Best Upright Exercise Bikes For Top Low-Impact Workout
Upright exercise bikes are a great way for people of all skill levels to get an effective at-home workout. These types of exercise bikes are generally low impact and come in a variety of options to best suit your lifestyle, your home, and your physical ability. For those who love outdoor biking but may be restricted by weather or access to good biking areas, an upright exercise bike can be the perfect supplement to keep you in shape year-round and ready to go for those long rides.
For those who are new to at-home workouts, upright exercise bikes are a great choice, and if you live in a small flat, you can check out the folding exercise bikes to save up some space. They feature resistance settings that allow you to increase difficulty as your skill and strength grow. They are also designed for those with limited mobility to get on and of the bike easily and enjoy the low impact provided by the upright position. Whatever you’re looking for in your workout routine an upright exercise bike can help you get there.
Best Exercise Upright Bikes
Nautilus U618 Upright Bike
This top-of-the-line upright exercise has everything you could need for your at home workout. It has built in Bluetooth connectivity, and works with Nautilus’ own app for workout tracking. It can also be connected to any other fitness tracking apps that you use.
The Nautilus upright bike also syncs with a free downloadable app called Ride Social, which allows you to virtually ride with friends at the same time. As another added benefit the Nautilus U618 is compatible with the Explore the World app. With this app you can ride along, in real time, with your friends through virtual courses around the world.
With 29 customizable workout programs and 25 resistance levels you will never get bored or plateau while using this bike. The contact and telemetry enabled heart rate monitor means that you can use its Bluetooth connectivity to fully monitor your results and progress. The built-in USB charging port, media tray, and speakers make this bike one of the most advanced on the market.
The two blue backlit screens have an adjustable sight line for easy viewing. They give you immediate feedback on your riding so you can monitor your ride.
Conclusion:
This upright exercise bike is truly one of the best available on the market, but comes with a $699 price tag. It is easy to use with its advanced technology, social integration, and built-in programs, so you can’t go wrong with the Nautilus U618.
Pros:
- 29 customizable workouts
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Low Impact
Cons:
- Expensive
ProForm 8.0 EX Exercise Upright Bike
This ergonomically designed upright exercise bike is designed to give you a more intense workout while still being low impact. With a 16-pound flywheel it creates the feeling of a traditional road bike and gives a smooth pedal feel.
With its 5-inch backlit display that’s adjustable for easy viewing you will stay motivated and focused on your ride. You can follow along with trainers, and track your calories, distance, and speed, along with many other metrics. With its built-in speakers, you can play your own music on while riding, and its USB port means you can charge your devices at the same time.
The ProForm 8.0 EX also has 25 levels of silent magnetic resistance so you can increase the intensity as you get stronger. The silent resistance is frictionless and allows you to work out without disturbing others making this the perfect option for smaller spaces.
With 30 pre-programmed workouts you’ll never get bored, and with an oversized seat cushion you will be able to ride as much as you want without getting sore. Its built-in fan with two speed settings will keep you cool and comfortable no matter how long or intense your workout is.
Conclusion:
This bike is a great all-around upright exercise bike. It is low impact so everyone can use it, has wheels to make storing away easy, and advanced technology to keep you motivated and comfortable. It comes at a higher price tag at $792.75, but it has all the features you could want to make your at home gym complete.
Pros:
- 30 preprogrammed workouts
- Ergonomic Design
- Real road bike feel
Cons:
- Expensive
Schwinn 170 Exercise Upright Bike
This upright exercise bike is comfortable, innovative, and has great value for its users. Coming in at $539.42 it is on the higher end of bikes that we look at today, but with that comes a lot of great features that will make your experience worth the extra cost.
It comes with a padded seat that is contoured to be both ergonomic and comfortable. However, it is also designed to be easily replaced with your favorite clamp and rail bike seat if you want to switch it out. Padded adjustable handlebars allow comfortable resting of your arms during your workout. The seat is also fully adjustable to allow the most comfortable position for you, and if you invest in a bike seat cover, you can enjoy even longer workout sessions.
With DualTrack blue backlit LCD screens and 29 preprogrammed workouts this upright exercise bike will keep you motivated and working hard. With access to the Explore the World app you can digitally immerse yourself in a real-life riding experience. This upright exercise bike is also Bluetooth capable and can be used with your favorite exercise tracking apps, to keep all your workout information in one convenient place.
With both contact and telemetry enabled heart rate monitoring, fluid resistance, and 25 resistance levels, this upright exercise bike is a great value. For those looking for a low impact workout with preprogrammed options built in, this is a great choice.
Conclusion:
At $539.42 this bike is on the more expensive side, but it’s designed to be comfortable, easy to use, and keep you motivated while you work out. With top-of-the-line technology and variety built in you will never get bored.
Pros:
- 29 preprogrammed workouts
- Comfortable ride
- Contact & Telemetry Heart Rate Monitors
Cons:
- Handles do not have vertical adjustment
Nautilus U616 Upright Bike For Home
1 used from $314.99
The Nautilus U616 upright bike has similar features as the Nautilus U618 at a lower price point. This is a great option for those looking for some of the advanced features in a smaller and more affordable bike.
This upright exercise bike is designed to be comfortable with a large padded seat for long rides. It is also integrated with the Explore the World app, where you can create events, join events, and invite your friends to ride alongside you in a virtual world.
With 29 unique training programs to choose from this bike will help you reach whatever your goals are. Interval training, weight loss, cardio health, and personalized program settings are available for you to choose from.
Designed with a high speed and high inertia drive system to make riding smooth and feel like you’re on the road. Combined, the immersive virtual riding experience it will feel even more real. The 25 resistance levels will always give you another level of training available to keep your workouts interesting and challenging.
Conclusion:
The Nautilus U616 upright exercise bike is a great mid-range price bike at $478.89. It has advanced technology, superior comfort, and both contact and telemetry enabled heart rate monitors. Anyone who’s looking for something with some high-end features but at a reasonable price, could find that this is the best option for them.
Pros:
- Quiet and smooth ride
- Mid-range price
- Virtual ride enabled
Cons:
- Display screen is not adjustable
Circuit Fitness AMZ-594U Magnetic Upright Bike
This upright exercise bike by Circuit Fitness is fully adjustable to give you the most comfortable and stable ride possible. It also features a built-in water bottle holder, tablet holder, and USB port to make sure you have everything you need for the perfect ride.
With adjustable feet, uneven floors will no longer be an excuse to avoid your workout, and if you are worried about preserving the beauty of your home floor, place your bike on top of a good, heavy-duty exercise bike mat. The seat moves both vertically and horizontally to ensure you can reach the pedals and handlebars comfortably. The handlebars are also adjustable and rotate both forward and backward although they don’t move vertically. Most users will find that the rotation provided in the handlebars is enough to find a comfortable position.
This upright exercise bike is durable and supports users up to 300 pounds. It’s designed with both structure and performance in mind to allow easy entry and exit from the bike. It also features wheels which makes this upright exercise bike easy to store away when not in use.
Designed to be usable for anyone at any skill level, this bike is equipped with 15 preset levels to simulate a real biking experience on various terrains. With an easy-to-read monitor and seven tracking measurements such as calories burned, distance traveled, and speed you will be able to see yourself improving and monitor your results.
Conclusion:
Coming in at $335.13 this bike offers a lot for the low price point. Its magnetic resistance is not as ideal as some of the other bikes we’ve discussed, so it won’t provide as smooth of a ride. But, for those looking for a mid-range upright exercise bike this is a great affordable option.
Pros:
- Mid-range price
- Fully adjustable
Cons:
- Magnetic resistance
- No virtual ride options
- Limited presets available
Sunny Health & Fitness Upright Bike B2883
This upright exercise bike by Sunny Health & Fitness features a 6-pound flywheel and belt drive mechanism. This means that while plugged in you can take advantage of their 24 preinstalled workout programs and 12 resistance-based workout presets. When unplugged you can still perform your cycling workouts due to the belt drive mechanism.
With a heart rate monitor in the handlebars, data can be collected to personalize the preinstalled heart rate workout programs. This will help monitor and keep you at your desired heart rate to reach your personal goals. With five heart rate-based programs, this feature gives you plenty of options to choose from.
Designed for long workouts this bike is made with a steel frame, and is built to support up to 240 pounds. The seat is adjustable both vertically and horizontally to fit in-seams of 26 to 35 inches comfortably.
At only 34 inches long this bike doesn’t take up a lot of space, and with wheels installed on the front of the bike you can easily store it when it’s not needed. This bike is small enough that it could fit into a decent sized closet so it’s completely out of the way.
Conclusion:
Priced at $248.63 this upright exercise bike has several performance measures to keep you on track. The heart rate monitors, along with the pre-programed workouts, allow you to customize your workout to your current skill level. This is a great option for a comfortable at home workout at an affordable price.
Pros:
- Mid-range price
- 5 heart rate-based programs
- Adjustable seat
Cons:
- No advanced display
- Fewer pre-programmed options
ProForm 225 CSX Upright Exercise Bike
The ProForm 225 CSX upright exercise bike is similar to one we discussed earlier; the ProForm 8.0 EX. This model has fewer built-in features, but comes at a lower price with the same quality design.
Featuring 18 digital resistance levels, and a 14-pound inertia enhanced flywheel to provide a smooth but challenging ride. The seat is fully adjustable to make you comfortable however, it does not feature adjustable handlebars for added customization.
Although this bike doesn’t have the same advanced technology and immersive riding experience as the ProForm 8.0 EX it is IFit compatible. This means you can choose any route in the world provided by Google Maps and compete with your friends to track your progress automatically. The IFit library features hundreds of workouts to choose from, so you will always have a unique ride.
This bike weighs 70 pounds and is built to support up to 250 pounds. It also features wheels for easy transport and heart rate monitors in the handles to track your progress.
Conclusion:
The ProForm 225 CSX upright exercise bike is a well-built adjustable bike that comes at a reasonable price of $312.95. While it doesn’t have some of the same advanced features as the upgraded model, it has all of the basic applications you need to get an effective workout every day.
Pros:
- Mid-range price
- IFit enabled
- Sturdy design
Cons:
- No advanced display
- Non-adjustable handles
Harison Stationary Upright Exercise Bike
The Harison stationary upright exercise bike features 14 levels of magnetic resistance to give you the best at home cardio workout. This bike is built tough and can support up to 350 pounds and with its adjustable seat, this bike can support almost any user comfortably.
The intensity of the workout is easily controlled by the resistance knob located right below the handlebars. With easy control over the resistance, you can intensify or simplify your workout easily with the turn of your wrist.
With a built in LCD monitor to track your time, speed, calories burnt, and several other metrics, you will know how you’re performing as you advance. This bike doesn’t have the same advanced technology as some of the others, but it provides a good workout with important metrics at a reasonable price.
The built-in tablet holder means that you can still experience a virtual riding world from this upright exercise bike. Watch TV, play music, or ride virtual trails around the world to make this experience more fun. This bike also comes with a great warranty of 30 days free return if you’re not completely satisfied.
Conclusion:
The Harison stationary upright exercise bike is a basic option, but costs only $359. It gives you all the features you need for an intense workout, and is built to keep your own tablet or other device within easy reach.
Pros:
- Supports up to 350 pounds
- Tablet holder
- Great warranty
Cons:
- Basic metrics
- No advanced display
- No pre-programmed workouts
Sunny Health & Fitness Upright Bike B2952
Another great option provided by Sunny Health & Fitness is this exercise bike with a belt drive mechanism designed for users of any fitness level. Built-in pulse sensors to keep track of your heart rate are located in the handlebars.
The performance monitor tracks speed, distance, calories burned, and rotations per minute, which are displayed on a backlit screen when plugged in. These help you track the most important metrics of a workout so you can stay on top of your goals and make sure you’re achieving them.
With 8 resistance levels and an easy to access control knob, you can work out as hard as you want to reach your goals. This bike also allows you to import personal data to calculate BMI and body fat percentage so you can track your progress.
The bike is built sturdy and has self-leveling feet, a fully adjustable seat, and can support users up to 275 pounds. The adjustable seat allows users with an inseam from 24 inches to 36.5 inches to use this upright exercise bike comfortably.
Conclusion:
This option from Sunny Health & Fitness is a great choice for an at home workout and costs only $269. The tablet holder allows you to use your devices while getting a great workout. Its small size means it is easily maneuverable with wheels to store away when not in use.
Pros:
- Pulse sensors
- Personalized data
- Device holder
Cons:
- Basic Exercise Bike
- No immersive technology
- No preprogrammed workouts
Hirollop Desk Cycle Exercise Bike
This upright exercise bike by Hirollop is different from the rest on our list, as it’s specifically designed to be used in a home office setting. This allows you to get a great workout while also getting some work done.
The simple design works great with 8 levels of magnetic resistance and an adjustable seat for comfortability. The seat is also designed to be especially soft since you will be sitting for a long time while working. This bike is designed to keep you comfortable so you can get the perfect body without even knowing you’re working out.
This bike is also designed to be ultra-quiet making it ideal for working where others are nearby. Since you won’t be disturbing anyone around you, feel free to work out to your heart’s content.
This upright exercise bike is fully assembled when it arrives. Meaning you can skip right to working out, rather than taking the time to assemble. You can use it instantly and it is small enough to store away when not in use. The desk is designed to be large enough to hold a tablet, computer, and other desktop essentials.
Conclusion:
This upright exercise bike is a great option for those looking to work out while they work. Its simple design is perfect for long use with a comfortable seat that won’t make you sore. At only $329.99 this bike is an affordable option to keep you healthy and fit.
Pros:
- Work while working out
- Ultra-quiet
Cons:
- Simple design
- No additional features
Buying Guide To The Best Air Bikes
Upright exercise bikes come in a variety of options to best suit your needs. This, however, can be confusing when trying to determine the right bike for you. Use this buying guide to determine what is important to you and what bike fits your needs best.
Technology
The technology on these upright exercise bikes has advanced tremendously throughout the years. With immersive riding programs and preprogrammed workouts designed to help you reach your goals, this can be a major factor in what bike you want for your home. Without these programmed options and motivational tools, your workout may not be as exciting and challenging as these technologies encourage.
Resistance
Resistance is another area of concern when choosing the appropriate upright exercise bike. This is how we get the best results, and having the most control and smooth riding experience possible, allows us to do this easier. Electromagnetic resistance is by far the best option; it provides the most real road bike feel while being quiet and easily adjustable.
Adjustable
While most of these bikes have some level of adjustable features the more options provided means the more comfortable you will be while using your bike. Seats and handlebars that move in multiple directions are ideal for providing this additional comfort and adjustable feet allow you to be stable on any surface. If you are particularly tall or short paying attention to these features is going to be especially important for you.
The Final Verdict
Upright exercise bikes provide an amazing workout that will give you a low impact option to get you in the best shape of your life. With the best technology, you can forget that you’re even exercising, be engaged in what you’re doing, and feel comfortable doing it. When deciding on the right machine for you it can be hard, but all around the Nautilus U616 is the best option available. It supports riders up to 300 pounds, has access to some of the best virtual courses and social training, and is a great value at $478.89. Its 29 unique training programs will make sure that you never run out of options, and its weighted flywheel makes for smooth consistent workouts that will get you the goals you’re looking for.