Welcome to our guide on the Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes in the UK. Whether you are looking to burn a few extra calories or recovering from an injury, recumbent bikes are a great low-impact form of exercise.
So, if you're searching for a comfortable but effective home workout option, you've come to the right place.
We will look at a range of recumbent exercise bikes to suit users with a variety of different goals and budgets. Let's get to it and explore the best options available.
At a Glance
Best Recumbent Exercise Bike - NordicTrack R35
Best Budget Recumbent exercise bike - JLL RE100
Best Recumbent Exercise Bike for Seniors - JLL RE200
Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Under £1000 - Schwinn Fitness 510R
Why Trust Us
If you aren't familiar with us at Home Gym Supply, we specialise in home gym equipment. Over the years we have built a good relationship with leading gym equipment manufacturers such as NordicTrack, York Barbell and many more.
We are fortunate to have a team of engineers who regularly get to work on a range of gym equipment and see first-hand how it performs in a real-world environment.
Our expertise is one reason manufacturers will often ask for our thoughts on new and existing products to help improve the quality of their machines.
With our knowledge, we aim to provide our readers with the information they need to help them find the right machine for their personal goals.
Top 7 Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes
1. NordicTrack R35
| Resistance Type |
Magnetic 11kg flywheel |
| Resistance Levels |
26 |
| Display |
14” HD Smart Touchscreen |
| Dimensions |
173cm (L) x 56cm (W) x 135cm (H) |
The NordicTrack R35 lives up to the brand's reputation for producing high-end home gym equipment.
It comes packed with features such as a 14” HD Smart touchscreen, an 11kg inertia-enhanced flywheel, a sturdy commercial-grade steel frame, Bluetooth connectivity and much more. Although, all these features do come at a premium price tag.
Firstly, the R35 uses NordicTrack patented silent magnetic resistance technology (SMR) which is nearly silent when being used. But it is also able to produce plenty of resistance from the heavy 11kg flywheel for a challenging workout.
The 14” HD touchscreen is iFit enabled and comes with a 30-day free trial so you get access to a wide range of iFit workouts from cycling to yoga and much more. The display is clear and makes the interactive workouts much more enjoyable and motivating.
But there is a monthly subscription cost after the trial finishes. However, you can still use the bike without iFit and have access to a handful of pre-programmed workouts.
There are multiple ways to adjust the resistance, you can either press the buttons on the console, let the iFit trainers automatically adjust it or press the buttons in the handles beside the seat.
In summary, the NordicTrack R35 is easy to use, delivers a great workout and is everything you would expect from a high-end recumbent exercise bike.
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Related: Best Folding Exercise Bikes UK
2. JLL RE100
| Resistance Type |
Magnetic 5kg Flywheel |
| Resistance Levels |
8 |
| Display |
6 Readout LCD Display |
| Dimensions |
140cm (L) x 60cm (W) x 82cm (H) |
JLL are a UK-based company that produces a range of affordable, good-quality home gym equipment and the RE100 is exactly that priced around £150.
It features a 5kg bi-directional flywheel with 8 levels of magnetic resistance which can be adjusted through a turn dial knob beneath the console. Although the resistance won't be enough for a high-intensity workout, it is capable of delivering a good cardiovascular workout to burn some unwanted calories.
The console is quite small and basic but tells you everything you need to know. It comes with pulse sensors in the handlebars but they aren't very accurate, this is a common issue with pulse sensors on home gym cardio equipment.
The RE100 comes with no front handlebars which can make it look a little odd but it leaves more space to easily get on the bike. Once seated, the cushioned, contoured seat with lumbar support is comfortable.
You can adjust the distance between the seat and pedals but it is a little awkward as you have to unwind the frame and slide the back half of the machine out.
For the price, the JLL RE100 is great value and does the job if you are looking for a no-frills, budget-friendly way to burn some calories at home.
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3. JLL RE200
| Resistance Type |
Magnetic 5kg flywheel |
| Resistance Levels |
8 |
| Display |
6 Readout LCD Display |
| Dimensions |
130cm (L) x 60cm (W) x 109cm (H) |
Next up we have the RE200 which is very similar to the RE100 but has a slightly different design that includes a few extra features that some users might want but costs about £100 more.
It comes with the same 5kg magnetic flywheel with 8 levels of resistance but has a larger LCD display that also includes a built-in tablet holder so you can watch stream your favourite shows as you work out.
The RE200 also includes front handlebars and a much easier design to adjust the seat's position as you can now slide the slide into position.
Plus, it has adjustable rear stabilisers so you can stop the bike from rocking if you have an uneven floor.
JLL also provide a 12-month warranty and is known for good customer service. And they are a UK-based company and we always like to support UK companies whenever possible.
All in all, the RE200 has a few extra quality-of-life features that will suit some users and it is still great value for money and will get you give you a good cardiovascular workout.
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4. Schwinn Fitness 510R
| Resistance Type |
Magnetic 7kg Flywheel |
| Resistance Levels |
16 |
| Display |
5.5” LCD display |
| Dimensions |
163cm (L) x 69cm (W) x 113cm (H) |
If you have been to a commercial gym before, then you will have likely seen some of Schwinn Fitness's equipment before as they are well known for producing commercial gym equipment.
While the Schwinn Fitness 510R is intended for home use only, Schwinn has maintained the high quality but kept the price reasonable around £600.
It features a clear 5.5” LCD display with 13 pre-programmed workouts plus it comes with Bluetooth connectivity which allows you to connect to interactive apps like Zwift and Kinomap. But you will need a smart device to connect to the apps.
There are 16 levels of magnetic resistance which can be adjusted through the console, and the 7kg flywheel creates enough resistance for a tough workout.
When first seeing the ergonomically designed seat we were a bit concerned it might be uncomfortable as it isn't cushioned. But it is surprisingly comfortable and is ventilated to keep you cool as you exercise. Plus, you can easily adjust the seat position with the lever and the handles come with heart rate sensors, and a cup holder built into the handles.
Although the heart rate accuracy is questionable, this is a common issue with pulse sensors on home gym equipment. But thanks to the Bluetooth connectivity you can connect a chest strap heart rate monitor which will be much more accurate.
If you are looking for a semi-commercial spec recumbent bike, the Schwinn Fitness 510R is a good quality bike that delivers a good workout at a reasonable price.
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5. Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RB4708
| Resistance Type |
Magnetic 5kg Flywheel |
| Resistance Levels |
8 |
| Display |
LCD display |
| Dimensions |
152cm (L) x 65cm (W) x 132cm (H) |
Sunny Health & Fitness have a unique design for a recumbent exercise bike by including movable arms like a cross trainer with their SF-RB4708. This allows you to engage your arms while you workout and burn a few extra calories.
The bike uses a 5kg flywheel to produce a moderate amount of magnetic resistance which can be adjusted to 8 different levels with the sliding lever. While being used the bike is whisper quiet and won't wake up the whole house.
To track your essential workout information there is an LCD display which shows your speed, time, distance, calories, odometer and pulse. There is also a tablet holder mounted on the front of the display which blocks the screen when being used but allows you to easily watch a show. Just be careful to not hit your tablet as you hold the moving arms!
For monitoring your pulse the sensors are located in the moving arms handles which is good to keep constant contact, but the accuracy is still a bit inaccurate.
Overall, it is comfortable to use and feels stable thanks to the stabiliser feet and strong frame capable of supporting up to 150kg. Sunny Health and Fitness are also a trusted US brand with over 20 years of experience and a trustworthy manufacturer.
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6. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4616S
| Resistance Type |
Magnetic 3 kg flywheel |
| Resistance Levels |
8 |
| Display |
LCD display |
| Dimensions |
143cm (L) x 67cm (W) x 109cm (H) |
Next up we have another model from Sunny Health and Fitness, but this time a more conventional recumbent exercise bike. But while it doesn't come with moving arms it does cost about 50% less.
It is straightforward and user-friendly but still delivers a smooth and quiet workout. The resistance is quite light with only a 3kg flywheel. But it will still get you moving and is comfortable to use.
The LCD display is clear to read and you can swap between the workout information with the push of a button. Plus, Sunny Health and Fitness have included a tablet holder above the display so you can stream a show as you workout and still see your workout information.
If mobility is an issue, you will be glad to know that the bike has a low step-through height which makes it easy to get on and off the bike.
The SF-RB4616SA is a budget-friendly, no-fuss option from a trusted brand and provides a reliable way to stay active.
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7. XS Sports Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
| Resistance Type |
Magnetic 4kg flywheel |
| Resistance Levels |
8 |
| Display |
6 readout LCD display |
| Dimensions |
120cm (L) x 61cm (W) x 84cm (H) |
XS Sports produces a variety of affordable home gym equipment and their magnetic recumbent exercise bike is one of the top-selling recumbent bikes in the UK.
Costing about £160, you get a 4kg flywheel with 8 levels of quiet magnetic resistance. While the resistance is on the lighter side, it will get you sweating over a prolonged workout. But if you are looking for a more intense workout you might need a bike with more resistance.
The LCD is quite small but tracks your basic workout information like time, speed, distance, odometer, calories, and pulse through the built-in heart rate sensors. But the pulse sensor is quite inaccurate as we see with almost all cardio equipment in this price range.
The bike seat is cushioned and comfortable but to adjust the seat position you have to extend the bottom frame rail. However, if you are the only person using this bike then it won't be too inconvenient.
Finishing up, if you are just getting started on your fitness journey and want a budget-friendly option then the XS Sports Magnetic recumbent exercise bike will get the job done.
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Rounding Up
Whether you are looking for a recumbent exercise bike with all the bells and whistles or a budget-friendly option.
We hope our guide to the best recumbent exercise bikes in the UK has helped point you in the right direction.