The best exercise bikes serve up incredible workouts without taking up as much room as a treadmill. Their low-impact nature means they’re easier on the knees too, and come in particularly handy for getting in a heart-pumping cardio fix when the weather’s grim and grey outside.
For all these reasons and more, we’ve put together a list of some of the best exercise bikes currently available, to help channel those spin class vibes in your living room. Capable of providing a full-body workout with the right technique, a solid indoor exercise bike will get you fighting fit in no time. Before we jump into our list though, there are a few things to take into account…
Oh, and feel free to check out our other fitness guides if you’re on the hunt for things like dumbbells, resistance bands and running shoes.
What’s the best exercise bike?
You can find our in-depth guide to the 22 best high-quality exercise bikes around below, but if you want a quick-fire pick of our top recommendations then look no further…
- Best exercise bike: NordicTrack Commercial S15i Studio Cycle (£1,799)
A gym-quality bike that’s quiet to ride, has the chops to challenge even experienced spin obsessives and a rotating touchscreen for truly versatile workouts. Expert classes are delivered via NordicTrack’s iFit subscription service (from $180 per year). - Best value exercise bike: JLL JF100 Home Exercise Bike (£149.99)
Recalling the heady days when exercise bikes didn’t come with a mandatory subscription service, the JF100 is a simple belt-driven bike that can upgrade your cardio without dominating both your home and your monthly cash flow. - Best premium exercise bike: Peloton Bike+ (£2,295)
Having reinvented home fitness, Peloton’s Bike+ brings a touch of luxury to your workouts with automatic resistance adjustments, Apple Watch connectivity and a rotating touchscreen. Its beloved roster of classes and instructors are subscription dependent as ever (£39 per month).
What are the benefits of exercise bikes?
Exercise bikes get your legs moving and your heart pumping. Use one regularly and you’ll soon notice an improvement in your overall fitness, especially if you go for a high-intensity routine. Throw a sensible diet, upper body and lower body workouts into the mix, and you’ll be losing weight, building muscle and improving your overall fitness in no time.
What’s the difference between a stationary bike and an exercise bike?
Stationary bikes are also known as upright exercise bikes. Some are even classified as folding exercise bikes, and tend to have wider, padded seats for sitting upright. On the other hand, exercise bikes or spin bikes mimic the feel and positioning of riding an actual bicycle.
What kind of console do exercise bikes use?
Many bikes use simple LCD displays for metrics like distance, pace and calories. Pay a little extra and you’ll get a HD touchscreen. Look for Bluetooth or ANT+ connectivity for connecting to other fitness trackers/apps too.
Are the seat and handlebars adjustable?
The best home bikes have adjustable seats and handlebars for comfortable pedalling during your indoor cycling sessions. If you’re keen on emulating your road bike, you could even consider a turbo trainer.
Is a treadmill or exercise bike better?
Both treadmills and exercise bikes offer a great cardio workout and make for excellent home gym equipment additions. Treadmills generally cost more and take up more space, and have more impact on your joints. If you’re looking for a lower impact form of cardio, a bike might be a better choice in the long run. Both are great though — it’s just personal preference.
What extras should I look out for?
Built-in bottle holders for water bottles are a godsend for gruelling HIIT sessions. Some bikes have tablet holders for binging Netflix. Others have wheels for shifting around, while high-end foldable models are perfect for small spaces like flats.
