and -10% decline
- Bluetooth headphone connectivity
- iFit trainer automatically adjusts resistance for you during live classes
- The touchscreen can be glitchy and unresponsive
“Common forms of cardio include walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, and fitness classes. Cardio machines may include a rower, elliptical, stair climber, upright or recumbent bike, and treadmill.”
- Sara Lindberg, B.S., Exercise Science
4 - Echelon Smart Connect Bike
Boasting a compact footprint similar to other indoor exercise bikes and weighing 104 pounds, the Echelon Smart Connect bike has an impressive weight capacity of 300 pounds.
We like that you have 32 resistance levels to adjust intensity during each ride. With the dual-sided pedals, you can clip in SPD clips or use toe cages, allowing users to wear regular sneakers or cycling shoes.
Echelon is another exercise bike that offers live and on-demand workouts through a subscription-based service, Echelon Premier.
After putting it to the test, we found the seat isn’t exceptionally comfortable—not horrible either, just meh. We did like the telescopic handlebars to maximize comfort.
One feature we noted on this bike is a device holder, which is missing on many other indoor bikes. It could be because the Echelon Smart Connect bike lacks a touch screen.
Its small footprint makes it perfect for compact home gyms.
- Compact footprint
- Dual pedals support cycling or regular shoes
- The seat and handlebars are fully adjustable
- Lacks touchscreen
5 - JOROTO X2 Stationary Exercise Bike
The JOROTO X2 stationary exercise bike has a very affordable price tag without sacrificing quality.
As suspected at this price point, this indoor fitness cycle bike lacks the bells and whistles of other pricier options.
Though the bike has durable steel construction, our team discovered through using this product that the stabilizer bars are a bit narrow, so if you place this in a room with carpet, you may want to use a quality exercise mat.
Additionally, four levels are under the stabilizer bars to balance the bike on uneven flooring.
The magnetic resistance and belt drive offer a quiet ride, so combine that with the sturdy construction and adjustment settings, and this bike is a great budget-friendly equipment to add to your home gym.
- Very affordable
- Quiet ride
- Highly-adjustable seat and handlebars
- More narrow stabilizer bars than other exercise bikes
6 - Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Bike
Sunny Health & Fitness is well-known in the fitness world, offering equipment like an under-desk cycle, a magnetic recumbent exercise bike, and a popular folding exercise bike.
The Sunny bike we tested for this review ensures a smooth ride and comfortable full-body workout at an affordable price point.
Our findings show that this no-frills indoor bike mimics studio bikes thanks to its 49-pound chrome flywheel.
However, if you want an authentic studio cycling experience or need more guidance, consider a bike that incorporates live and on-demand workout classes.
The bike does not need electricity or extras like WiFi, subscriptions, or special shoes.
While more advanced riders in our test group looking for more intensity in their workouts or metrics like cadence found this bike needing improvement, the beginners in the group enjoyed testing this indoor bike.
- Very affordable compared to other indoor exercise bikes
- Quiet operation
- No need for cycling apps
- No cadence tracker
“Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity.”
- Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
7 - DMASUN Indoor Cycling Bike
A surprising addition to this best indoor bikes review is from DMASUN.
After putting it to the test, we found the design of this upright exercise bike can withstand heavier loads, making it perfect for tall or heavier users.
Built to accommodate riders from 4’ 9” to 6’ 3” with a weight capacity of 350 pounds, all in our test group were able to make the necessary bike seat adjustments for a comfortable and smooth ride.
However, some felt the handlebars sat a bit too far forward.
Even at an affordable price, the DMASUN offers quiet magnetic resistance and a 42-pound flywheel.
You can easily change the resistance during your cardio workout to trigger weight loss.
- Fully adjustable seat and handlebars accommodate users of varying sizes
- Magnetic resistance ensures a quiet ride
- A sturdy frame supports a maximum weight of 350 pounds
- Many users report poor customer service experiences
8 - Pooboo Magnetic Resistance Bike
The construction of the PooBoo bike is solid, yet its footprint is small.
This bike is appropriate for most riders up to 6’” tall and 300 pounds; it is a great budget bike.
PooBoo stands behind its bike, backing it with an 18-month warranty on parts and labor, a commitment worth mentioning for a bike in this price range.
Many indoor cycling bikes have a ball-shaped handle to turn for resistance adjustments; the Pooboo has more of a flattened disk shape that most of our testers reported difficulty turning mid-workout.
On the plus side, our research indicates the bike is straightforward to assemble.
The handlebars conveniently act as tablet and water bottle holders. Also, the bike has a hand pulse handle for quick heart rate tracking if you don’t wear a fitness tracker.
- A basic LCD monitor provides metrics
- No fitness app required
- Special cycling shoes are not required
- Resistance is challenging to adjust to change mid-workout
9 - YOSUDA Stationary Bike
As far as indoor bikes go, Yosuda offers a highly affordable, comfortable, no-frills ride with its at-home exercise bike offering.
Based on our firsthand experience, you will have a smooth ride with its belt-driven weight flywheel that simulates cycling at your local gym.
The YOSUDA indoor cycling bike has adjustable resistance, allowing for an infinite variety of workouts suitable for all fitness levels.
Our testers included novice and advanced riders, and all achieved a good cardio workout on this bike.
YOSUDA bike is a basic option, which is certainly okay if you are looking to just get on and ride.
There is an LCD monitor to track workout stats such as calories burned and an iPad holder if you enjoy music or videos while you train.
- No need to maintain a fitness app subscription
- Sturdy frame supports 270 pounds
- It provides a very comfortable ride
- Many user reviews have us concerned this bike won’t last
10 - BARWING Stationary Exercise Bike
BARWING offers the best budget exercise bike in this review at a quite low price point.
Though targeted at seniors, the BARWING bike is excellent for anyone looking for recumbent bikes feel with the option of an upright position.
We liked this feature mainly because, at this price point, most options are either recumbent or upright bikes, not a combination of the two.
The BARWING is foldable, an excellent feature for users with limited space.
This feature made the bike feel less sturdy during our cycling workouts than other models. We have found from using this product that the metrics are pretty weak.
However, this isn’t a dealbreaker for everyone, but if you like to track your workout stats, which motivate and increase physical activity, there are better options [1].
- Offers recumbent or upright positioning
- Excellent price
- Foldability saves space
- Poor stats tracking
Buyer's Guide
The benefits of aerobic exercise, including indoor cycling, are countless and include improving cardiovascular health, reducing asthma symptoms, reducing chronic pain, improving sleep, and regulating weight [2].
If you want to add indoor cycling to your routine, consider the following when researching indoor bikes to help you meet your fitness goals.
Comfort
When purchasing an exercise bike, comfort and fit are key components for ensuring you get the most out of your workout.
Sitting on the bike to ensure it is the right size and shape will allow you to test if you can move freely and comfortably while riding.
Additionally, you can confirm that the bike fits your height, weight, and body type perfectly, providing adequate support so that workouts don’t cause strain or premature fatigue.
How You Work Out
Consider what kind of workout most appeals to you: high-intensity interval training (HIIT), endurance, or adding light weights to incorporate strength training.
Consider as well whether you prefer to work out solo or with a group.
Also, assess any health conditions that affect your workout, like arthritis, which may lead you to research recumbent exercise bikes.
Studies show that some stationary equipment puts more stress on the joints than others [3].
Additionally, considering how frequently you plan on indoor cycling can help narrow down which exercise bikes have the best features and capabilities for your workout needs.
Remember, the CDC recommends 150 minutes of exercise each week, though it doesn’t all have to be on a bike [4].
Available Space
Consider the amount of space available in the bike’s location since larger machines can take up quite a bit of room.
Knowing how much space you have to work with will help you decide if an upright bike, a recumbent bike, or even a folding bike will better fit your space.
Remember to also factor in the area around the indoor cycling bike for hopping on and off the saddle.
Cost
You may be surprised that some of the best indoor exercise bikes are not the most expensive.
When researching exercise bikes, consider how much money you are comfortable spending and what type of warranty coverage comes with the model you are considering.
Having a solid warranty can save you money if something goes wrong.
FAQs
Are Indoor Stationary Bikes Worth It?
Yes, indoor stationary bikes are worth it as they may help you burn calories and lose weight while improving heart and lung function and strengthening muscles.
Can a Stationary Exercise Bike Reduce Belly Fat?
Yes, a stationary exercise bike can reduce belly fat. Increasing workout intensity and increasing resistance can help burn more calories and reduce even more belly fat.
What Is the Best Brand for Exercise Bikes?
After extensive testing, our team came to the conclusion that the Rogue Echo Bike has everything that makes exercise bikes good: a smooth ride, adjustments, metrics, and intensity levels that accommodate any workout routine.
With its heavy-duty steel frame built to last, adjustable handlebars, and customizable resistance settings, this bike has everything you need for a total-body workout.
Investing in quality equipment like the Rogue Echo ensures you get results without sacrificing safety and performance.
Check out the Rogue Echo Bike if you want a high-quality indoor bike that will likely last through years of workouts.
Our #1 Recommendation
Rogue Echo Bike
- Rogue gives you everything you need for easy assembly
- Robust construction offers a sturdy ride
- LCD offers workout variations, including intervals
- You can swap out the metal pedals for cycling cleats
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of September
- The LCD display is not backlit
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