Indoor cycling provides a low-impact workout to strengthen lower body muscles and build core strength, burn calories, and connect to apps for structured workouts or classes.
Smart bikes measure your power output and automatically adjust resistance, whether that means matching an incline on Zwift or hitting the required wattage of an exercise routine. They typically feature adjustable seats and handlebars for a custom fit as well.
1. Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycle Bike
Sunny Health & Fitness bikes offer durable designs with practical features to deliver effective workouts at an affordable price point. This model comes equipped with a steel frame to support riders up to 275 pounds, as well as a 49-pound flywheel for real world pedaling experience and helping burn calories more effectively. In addition, its belt drive system makes for quieter operation with lower maintenance needs than traditional chains.
Track your progress using a battery-powered LCD monitor while making cycling app use seamless with streaming classes or live classes. Padded handlebars and slip-free grips make for an enjoyable ride while the resistance knob offers micro-adjustability for increased resistance levels.
As opposed to more costly models, the Sunny bike does not come equipped with a screen or device holder for following classes and exercises. A separate tablet holder may be purchased to monitor videos and metrics more easily but won’t provide as many advantages compared to more connected indoor cycle options.
2. Yosuda Indoor Cycling Stationary Bike
Yosuda’s model was the least-expensive upright bike we tested, as well as one of our top budget options overall. It features an innovative belt-driven flywheel with infinite resistance settings to fit users of all fitness levels comfortably and quietly during use; perfect for silent household riding! Plus, its LCD monitor also serves as a tablet holder so users can stream workout apps or entertainment.
This exercise bike’s display and controls are relatively basic compared to other smart bikes, thus accounting for its subpar score in this category. It features an LCD display with one button for scrolling through data fields like time, speed, distance traveled, calories burnt and odometer readings.
This stable steel frame features a 35-pound friction resistance flywheel for soft yet quiet movement, plus features such as device shelf, water bottle cage and adjustable cage pedals for a safe ride.
3. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike
Schwinn has designed its top recumbent bike, the 270, to meet home users’ workout needs and desires. Boasting 29 fitness programs – two fitness tests and nine heart rate control workouts – as well as a comfortable padded seat featuring back rest support designed to offer lumbar support while being ventilated to keep riders cool during workouts.
A sleek and user-friendly console provides all of the essential info for your workouts. Equipped with quiet eddy current brake resistance arranged into 25 levels, as well as four user profiles so each member of your family can save their own programs and personal data, Bluetooth compatibility makes Explore the World and MyFitnessPal apps compatible, an in-console speaker system is provided alongside on-handlebar grip heart rate monitoring capabilities and telemetry compatibility to support chest strap compatibility – not to mention it weighs only 86.6 pounds fully assembled while being easily transported thanks to front facing transport wheels on both ends – great investment!
4. YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike
The YOSUDA indoor cycling bike features an upright design made with sturdy steel materials and a 35 lb flywheel, providing users of all fitness abilities to challenge themselves during workouts. The adjustable handlebars and molded seat provide for a comfortable ride; pedals with caged feet keep feet secure during sessions while an LCD screen displays your odometer, speed, calories burned and time with just one button press allowing you to select desired display options.
This bike has a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds and operates nearly noiselessly when in use. The belt-driven system makes for quieter operation and reduced maintenance needs; making this an excellent option for people living in apartments or condominiums who want to exercise without disturbing others in the home. Unfortunately, users do not find it suitable for full body workouts.