Best Recumbent Bikes for Seniors: 12 Top Models + Expert Buying Guide

What is the Advantage of Getting an Upright Stationary Bike Instead of Recumbent?

Upright bikes provide a slightly more intense workout than recumbent stationary bikes. They require more balance and effort, which helps you burn calories faster. The difference is slight, but it is still worth mentioning.

Upright stationary bicycles are better for seniors who have fewer health issues, particularly in their muscles and joints, than other elderly people. They are more engaging to ride, which means you’re less likely to get bored using one over time.

Finally, although many upright stationary bikes are very expensive, seniors on a budget have more options with upright models than they do recumbent. They’re simply easier to manufacture and take less raw materials to produce; you can get a very simple model for about $150!

What is the Advantage of Getting a Recumbent Stationary Bike Instead of Upright?

Recumbent stationary bikes are easier to use and less taxing on your joints although they offer the exact same benefits. If you are looking for the exercise benefits of cycling without having to balance on the bike, recumbent bikes are for you.

If you have back pain, balance issues, or get sore when sitting on a normal bike, getting an upright stationary bike isn’t the best idea. If you do, it’s far more likely that you won’t use it enough to experience the benefits of cycling and leave it collecting dust. Recumbent bikes are more comfortable, simpler to use, and don’t require any effort to balance.

The biggest downside of these types of stationary bikes is that they’re more expensive than upright models. You can still find recumbent stationary bikes that fit your budget, but each model of recumbent bike is generally more expensive than a comparable upright bike.

Nordic Track: Top-of-the-Line

This brand has a worldwide reputation for producing luxury workout equipment that truly promotes a healthy body. They only make two recumbent exercise bikes, but both of them are excellent ways to fully engage in an active lifestyle. These are some of the most expensive recumbent bikes on the market; you’ll spend no less than $1,500 on one.

If you want to get a recumbent bike that you can use to push yourself to the limit, this is the brand for you. Nordic Track’s recumbent bikes come with a 1-year membership to a video workout plan called iFit, full of different video workout routines that will play directly on the built-in screen! For any senior who is serious about their fitness, it’s hard to go wrong with Nordic Track.

Sole Fitness: Best for Medium Budgets

Similar to Nordic Track, Sole Fitness only produces two recumbent bikes, but both of them are high-quality and designed to help you get in shape without injuring yourself. Sole offers free shipping on all their products and a lifetime warranty on any motors/frames on their products.

If you don’t have the budget for a Nordic Track or aren’t interested in the included workout videos, a Sole Fitness recumbent bike might be right for you. You can get either of Sole’s recumbent exercise bikes for about $1,000; still a premium price, but significantly more affordable than Nordic Track.

Exerpeutic: Most Affordable

This brand sells its products through Amazon, Walmart, and other large retailers. If the $1,000 price tag of a Sole Fitness recumbent bike is too much for you, you will feel much more comfortable purchasing a $250 Exerpeutic recumbent bicycle.

Exerpeutic has 5 different models available, each with its own advantages. One model even features a desk-like surface that you can use to hold a book or laptop while you ride! The bikes from this brand won’t feel quite as fancy as premium brands, but they function just as well.

Mobo: Best Recumbent Road Bikes

Recumbent road bikes are a bit harder to find, and when you do find them they typically cost more than $2,500. Mobo has two recumbent road bikes (technically trikes since they have three wheels) that cost less than $600. They’re fun to ride, easy to learn, and won’t cost as much as an 8-day cruise to own. If you’re looking to get outdoors on a recumbent bike, Mobo is the best place to start

The best model from the best brand, the R35 is a fully-featured recumbent bike designed for people who want to make exercise a large part of their lifestyle. With ergonomic back support, easy seat adjustments, and a powerful cooling fan, using the R35 will be about as breezy as it gets.

Nordic Track’s R35 has a 14-inch screen that you can use to recreate real-world cycling routes powered by Google Maps. The included iFit subscription (good for one year) is full of cycling routines and other workouts that you can do at home. If you’re looking for a complete fitness solution, not just a creaky recumbent bicycle, the Nordic Track R35 is for you.

Why spend thousands on a recumbent road bike that has features you’ll never need or use? The Mobo Triton Pro is a simple yet comfortable recumbent road bike that you’ll have a blast riding on sunny days. The pedals and steering are easy to get the hang of; all it takes is a couple of minutes of getting situated and the intuitive controls become clear.

If you’re looking for a recumbent road bike but don’t have the budget for a top-end model, there is no doubt the Mobo Triton Pro is the right choice for you. It has three solid, knobby tires that will provide excellent traction no matter where you choose to ride. For a great outdoor recumbent bike experience, look no further than this affordable, comfortable bike from Mobo!

Though it may not have as many bells and whistles as the Nordic Track 35, this recumbent exercise bike from Sole Fitness still has everything that seniors need. It’s got 40 different levels of resistance, a simple LCD interface, and can hold any user up to 350 pounds.

This recumbent exercise bike uses magnetic resistance to replicate the feeling of riding a bike on real paved roads. You can make it as difficult or easy as you like- just picture yourself riding up and down a hill. The Sole Fitness LCR will give you everything you need to get a great cycling workout, every time you hop on.

If you liked the features of the Nordic Track recumbent bike but didn’t like the price tag, this is the exercise bike for you. At less than half the price, the ProForm 440 ES delivers everything a senior needs for a good workout.

The backrest has an ergonomic design that provides support for the lower back, and the bike itself has a low-entry frame that is very easy to get in and out of. The ProForm 440 ES also has a 5-inch video screen that you can use for pre-programmed workouts, a feature that’s nearly impossible to find on an exercise bike that costs less than $750!

In terms of safety, there isn’t much competition between manufacturers because recumbent exercise bikes are naturally safe machines. This one in particular, though, is designed with a frame that you can step through and sit in like a chair, without raising your leg to do so. This makes it an ideal bike for anyone who has hip, back, or balance issues!

It’s not just a safe recumbent bike; it also provides a great workout for seniors. The pedals are wide and stable, it has 24 different preset workout programs, and it can accommodate any person regardless of their height- from 4’11” to 6’6”!

Finally, this is one of the most affordable recumbent exercise bikes on the market. That’s one of the benefits of choosing an Exerpeutic: you get incredible value for your money.

It’s hard to find a decent recumbent exercise bike for less than $400, but the Exerpeutic 1500XL is a great model that costs just under $250! Exerpeutic is the best manufacturer in terms of value for the money, and the 1500XL is no different.

It’s simple, but it will give any senior the workout they need without taking up too much space. It has a 300-pound weight capacity, 8 different resistance levels, and is powered by AA batteries. If you’re looking for a simple, portable exercise bike for your home, this is a great choice. You won’t be able to train for your next triathlon on it, but that’s not what it was made for. It’s designed to give people a convenient form of exercise that won’t leave them feeling sore and stiff afterward, and it does a great job of that!

If you’re noticing that Exerpeutic is the choice for many different spots on this list, you’re onto something: Exerpeutic’s combination of value and convenience is hard to beat. This exercise bike, in particular, costs less than $175 and folds up into a portable position that makes it easy to put away after use.

Because it’s small and portable, don’t expect to be getting the most intense workout of your life on this exercise bike; it’s designed to provide light-moderate exercise and to stay out of the way otherwise. If you need something lightweight, portable, and easy to use to stay in shape, this should be one model you consider heavily.

If you’ve owned a Schwinn bicycle in the past, you know how comfortable they are; this recumbent exercise bike delivers on the comfort and the benefit. It’s very easy to get the hang of, and has enough features for even the most serious workout routines. The seat is ventilated, so you won’t get too sweaty or feel like you’re stuck to it, and it has a design that is very supportive to the lumbar area.

25 levels of resistance and 29 programmed exercise routines are more than enough for any senior to get in shape without getting bored doing the “same old, same old” exercise. Price-wise, it’s middle of the road: you’re paying for a premium exercise machine, but you aren’t overpaying. This is the exercise bike of choice for seniors who need something as comfortable as it is useful!

The average weight capacity on a recumbent exercise bike is between 250 and 300 pounds. The LifeSpan R5i can hold users up to 400 pounds safely and securely. If you weigh more than 300 pounds, this is the best exercise bike for you, without a doubt. It’s strong, it has intuitive controls, and has a step-through entry design that makes it easy to get in/out of.

This bike has 40 different exercise programs you can use to switch things up and make every workout count- there are weight loss routines, sports training, and cardiovascular routines, among others. For any overweight senior who needs an exercise bike, the R5i is almost impossible to beat.

Mobo’s more premium model, the Shift, offers excellent performance and a surprisingly comfortable seat to any senior who wants to hit the road for some exercise. It also comes with tires that can handle grass, dirt, and even sand from time to time! If you don’t want to be stuck in the house when using a recumbent bike, this is the way to go.

The Mobo Shift is also very easy to control; the steering (after you get the hang of it) is more natural than using bicycle handlebars, and the pedals are smooth. The seat of the Shift, particularly the backrest, doesn’t look like a normal recumbent bike seat. It’s made up of thick, supportive foam pads that spread out across your back and support your body weight evenly and comfortably. It’s also got adjustable reclining, a nice feature in an affordable recumbent road bike!

These exercise machines are usually adjustable, but that doesn’t mean they’re always a perfect fit for shorter seniors. If you’re shorter than 5’5”, the ProForm 325 CSX is the best recumbent bike for you. It can accommodate users who are as short as 4’8”, it has a large LCD screen, and you can choose from several different workouts with 18 different resistance levels.

This is a slightly older recumbent bike- introduced in 2016- so it won’t have all of the latest tech available, but that shouldn’t concern you too much. If you’re looking for a recumbent bike that truly fits your body, look no further than the ProForm 235 CSX!

Exercise bikes are great, but they don’t usually do much for the upper body. They can also be difficult for seniors with very weak legs to use, even though that’s exactly what those seniors need to be doing to get stronger. This bike, though, has pedals for both the arms and the legs, letting you get a total body workout or simply give your legs a boost when they need it.

Stamina Elite makes many excellent exercise machines, with steel frames and an emphasis on health benefits over flashy features. It has 8 different resistance levels, making it easy for you to decide what level of tension is best for you. If you are looking to get a complete workout on one machine, look no further than the Stamina Elite Total Body!