Have you ever seen someone bending and lifting a 70-pound box and thought they had super powers?
Do household chores that need stooping make your back buckle in retaliation? Would you rather eat dirt than spend countless hours in the gym doing bending exercises?
If your back feels like it’s constantly on life support, worry not. There is hope for you. Recumbent exercise bikes are lifesavers for exercise enthusiasts with back problems.
A recumbent exercise bike is a piece of equipment that allows users to sit in a reclined position, with a supported back as they workout.
The seat on a recumbent bike is much larger and more comfortable than a typical exercise back. It almost looks like an office chair. I can literally hear you gasping at that possibility.
Normal bikes require users to hunch over leading to back or neck fatigue and muscle soreness. The pedals in the recumbent are in front of the user and rider sits within the bike frame.
A study showed that when compared to standard bikes, recumbent bikes have better knee loads. This was because of a different orientation of the rider’s extremity relative to forces of gravity.
Recumbent bikes thus have the following benefits:
- Promote proper spine posture and a better back
- Protects your bottom from pain while biking
- Safe for your knees, hips and joints especially if you have arthritis
- A low impact workout that keeps you safe from injuries
Take a look at some of these picks for recumbent workouts.
Top Recumbent Bikes Under $500
#5 Exerpeutic 900XL 300 lbs. Weight Capacity
Merits
Exerpeutic’s product is quiet if the adjusters are properly secured. It has a simple LCD display for workout data. The product’s simplicity means that fewer things can go wrong. The seat height is adjustable to accommodate most heights. The product is good for your bank account since it is relatively cheap.
Demerits
Some customers complain about the smoothness of the pedals. The bike is hard to assemble because the instructions are not clearly written. This device may not be sturdy enough because some customers have complained about parts coming off just a few months after purchase. Tall users find the maximum extension for the pedal slightly restrictive.
Rating: 9/10
#4 Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance
Merits
Marcy’s product is ideal for you if you value sturdiness. It can handle someone who is 400Ib and taller than 6 feet. This bike is quiet and easy to maneuver. You can even use it as a regular bike through the handle bars.
It does not look bulky and may not congest your living room when set up. The resistance levels allow you to choose what works for you.
Demerits
The LCD screen has some problems especially during installation. The bike may be a problem for anyone below 5”. You have to switch tensions as you use it. Do not count on the calorie counting as it is inaccurate.
Rating: 9.4/10
#3 Exerpeutic ExerWorK 1000 Fully Adjustable Desk Folding Exercise Bike
Merits
Exerpeutic’s adjustable bike works by letting you tilt it forward, backward, adjusting it down or up. The product is a desk that allows anyone to work as they exercise. You may even add other things like a cup because of a cup holder. It also has an LCD device, arm rest and storage drawer. You’ll probably like how the bike folds for storage. Therefore, you can use its current space for other purposes after workouts. You may adjust The 8 levels of tension based on your fitness levels. Many buyers find the product relatively quiet.
Demerits
Most average-sized people have to scoot reach the peddles and that beats the purpose of the seat or back support. This happens even after adjusting the sliding function as fast as it can go.
Rating: 9.6/10
#2 Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike
Merits
The beauty about Exerpeutic’s recumbent bike is its foldable quality. You can thus use it in small rooms and keep it away when not in use. It even has wheels for transportation.
The product has LCD screens to track workout data. It is so quiet that others can sleep as you exercise. Assembly is relatively easy. Resistance levels are challenging for different categories of users.
Demerits
When cycling on padded carpeting, you might experience a little wiggling. The cycling circle has a slightly smaller radius than other bikes. Some people’s thighs get irritated by the product.
Rating: 9.8/10
#1 Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike
Merits
Schwinn’s bike has most of the bells and whistles of a recumbent for less than $500. You get MP3 players and console speakers, goal tracking mechanisms, a social ride app, 2 LCD screens, 22 preset programs and USB ports for tablets or phones.
Aside from these perks, the product is sturdy and lasts long. It does not wobble even after continuous use. The bike gives you a smooth ride with minimal sound and no jerks. You can adjust the seat for use by others.
Demerits
Some people have reported challenges with the LCD not working but they are few and far between.
Rating: 10/10
What to consider when buying
Comfort and adjustability
Consider your height before buying the bike. If one of the demerits is its inappropriateness for short people and you are short, then please move on. You want a bike that adjusts and allows you to use the back support as intended.
Foldable
In this day and age, more people need a device that saves space. If space comes at a premium for you then go for machines you can fold.
Sturdiness
The materials used to make the bike should be durable. Complaints about parts coming off or wear and tear could be a sign of poor workmanship.
Ease of assembly
If a product’s instructions are hard to understand, then you may install it poorly. Choose those that have ease of assembly as one of the strong suits.
Extra features
A good bike should be quiet and have innovative programs. Others even add desks and cup holders or drawers. However, for cheaper recumbents, you may need to sacrifice these bells and whistles for the core function.
Ideally, a recumbent bike should suit your budget, size, space needs and durability standards. If all these aspects exist then you know that the device is right for you.
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