As we age, maintaining an active lifestyle becomes crucial for long-term health and wellness, but some forms of exercise begin to lose their appeal. Biking outdoors, for example, can be a fun and thrilling activity when you’re young, but as you age, catching a cramp five miles from home or fixing a flat on the side of the road is problematic. Fortunately, the best exercise bikes for seniors directly address some of the downsides of traditional biking, as they eliminate unpredictability while also giving you full control over the length and intensity of your workout.

The best exercise bikes for seniors offer a safe and effective way to stay fit, improve cardiovascular health and enhance mobility via a low-impact workout that’s as challenging as you’d like it to be.

With so many stationary bikes on the market, searching for the right bike might seem like a daunting task, but this comprehensive guide highlights the top options, focusing on features like comfort and safety. Below, I’ll dive into models like my overall top pick, the Sunny Health And Wellness Elite Recumbent, which is both affordable and easy to use, along with other recumbent and upright options.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

At Forbes Vetted, we’ve published many expertly researched gear buying guides, including dozens of articles related to fitness and wellness. We maintain a digital library of everything you could possibly need to set up a home gym, including different types of exercise bikes and other cardio equipment.

• This story was written by Forbes Vetted author Cassandra Brooklyn, who has tested and written about hundreds of products, including indoor bike racks and folding treadmills. She contributes to a number of publications, including CNN and The Wall Street Journal.
• Gear editor Cam Vigliotta holds a degree in sports medicine from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He produces health and wellness stories across the site and regularly reviews the latest fitness equipment, including treadmills, GPS watches and compression socks for running.
• We regularly update this story to maintain accuracy and ensure our picks are still the best the market has to offer. This piece was written in October 2024.

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How We Chose The Best Exercise Bikes For Seniors

To find and recommend the best exercise bikes for seniors, I relied on my personal expertise and read customer reviews from those who bought an exercise bike with their own money.

• I gathered a list of more than 10 bikes from a variety of established brands before analyzing their features, taking into consideration their levels of resistance, ergonomics, dimensions, weight capacity and additional features, like a screen. That list of 10 was then cut to a total of five, all featured in this guide.
• I read through countless consumer reviews, determining which bike offer an uncomfortable ride as a result of poor ergonomics or tech, and which are truly capable when it comes to maintaining mobility.
• Because I know that everyone has different fitness goals and budgets, I recommend a variety of exercise bikes to cover everyone’s needs.

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What To Look For In The Best Exercise Bikes For Seniors

Size

Home exercise bikes differ dramatically in terms of the amount of space they take up. Some are small and fold up even smaller, while others have a substantial footprint. If you’re short on space, it’s worth considering a foldable option, and these also tend to be less expensive. That said, folding models tend to have fewer features (like touchscreens and water bottle holders) and they also typically have lower weight limits. Before buying, measure your workout space, keeping in mind that the size of the bike you buy will often determine how many features it has.

Adjustments

Almost every exercise bike on the market allows you to make adjustments in some way, whether you’re changing the position of the seat or the pedals. Many bikes, particularly higher-end models, allow the seat to be adjusted in four directions. If there are foot straps on the pedals (which are common on recumbent exercise bikes), these are also adjustable so they can accommodate different foot sizes and types of footwear.

These adjustments tend to not be overly complicated, but if multiple people will be using the bike and adjusting it to accommodate different needs, then it’s especially important to go with a bike that makes these adjustments quick and easy.

Noise

Most exercise bikes make a bit of noise as you pedal, whether it’s from a traditional wheel or a flywheel. If you live alone or have a dedicated workout space, this may not be an issue, but if your exercise bike is in a home office or a small apartment, your rides could distract and interrupt others. Some exercise bikes, like the NordicTrack R35, are incredibly quiet because they use magnets to generate resistance, so they’re a great option for sound-sensitive households.

Tech

Like any other piece of workout equipment on the market, exercise bikes run the gamut in terms of tech features. Some have simple LCD displays while others offer fully Wi-Fi connected touchscreens. If you want to stream a workout right on the bike itself, prioritize a model that has a large screen and on-demand workouts via an app. Do keep in mind that these services often require an ongoing subscription.

If you’d like to have some entertainment while you work out but you don’t want to dedicate the money or space to a machine that offers integrated entertainment, look for a bike that has a media shelf so you can see your own tablet, phone or literature as you ride.

Weight Capacity

While many home exercise bikes can accommodate riders up to and over 300 pounds, this isn’t the case for every bike. Riding a bike that cannot accommodate your weight may not only damage the bike, it could also cause personal injury. Budget-friendly and folding bikes tend to have lower weight limits, so keep this in mind when the time comes to find a bike that supports you and other members of your household.