Best Exercise Bike For Seniors 2023

Things To Keep In Mind When Buying The Best Exercise Bike For A Senior

The following is what we recommend looking into when buying an exercise bike for a senior.

Exercise Bike Type

With how many different types of exercise bikes out there, you want to make sure you pick the best kind for you. Exercise bikes offer low-impact workouts, but different bikes vary in the intensity of the workouts that they provide. For those looking to mimic road cycling, an indoor cycling bike is the best option. The handles and saddle position your upper body in a forward position and the resistance level range simulates riding up and down hills outside. This type of bike is found in spin classes and it offers a high-intensity workout.

A recumbent bike is another type of bike that makes working out more accessible to those with mobility and balance issues. The seat is like a chair with a supportive back that requires less balance and lower-back mobility than other exercise bikes. The workout is less intense, too.

An upright is in the middle of the two. You sit up on a triangular saddle with the pedals below your hips, to require core stability, but the saddle is a bit wider than an indoor cycling bike to provide a little bit more support. The handles are higher than the saddle to position your upper body more upright in a less strenuous position than an indoor cycle bike. It requires more balance and mobility than a recumbent bike, however.

Construction Features

Once you determine the type of exercise bike for you, it’s a good idea to check out the construction. Things like warranty coverage, build materials, flywheel, and resistance type are important. Most exercise bikes offer adjustable magnetic resistance that should be quiet for most home spaces, and the flywheel should be evenly weighted to provide a smooth pedal stroke. We recommend looking into bikes with heavy flywheels of over 20 lbs for indoor cycling bikes and over 15 lbs for upright bikes. There are bikes with light flywheels of under 10 lbs, but keep in mind that those are usually priced higher. An exercise bike with a light flywheel that’s affordable (under $1000) probably doesn’t have the most durable construction quality.

Weight capacity and seat adjustability should be taken into account too. You want to make sure that you don’t exceed the weight limit and that the seat has good adjustability so you can get a comfortable bike fit.

Content Features

The content features might not seem important, but there are more and more exercise bikes on the market with touch screens and subscription training content. Subscription training content often includes trainer-led workout videos for guidance while using the bike. A subscription training platform can be a great way to hold you accountable for using the machine if you have to pay a monthly fee. It can also be helpful if you’re a beginner to fitness. If you’re not interested in following along with an instructor on the screen, you might want to check out an exercise bike with a simple LCD console. These bikes often let you stream content from your phone or tablet, or you can just place them in front of your TV.

Budget

Finally, you’ll want to find an exercise bike that ideally checks all of the boxes above and aligns with your budget. Exercise bikes range pretty greatly in price from under $1000 to closer to $2000, depending on the features and brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose an exercise bike for seniors?

It is important to consider your fitness level and capabilities before choosing an exercise bike. Some bikes require more balance and mobility than others, so you’ll want to factor in your level of balance and mobility range before purchasing. Recumbent bikes offer the lowest-intensity workouts and require the least amount of balance and mobility. Indoor cycling bikes require the most amount of balance, endurance, and mobility, and upright bikes are the in-between option that still requires core stability and balance but places your upper body in a less strenuous upright position.

What is the easiest bike to ride for seniors?

A recumbent bike is the easiest exercise bike for seniors. It places you in a seated position that is similar to sitting in a chair. Plus, they have low step-through designs that don’t require you to lift your legs too high.

What is the best recumbent bike for seniors?

The best recumbent bike for seniors is the Sole R92 Recumbent Bike. As far as construction quality and features this is a safe and durable exercise bike that we have named best for seniors.