11 Best Recumbent Bike For Seniors In 2020

As you advance in years, the need for physical activity does not decline. Older adults need regular exercise to keep themselves fit and their bodies strong.

This does not mean, however, that you should jump on the first fitness bandwagon you see. Many of these programs are geared towards a younger population and without proper guidance, you run the risk of an injury.

There are many other ways seniors can get the exercise they need without compromising safety. Many older people enjoy a peaceful stroll at an easy pace—it is enough to get the heart rate up without putting too much pressure on the bones and joints.

Others, however, much prefer to get their daily dose of physical activity in the comforts of their own home. A busy city, for one, is not particularly conducive to a nice, leisurely walk unless you find a relatively peaceful park.

For this dilemma, a recumbent bike offers seniors a lot of benefits without the risks of injuries a traditionally upright bike can cause.

You will be quite happy to know that there is no shortage of recumbent bikes available on the market. This article will show you the best recumbent bikes for seniors to help you maintain a physically fit body regardless of your age!

What is a Recumbent Bike?

Unlike the traditional bicycle where the rider assumes an upright position while balancing on a narrow seat, the recumbent bike allows the rider to assume a laid-back position. This results in a more comfortable position that evenly distributes the weight of the rider over a much larger area compared to the traditional upright bicycle.

For seniors, the stationary recumbent bike presents a safe and comfortable way to engage in some form of exercise. Most of these units also allow you to adjust the reclining seat for maximum comfort and stability.

Different models will also give you different features like heart rate monitors, mileage trackers, as well as adjustments for speed and resistance if you want a bit of a challenge.

Recumbent Bikes Types

Generally, there are 2 main types of recumbent bikes.

No matter which type you choose, recumbent bikes are a very necessary piece of gym equipment. These bikes will definitely provide you convenient and quality workouts, and more importantly, at an affordable cost.

The Differences Between Recumbent Bike And Upright Bike

As you can see, with a recumbent bike, your body can sit well into the frame of the bike. Therefore, you will be in a more natural reclined body position. This is very comfortable and can help reduce your body fatigue and eliminate muscle soreness in your upper body.

On the other hand, with an upright bike, your body sits above the frame just like you’re riding a traditional bicycle. If you sit properly, you will be slightly hunched over with a slight bend in your back and neck. This may cause muscle fatigue and soreness if you use the bike for a long time.

Additionally, the seat of this bike is quite smaller than that of a recumbent version. That’s why you may have aches and pains in your butt which are commonly known as saddle soreness.

In short, each type has its own benefits so no one is better than the other. Actually, it all comes down to your personal preferences. However, for seniors, it’s highly recommended to go for a recumbent bike as it’s easier and safer for a long cardio workout.

Why Use Recumbent Bikes?

At first glance, you might think that this bike is no different than any other cardio equipment. However, that’s not true. In fact, these bikes have their own benefits which set them out from the others.

Here are reasons why senior should use recumbent bikes:

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What Benefits Can Seniors Get Out of Recumbent Bikes?

It is important for seniors to have some regular physical activity to keep their bodies fit and strong. A stationary recumbent bike can help them exercise from the comforts of home while offering them a ton of benefits.

These are the key benefits of recumbent bikes for seniors.

1. Larger Bucket Seat

The problem with upright bicycles is that they have very small seats, which can result in difficulties in maintaining balance, as well as a pretty sore bum if you stay on it for too long.

The recumbent bike has a larger and softer bucket seat that is more comfortable and provides a lot more stability than balancing on a narrower seat.

2. Lower Back Support

As we age, our bones undergo changes and are not as strong as they used to be. This is particularly true for seniors who have not stocked up their calcium stores in their youth.

These changes can cause older adults to experience severe pain when they are in a less than ideal position or if they do not have the proper support.

The reclining position assumed by the rider in a recumbent bike takes care of this problem by providing adequate back support that seniors need. With this, the rider can assume a comfortable position with proper posture and prevent back or shoulder pain.

3. Lower To The Ground

Getting on an upright bicycle can be difficult for older people—not to mention dangerous!—as they have to swing one leg over the seat to get their leg on to one pedal while maintaining one foot on the other pedal. When you are younger and agiler, this might not pose much of a problem but imagine doing this when you are over seventy and you’ll get my point!

Recumbent bikes are built lower to the ground compared to upright bicycles. This makes it easier for an older adult to step into the exercise machine and sit down. Because of this position, it also decreases the chances of an injury during a fall because it is not as high up as an upright bike.

4. Easy To Adjust

Most stationary recumbent bikes not only come with larger, cushier seats, they also come with an option to adjust their seats to suit their level of comfort. All you have to do is sit down and, depending on the model, pull down or turn the handle to slide the seat into the position you want, then tighten the knob.

Compare this to an upright bike where you have to go through the complicated process of getting off the bike, pulling out the pin, adjusting the seat, and re-inserting the pin.

You might not mind this much but for a senior, this could prove to be an unnecessary hassle, especially if you share the bike with others and have to readjust the seat every time you use it!

5. Easy On The Joints

When you get older, your body changes, too. Your joints become stiffer and your bones become a lot more prone to fractures. Exercises you would normally find easy when you were younger become a lot more difficult and even painful.

You need to exercise more caution when working out, especially when it comes to your weight-bearing joints, i.e., your hips, knees, and ankles. These joints receive the most stress throughout the day.

When using a recumbent bike, the pedals are set in front of you, which makes it a lot easier on your hips, knees, and ankles. Your reclining position also makes it a lot more comfortable for the joints of your lower back because the seat and the position itself provide ample support.

6. Extra Features

Most stationary recumbent bikes nowadays come with a lot of features to make exercising a breeze as well as keep track of your progress. Modern technology has allowed for things like heart rate monitors, mileage trackers, as well as speed odometers to be integrated into these exercise equipment.

If you’re up for a challenge, you can even adjust the speed and resistance to make you work harder for it and sweat more. Some recumbent bikes even come with several workout options programmed into the system so you’ll never get bored but continue to progress physically at a comfortable pace.

7. Comfort And Convenience

What could possibly be more comfortable and convenient than being able to exercise in your own home?

Exercising in front of the TV, that’s what!

Simply position your recumbent bike to face the telly and your workouts will cease to become a chore as you pedal away while enjoying your favorite show.

If the screen is not necessarily your thing, most recumbent bikes also come with a book or magazine holder to allow you to enjoy a nice book while you exercise.

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What To Consider To Choose The Best Recumbent Bike For Seniors

Now, you want to buy a recumbent bike but you don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, here are several things to help you choose the best product for your money:

1. The Seat

In my experience, this should be the first thing to consider when buying an exercise bike. To choose the best bike that meets your needs, it’s important to look for a bike which has a padded seat. If the seat features lumbar support, it will provide the rider even with more comfort which is especially helpful for seniors.

Also, go for a bike with adjustability features which allow you to adjust the seat back and forth. Keep in mind that the more adjustability features and comfort, the better.

2. Display Console

Unlike an upright bike, a recumbent bike allows your body to sit well into the bike frame. Therefore, your body is far from the console, that’s why it’s quite difficult for you to see clearly or access the console. To avoid this, just get a recumbent bike which features a backlit console. This helps you read the workout stats more clearly and easily.

3. Weight Limit And Weight Of The Bike

One of the most important aspects of exercise is stability. You never want to exercise on a bike keeps wobbling all the time, right? So if your bike is unstable, then just forget about it. However, a lot of you might want to order the equipment online. In this case, you need to check out the weight of the bike to determine how stable it is.

In general, the heavier, the more stable. But the problem with heavy bikes is that they may be too heavy to transport. Hence, if you want to buy a heavy bike, then choose one with transport wheels for easy mobility. And last but not least, your body weight shouldn’t be above the maximum supported weight, or else, you will definitely put your safety at risk.

4. Excessive Noise

While this is not a problem for everyone but remember that it’s a good idea to choose a quiet bike. Actually, based on the resistance, some bikes are much quieter than others. Bikes which include fans are likely to be noisier as they have air resistance. Thus, the harder you pedal, the stronger the breeze and this is how it makes excessive noise. To be honest, if you want to watch TV or listen to music, then this is very important to choose a quiet one.

5. Enclosed Mechanics For Safety

If there are small kids in your household, you should also focus on the way the recumbent bike has been built. Research shows that thousands of children get injured just because they use exercise equipment in the wrong way yearly. In order to avoid that, you need to make sure that the mechanics of your bike like flywheel or chain are entirely covered. Otherwise, our kids can get their little fingers or other body parts stuck and hurt themselves.

6. Entertainment

A bike with many entertainment options is not a bad idea as it keeps you occupied. Therefore, you will not get bored with the monotony of cardio. As the matter of fact, a lot of recumbent bikes feature options like a phone dock which allows you to plug in your mobile device and listen to music.

Additionally, some bikes come with a place to hold a book or even a laptop so you can read and watch some video during exercise. For me, this is a great way to make yourself forget that you’re exercising. Also, there are bikes which come with many different workout programs for a more enjoyable and versatile workout.

7. Advancing Challenges

Speaking challenges, it all comes down to resistance levels. In my experience, it’s important to choose a unit that has a lot of resistance. This way, you can possibly improve your fitness performance to when you are ready for new challenges. Just don’t opt for a bike which you train on for a few months and realize that you have reached the highest resistance level.

8. Quality

Other considerations you should pay attention to are the quality and price of the bike. Remember that a large fitness equipment like an exercise bike or a treadmill is not like a pair of gym gloves which you only use for a few months and throw away.

In fact, a good recumbent bike is one that can serve you for a long period of time. In my opinion, a durable bike should last for more than 3 years. Hence, just go for top brands since their bikes have good quality regarding both design and materials. And don’t forget to check the customer reviews on the Internet to see how durable the product actually is.

9. Cost

Last but not least, don’t forget to consider the price of the unit you’re going to buy. In case you’re not keen, I’m pretty sure these bikes can cost you hundreds of dollars or even thousands. That’s why prior research is very important before you decide to buy any product. To me, a reasonable price range is 200 to 400 dollars. Generally, the more expensive, the higher quality so make sure make sure you get the best bike that fits your budget.

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Top 11 Best Recumbent Bike For Seniors

MODEL	OUR RATING
Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike	4.5
Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Exercise Bike	4.3
Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike	4.9
Exerpeutic Folding Exercise Bike	4.6
Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike	4.4

Even though you might be getting advanced in years, it is still advisable to get a bit of exercise in. Light to moderate-intensity workouts can do you a world of good and can keep your body fit and strong.

These recumbent bikes can help you to achieve that without the added strain and difficulties you might get from other exercise equipment.

​1. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike

The top pick in this list is the Schwinn 270 bike. This recumbent bike is a high-end quality bike which is a great exercise bike option for both commercial use and home use. Therefore, if you are comfortable to part with 400 dollars, just go for it and I’m sure that you will not regret your decision. Besides, this bike is very durable so if you can use it for long periods of time.

It features dual-track LCD display that allows you to monitor up to 13 display feedbacks. The bike also has Schwinn connect, a fitness app for goal tracking as well as data export. This will keep you challenged and motivated all the time. There are 25 resistance levels coming with high-speed inertia flywheel provide you a silent and smooth cardio workout. Furthermore, you will feel very comfortable with a contoured leg area and padded seat.

 This one is the best recumbent bike for home use and comercial use 

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2. Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Exercise Bike

This Stamina Elite bike will definitely give you effective full body workouts in your own home gym. This bike is made of high-quality steel so it’s very sturdy. It allows you to tone both lower and upper parts of your body. Therefore, it helps you burn more calories as compared to many other recumbent bikes.

With a quiet magnetic resistance, you will have a silent and very functional full body workout. Hence, if you do general fitness or burn some calories, then maybe all you need is this one. Additionally, this bike features multi-function electronic display which shows you everything including time, speed, calories burned, heart rate and distance done during the workout.

Like many other bikes, this one is equipped with both upper hand and lower foot pedals. These pedals can make your full body workouts a lot more comfortable and easier. Furthermore, the seat is very comfortable since it’s padded for extra cushioning. Besides, it’s adjustable so it fits anyone.

 This one is the best recumbent bike for commercial use and home use 

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​3. Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike

This Exerpeutic recumbent bike is the best affordable bike ever. You can totally buy this amazing buy for over 100 dollars and honestly, this one is very affordable as compared to other models.

It features a sturdy built frame as well as an amazing back support system. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the stability and comfort when you’re exercising on this bike. And that’s why it is a perfect choice for seniors or anyone who has back problems.

Additionally, what I love most about this product is that it is fordable and has transport wheels. These features make it easier to you to move the bike around and that’s why it’s one of the best options for home use.

The bike also has 8 level magnetic tension control, allowing you to adjust resistance level so it is suitable for people of all fitness levels. Besides, a high torque 3 piece torque crank system, “double drive” transmission system and heart pulse are all included for a very affordable price.

The maximum weight capacity of this bike is up to 300 pounds. Furthermore, it can be adjusted to 5 ft. 2” up to 6 ft. 2” so it can benefit people of varied heights.

 This one is the best recumbent bike for home use 

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​4. Exerpeutic Folding Exercise Bike

This is another exercise recumbent bike from Exerpeutic. Unlike many other exercise bikes out there, this one has no LCD display. Instead, the bike has a desktop so you can use it as a work platform for your own book, laptop, iPad, and so on. This allows you to exercise while working and actually, this is an effective way to fool yourself into working out and burning some calories. Also, the desktop has forward, back, up and down adjustability for standing and sitting positions.

The bike has foam armrest which is very soft and durable, and 2.5” thick AirSoft seat with great comfort. The seat is adjustable so it can fit 5’2” to 6’3” user height. Furthermore, an 8 level magnetic tension control system allows you to adjust the resistance level for a more difficult or easier workout. Like many other units, it can hold up to 300 lbs.

What’s more, the bike is fordable and has transportable wheels, thus, you can store it with ease. Also, the V-belt drive and precision balanced flywheel provide a quiet and smooth operation which doesn’t interfere with listening to music or watching TV.

 This one is the best recumbent bike for home use 

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5. Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike

Nautilus is well known for producing excellent quality commercial grade gym equipment and this recumbent bike is no exception. It’s high-quality bike and more importantly, it’s affordably priced as compared to most other Nautilus machines.

The first impression of this model is that it features dual-track LCD display which shows you up to 13 workout details including distance, calories burned, time, speed, heart rate and so on. It also has a USB charging export so that you can export the data to myfitnesspal.com or NautilusConnect.com. With this feature, you will be aware of your training progress and focused on your fitness goals.

When you use a heart rate program, the grip heart rate allows you to sit in a more relaxed riding position. What’s more, the bike has 3-speed fan to keep you cool during the workout.

 This one is the best recumbent bike for commercial use and home use 

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6. Exerpeutic 2000 High-Capacity Programmable Magnetic Recumbent Bike

If you have already started looking around for a recumbent bike, no doubt you have heard of Exerpeutic. This is a brand that is known for their recumbent bikes, particularly the Exerpeutic 900XL. This brand is marketed by Paradigm Health and Wellness, which is also quite popular for their fitness equipment.

The manufacturers took some of the best features of the 900XL model to create the Exerpeutic 2000. It operates with the same flywheel and drive system as the previous models, giving you a smooth and consistent pedaling experience.

For this model, Exerpeutic uses their new Air Soft seat for increased comfort. Its step-through design also makes it easier to get on the bike.

This model comes with eight levels of resistance and six preset workout programs. It has a user weight capacity of 300 lbs.

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7. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike With Resistance ME-709

The trouble with most exercise equipment is that they tend to take up so much space. This isn’t much of a problem if you are going to the gym or you have a dedicated room for fitness in your home. However, when you have limited real estate, things can get pretty cramped really quickly.

The Marcy Magnetic Resistance Recumbent Bike ME-709 takes care of this dilemma.

At first glance, it does not look like anything much—just the basic frame of a recumbent bike with a small computer monitor. However, in spite of its space-saving frame, it is surprisingly well-constructed from 2-inch steel tubing that keeps still while you exercise.

It has eight resistance settings that you can modify to suit your fitness level, whether you are a newbie or a gym buff. It does not have preset programs, though.

At quite an affordable price, this recumbent bike does away with the excessive fancy features to stick to the basics and do what recumbent bikes do.

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8. Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

If you are a bit of a techie and want a recumbent bike with all the fancy trimmings, you might want to take a look at the Schwinn 230 recumbent bike. This unit has a whopping 22 preset workout programs, heart rate monitor, and speakers. It has 20 resistance levels you can choose from to suit your level of fitness. It even has a USB drive to store your data, which can be uploaded to the Schwinn Connect website. If you are big on tracking your progress, it is also compatible with the popular fitness app, MyFitnessPal.

This model has a user weight capacity up to 300 lbs. It also has a USB charging port and a media tray, which you can use to indulge while exercising. If you like listening to some classic tunes during your exercise routine, you can also plug in your MP3 player and stream songs through the console.

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9. 3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike

The 3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike is a light-commercial bike featuring an incredibly comfortable seat and a backrest that conforms to your body shape and size. It does not try too hard to be one of the fancier bikes and sticks to doing what recumbent bikes are supposed to do—provide you a way to get some cardio workout in the comfort of your home.

It occupies a significantly smaller footprint than other recumbent bikes with more or less similar features. It is not foldable but it has front rollers which will allow you to relocate and easily park the bike in an unobtrusive corner when you’re not using it.

This bike has a user weight capacity of up to 350 lbs. It has a motorized magnetic resistance system, which can be adjusted from the console or in the seat’s handlebars. It has sixteen programs you can also choose from and can accommodate data for up to 4 users.

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10. Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Exercise Bike

Recumbent bikes are great for a light cardio workout at home but it focuses mostly on your lower body—i.e. your legs do the pedaling while your arms and upper body basically do nothing. Now, if your hands are busy knitting or flipping through your tablet, this wouldn’t be much of a concern.

However, for those who want to keep their upper body occupied as well for a total fitness workout, the Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Exercise Bike has your back!

This isn’t just your usual recumbent bike where you sit back and pedal until you’re bored out of your mind. It actually has upper hand pedals that let your arms to amp up your workouts and burn more calories, if that is your thing. If not, you can choose not to use these upper pedals and just cycle to your heart’s content.

The bike has a solid steel frame that looks very sturdy. The only caveat is that the console does not record your workouts so you’ll have to do this the old-fashioned way. There are no preset programs either so you’ll have to pay attention to your workouts on this unit.

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11. Proform 740 ES Recumbent Bike

This is a bike comes with a console that is powered to do a lot of things. For the techie who is constantly connected to the world via smartphone, the Proform 740 ES Recumbent Bike has a 7-inch, multicolor display that feels much more like a tablet than a clunky console that blinks out numbers.

If you have an iFit account, you can also connect to your phone, laptop, or computer to track your workouts because this unit is also iFit ready and has Bluetooth connectivity. You can even use GoogleMaps trails straight from the console

This bike’s powerful console has an astounding thirty-four preset programs, not counting the programs you can access with your iFit account if you sign up for the membership. It also has one of the broadest resistance levels—numbering at 26—which you can adjust to your fitness level.

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So is It Safe?

Definitely!

Because of its design, a recumbent bike gives a lot of support for your lower back, providing you with a comfortable way to exercise that is gentle on your weight-bearing joints. This same design also helps with balance so you don’t fall off. If you do, it’s quite lower so there are fewer chances of serious injury.

Your feet will be strapped to the pedals so you don’t run the risk of slipping off those pedals or getting entangled in them accidentally.

However, it can be easy to overwork yourself so keep checking your heart rate monitor to make sure you are within the allowable range of your target range!

Final Thoughts

Even older adults need to get some exercise, too, although their advanced age usually comes with different concerns. For one, positioning and support are very important as assuming a less than ideal position lacking in support for long periods of time could cause body aches.

For this reason and others more, the recumbent bike is an ideal option for seniors who are looking to keep fit over the years. The larger bucket seat and lower back support make for a comfortable exercising experience. Because the recumbent bike is also designed to be lower to the ground, this also minimizes the chances of accidental falls, which could cause serious injury to older adults. A recumbent bike with a step-through or walk-through design is even better as it is easier to get on such a unit.

The Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike is the ideal option for seniors looking for a fun and safe way to exercise. It is well-made and quite sturdy so you won’t have to trouble yourself with a unit that breaks down after just a few uses. It also uses the ECB magnetic resistance, which is the best kind, allowing the user to experience a smooth and quiet pedaling experience.

Whether you’re a pro or new to the concept of using a recumbent bike, this unit offers 20 resistance levels you can choose from to suit your fitness level. The console also has twenty-two preset programs to choose from to keep your exercises from becoming tedious and boring.

For the techie at heart, the Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike also allows you to export data to the NautilusConnect website or the popular fitness app, MyFitnessPal. This will allow you to track your progress and assess your fitness goals.

It also features a walk-through design, which makes it easy to get on and use, minimizing the risks associated with getting on an exercise equipment with a different frame design.

I hope this article was able to help you in your search for a recumbent bike for seniors. It truly is a safe and convenient way for an older adult to exercise so get on that nice, cushy seat and start pedaling!