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Best Upright Exercise Bike

Cycling is a great form of exercise that does not put extra stress on other areas of the body. If you are looking for a simple cycling solution to use at home, an upright exercise bike is a great option.

Upright exercise bikes are perfect for easy and low-impact cardiovascular workouts.

What Are the Benefits of Using an Upright Exercise Bike?

An upright exercise bike is great if you are looking for a workout that is consistent to outdoor cycling. One of the main reasons for this is the upright body position that you are in while using this exercise bike. This body position also works your abdominal muscles along with your legs and upper body.

Your arms work to hold your body upright, so you will be working your shoulders, biceps and triceps while using an upright exercise bike. Holding your body in this position while working your legs is engaging your core and abdominals. With that said, exercising on an upright bike really does work your whole body. (1)

An upright exercise bike provides an excellent cardiovascular workout for those of all fitness levels. The benefit of having an upright exercise bike is also based on machine size. These exercise bikes tend to have a smaller footprint compared to other kinds of exercise equipment. (2)

What to Look for in an Upright Exercise Bike

An upright exercise bike is compact and convenient to use at home. Here are some key factors to consider when looking for the perfect upright exercise bike for you.

Tracking

As you exercise you may want to keep track of various aspects of your session. Most bikes will come with a built-in computer designed to track the workout as well as your body. These computers typically keep track of a variety of things including time, distance, speed, pulse and calories burned.

If you are hoping to keep track of these kinds of things while working out, then a bike with this feature is essential. Different bikes will have different built-in systems, with some tracking more than others. Consider what you want to keep track of the most and make sure you choose a bike that accommodates that.

Adjustability

When cycling it is important that you have the seat and handlebars adjusted to fit your size. This is essential for comfort and safety. Most exercise bikes come with an adjustable seat and some come with adjustable handlebars.

Make sure that you can adjust the bike correctly to accommodate your body size. If you are particularly tall for example, you will need to make sure that the seat extends high enough.

Resistance

One of the key factors of a cycling exercise is the element of resistance. The level of resistance applied when cycling alters the intensity of the workout. Make sure to choose an exercise bike that offers different levels of resistance to vary your workouts.

Most exercise bikes will have the capability of adjusting resistance. Some will come with more options than others though. The best options will be a bike that has a larger number of resistance levels.

Comfort and Capacity

As cycling is an exercise where you will be sitting down, it is important that you find the seat comfortable. Some seats come with extra padding to ensure this. If your bike does not have a comfortable seat, you can buy padded or gel seat covers for extra support and comfort.

Exercise bikes are generally tough and strong. They are built to support people of all different weights. With that said however, if you are of a larger build, you may want to check the weight capacity of the bike before purchasing.

Purchasing a bike that does not support your weight is dangerous. The bike may fall over while you are using it if the weight capacity is surpassed.

Size

Upright exercise bikes are an excellent option for those looking to save a bit of space at home. They tend to have a smaller footprint to other kinds of exercise bike.

Generally, these bikes are designed to be more compact. With that in mind, the bike you choose should be quite compact and capable of fitting into your space comfortably.

Tips for Upright Cycling at Home

Cycling is a great form of exercise that is easy to do at home. Here are some of our tips to make the most of your exercise bike at home.

Clothing

When using your exercise bike at home, avoid wearing clothes that are very loose fitting. It’s best to wear shorts or tight gym leggings for both safety and comfort. Any loose clothing near the pedals risks injury if it gets caught up in the mechanism.

With that in mind, specifically avoid loose trousers. Also make sure you are wearing proper footwear and that your laces are tied tightly. Alternatively, wear running or cycling shoes that do not have laces for extra safety.

Maintenance

Exercise equipment is costly, so you want to make sure you look after it properly. The most important thing to consider when looking after an exercise bike is moisture. Make sure to wipe your bike dry after each use to prevent any moisture from building up or getting into the bike.

Moisture will cause corrosion and damage to the bike over time. Wiping it down with a towel after each use takes no time and will help to extend the life of your upright exercise bike.

The Best Upright Exercise Bikes Reviewed (Our Choices)

Marcy Upright Exercise Bike

Marcy’s upright exercise bike is a great option for an at home exercise bike. It is well built and made to last as it is made of steel. Users can easily adapt the resistance while cycling with an easy access tension control.

Tracking your progress and workout is also easy with its built-in LCD computer screen. The built-in computer tracks speed, calories and distance. Comfort is also easily achieved by this bike’s adjustable seat.

Users of all sizes can cycle on this indoor exercise bike once the seat has been adjusted. Its pedals also feature safety straps to secure your feet while riding.

Pros

  • Made from durable steel, this bike is built to last.
  • Eight different levels of resistance all you to challenge yourself during your workout.
  • Easily keep track of your progress with a built-in LCD computer screen.

Cons

  • The assembly instructions are not very clear making it slightly difficult to put together.

Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike

Exerpeutic’s folding upright bike is an excellent solution for those looking to save space. This indoor bike features a unique, easy fold design, making it perfectly portable and easy to store. Having this option will definitely appeal to those who do not want their exercise bike to become a permanent feature of the TV room.

With a large padded seat, this bike has been designed with extra comfort in mind. Users of all heights can also comfortable exercise on this bike with its easily adjustable seat. With eight different levels of resistance on offer as well, this bike is bound to keep you challenged during your workouts.

For users looking to track their cycling sessions and progress, this bike is also a great option. It features a built-in LCD screen as well as hand pulse sensors to track your pulse.

Pros

  • This bike’s extra padded seat makes longer workouts more comfortable.
  • Easy fold design makes this bike perfect for smaller spaces and easy storage.
  • Track your progress with a built-in LCD monitor and hand pulse sensors.

Cons

  • It can be noisy when pedaling, so the screws need to be constantly tightened to avoid this.

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2511H Magnetic Upright Bike

The SF-B2511H is another brilliant option for an upright exercise bike. It is small and compact, making it easy to move around the house and store. With a built-in LCD screen and pulse monitor, users can easily keep track of their workout and monitor their progress.

A good extra feature of this bike is the addition of a built-in tablet holder. This is great for users who like to follow workout videos online or even keep themselves busy while working out.

With eight levels of magnetic resistance, this bike allows users to easily challenge themselves while working out. However, if you are used to higher levels of resistance you are likely to be disappointed. Some users commented that the intensity of resistance on offer with this bike is not as strong as they had expected.

Pros

  • Magnetic resistance makes this bike very quiet when using which is great for noise sensitive riders.
  • Built-in LCD screen and pulse monitors help track your workout and progress.
  • A built-in tablet holder is great for multitasking or following an online workout video.

Cons

  • The tension and resistance of the bike may not be the best for users looking to challenge themselves.

Schwinn 130 Upright Bike

Schwinn’s 130 upright bike is a great option for those looking for an added challenge. This bike comes complete with 20 different levels of resistance as well as 22 pre-programmed workouts. With so many different options, users will be able to challenge themselves in a variety of different ways.

Another great feature of this bike is that is has a built-in USB port, which allows you to connect or charge smart devices while exercising. Tracking the progress of your workout is also made easy with the built-in LCD screen

The LCD screen on the Schwinn 130 is not backlit, however. Some users have highlighted that it is difficult to read the screen in bright sunlight. With that said, though, this bike is made to be used indoors and out of direct sunlight. Just make sure to set your bike up away from any windows, in order to clearly see the LCD screen.

Pros

  • LCD screen allows you to track your workout and progress.
  • 20 different levels of resistance will keep you challenged throughout every workout.
  • With 22 built-in pre-programmed workouts you will never get bored when exercising with this machine.
  • Extra features including a USB port, speakers and fan give this bike an extra edge.

Cons

  • Can be noisy after a few uses which is not great for noise sensitive users.
  • Display is not backlit which can be difficult to see in bright sunlight.

Exerpeutic Gold 575 XLS Smart Technology Bike

This is a great choice for those looking for the complete package. Exerpeutic’s 575 XLS comes complete with a wide variety of great features, including 21 preset workouts. Having some built-in preprogrammed workouts makes exercising easy and convenient, without having to find a video to follow.

If you are looking to push your limits and challenge yourself, the 575 XL is a brilliant option. This bike offers 16 different levels of resistance to help you mix up each session and increase your fitness level. Tracking your progress is also made easy with the built-in LCD screen, as well as the option to connect to your smart device via Bluetooth.  

While this bike really does have a lot to offer, some reviews have reflected bad customer support. Users who have experienced problems with their bikes have highlighted the limited support available. This could be a deal breaker for some, as if things go wrong you might be on your own trying to solve the problem.

Pros

  • With 21 preset workout programs, this bike will keep users busy with a variety of different challenges.
  • 16 different levels of resistance make it easy for users to push themselves when looking for an extra challenge.
  • A built-in LCD screen makes tracking the progress of each workout session easy.
  • Built-in Bluetooth technology is a great added feature if you want to connect your exercise bike to a smart device.
  • Easy fold design makes it easy to store at home.

Cons

  • Manufacturer support is limited, making it difficult to fix your bike if anything goes wrong.

Conclusion

There is a great variety of options available when it comes to buying an upright exercise bike. If you are thinking about getting some exercise equipment for the house without compromising on space, an upright exercise bike is the perfect solution.

One of the main benefits of this type of exercise bike is that it has a smaller footprint than other exercise equipment. Considering this, the bike we like best is one of the most compact and portable of our top choices.

We recommend going for the Exerpeutic’s 575 XLS because it has a great selection of different features, as well as a neat and compact design. This bike’s ability to fold up makes it perfect for using in small spaces and easy to store in between workouts.

We also love the wide variety of features and options that come with this exercise bike. While the aftercare and support might not be that great, if you look after the bike to avoid damage, it’s a great option.

Whichever bike you decide to go for, make sure it has the right features for you. If you are looking to challenge yourself, then we recommend that you choose one with more resistance levels or preprogrammed workouts. If space is a deal breaker, then a foldable exercise bike is your best option.

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