Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes
Last Updated: 5th December 2024
Recumbent exercise bikes are one of the most misunderstood pieces of exercise equipment on the market today. We wanted to shed some light in this brilliant piece of kit, with 5 of the best recumbent exercise bikes in the UK.
Find out why this kind of exercise bike could be a much more effective option for you. We’ll look at its benefits, and then point out some features that you might want from your choice of recumbent exercise bike.
These five are the best recumbent bikes available at the moment, and there’s something for everyone’s goals, requirements and budget.
Quick Verdict: Best Recumbent Exercise Bike
What Is A Recumbent Exercise Bike?
Put simply, this type of exercise bike is similar to an upright bike, but it affords the user a more relaxed and comfortable seating position. This is because it is designed in such a way that it resembles more of a standard seat with support provided around the lower back and up into the upper back.
Even avid cyclists have to admit that bicycle saddles are one of the least comfortable forms of seating. No matter how high end you go and how much gel seat padding you add, sitting on a bike saddle is going to take its toll at some point on your precious behind.
The upright position of a standard bike or exercise bike can also place a fair amount of strain on your lower back – something that a recumbent bicycle aims to alleviate.
Thanks to the user being seated in a more reclined and supported riding position, weight is dispersed more evenly. This is not only more comfortable over long periods of time, but also provides a lot more support for the back which makes recumbent models all the more accessible.
There is a misconception that recumbent exercise bikes are predominantly reserved for those of an older generation. Perhaps that’s because they are indeed perfect for dealing with many of the aches and pains often associated with older age.
But they can also have many advantages for younger enthusiasts, too. Less strain means less likelihood of injury or causing long-term damage – something that is advantageous no matter how old you are.
The recumbent exercise bike also targets those leg muscles in a slightly different way to an upright bike. Whereas an upright bike will tend to put more focus on the quadriceps, a more reclined seating position will bring the hamstrings and glutes more into focus whilst still giving your quads a good workout.
JLL Home Recumbent Exercise Bike RE100
The JLL RE100 Recumbent home exercise bike is one of the best budget recumbent bikes we could find.
Generally available at under the £200 mark (currently £179.99 on the official site, although its RRP is £262.32), the JLL RE100 is not only good on your pocket but also one of the nicest looking recumbent bikes we have reviewed.
But remember, budget doesn’t always mean basic. There are still plenty of features to get your teeth into.
This bike has a respectable 8 levels of magnetic resistance to work through, and you can feel the difference in each gear change.
This is especially helpful when you’re a total beginner, as you can start from the lowest level and challenge yourself gradually. If you’ve got plenty of leg strength already, you’ll still feel challenged working through the higher levels of resistance.
The padded seat is pretty comfortable, and low enough to the ground that riders with lesser mobility will feel safe and secure. The stability is aided by two well built and robust handles that also have built-in pulse rate monitors.
Your heart rate plus 5 other readouts are neatly presented on the LCD display – this is conveniently low down so you can actually see it very clearly, unlike some other recumbent bikes that inexplicably position their screens higher up!
The seat has 6 levels of adjustment, so you should be able to get pretty comfy and at an appropriate distance for an optimum workout.
A two-way 5kg flywheel provides a smooth workout (two-way means you can pedal backwards as well as forwards), and as the resistance is produced by magnets the noise levels are as low as your ride. The display units will not win any design awards, but it is functional and gives you all the key information you need.
The overall build quality of the JLL RE100 is solid and we really like the design. It may not fold down but it is easy to move around, and with a maximum weight load of 100kg it should suit most people.
JLL RE200 Recumbent Exercise Bike
An upgrade to the RE100, the RE200 offers everything the RE100 does, but more.
The first advantage to mention is that the handlebars are positioned more comfortably in line with the padded seat (which is also adjustable).
The monitor is set at eye level, which keeps your chin up and frame nicely postured, plus you have the advantage of being able to arrange your seat at the perfect height and recline.
I did find the handlebars more user-friendly on this one – they reach out slightly further, so your arms are more comfortably positioned by your sides rather than potentially further back.
This wasn’t an issue as such with the RE100, but that extra consideration here from the RE200 gets it an extra point.
You also have an additional set of arm rests in front of you too, either side of the monitor – although these ones aren’t with sensors. Handy if you want to lean forward a little, or if you need something to lean on when getting on or off the bike (perhaps due to injury).
The seat is nicely padded like the RE100, and the handlebars are made with A-grade foam for comfort and durability. They’re also sweat resistant, which makes a surprising difference – there’s nothing worse than having slippery, sweaty handlebars when you’re trying to workout.
The similarities between this one and the RE100 are the 5kg flywheel, 8 levels of magnetic resistance, the monitor and its features, and the solid max user weight of 100kg.
The extra cost here (this one is currently £285.99 on the official website, RRP £399.67) is getting you a sturdier, much heavier and therefore more stable bike – it’s over 10kg heavier.
You also get a 3-piece crank upgrade from a 1-piece crank. This means you have greater power in your pedalling ability, because the flywheel is working from two separate crank arms as well as a spindle.
Overall, this is a really good option if you want all the benefits of the RE100, but are happy to pay that little bit extra for a sturdier, more solid bike. You’ll be able to go harder on your cycling, and you’ll be that little bit more comfortable too.
As with all JLL products, you get a 30-day money back guarantee, and 12 months’ warranty.
JLL RE600 Pro Recumbent Bike
This bike is the best recumbent bike from JLL. It’s a thing of beauty, and although on the higher end of pricing, I was surprised it was £449.99 and not more.
It looks way more expensive.
And it’s a whopping great big difference in ability, too – while most good bikes offer around 6-8 magnetic resistance, this beast has 32 levels!
This means you can adjust your workout exactly to your ability, or better still, gradually work up the resistance in manageable levels to make progress.
The monitor also shows everything you need to know: your basics such as distance, time, and calories burned, but then also your speed, RPMs, watts, odometer, and even recovery heart rate and body fat percentage.
All this info is all clearly displayed on the 5.5” LCD screen. It’s easy to input all your information, so that the monitor can calculate the rest. I also love that the screen is blue, which is really handy when you’re working out in low light.
There are 12 pre-set workout programs you can choose from, too. So if you’re not sure how to plan your workout, you can select a program based on what you want to achieve. Whether it’s fat loss, cardio health, or stamina and endurance you want to focus on, the RE600 already has set challenges to get you going.
You even have two apps to keep you motivated and challenged. Downloading Kinomap and iConsole will connect to your bike.
I’m not always a fan of apps – I tend to forget to use them as I don’t want to spend time fiddling around with technology. But these apps were really easy to set up, and offered some brilliant virtual courses, personalised workouts, and interactive training sessions.
I used them a few times, as they were indeed really engaging, and gave me something to focus on rather than just the timer.
This bike is also super solid. It can hold up to a weight of 135kg, which is brilliant for those of us who are built bigger – it’s frustrating not being able to find the equipment you need when you’re a heavier build, so it’s nice to see a product that manages this well.
And if you’re on the lighter side, well the RE600 is going to feel very powerful to cycle on, and very stable. You’ve even got adjustable stabilisers on this, so if the ground is uneven you can adjust them and that annoying rocking motion will stop.
Talking of where you’re going to place it, despite its size you can also easily transport it thanks to its wheels.
The whole bike looks and feels class, and it’s really comfortable to sit on. The back seat is breathable, and encases your back. The bike has been engineered and manufactured in the UK, and they have really helpful assembly instructions with their video (which I much prefer over the old-school paper instructions).
Overall, this bike has a strong frame, comfortable seat, handles, and pedals, plenty of data and motivation in reach, and powerful mechanisms to enable solid workouts. I absolutely love this bike from JLL, and though it’s on the more expensive side, it’s worth every single penny.
Be quick, though – as I write this, there aren’t many left in stock.
XS Sports Magnetic Seated Exercise Bike
The XS Sports Magnetic is a great option if you want a really good price tag.
Though it’s not the prettiest of the bunch, it does have other elements that may surprise you. It also has some of the best user reviews of all the bikes reviewed here.
It’s a good bike for its price, but there are a couple of drawbacks that may be important to you.
Firstly, this is a 4kg flywheel, which is a whole kg downgrade from the others. This means that although it has a decent number of 8 levels of magnetic resistance, the level of challenge on even the hardest setting is not going to satisfy season cyclists.
Not by much – it’s still a challenge for many of us on the top resistance level; someone looking to increase their fitness levels from a beginner point of view will do very well on it. But if you’re a bit of a pro with legs of steel, you might feel you could push a little harder than the bike’s maximum capability.
The bike is pretty well made, and we found it comfortable enough to sit on – even for up to 60 minutes. The seat position is adjustable and you have side handles as well as high up, like JLL’s RE200 and RE600.
Again, the lower ones have pulse rate monitors on them, with your heart rate displayed on the LCD display. The display is positioned a little too high up for our liking, but it is still visible and provides you with all the key information you need such as pace, distance, total duration and your calorie expenditure.
The maximum user weight is pretty impressive at 110kg, and we have to say that the build quality of the XS bike is excellent. The display is pretty basic but it does give you everything you need, and the quality of the parts that really matter are very good indeed. This is usually how manufacturers keep costs down for customers – you’re investing in the quality of the bike itself.
The XS Sports Magnetic bike is a really top budget option. If you’re happy with the 4kg flywheel and won’t have Schwarzenegger legs cranking away at it (just yet), then it’s a very good option indeed.
HOMCOM Recumbent Exercise Bike
Now this recumbent bike is an excellent number. We discovered it on Amazon at a really good price, and the reviews seemed pretty good, so we ordered one to check it out.
Let’s get the negative out the way first – it wasn’t especially easy to assemble. It was do-able, and we managed it in an hour. But I could see how some people would find it a little complicated.
However, once it’s up it’s really quite a decent bit of kit.
The finish isn’t as high-quality as the RE600, but then it is quite a bit cheaper. For just £153.99 (at the time of writing), you get a solid frame that can be used by up to 110kg. That’s studier than many others.
You also have an adjustable seat, and 8 levels of magnetic resistance, which is your standard range and plenty for a lot of us.
The LCD display is basic, with all the crucial info you need (time, distance, speed, calories, and odometer) and large buttons that make it easy to use while you’re cycling. It’s not a complex feature.
However, you also get two add-ons with this bike – a very handy device holder in front of the LCD display, which will hold your iPad; and even some attached resistance bands to use for upper body strength.
These are really good extras, especially for the price. The iPad holder can be especially helpful, as you can download your own apps or even something to watch – whatever helps you keep going.
As for the brand, HOMCOM have been classified as a Top Brand by Amazon, and have received positive ratings from 91% of their 10k+ customers. There are loads of really good reviews for this recumbent bike, and I’d like to join the majority on this one – it really is incredibly good value for money.
Buying Guide For Recumbent Exercise Bikes
Like with all fitness equipment, there are varying levels of quality, price and functionality. We want the best of quality, but the functionality and price can come down to your own personal preferences or requirements.
If you are buying a recumbent exercise bike for home use, then understanding the functionality you need is probably the best place to start. If you are buying for a gym setup, then you are going to want to go for high quality and lots of functionality.
Features that you should look out for include comfort levels (especially important if you are planning longer workouts), and this will predominantly come down to the materials used for the seating, but may also include how flexible the bike is in terms of providing varying positions.
You should also look out for specifics on the seats and hand rests, as these will again be key for your comfort and posture. Many bikes feature handles that can be moved or removed, which is quite handy if the bike is going to be used by different people.
Resistance is another factor that you want to consider. Higher-quality bikes will have more levels of resistance, whereas the cheaper ones will have less – 32 levels of resistance really is at the top end.
The ability to select programmes for the bike is also going to be an important factor in your decision. Are you happy to manually change your resistance and inclines, or do you prefer the ability to have these adapt for you based on a pre-set plan?
The monitor may be another big factor to consider. If you only want a little stopwatch to monitor time, then it’s not worth splashing out on a bike that’s the same standard as others but with a fancy display unit.
If you do want to know exactly what your body is doing and how you can challenge it, the monitor will be an investment. A blue screen is handy if you’re going to be working out in low light. (The JLL RE600 gives us a lovely monitor, at a great price, with a solid bike.)
Finally of course, you should consider the price you are willing to pay. There are some really good options on a fairly low budget, but there is a big difference between a £150 bike and a £1,500 bike.
Have a budget in mind, and ensure the price tag ticks all your boxes. There’ll definitely be something in this list for you.
