Upright exercise bikes are a convenient, affordable, and easy way to improve fitness levels and stay fit. Investing in the best home gym equipment lets you keep up with your cardio exercise without leaving the comfort of your home. The best upright exercise bikes help build endurance, stamina, muscle strength, burn body fat, and boost your overall health.
This review of the best upright exercise bikes looks that the top eight models currently for sale online. This unbiased review looks at the pros and cons of each upright bike to help you make an informed decision.
A Look At The 7 Best Upright Exercise Bikes
1. Women’s Health Men’s Health Indoor Cycling Bike
One of the best affordable upright exercise bikes is this sturdy, steel-framed model with a large magnetic flywheel. The 14 levels of resistance mean there is an exercise regime for all fitness levels—from beginners to professional cyclists. An outstanding feature of this upright bike is the fitness app, coaching videos, and trainer workout programs.
An advantage of this indoor upright exercise bike is that it combines the benefits of a spin bike with the comfort of an upright model. Additionally, the mobile phone and tablet holder allows you to monitor your fitness progress.
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Sturdy frame supports up to 300 lbs.
- Free MyCloudFitness app
- 4-way adjustable seat
- Bottle holder
- Up to 5-year warranty
Cons:
- No pulse monitor
- Handlebars only move up and down
2. SCHWINN AD6 Airdyne Exercise Bike
The Schwinn AD6 is the ultimate affordable upright exercise bike if you want a full-body, core, and cardio workout. The exercise bike features a fan flywheel, movable handlebars for upper-body fitness, and a neat LCD display. If you’re a fan of HIIT, then the RevMeter RPM gauge is perfect for interval training. The combination of moving handlebars and high-resistance flywheel offer challenging workouts.
Like many of the best upright exercise bikes, the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne keeps track of your fitness progress. You get constant feedback on calories burned, distance, heart rate, RPM, and workload levels. You might be interested in reading our article- Your Guide to the Schwinn Airdyne AD6.
Pros:
- Excellent resistance levels for serious workouts
- An impressive 15-year warranty on the frame
- Air resistance creates a cooling air stream—ideal for home workouts
- Suitable for high-intensity resistance training
- Full body workout
Cons:
- It tends to be noisier than bikes with magnetic resistance
- No training programs
3. HARISON Stationary Upright Exercise Bike
The Harison upright exercise cycle is worthy of consideration because of its sturdy frame, compact build, and excellent stability. The seat is fully adjustable four ways, and the ergonomic handlebars are comfortable and have pulse sensors. This stationary exercise bike delivers a smooth ride thanks to the large magnetic flywheel. Although there are no pre-set programs, the display allows you to set goals. Additionally, there is a great monitor or tablet holder.
One of the best things about the Harison exercise bike is the 14-level magnetic resistance. Also, the built-in LCD screen is unobtrusive and provides all the essential data you need to monitor fitness.
Pros:
- Comfortable padded seat that adjusts four ways
- Stabilizers on the base and transport wheels
- Goal setting and exercise meter
- Tablet, phone, and bottle holders
- Ideal for light to mid-range cardio workouts
- Excellent value for the price
Cons:
- Lacks workout programs
- The LCD screen is relatively simple
4. Pooboo Magnetic Exercise Bike D720
If you want to buy a compact upright exercise bike, then this piece of home gym equipment by Pooboo is an excellent choice. This exercise option is small enough to go in a living room or bedroom without compromising on quality. Thanks to the high-quality belt mechanism and magnetic resistance, this unit delivers super-quiet operation. To keep you entertained during cardio workouts, there is a handy iPad or tablet holder.
The Pooboo upright exercise bike has all you require from a mid-range exercise cycle. The comfortable padded seat is adjustable, the pedals have safety straps, and there is a multi-function LCD display. All this in an exercise bike for less than $200 is a great deal.
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Compact design
- A high-grade flywheel means quiet cycling
- Pulse sensors on the handlebars
- Integrated tablet/iPad holder
Cons:
- Only has eight resistance levels
- The seat only adjusts up and down
5. Marcy Upright Exercise Bike ME-708
The Marcy stationary upright exercise bike is in the low-budget range of home exercise equipment. However, there is no compromise on quality with this compact, easy-to-use stationary bike. The LCD screen provides information on speed, distance, and burned calories. Its low cost means that this exercise bike is an affordable option for beginners or people who want to burn belly fat, lose weight, or stay in shape.
Pros:
- Low cost
- Holds up to 300 lbs.
- All the basic features you require from an exercise bike
- Multi function console
Cons:
- It may be too basic for some people who want intense cardio workouts
- Only eight resistance levels
- Pedaling can be jerky sometimes
- No pulse sensors
6. Sunny Health And Fitness Stationary Upright Exercise Bike SF-B2952
The Sunny Health & Fitness upright exercise bike is an affordable option for regular intensive cardio workouts. The four-way adjustable seat means that the bike is comfortable for short and tall people. To track fitness performance and goals, an LCD screen shows pulse, calories, RPM, speed, time, distance, and temperature. There is also an integrated phone or tablet holder to stay entertained while improving cardio health.
Pros:
- Good quality magnetic resistance
- Pulse sensors
- Excellent range of statistical data tracking
- Low price for this robust home exercise bike
Cons:
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- The saddle can get uncomfortable after a long workout
- No pre-set programs
7. HIROLLOP Desk Upright Cycle Exercise Bike
Despite its unusual look, the Hirollop upright exercise bike is an excellent choice of equipment for anyone who wants to combine fitness and work. The stationary exercise bike has all you require from a mid-range, high-quality bike to get fit. It has a magnetic flywheel, adjustable seat, sturdy frame, and sleek design.
The Hirollop exercise bike’s selling point is the integrated adjustable work desk. You can sit at your desk while exercising, thus helping to avoid health issues that come from sitting stationary all day. While this exercise bike option may not suit everyone, it’s ideal for staying fit if you work from home.
Pros:
- Unique exercise bike with an integrated work desk
- Adjustable padded seat and desk height
- Combine work and cardio exercise
- Quiet, smooth pedaling due to the top-grade flywheel
- Pedals fold away to allow for easy storage
Cons:
- Only eight resistance levels
- No handlebars or LCD monitor console
Choosing An Upright Exercise Bike
Choosing a stationary upright exercise bike for your exercise needs can be challenging. It’s vital to consider your budget, where you will put it, and what features you require. The cheapest upright exercise bikes usually have a pulse monitor, calorie counter, and measure distance. Expensive exercise bikes can have features such as touch screens, the ability to stream classes, connect to fitness apps, and join customized exercise programs.
An upright exercise bike has many uses in a home gym setup. You can use them for regular aerobic exercising, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and sprint workouts. After a few weeks of regular exercise, you will find that the right stationary bike helps you reach your fitness goals.
How To Choose The Best Upright Exercise Bike To Meet Your Fitness Goals
With so many upright exercise bikes to choose from, what should you look for before buying this essential piece of home gym equipment? Stationary exercise bikes should help you improve your fitness and stay fit. Exercising at home, you don’t need to worry about cycling in traffic, bad weather, or punctures.
Here is a checklist of what to look for when deciding on the right exercise bike:
- Resistance—For most people using a home gym, between eight and 14 resistance levels are adequate. However, if you want high-intensity cardio training, then look for an upright bike that has more.
- Fitness monitoring—Most upright home gym bikes have a display. This shows calories, distance, speed, and pulse—if the bike has a heart rate monitor. If you want to use a fitness app or subscribe to customized fitness programs, look for an upright exercise bike with Bluetooth connectivity.
- Storage space—If a room in your home doubles up as a gym, storage may be an issue. So, consider the exercise bike’s weight, stability, and transport wheels.