Many of us lead busy lifestyles that makes it difficult to exercise. In some cases, you may be recovering from an injury or surgery. In other cases, you may be a senior with limited mobility.
Arm bikes come in more than one size, but the mini pedal exercisers are ideal for these issues. Arm bikes are easy, convenient and compact. You can use one while you sit and watch TV.
This guide will review the best arm bikes on the market. Ready to check it out? Let’s go!
In a Hurry? Here is our top pick:
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Best Arm Bikes
- MagneTrainer-ER Mini Arm Bike – Best Overall
- TODO Pedal Exerciser – Best For Seniors
- Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Mini Bike – Best For Frequent Travelers
- Exerpeutic Motorized Arm Pedal Exerciser – Best For Rehab
- pooboo Pedal Exerciser – Best Compact
- Bookcycle Mini Bike Pedal Exerciser – Best Quiet
- Vangona Arm Bike Pedal Exerciser – Best For Strength
- MaxKare Foldable Exercise Bike – Best Exercise Versatility
- Marcy Cardio Mini Cycle – Best Budget
- Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4631 Recumbent Bike – Best Full-Size Arm Bike
Reviews – The 10 Best Arm Bikes
MagneTrainer-ER Mini Arm Bike – Best Overall
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Here’s our pick for best overall. The MagneTrainer-ER Mini Arm Bike has patented magnetic resistance with 8 levels. This is a lightweight, space-saving arm bike featuring a steel frame and a 15-inch wide base.
There’s also an LCD that tracks time, strides per minute, distance, and calories burned. The pedals are designed for arm use but have adjustable straps for your feet. Finally, the MagneTrainer-ER Mini Arm Bike features quiet, smooth operation.
PROS
- Steel Frame Construction
- 8 Levels Of Magnetic Resistance
- Smooth, Quiet Operation
CONS
- Some Users Find The Unit Moves During Use
TODO Pedal Exerciser – Best For Seniors
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The TODO Pedal Exerciser is compact, lightweight, and easy to carry. It can be used anywhere and features quiet, smooth operation. The space-saving design lets you easily store it out of the way. It features easily adjustable resistance.
The LCD tracks distance, strides, calories burned, and time. It’s made using a reinforced steel frame for long-lasting use. The TODO Pedal Exerciser is the perfect choice for seniors that may have a hard time getting to the gym.
PROS
- Great Choice For Seniors That Can’t Get To The Gym
- Adjustable Resistance
- Tracks Your Exercise Performance
CONS
- May Move Around With Fast Pedaling
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Mini Bike – Best For Frequent Travelers
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Here’s an arm bike that features a non-slip base. The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Mini Bike won’t move during use. It has 8 levels of magnetic resistance and there’s a digital monitor to track your exercise performance. You can track calories burned, strides per minute, and time.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Mini Bike has a convenient carry handle, and it’s lightweight.
It’s compact enough to be stored anywhere. You can easily store it in your car when traveling. It also features quiet operation, quiet enough to use in a hotel room. These features make it the best choice for frequent travelers.
PROS
- Features A Base That Won’t Slip During Use
- There Are 8 Levels Of Magnetic Resistance
- Compact And Easy To Carry – Ideal For Use In A Hotel Room
CONS
- There May Not Be Enough Resistance For Some Users
Exerpeutic Motorized Arm Pedal Exerciser – Best For Rehab
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The Exerpeutic Motorized Arm Pedal Exerciser has a floor mat to ensure your arm bike does not move. It also has a motor that controls your pedaling motion for you. It has a hand-held speed control for easy adjustments.
It’s ideal for anyone that has trouble moving their arms or legs. That makes the Exerpeutic Motorized Arm Pedal Exerciser the best pick for anyone undergoing rehab after an arm or leg injury or surgery. This unit improves circulation, strength, and balance. If you prefer, there’s more resistance when the motor is turned off.
Finally, this quiet machine tracks time, total repetitions, and calories burned.
PROS
- Motorized – Ideal For Post-Injury Or Post-Surgery Use
- Floor Mat Included To Prevent Slipping
- Tracks Exercise Performance
CONS
- May Not Have Enough Motorized Resistance For All Users
pooboo Pedal Exerciser – Best Compact
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The pooboo Pedal Exerciser has 4 no-slip rubber pads so it won’t move around during use. It’s designed to be used at home or the office. It has adjustable resistance, and tracks calories burned, time, strides, and distance.
There’s also an optional mat to add further stability while exercising. It’s compact enough to be stored anywhere and is ideal for all family members. The pooboo Pedal Exerciser improves hand/leg coordination, leg strength, and arm strength.
PROS
- Designed For The Entire Family
- Features 4 No-Slip Rubber Pads
- Adjustable Resistance
CONS
- May Be Too Noisy For Some Users
Bookcycle Mini Bike Pedal Exerciser – Best Quiet
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The Bookcycle Mini Bike Pedal Exerciser has molded finger grips on the pedals for ease of use. The bike features smooth and extremely quiet operation. There are also anti-scuff feet that won’t move during use.
The Bookcycle Mini Bike Pedal Exerciser is a space-saving design. It’s light and easy to carry. It has adjustable resistance and an LCD that tracks your exercise performance. Finally, it’s made from reinforced steel construction.
PROS
- Features Molded Finger Grips
- Adjustable Resistance
- Made Using Steel Construction
CONS
- May Not Have Enough Resistance To Replace Strength Training For Some Users
Vangona Arm Bike Pedal Exerciser – Best For Strength
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Here’s a bike that has 10 resistance settings. That’s more available resistance than any other bike in this guide. That means it’s the best suited for users developing strength. The smooth magnetic resistance features quiet operation. Use it by itself for training your arms. Or, you can combine it with dumbbells for a complete workout.
The Vangona Arm Bike Pedal Exerciser tracks revolutions per minute, calories burned, time, and distance. The Vangona Arm Bike Pedal Exerciser is compact, lightweight, and easy to move.
PROS
- There’s 10 Resistance Settings
- Designed For Quiet Operation
- Compact & Lightweight
CONS
- May Be Hard To Assemble For Some Users
MaxKare Foldable Exercise Bike – Best Exercise Versatility
Most arm bikes are small, portable, and easily fit on a tabletop. The MaxKare Foldable Exercise Bike is another type of arm bike. It’s a full-size bike and has resistance bands for arm work. This means you can work your legs and arms at the same time.
Also, the MaxKare allows users to easily work biceps or triceps by changing their grip. This bike has even more upper body versatility and allows shoulder, chest, and back work. The bike itself has an extra-wide seat and adjustable resistance. When you’re done, it folds for easy transport and storage.
PROS
- Upper Body Resistance Bands For A Complete Arm & Upper Body Workout
- Works Legs At The Same Time
- Foldable For Storage
CONS
- The Bands May Not Provide Enough Resistance For All users
Marcy Cardio Mini Cycle – Best Budget
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The Marcy Cardio Mini Cycle has finger grooves in the pedals for a good grip. This improves the efficiency of upper body workouts. It has adjustable resistance and a display that tracks time, repetitions, and calories burned.
The Marcy Cardio Mini Cycle has an easy carry handle for portability. Use it at home, work, or anywhere you have a desk, table, or flat surface. The Marcy Cardio Mini Cycle is ideal for arm or leg work.
All these features plus it’s designed for budget-conscious users.
PROS
- Features Finger Grooves For A Good Grip
- Adjustable Resistance
- Use It At Home Or The Office
CONS
- May Not have Enough Resistance For Some Users
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4631 Recumbent Bike – Best Full-Size Arm Bike
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Unlike the typical arm bike, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4631 Recumbent Bike is a full-sized bike with an arm exercise. This bike uses arm pedals that work the same way as a mini arm bike. The arm handles have adjustable resistance that’s separate from the bike’s magnetic resistance.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SFG-RB4631 has good seat support and is height adjustable. There’s an LCD that tracks your performance for both arms and legs.
Also, the bike is movable for easy storage. This is the best full-size arm bike and provides a complete upper/lower body workout.
PROS
- Features Hand Pedal With Adjustable Tension
- Users Can Work Upper & Lower Body At The Same Time
- Adjustable Seat
- CONS
May Not Be Suited For Taller Users
Buying Guide – How To Choose The Best Arm Bike?
What Is An Arm Bike
An arm bike is an exercise machine that allows users to work their arms as well as their legs. The pedals allow users to perform a circular or pedaling motion with their arms. You perform this motion against adjustable resistance.
Types Of Arm Bikes
There are three types of arm bikes:
Compact Mini Bike
This is the most common type of arm bike. It’s a small portable pedal exerciser that you can use on a tabletop for arm work. It can also be used under a desk or on the floor to work your legs. It has adjustable magnetic resistance. The downside is you can’t work your arms and legs at the same time. However, some versions have both leg and arm pedals. They also extend up. This means users can work both arms and legs while seated. This version is mainly used for PT purposes. They are not sturdy enough for serious fitness workouts.
Full-Size Bike With Arm Handles
This is a recumbent-style bike that has arm handles. These handles work the same way as a mini pedal exerciser. You turn your arms in a circular motion against adjustable resistance. The advantage of this bike is that you can work your legs and arms at the same time. There’s a downside to this style of arm bike. The arm pedals are not efficient for directly working other upper body muscles. Also, this is a bigger bike. You need to make sure you have enough space.
Full-Size Bike With Resistance Bands
This type comes as either a foldable exercise bike and a regular exercise bike. Either way, the use of bands allows a complete upper body workout. You can exercise your upper body and legs at the same time. If the bike is foldable, it’s easily stored. If it’s a regular bike, you have to make sure you have enough available room.
Arm Bike Benefits
Here’s a look at the benefits of an arm bike:
- Good for physical therapy after an injury or surgery
- Helps improve posture
- Improves arm and core mobility
- Increases arm and leg strength
- Good for seniors or anyone with limited mobility
- Easy to use
- The mini pedal exercisers are compact and can be used anywhere there’s a table or flat surface
What To Look For When Considering An Arm Bike
As you consider your arm bike, keep these things in mind:
What Type Of Arm Exerciser Is It
Depending on the type of arm bike, it will have different ways to exercise your arms. You may prefer something with resistance bands. They allow a more versatile upper body workout. On the other hand, you may need the compact approach of a tabletop pedal exerciser. Make sure the style of arm bike will work for your goals.
Comfortable Grips
Whatever style you choose, make sure the grips will work for the exercises you want to do. Many mini arm bikes have finger grooves in the pedals. This allows a good grip while exercising. Resistance bands will have a D-handle. These different grips should be comfortable in feel and fit for your hands.
Adjustable Resistance
All arm bikes have some type of resistance. Some mini bikes, such as the Vangona Arm Bike Pedal Exerciser, have as many as 10 resistance levels. The Exerpeutic Motorized Arm Pedal Exerciser offers manual or motorized resistance. This is a mini bike that’s ideal for rehab use.
The only bike that does not have adjustable resistance is the MaxKare Foldable Exercise Bike. As noted, this bike comes with resistance bands. There is only one pair of bands included. Unless the bands can be replaced with stronger bands, you can’t adjust the tension.
LCD Screen
Every arm bike in our guide has an LCD screen that tracks your exercise performance. Stats include revolutions per minute, time, and calories burned. Some track distance and total revolutions. Make sure the arm bike you choose trucks the date you want.
Size
The compact arm bikes are not big. You should still take into account knee space if you plan to use one under a desk. For arm work, you’ll just need to make sure it will fit on your desk or table. If you are choosing a full-size bike, make sure you have enough space. Do you have limited room and plan to move it when you’re done? Be sure you have enough available space for storage.
Portability
Every bike in this guide except the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4631 Recumbent Bike is compact and easily movable. The SF-RB4631 does have wheels, but it is a large bike. The mini arm bikes are all compact, easy to carry anywhere, and can be stored almost anywhere. While these bikes are great for use at the office, they are also a good choice for frequent travelers. A mini arm bike works perfectly in a hotel room.
Construction
Look for sturdy steel construction. You don’t stand on the mini bikes, and they do not support your weight. Still, they should be well-built. There are two full-size bikes in this guide. The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4631 Recumbent Bike can hold up to 350lbs user weight. The MaxKare Foldable Exercise Bike can hold up to 265lbs user weight.
Budget
The budget range varies quite a bit among the arm bikes in this guide. Choose according to your goals but make sure the bike you want falls in your budget range. Most mini arm bikes are very similar. It’s easy to find one that’s meant for budget-conscious users that has good features.
How Many Calories Can I Burn Using An Arm Bike?
If you’re only working your arms, you will not burn a lot of calories. Instead, you’re probably focused on building arm strength and size. Or, you might be using it for arm physical therapy exercises. If fat loss is your goal, you’re using it for both legs and arms. You have to take into account such factors as age, sex, weight, and the type of arm bike. With that said, you can burn roughly 120 calories for a typical 30-minute session.
Conclusion
As we have seen, there’s a number of good arm bikes to choose from. If you want the best overall, you’ll want the MagneTrainer-ER Mini Arm Bike. This bike has 8 levels of magnetic resistance, and a wide base for stability. It’s made from durable steel yet is light enough to easily carry.
If you’re recovering from surgery or an injury, the Exerpeutic Motorized Arm Pedal Exerciser has motorized resistance for a consistently smooth feel. This arm bike is designed to improve circulation and strength. Also, the motor can be turned off for manual resistance.
If you want a full size exercise bike that also lets you work your arms, the MaxKare Foldable Exercise Bike has resistance bands for arm work. This means you can work your legs and arms at once. It’s a space-saving bike that folds for easy storage.
The best arm bike is the one that meets your needs the most, no matter what they are. Use our guide to help you make the choice that’s right for you!
