Upright exercise bikes are one of the best ways to improve your cardiovascular fitness. They are also a great way to burn calories to support weight loss and fit a good workout into your day.
Upright exercise bikes are better suited to these tasks than recumbent bikes. That’s because they allow you to sit in an upright position. This allows you to work more muscles. That’s why finding the best upright exercise bike for home use is such a good idea.
In this article, we will take you through 10 of the best upright exercise bikes that are currently available to buy.
In a Hurry? Here is our top pick:
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Here is our list of the 10 best upright exercise bikes currently on the market. There should be an upright exercise bike in this guide that meets everyone’s needs. That means that you should be able to find the right upright exercise bike for any budget. Use our upright exercise bike reviews to help you make the best choice.
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Nautilus is one of the best-known fitness equipment manufacturers in the business. They have a stellar reputation for making high-quality fitness products. The Nautilus U616 Upright Bike is a great example of this. It’s so good it’s our best upright exercise bike.
The U616 has a sturdy frame made of alloy steel. This upright stationary bike has a user weight capacity of 300lbs. What’s more, this bike has a 10-year warranty on the frame with 3 years on parts and electronics.
Also, there’s a large, padded adjustable seat for comfort and support. You’ll find this bike is a great fit for people of all heights.
The Nautilus U616 has 25 resistance levels and features smooth, quiet operation.
The U616 stands out with its Explore the World App. This is a free app that can be downloaded to your tablet. The app simulates cycling routes and races. That’s a great feature that allows you to feel like you are cycling out in beautiful terrain. And you’re doing it from the comfort of your living room.
It also has a mix of free routes and paid routes. If you want to change things up you will need to pay a little bit extra.
This bike has 29 workout programs that incorporate different styles of training. Combined with great features, it’s easy to see why the Nautilus U616 Exercise Bike is the best choice.
- 25 Resistance Levels
- 10-Year Warranty
- Amazing Free App For Virtual Cycling Tours
- Comfortable Seat
- Easy To transport
- Some Users Don’t Like The Customer Service
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The 3G Cardio Elite UB Upright Bike is a very good exercise bike. It gives our best overall, the Nautilus U616, a serious run for its money.
First off, the UB Upright Exercise Bike features a compact design that’s easy to move.
Secondly, this bike has a sturdy frame made of steel. Next, there’s a 2-way multi-position extra large padded seat. This comfortable adjustable seat can fit users between 5’ and 6’5” tall. Plus it has a user weight limit of up to 350 lbs.
There are 12 pre-set workout programs with 16 levels of magnetic resistance. You’ll also find the 3g Cardio UB Bike has an excellent console display. Besides the adjustable seat, there are oversized pedals. There are ergonomically designed handlebars with built-in pulse monitors.
Finally, there’s a lifetime frame warranty, a 7-year warranty for parts, and a 1-year warranty that provides in-home labor.
Thanks to its oversized padded seat and ergonomic design, the Elite Upright Bike by 3G Cardio is our best upright exercise bike for comfort.
- Ergonomically Designed For Comfort And Function
- Max User Weight Of 350lbs
- Excellent Warranty
- 16 Resistance Levels
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The Body Rider BCY6000 Upright Bike is by no means the cheapest on this list. Yet the value is incredible. In fact, this is the best value for an upright exercise bike on this list. It is built much like spin bikes, though it is more comfortable, and does not reach the same intensity.
The Body Rider is highly durable, and its stability is excellent. It provides a smooth, low-impact ride thanks to its exclusive curve-crank technology.
The BCY6000 Bike has a magnetic tension control system with 8 levels of resistance.
Plus, it has a decent LCD screen. If you are looking for an exercise bike that could recreate your weekly spin class, this is a great option. There’s also a media shelf for your phone or tablet.
It has transport wheels, though it is heavy, making it hard to move. Finally, this bike has a user weight limit of 300lbs and can hold users between 5′ and 6’1″ tall.
- Amazing Value For Money
- Durable
- Excellent Stability
- Similar To A Spin Bike
- Not Particularly Easy To Transport
- Not As Comfortable As Some Bikes On This List
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This is the second Body Rider exercise bike on this list. The Body Rider BRF700 Upright Fan Bike is the best upright exercise bike for users with a small budget.
Sure, it won’t be as stable as some of the other bikes in this guide. Yet it’s not quite the sturdy steel frame like other upright stationary bikes on this list.
Still, it does boast of a steel tubing H-frame design. In comparison to other bikes, the BRF700 has a user weight of 250lbs. Also, it’s designed to fit short or taller users.
The resistance comes from the fan rather than from magnets. It does have adjustable tension. Plus, this bike provides a good upper torso workout with its dual-action long handles.
By moving and exercising your arms while dealing with your legs, you can increase calories burned for more weight loss. That’s a great cardio workout!
Increase the resistance and you can target multiple muscle groups with a good full-body workout.
There’s a fully adjustable padded seat for comfort. This exercise bike might be our budget option, but if your main goal is weight loss or muscle tone, this is a great choice.
Finally, the Body Rider BRF700 Fan Bike provides smooth and quiet operation.
- Upper Body And Lower Body Workout
- Low Budget Option
- Easy To Adjust The Difficulty
- The Seat Is Uncomfortable
- Not As Durable As Other Bikes On This List
- Not Easy To Transport
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Circuit Fitness is well-known for its excellent spin bikes. In this guide, we are looking at their magnetic upright exercise bike instead.
This is a value-minded upright exercise bike that has a lot of positives. First, it has a durable steel frame. That’s one reason this bike is the best upright exercise bike for stability.
The bike can hold users weighing up to 300lbs. Plus, it works well for short or tall users.
Also, there are well-placed floor levelers to ensure that your bike stays still through your most vigorous workouts. The Circuit Fitness Exercise Bike has 15 preset workout programs to help you achieve your fitness goals.
Another benefit of this upright exercise bike is the excellent display screen and tablet holder. It is set up so that you can comfortably watch a film or tv program on your tablet. Or read and listen to music without worrying about anything dropping during your session.
The bike has a fully-adjustable and padded seat, including height. There are water bottle holders, and pulse monitors on the handles.
This upright exercise bike is relatively easy to transport once you have finished your workout. It can be stored away, but it is a bit bulkier than some of the bikes on this list.
The only thing that lets this bike down somewhat is a poor warranty. There’s just a 1-year manufacturer warranty. Most bikes have around 2-3 years and can have up to 7 years on parts. Basically, if you see a fault within the first year, be quick to address it!
- Excellent Stability
- Reasonable Price
- Great For Cycling While Using A Tablet Or Other Entertainment Device
- Quite Bulky
- Warranty Is Not Particularly Impressive
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There are several versions of Schwinn upright bikes. The 170 is the Schwinn upright bike with the best features and the one we chose for this guide. This is a highly durable upright bike that will deliver a great workout. It’s a bike that will definitely help you reach your fitness goals.
The Schwinn 170 Exercise Bike features an excellent console. In fact, this bike has the best console of any upright exercise bike in this guide.
The large LCD screen displays 29 training programs. There’s a tablet holder, and you can use the optional Explore The World app to explore 50+ global destinations while you ride.
There are also 25 resistance levels for a good cardio workout. Pulse sensors are ergonomically placed to monitor your heart rate.
The seat is adjustable and can be exchanged with any other similar seat. The best exercise bikes should have adjustable handlebars, and the Schwinn 170 is no exception. You can adjust the angle of the handlebars. So, if you adjust them forward, you have a road bike feel. Angle them back a little and you’ll be able to sit more upright.
This Schwinn stationary exercise bike is well priced, comfortable, durable, and does not take up much space. It is fairly easy to transport and store, and the console is excellent.
Finally, the Schwinn 170 Upright Bike will hold users up to 300lbs and fit most users, no matter how short or tall. Plus, it has a 10-year warranty on the frame.
- 29 Training Programs
- Comfortable
- Easy To Transport And Store
- It May Be Too Bulky And Heavy For Some Users
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The Marcy Upright Exercise Bike is an excellent choice if space is an issue. In fact, this is the best compact upright exercise bike on this list. Even though it is so small, its durability is impressive. This upright stationary bike should last a long time provided it is looked after.
Not to mention, the Marcy Upright Exercise Bike is great if you are on a limited budget but still want a smooth ride.
This bike features a 14-gauge steel frame. It also has an eight-level magnetic resistance system with smooth, quiet operation.
The Marcy ME708 has a basic LCD screen that displays your workout information. It’s a basic console with no extras.
This magnetic upright exercise bike also has an adjustable seat and counterbalanced pedals with adjustable foot straps. Finally, there are transport wheels for easy moving.
Even though it is small, the bike has a max weight capacity of 300lbs, making it a match for almost all of the bikes on this list. Finally, it will fit users of all sizes.
- Great Price
- Small And Compact
- Max User Weight Capacity Of 300lbs
- Not Particularly Powerful
- Stability Is Not Great
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The next upright exercise bike on this list is from Sunny Health & Fitness. They are a fitness equipment manufacturer that is well known for excellent home gym equipment.
The Sunny Health SF-B2956 is the most durable bike in this guide. That makes it the best long-lasting upright exercise bike. This is more of a spin bike than an exercise bike and would be perfect for home-based spin classes.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2956 Upright Bicycle features eight levels of quiet magnetic resistance. There’s a 4-way adjustable padded seat for a comfortable riding position. The Sunny Health stationary exercise bike also has no-slip handlebars and self-leveling pedals.
This sturdy bike has a display to monitor performance, a pulse sensor, and a device holder. Plus, the feet have floor stabilizers, and there are transportation wheels for moving.
Finally, this bike has a durable steel frame and can hold users up to 265lbs. The SF-B2956 has a wide inseam that will fit most users no matter how tall or how short.
- Durable, Heavy-Duty Frame
- Fully Adjustable Seat
- Good Monitor And Tablet Holder
- Whisper Quiet
- Quite Expensive
- Not Aesthetically Pleasing
- Max User Weight Is Only 265lb
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The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright is our pick for the best folding exercise bike. This bike folds up to half its size. That means it can work in any space, no matter how small.
The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright bike offers a steel frame for strength and holds users up to 300lbs. Plus, this bike fits users from 5’3″ to 6′ 1″.
The magnetic resistance system features different levels for different needs. For example, levels 1-2 are for rehab, levels 3-4 cardi0, levels 5-6 endurance, and levels 7-8 stimulate the muscles.
Also, this stationary exercise bike is smooth and quiet. It also features a large, comfortable seat and large pedals with adjustable straps.
The LCD screen is large and displays all your workout stats. There are also pulse sensors in the handles. Finally, this stationary bike has the optional MyCloud Fitness app. This app features on-demand classes or personalized training programs.
These classes can be interval training, cross-training workouts, or steady-state cardio. You can choose high speed or moderate speed according to your fitness level.
It also works with your other fitness equipment. All in all, the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike offers some great features for a folding bike.
- Optional MyCloud Fitness App
- Folds To Half Its Size
- Works In Any Small Space
- Many Users Don’t Like The Plastic Pedals
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Here is a simple, no-frills bike. It’s our best exercise bike for beginners. Most people new to exercising want something simple and easy to use. They want a quiet and smooth bike. After all, if you’re doing your cardio using indoor cycling, you don’t want to disturb others with a noisy stationary bike.
Like other upright bikes in this guide, the Xterra UB120 features eight levels of magnetic resistance. This is a sturdy stationary exercise bike that holds up to 250lbs. With its tall seat, it can hold users up to 5’10” tall.
The seat is padded and adjustable. The handles are large and include built-in pulse sensors. The screen is simple and easy to use, making it perfect for beginners.
Finally, there are wheels for easy moving.
- Great No-Frills Beginner’s Bike
- Wheels For Easy Transport
- Holds Up To 250lbs
- The Seat Is Not Particularly Comfortable
No doubt our upright exercise bike reviews have helped narrow down your choices. Still, finding the right upright bike for your home can be a challenge. You want something that suits your unique needs while remaining within your budget.
You also want a bike that will last, that will be enjoyable to ride, and that will not wobble or make too loud a noise. Here are some considerations you should make before making your purchase.
Upright exercise bikes are like outdoor bikes. They have a traditional riding position, and there is usually no back support.
The name is more to differentiate between upright bikes and recumbent bikes.
Upright exercise bikes allow you to train at a higher intensity, burning more calories, and improving your cardiovascular system more.
That does not mean that you can’t use upright exercise bikes if you’re not in great shape. In fact, it may be a better option, as the more you use it the fitter you will get!
Perhaps the best way to describe a spin cycle is that it’s similar to outdoor road bikes. In other words, it’s an exercise bike that’s closest to a regular outdoor bike.
Spin bikes, unlike stationary upright exercise bikes and recumbent bikes, are less about the latest tech features and more about mechanical function. Typically, spin bikes have no back support. They may also have handlebars that put you in a leaning-forward position. This mimics the feel of a road bike.
A recumbent bike is different from other types of exercise bikes. That’s because recumbent bikes put you in a semi-reclined position. You sit well behind the pedals, and you have good back support. This means that with a recumbent bike, your legs do all the work. Your upper body is not involved.
Probably the biggest benefit of a recumbent bike is that it’s a very low-impact workout. Do you have a lot of joint problems or back problems? Then this type of stationary exercise bike may be the best choice for you.
Also, recumbent bikes allow you to train for longer at a lower intensity. That makes them popular with bodybuilders who are doing cardio during a cutting cycle.
That also makes a recumbent bike a good choice for people who are not particularly fit yet. Still, make no mistake, anyone can use and benefit from a stationary upright exercise bike.
Exercise bikes are a very convenient and easy way to get your cardio in. You can mount them easily, put on your favorite fitness app or TV show, and exercise. Other types of exercise machines may be harder to use and harder on your joints.
Upright bikes allow you to get in a good cardio workout. Once you’ve warmed up at a slow pace, you can speed up to your desired speed, or try HIIT-style workouts. It’s easy to stay in your target heart zone with the built-in pulse monitors.
Do you have some resistance bands? You can use them to work your upper torso. Or, use the Body Rider BRF700 Upright Fan Bike with its long handles.
Most people do cardio to lose body weight. No doubt this is the main function of exercise bikes. Consistency is the key, and you can achieve your fitness goals.
When used at a high resistance level, you can stimulate your muscles. One bike that has specific tension settings, including one for the muscles, is the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright exercise bike.
Some stationary bikes are meant to mimic the feel of a real bicycle. The best upright bikes have handles similar to those found on a road bike, where you lean forward. One example of this is the Body Rider BCY600 Exercise Bike.
Exercise bikes provide a low-impact workout. That said, if you have knee problems, it’s even more important to warm up gradually. You may also want to avoid HIIT workouts and stick with steady-state training.
This is an often overlooked issue. Exercise bikes are notorious for having badly designed seating. This is not necessarily a deal-breaker. That’s because the bike seat can often be replaced with a more comfortable version.
When considering the best exercise bike for you, take a good look at the seat. Is it padded? How big is it? Finally, can you adjust it?
One bike, the Schwinn 170 Upright Exercise Bike, has a seat that can be exchanged for the seat of your choice.
Many of the exercise bikes in this guide have 8 levels of resistance. A few have considerably more. One example is the Schwinn 170 Upright Exercise Bike with 25 levels. Another example is our best, the Nautilus U616 with 25 resistance levels.
Fan Bike – Also called air bikes, a fan bike uses a large fan in the front of the bike for resistance. While there may be adjustable tension, the resistance is based on how fast you pedal.
Magnetic Resistance – Many stationary bikes use a flywheel. The exception is the fan bike as mentioned above. Magnetic resistance uses magnets that create a current that makes the rotation of the flywheel harder. The best upright bikes use magnetic resistance because it is very quiet and very smooth.
Belt – Some bikes use a belt that attaches to the front wheel. Resistance is increased as the belt is tightened.
Some of the bikes in our guide use very simple displays with nothing much else as part of the console. An example of this is the Xterra UB120 Exercise Bike with just a very simple screen that displays workout stats.
On the other hand, the best console belongs to the Schwinn 170 Upright Exercise Bike. Another excellent console belongs to the best upright bike in this guide, the Nautilus U616.
Make sure any bike you’re considering has a frame made of steel with a good warranty. After all, the frame is critical to the success of the bike.
A bigger upright exercise bike is usually going to be sturdier, more stable, and more reliable. But a larger bike may not be the right choice for everyone. If you have limited space available, then a smaller upright bike such as the Marcy ME-708 might be a smarter investment. It’s the best compact exercise bike in our guide.
It is important to find the right balance of savings vs investment.
A value-conscious exercise bike may only last 12 months before breaking down. On the other hand, a more pricey exercise bike may last decades. If that is the case, then the more expensive bike actually ends up being the better value for the money over time.
Usually, a bike that is in the middle of the pack is the best compromise. Not so expensive it makes your eyes water. Yet the bike will last long enough to justify its price tag while delivering a quality ride.
None of the bikes on this list are particularly expensive (except the 3G Cardio which is at the edge of the luxury end of the line). But there are a few that cost more than average. As mentioned, they will outlast the cheaper bikes.
This is the sort of thing that often gets overlooked. Yet the warranty on your bike can be particularly important. There are two reasons why.
The first reason is obvious, if your bike breaks down then you should be aware of your coverage. The second reason is that a strong warranty is a good indication of the confidence of the manufacturer.
If your bike is poorly made, or not likely to last over two years, then the warranty will often reflect that. Of course, if you are purchasing a ridiculously cheap upright bike, that probably does not matter too much. You know what you are getting into.
But if you are making a big investment into your bike then double-check the warranty. The 3G Cardio Elite, for example, has an excellent lifetime warranty on the frame, with 7-years on parts. That’s a warranty that reflects the quality of the bike and the confidence of the manufacturer.
In this guide, we have taken a look at the best upright exercise bikes currently available. We have looked at different price ranges, starting at the very low-budget Body Rider all the way up to the 3G Cardio Elite UB Upright Bike.
Finding our favorite is always a tough decision. We were initially going to go with the 3G Cardio Elite, but in the end, the Nautilus Upright Bike U616 won out.
Not only is the Nautilus U616 a better-priced option, but it has an amazing warranty (always a good sign), 25 resistance levels, and it comes with a really cool virtual cycling app. The attention to detail is exceptional. Not to mention, Nautilus has an excellent reputation for making great exercise equipment.
If you are on a budget though, the Circuit Fitness Magnetic resistance bike is a great choice, as is the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike.
Whatever you choose, make sure that it is comfortable, has a good warranty, and will fit into your home nicely. We wish you the best of luck with whichever bike you decide to go for.