Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes in Canada – All-Levels Workout
There’s no argument that stationary bikes offer great exercise and can be effective tools in keeping fit or getting into shape. While you can certainly find a good upright stationary bike in the Canada marketplace, there’s been an increase in interest in recumbent exercise bikes in the Canada fitness circles. Some look at these bikes with their relaxed positioning and assume they don’t offer as intense of a workout as an upright model. However, recumbent style bikes have several health benefits that upright options don’t have. One of the biggest of these benefits is how much easier recumbent bikes are on joints and the back. Those who have had an injury or have consistent pain like arthritis will be far more comfortable with these laid back stationary bikes.
Every recumbent bike machine will use either magnetic or electromagnetic resistance. The latter usually makes for the top exercise recumbent bikes in Canada due to the added technology and control over the resistance. This technology may include built-in programs to get the most out of the workout, and the monitors are generally more accurate with your fitness stats like speed and distance. This list of exercise recumbent bike reviews has all the information you would need to find the best recumbent bike in Canada.
Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes In Canada For All Levels – Top Picks + Reviews
Schwinn 270 Recumbent Exercise Bike
What I found to be the best recumbent bike was the Schwinn 270. Schwinn is a well-established manufacturer of fitness equipment and they outdid themselves with this one. This bike has a step-through design to make it incredibly easy to mount and dismount and has 25 levels of resistance to make sure you’re getting the most customizable workout possible. It has Bluetooth capabilities and has an app called Explore the World, which allows you to choose from different locations to have a more immersive and unique workout.
The seat is adjustable so you can make this bike comfortable, and the backrest is a ventilated material that kept me cool. The seat was soft and the assembly was easy, though it would be a little more difficult if I didn’t have another person to help hold things. The overall design is just a flat gray color, and it looked a little bulky for my preference.
These bikes can support users up to 300 pounds and it features a nice console with a DualTrack backlit screen. The bike itself measures 64 inches, 28 inches, and 50 inches and weighs 86.6 pounds.
There are 29 workout programs in all, and the Bluetooth allows for chest strap HRM as well as pulse sensors. There are built-in speakers, bottle holder, and device holder, as well as a USB charging port to make sure you can have everything you need right there with you. Schwinn offers an astounding 10-year limited frame warranty, with 2-years for parts, 1-year for electronics, and 90-days for labor.
This is a great recumbent bike. It has almost everything you could want. It was perfect for staying on track with fitness goals while also working wonderfully for more casual use.
Pros:
- Bluetooth connection.
- 25 resistance levels.
- Ventilated backrest.
Cons:
- Bulky and not as nice looking.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RBD4703 Recumbent Desk Bike
The one thing I wished the Schwinn 270 had was a work desk, and the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RBD4703 delivered on that. It has a work surface that measures 15 inches by 22 inches so I can use my laptop while exercising, and being able to multitask is great. There are 8 levels of resistance and it has a step-through design for convenience and ease.
The gray frame wasn’t hard to assemble, and the nicely cushioned backrest and seat were comfortable for longer use. The seat was adjustable and I was able to get it exactly where I wanted it.
The monitor isn’t backlit, but it does display speed, time, distance, calories burned, and has a scan option for a hands-free way of monitoring progress. The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RBD4703 can support up to 350 pounds and weighs 89.3 pounds. It measures 50 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 50 inches tall.
Since it has a simpler monitor, there are no built-in programs and the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RBD4703 doesn’t have pulse sensors. The desk is adjustable 4 ways and there’s even a device holder for when you want to listen to music, exercise, and get some work done all at the same time. The bottle holder is interchangeable to be more convenient. Sunny Health & Fitness offers a 3-year limited warranty on the frame and a 180-day warranty on parts.
I thoroughly enjoy being able to work and stay fit at the same time. There are not enough hours in the day, so having that option is a huge benefit. If the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RBD4703 had more advanced technology on the screen, this one may have made it to the top of this list instead of in second place.
Pros:
- There is a work desk for multitasking.
- There’s a moveable bottle holder.
- There’s also a device holder.
Cons:
- The monitor is a basic model.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4631 Recumbent Exercise Bike
This is the second Sunny Health & Fitness bike on our list. They are a giant in the fitness world, and this one has a very unique and convenient feature. Instead of your hand just sitting on some handlebars, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4631 has turning handles to work your arms as well. This helps to get more out of your workout and prevents you from needing more equipment for your arms. This bike is a step-through design and has 8 levels of resistance for the legs and adjustable resistance for the arms.
The seat adjustment lever made it easy to change, which will be great for those who share their bike, and the backrest was comfortable. The instructions for assembly were easy to follow and it came with all the tools I needed. Once again, this bike is a basic gray and stands tall for the arm pedals.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4631 can accommodate up to 350 pounds for users and has a basic monitor that shows calories burned, speed, time, distance, and heart rate. There’s a scan option for convenience. It weighs around 91 pounds, making it fairly heavy, and measures 51 inches long, 25 inches wide, and 52.5 inches tall.
The pulse sensors help you keep track of your progress, but the simple monitor means there are no programs to use. There also isn’t a bottle holder or device holder, so I had to figure out what to do with my phone while using it. The warranty is the same as the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RBD4703 with 3-year frame coverage and 180-days for parts.
Sunny Health & Fitness equipment usually works well, and this one was no exception. While lacking some of the nicer features the previous entries had, this one performed great and I really loved being able to work more of my body and not just my legs.
Pros:
- You can exercise your arms and legs at the same time.
- There are pulse sensors.
Cons:
- There’s no bottle holder.
- There’s no device holder.
Marcy NS-40502R Recumbent Exercise Bike
This step-through design has 8 resistance levels and only uses handgrips by the seat. While in a recumbent position, this is really all you need, I found I missed having that option. This was mostly due to habit, but it’s also nice after a more intense workout to have those handlebars for a little extra support or to lean forward for a little bit of a stretch sometimes.
The backrest was comfortable and the seat is adjustable for perfect positioning. I wasn’t thrilled with the appearance. I thought the Marcy NS-40502R looked a little clunky. The assembly wasn’t very difficult, but it wasn’t the easiest either.
The Marcy NS-40502R has a basic monitor that shows time, speed, calories burned, and distance. It can take up to 300 pounds and weighs a light 69 pounds, which I liked since I have to move things out of the way. It takes up 56.7 inches long, 25 inches wide, and stands 43.3 inches tall.
There didn’t seem to be a warranty with this one, which was very disappointing, but it did have a device holder. The basic monitor means there are no special programs to help with fitness goals, and I was also disappointed that there were no pulse sensors.
The Marcy NS-40502R did a great job for a basic stationary recumbent exercise bike. There’s wasn’t a lot to get excited about, but it performed well and I felt that the frame was sturdy and reliable.
Pros:
- This bike isn’t as heavy as some of the other ones.
- The backrest is comfortable.
Cons:
- There is no HRM monitoring.
- It’s not as stylish of a design as it could be.
ProGear 3151 555LXT Stationary Recumbent Bike
The ProGear 3151 555LXT was a quiet bike. Like the previous entry on our list, this one only had the handgrips by the seat. It has a step-through design and has 14 levels of resistance, making it great for people who like to switch around a lot.
The seat is adjustable by a sliding rail, so I was able to really get it exactly where I wanted it. The backrest was a good size for leaning against and was easy to put together, though I made use of the help I had. This is yet another gray one, but I liked the shape of this one better.
The ProGear 3151 555LXT holds less weight than our previous entries, only supporting up to 250 pounds. The bike weighs 60 pounds on its own, which made it easier for me to store it away when I wasn’t using it. It measured 49 inches long, 22 inches wide, and 43 inches tall, making it smaller than many others. The screen is a basic monitor that displays time, speed, distance, calories burned, and RPM.
Despite the simple monitor, there are 3 goal workout settings to help keep track of progress. I wasn’t happy that this one didn’t have an HRM, but it did have a water bottle holder, device holder, and a 1-year limited warranty.
This bike was close to moving up the list, but the lacking HRM kept it lower. Despite that, the ProGear 3151 555LXT functioned well and seemed to work great. I was happy that even though it didn’t have the HRM, it did have some additional tools to help users reach their goals.
Pros:
- There are 14 levels of resistance.
- This one did have some workout goal settings to aid fitness.
Cons:
- There was no HRM.
- This one holds less weight at only 250 pounds.
Exerpeutic 900XL Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Exerpeutic 900XL is a step-through frame design and I thought it was the sleekest looking bike on the list. The shapes were an improvement to the bulkier looking models. It has a fairly standard 8 resistance level.
The backrest is a good size for great support. However, the back and the seat were both harder than I expected and I don’t know if I would want to rely on them for more intense and long-lasting workouts. The assembly of the ProGear 3151 555LXT was a nightmare for me and I struggled through it, but I got there eventually.
The ProGear 3151 555LXT measures 22 inches, 34 inches, and 54 inches and weighs 63 pounds. The screen is basic and will show distance, time, speed, heart rate, and calories burned. It can support up to 300 pounds for user weight.
The handles do have a pulse sensor, allowing it to show heart rate, and ProGear offers a 1-year limited warranty in case there’s something wrong. There’s no device holder and no bottle holder, which I wasn’t too thrilled about.
Despite the poor assembly and lack of extra small features, I felt the ProGear 3151 555LXT was a great bike. If I wanted more casual workouts, this bike’s simplicity would be great.
Pros:
- It’s a nicer design with sleeker shapes.
Cons:
- There’s no device holder.
- There’s no water bottle holder.
- Assembly was difficult.
Marcy ME-709 Recumbent Bike For Home Workout
I felt that the Marcy ME-709 had a sturdy frame and would last a while. It has 8 resistance levels and is a step-though design, but there is a knob that could easily cause tripping if you’re not careful. I wasn’t happy with that. It seemed like a stubbed toe or even a fall was bound to happen eventually.
The adjustable seat was comfortable and the backrest was fine. The overall assembly was easy enough. The casing of the flywheel has some variation from the usual gray and black. There are copper-colored accents, which is a nice change.
The weight limit is 300 pounds and the bike itself weighs 61 pounds. This lighter weight helps me to pick it up. The measurements are 55.5 inches long, 25 inches wide, and 37.5 inches tall. The monitor is a basic style that shows time, speed, distance, and calories burned. There are no convenient programs or goal-setting aids. There’s also no HRM, water bottle holder, or device holder. It’s a very basic bike.
I felt that the Marcy ME-709 was too simple for my preference. While I can do without some extra features, this one lacked too many and I felt the workout suffered because of it. This can be a great bike, but I felt like I needed more.
Pros:
- There are copper-colored accents for a nicer look.
- It only weighs 61 pounds.
Cons:
- There is no device holder.
- There is no water bottle holder.
Exerpeutic 4153 GOLD 525XLR Folding Recumbent Bike
A very unique bike, the Exerpeutic 4153 GOLD 525XLR has two features that make it really stand out. The first of those two is that the frame is foldable. I was able to fold it up and store it with no problem at all. It was incredibly convenient. Because the frame is foldable, it doesn’t have a step-through design to make mounting and dismounting easier. It has 8 resistance levels and the frame feels strong even though it’s a folding exercise bike.
The backrest is tall and supportive and the gold-colored frame makes this one stand out. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, most recumbent bikes, and stationary bikes in general, are very bland in their style and colors. The assembly was incredibly easy since the foldable frame was mostly assembled already.
The second feature that makes the Exerpeutic 4153 GOLD 525XLR really stand out is that it can support up to 400 pounds in weight. This shows that the frame is durable and strong. It only weighs 54.7 pounds and when unfolded and ready for use it measures 48.5 inches, 24 inches, and 46 inches. The simple display shows distance, calories burned, time, speed, heart rate, and has a scan option.
There are no extra programs or apps with this one since the technology is very basic. There are pulse sensors and a 1-year limited warranty, but I doubt you’ll need it with a sturdy build like this.
I was thrilled that this bike has a foldable frame. I have to save space whenever I can, so it was nice that the Exerpeutic 4153 GOLD 525XLR was so easy to store away. I was disappointed with the lack of additional features, but the strong bike did well.
Pros:
- The frame is foldable.
- This bike is a gold color for something different.
- Can accommodate up to 400 pounds of user weight.
Cons:
- Very simple technology in the monitor.
- This is not a step-through design.
Buying Guide to the Best Recumbent Bikes in Canada
If you’re looking into an indoor recumbent exercise bike because you have limited mobility or joint issues, finding one that’s a step-through design would help greatly with that. The step-through frame shape has the middle part of the frame on the floor, allowing you to easily step over it without lifting your legs too high. Those with limited movement will not have a problem mounting their bikes, and it can even reduce the chances of falling or tripping.
If you’re like me and you need to move your exercise equipment when it’s not in use, the weight of the bike itself will make a difference. Some are lightweight and can easily be pushed or even folded up for storing away. If it’s too heavy, this will be a more difficult task. If you do more intense workouts, you don’t want the simple act of moving your bike to be a workout in itself.
Many people use their heart rate as a means of checking their progress or as part of their routine. They like to maintain a certain heart rate, but if the bike doesn’t have pulse sensors or a way to read something like a chest strap, then you won’t have that information at your disposal.
The size of your bike may not impact your workout on it, but it can impact how well it fits in your home. Some people keep their equipment out all the time and some move it. You need to know how big the bike is and measure where it needs to go in order to make sure you have space. It would be a massive inconvenience if you bought a bike and it didn’t fit where you wanted it.
While I was able to assemble these, some would have been far more difficult if I didn’t have a second pair of hands helping me hold pieces in place or lift something up. If you only have yourself for this task, which could impact how well your bike is put together.
Final Verdict
There were several great recumbent stationary bikes that were great on this list, but my top pick was easily the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Exercise Bike. The various features and added benefits made for a much more informed and pleasant workout, and I could see it becoming a part of my routine quickly. The fact that the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RBD4703 Recumbent Desk Exercise Bike had that desktop nearly pushed it into the top spot, but I had to recognize that not everything is constantly on their laptop like I am, and the benefits of the Schwinn 270 outweighed that convenient work surface.