Let’s talk about some of the best recumbent exercise bikes available in the UK. If you want to maintain your fitness without spending thousands of dollar on exercise equipment or gym memberships, then you might want to take a look at the given recommendations.
Whether you need a fitness machine for your home, office or gym, you will find relevant options below.
Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes UK
Here are the 8 best recumbent exercise bikes UK 2023; Check reviews and buying guide below:
1. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709
Reaching to the gym every day might not be an easy task for all of us. No matter its early morning or later in the evening, driving to club could be difficult sometime. You can ditch the gym and still get a similar level of warm-up and workout with the help of Marcy ME-709.
It’s loaded with multiple features that can make your workout effective as well as more productive. ME-709 has high-quality construction using 14-gauge steel tubing with powder coating.
It comes with eight resistance levels that allow you to pedal according to your fitness level. You can also try interval training for better results. There is a small knob, which changes the resistance and is very easy to turn. The bike has an easy to read LCD screen that allows you to check the distance, time, speed, and calories burned.
We all know the multiple benefits of stationary bikes. High bone density, toned body, better immune system and maintain heart rate are some of them. However, you can get all these benefits only by choosing one of the best recumbent bikes like ME-709.
It comes with a step-through design, which means any of the individuals can easily get on and off the bike. Even the senior citizens will not face any trouble.
Pros
- Easy to understand assembly instructions
- Noiseless motor
- The LCD screen is very efficient and consumes less battery
Cons
- People with short legs cannot use it properly
2. Sportstech ES600 Professional Recumbent Bike
The Sportstech ES600 comes with a wide range of features that makes positive impacts on your cardiovascular functions and overall health. The professional exercise bike recumbent is great for users who want to improve their fitness standards.
Even if you are overweight and want to burn some calories, it’s a great product for weight management as well as muscle strengthening.
ES600 has a self-generating system that produces the required power and maintains optimum transmission. So, you can simply say goodbye to the electrical sockets and place the bike where you need it. The bike has a near-silent belt drive, which makes it suitable for small flats and apartments where sound can easily travel.
The professional recumbent bikes come with a multifunctional console that comprises a 5.5-inch display and multiple keys for short functions. You can pair this machine with your smartphone using the Home Fitness 2.0 app. Once in sync, you can power on the machine and control all its features using your smartphone.
There is also a tablet holder that makes sure you are never bored while working out.
This exercise equipment gives you a comfortable sitting area that never allows you to face any problems even during long workout sessions. Its upholstered backseat is height adjustable and embedded armrests add to the balance as well as safety.
Pros
- High quality and durable built
- Anti-slip pedals to keep you balanced
- Transport wheels for easy movement
- Magnetic brakes for complete control
Cons
- No holder for water bottle
3. vidaXL Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
Robustly built and stylish appearance are the first two factors that bring vidaXL magnetic recumbent exercise bike in front of you. Eight resistance levels, adjustable seat, and an informative LCD screen are the other features to give you efficient workout sessions.
The exercise bike recumbent has designed ergonomically and has thick-cushioned seat that keeps you comfortable. You can also adjust the sitting position using its spring knob. Its non-slip pedals make maintains complete power transfer from your feet to pedals.
There are straps on the pedal that maintains complete balance and allows you to work out in a better way. The machine also includes transportation wheels for easy movement and storage.
vidaXL bike’s LCD share the information about the time, speed, distance, pulse and calories lost. Just below its display, you will find a tablet holder. So, you can resume to watch any of the movie or web series.
Its magnetic resistance works smooth and noiseless so that you can work out, listen to music or watch movies without any irritation. Moreover, the flywheel is also friction-less and hence offers smooth as well as maintenance-free performance for long.
This bike deserves a chance in your home gym because of its attractive design, high quality built and affordable price tag. With a total mass of only 22 kg, it’s easily movable and you can also conveniently store it due to a compact form factor.
Pros
- Magnetic resistance for powerful yet smooth performance
- Adjustable seat for added comfort
- Pedals are non-slipping and come with integrated straps
Cons
- Lacks the older for water bottle
4. Sunny Health and Fitness Unisex’s P8400 Recumbent Bike
If you want to bring gym grade warm-up and workout efficiency to your house, then Sunny Health and Fitness P8400 might be an ideal purchase. The recumbent bike is visually stunning and has all the other features to be your permanent fitness solution. It’s helpful for individuals who are dealing with bad knees but don’t want to compromise on their workout schedules.
P8400 is built with a durable frame with a maximum weight capacity of 220 pounds. It features an adjustable seat that helps you to maintain the right workout posture. This bike has an eight-level magnetic resistance mechanism and an LCD that shares all the required information including distance, speed, heart rate, calories and time.
There is a scan mode that repeats all these metrics repeatedly on your screen without further interference. You can use the available data to keep up with any of the fitness goals.
Due to inbuilt pulse sensors on its handlebar, P8400 allows you to maintain your heart rate. The machine keeps the elevated heart rate steady for a long time resulting in better fat management. Its textured foot pedals never slip with any leg size. Moreover, there are straps for added stability and safety.
Pros
- Excellent magnetic resistance
- Wide cushioned seat to keep you comfortable
- Transportation wheels for an easy movement
- Pulse sensors
Cons
- Male users might not like the colour
5. Marcy Recumbent Magnetic Cycle – NS-716R
The NS-716R is one of the latest recumbent exercise bikes by Marcy. It comes with all the basic features that you expect from a high-quality stationary bike. Comfortable seat with backrest, strapped pedals in the front for extra stability, and a console to provide you with the required information are some of its attractive traits.
It’s cost-effective but great for users who seeks the complete value of their investment.
At a weight of just above 25 kg, the recumbent bike is stable and never wobbles. It’s made of heavy-duty steel piping and there are wide bars that stabilize the machine and never side by side movement.
Due to its high quality built, there are no squeaking or cracking noises while you work out on its frame. It does not matter whether you are watching a movie during the training session or listening to some songs, the machine never creates any disturbance.
NS-716R is great for users between a height of 5 to 6 feet. However, if you are below or higher than the given range, then you can adjust the seat stride to avoid any unwanted troubles.
It also features a knob on the front pole to adjust the resistance levels. There are eight intensities and you will never any jerk or a sudden increase in the tension no matter how you change the resistance.
Pros
- High quality and durable built
- Smooth and quiet operation
- Water bottle holder at the front
- Easy to use and operate
Cons
- The LCD has no backlit, which makes it harder to check-in daylight
6. Mangetal Foldable Semi-Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Mangetal F-Bike is one of the best semi-recumbent exercise bikes that come with 8 magnetic resistance levels, which provides you with quiet and smooth workout sessions. Whether you are a beginner or an advance trainer, the intensity levels are sufficient to suit your requirements.
Its console has a digital screen that shows you the speed, distance, time and calories burnt. You can use all this information to change your workout plans and keep yourself motivated for better results.
Made of high grade reinforced frame, F-Bike supports weight up to 265 pounds. There are 4 different seat height adjustments so that it can accommodate almost all the users. Its seat has a dense cushion that keeps you comfortable and relieves the pressure on your lower body parts.
This folding exercise bike gives you a chance to combine entertainment and workout by offering a tablet holder. We don’t recommend it, but you can also reply to some of the personal messages during the training session, especially if it’s from someone important.
F-Bike is perfect for users living in small flats and apartments. Apart from its compact form factor, the semi-recumbent bike features transportation wheels. So, you will not face any trouble while changing its location, especially while floor cleaning process.
Pros
- High quality, durable and comfortable structure
- LCD consumes less battery but has high brightness
- Compact and easy to transport
- Affordable
Cons
- Lacks the back seat and there is no water bottle holder as well
7. Marcy Regenerating Recumbent Exercise Bike – ME-706
Are you living in a small area wherein a home gym is unimaginable? If yes, then try the ME-706, which is one of the best recumbent exercise bikes you can purchase in the UK.
It’s special for the fitness freaks because the fitness machine comes with 24 levels of resistance and 23 inbuilt workout programs to follow. These programs are suitable for beginners and experts alike because they mimic the biking effects in different terrains.
What do you expect from a recumbent bike in general? It should be durable, stylish, performance-oriented and use friendly. Well, ME-706 has all these qualities and due to the same reasons, it gives you unmatched workout sessions. Its strong construction withstands a maximum weight capacity 300 pounds.
Self-power generation is another factor that you might like. Means, ME-706 never required an external power source to operate. Instead, it draws the power from your pedalling energy.
Its pedals are balanced and built with straps to keep you comfortable as well as secure. Another super friendly feature of this fitness bike is its large screen, which has an LED backlight. So, you can read the numbers related to your workout without any hassles.
Pros
- Easy assembling
- Compact dimensions suitable for small living areas
- Sturdily built for a long-lasting life
Cons
- Adjustable seat, but the fabric is not breathable
8. XS Sports B400R Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
XS Sports is famous to serve delightful products within affordable price ranges. XS Sports B400R is no different because it gives you a high-quality workout, but never asks much in return.
It comes with eight resistance levels that allow you to choose the workout intensity according to your fitness level. There is a knob that allows easy change of resistance without stopping your training session. As it uses magnetic resistance, the exercise bike makes minimal noise.
B400R features a basic LCD that share all the required information including speed, calories, pulse, time and speed. It only has one button that you have to push to change and see the metrics. Then there are handlebars for better control and comfort.
To give you a better idea about your heart rate, the machine also has a sensor built inside the handles. It gives you a better idea about your pulse so that you can plan your workout goals accordingly.
One of the most affordable options, XS Sports B400 is suitable for beginners who don’t want to invest a hefty amount in fitness equipment. Its durable built gives you the full worth of the initial cost. If you have any fitness goals that you want to achieve in the coming days, you might like the exercise bike recumbent.
Pros
- CE certified exercise bike and hence perfect for senior citizens
- Padded seat to keep you comfortable
- Long-lasting steel frame and chip-resistant finish
- Magnetic resistance for noiseless operation
Cons
- Single-button to check workout metrics
How To Choose The Best Recumbent Exercise Bike?
What is a Recumbent Exercise bike?
A piece of stationary fitness equipment with a backrest and pedals in the front is sold as a recumbent exercise bike. Due to such pedalling posture, such a bike is back-friendly and very easy to use.
It’s different from upright bicycles, wherein the pedals are down below your thighs. If you are a senior citizen or an elderly dealing with bad knees or back pain, then a recumbent exercise could the best investment for your health.
What is a Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike?
A magnetic recumbent bike uses two mighty magnets and a flywheel to operate. As the pedals complete one cycle, the flywheel moves through the magnetic field present between the two inbuilt magnets. What could be the result?
Attraction that also brings some resistance with it, which increase as you move the knob. As you can see, the flywheel works as a magnetic conductor and get all the things done for you without creating much friction or noise.
Upright or Recumbent Exercise Bike Which is Better?
Do you want to improve your fitness level, but cannot give it a try because of confusion? Yes, it’s obvious to feel confused between an upright and recumbent bike. An upright bike has a different built, wherein you can sit and its pedals will be just below your thighs.
To cut short, it’s similar to the bicycles that you used to ride as a kid. If you sit properly over such a bike for a long time, you might feel sudden soreness and fatigue in your muscles. It’s only because the pedalling position is not comfortable enough because there is a slight twist between your neck and back.
On the other hand, a recumbent bike fits you inside its frame. So, the sitting and workout positions are comparatively very comfortable. It’s because such a machine keeps you in a comfortable position, which means no fatigue and reduces muscle soreness.
Overall, recumbent bikes are similar to your office chairs. While upright models are a stationery copy of traditional bicycles. It’s the reason most of the users training with uprights are mostly talking about pain in the lower body parts as well as neck.
Workout Effectiveness
Investing in a recumbent bike is healthy and the primary reason is its effective results on your cardiovascular system. Apart from your heart rate, the fitness machine also provides serious workouts for your lower body parts.
According to studies, ten female users improved their strength, muscle power and functionality only after training on recumbent bikes for eight weeks.
Another research included energy usage and muscle development among ten male users. There were no differences in the results irrelevant to the fact the user is practising on a recumbent or upright bike.
A recumbent bike produces greater results on a couple of muscles including the tibialis anterior and the semitendinosus. In other words, we can also state that recumbent and upright bikes are equally effective on your body. Include both of these machines in your workout schedule to enjoy better results and improved fitness.
Recumbent Riding Benefits
Some of the top benefits of riding a recumbent bike are given below.
- Stress-free for the joints: A recumbent bike has backseat that supports your lower back and hence there are no impacts on your ankles as well as knees. Moreover, the movement will be also comparatively smoother than other versions of stationary bikes.
- Comfort: After reading the recumbent exercise bike reviews, it’s easy to understand that these machines are highly comfortable because of their cushioned seat. An upright bike comes with a small seat, which is comparatively uncomfortable.
- Safe: Such a bike is also safe for all the users including senior citizens. It’s because there is virtually no need to stand while working out.
- Minimal pain: Recumbent bikes builds muscle without giving much pain. Yes, we know its contradictory because there is no gain without pain. However, such a machine is easy to use, makes less impact because all your body weight is evenly distributed over the buttocks and back. So, even if you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or dealing with a bad back, it’s a machine that gives you desired results without much exposure to pain.
Working for Various Muscle Groups
A recumbent bike is a piece of aerobic equipment, which works on multiple muscles of your body.
Heart: Working out on a recumbent bike is great for your cardiovascular system. Such aerobics makes your heart strong. It’s the reason anyone training regularly on such a piece of fitness equipment will never experience high blood pressure. If you want to lift your mood and reduce the stress from your mind, then work out is the best possible way.
Glutes, hamstrings and quadriceps: Glutes or gluteus muscle works every time your thigh comes back to you and extends when you push the pedal. These muscles make your butt. Hamstrings are the muscles at the back and quadriceps are the front thighs. These muscles are also activated when you are pedalling.
Several other muscles form your glutes, hamstring and quadriceps.
- Vastus medialis Front middle part of quadriceps, it stabilizes your knee cap (patella) and helps you to extend the leg.
- Vastus lateralis: Upper sides of your quadriceps, these muscles allow help you to push the pedals or stand while performing squats.
- Semitendinosus: Present at the inner side of your hamstring, this muscles extend your hips and helps you to flex the knee.
- Biceps femoris: Part of the hamstring, it’s one of the complex muscles that help you to flex the hips as well as knees.
Calves: A recumbent bike impacts your lower leg, below the knee. The gastrocnemius is the upper part, which is bigger and down below its soleus. Each time you move the pedal down and also push your toes forward, then you are training the calves. Tibialis anterior is another muscle that runs along internally through your shinbone and helps you to flex the foot towards your shin. These muscles in front of your calves that activates when you pull your back towards your legs. As these muscles run along the shin bone, it gets better training when you are training over strapped pedals.
Before making any final investment in a recumbent bike, you should always carefully consider these 4 crucial aspects of product design. If the product has stellar features in these areas, you have found a product that will serve you well.
Things to Consider When Buying
Tracking Features: If you want to workout efficiently, you need to track every exercise you do. With the information you gain, you can adjust future workouts to ensure you get the most out of each session. Thankfully, every model on our list comes with some tracking display. With these displays, you will gain access to a variety of the following essential tracking capabilities:
- Heart Rate
- Speed
- Distance Gone
- Calories Burnt
- Pulse
- Time Spent
Comfort: Being comfortable when working out is not only pleasant; it is safe. If you want to ensure you can avoid blisters, strains, and other harmful afflictions, you need a stationary recumbent bicycle that is as comfortable as it is useful. The seat of a model is the first place to look. If you cannot find a comfortable height or position when using a recumbent exercise bike, it is simply not worth your investment.
Secondly, you need a model that has easy-to-use foot pedals. Pedals that are adjustable, and which feature safety straps, are the most desirable.
Resistance Levels: When using a recumbent fitness bike, you want a model that has a ton of resistance levels. The more resistance levels an exercise bike has, the more efficiently you can work out, no matter what your skill level is. For those who are just starting, you will want low levels to build up to more demanding workout sessions.
However, those with more experience, and a higher level of overall physical fitness, will want to unlock as much resistance as possible.
Luxury Features: Beyond the features that help you work out efficiently, many exercise bikes come with technology that allows you to enjoy your workout in different ways. For example, a high-end speaker system built into your stationary recumbent bike can be great for motivating you to keep up with an exercise until the end.
While these features will be more relevant to those who can afford to invest in more expensive models, they can do a lot to enjoy the longevity of your recumbent stationary fitness bike model.
Other Considerations:
- Price Tag
- Brand Name
- Speakers
- Display Type
- Workout Type
Are you looking to make your workout sessions much more productive without spending tons of money on a wide variety of models? With a high-quality recumbent exercise bike model, you can get fit efficiently, without breaking your budget. Since they offer intensive workouts that will not overstrain your body, you can quickly achieve your desired fitness by using a recumbent fitness bike.
A model that features excellent tracking capabilities will make it easy to adjust your workout overtime to get you the best results possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you lose weight on a recumbent bike?
A recumbent bike is one of the best ways for weight loss. Due to its pedalling process, you lose more calories and burn fat at the same time.
Is a recumbent bike a good workout?
If you are looking to strengthen your lower body part while maintaining the cardiovascular mechanism, then a recumbent bike is a great workout irrelevant of your fitness level. These are no discomfort for your back or knees here, which means senior citizens and individuals recovering from physical injuries can also try these bikes.
Is a recumbent bike as good as walking?
Walking and riding a recumbent bike, both burn the extra calories from your body. Mixing both of them in your workout schedule is the best idea. When you are not in a mood to go out then you can practice the same at your residence.
How long should I work out on a recumbent bike?
To get effective results you need to work out on a recumbent bike for at least five days a week. For health benefits and heart rate improvement, 30 minutes is sufficient. On the other hand, if you are looking to lose some weight or training for professional sports, then engage with the machine for 60 to minutes.
Does recumbent bike burn belly fat?
Working out on a recumbent bike burns fat from all the body parts, including your belly. Combine it with some other abdominal exercises for a flat stomach and maybe a six or eight packs in future.
What parts of the body does a recumbent bike work?
Such a bike mostly works on the lower parts of our body including quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. As you flex and bend the knees, you train all these muscles for improved strength and better appearance.
Can you get in shape with a recumbent bike?
Working out on a recumbent bike is a straightforward method to burn extra fat and get into shape. Spent some minutes every day pedalling one of these machines and after 45 days you will notice significant changes in your body.
Is a recumbent bike good for hips?
Such a fitness bike keeps your hips stress free because of its reclined position and comfortable seat. Moreover, it stands at a low height from the ground. So, you can easily get on-off the frame without hurting your hips, back on or any part of your body.
Bottom Line
If you want to build strength in the lower body, then a recumbent exercise bike could be a great investment. Unlike spin bikes and uprights, a recumbent gives you a different training position. Its pedals are at the front, not below your body.
It’s the reason why such bikes primarily work on your hamstrings and glutes. So, if you dream an attractive butt, then using one of the best recumbent exercise bikes in the UK will be a great idea. We already some of the high rates options today that you can choose according to your needs.