10 Best Exercise Bikes UK 2024
Not a fan of the gym? Or perhaps you want to improve your pedalling technique on days when the British weather is less than ideal. Either way, an exercise bike is a fun and easy alternative, and a great way to lose weight and keep fit and active from your home. Plus, anyone from beginners to seniors can jump in and get started, with various bikes on the market providing features to help you reach your fitness goals.
In this guide, we compare studio, static, indoor and assault bikes to pair you with the right one. We've also listed 10 of our favourites, suited to a range of activities including cardio, muscle toning and strengthening, fat loss and HIIT, as well as where to get them online from Amazon, eBay and John Lewis. We've included options budgeted from £5000 to under £150, so you'll be pedalling in no time with something that is right for you.
Quick List - Top Exercise Bikes
Sunny Health and Fitness
A Classic and Simple Way to Build Up A Sweat
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Table of Contents
- How to Choose an Exercise Bike in the UK ― Buying Guide
- Go for the Right Type of Exercise Bike for Your Fitness Goals1
- Decide Whether a Self-Powered or Mains Powered Exercise Bike Is Right for You2
- Check the Weight of the Flywheel for Bike Size and Resistance3
- Choose How the Bike Achieves Resistance: Direct Contact Is More Accurate, Magnetic Is Quieter4
- Seek Interactive Features to Monitor Your Workout and Track Progress5
- Top 10 Best Exercise Bikes in the UK
- No. 1NordicTrack | GX 7.0 Indoor Studio Bike
- No. 2Apex Rides | Bike
- No. 3Sunny Health and Fitness | Indoor Studio Cycle Pro Exercise Bike
- No. 4Dripex | Magnetic Resistance Indoor Exercise Bike 2021 Version
- No. 5Matrix | Fitness Commercial R1XE Recumbent Exercise Bike
- 5 more products
- Already Own A Bike? Try This!
- More Ways to Power Up Your Workouts
- Summary
How to Choose an Exercise Bike in the UK ― Buying Guide
It's important to buy an exercise bike that's right for your ability, current fitness level, and goals. If it doesn't meet your workout and lifestyle requirements, you won't want to use it. In this guide, we go over the top things to look for when searching for an exercise bike online.
Go for the Right Type of Exercise Bike for Your Fitness Goals
There are different types of exercise bikes designed to target specific fitness goals. Some can help you improve muscle strength or cycling technique, while others are more suited to general fitness and weight loss. Here's how to tell them apart.
Upright Exercise Bikes Are Best for General Fitness
An upright exercise bike, or static bike, is a great entry level option for general fitness. Designed to mimic the seated position of a standard shopper bicycle, they can be useful for cardio and muscle strengthening exercise at home.
They’re also fairly low impact, making them suitable for a wider range of fitness levels and abilities than other types of exercise bike.
Recumbent Bikes Let You Cycle in a Supported Seating Position
A recumbent bike allows the user to sit in a back-supported position. With a seat instead of a saddle, these bikes are much more comfortable, which deems them ideal for injury recovery, physiotherapy and for those with limited mobility (such as seniors) for whom an upright bike is not suitable.
That's not to say they only meet these needs, though – when it comes to muscle tone and strengthening, recumbent bikes target the glutes and lower abdominal muscles more than upright exercise bikes.
Air Bikes Work Both Your Arms and Legs for a More Intense Workout
Air bikes, sometimes called fan bikes or assault bikes, let you work your arms as well as your legs. Instead of static handlebars, their handles move back and forth for a more intense workout.
These bikes gained a lot of popularity through CrossFit gyms, and are perfect for high intensity interval training (HIIT). The fan at the front creates resistance and is powered by moving the pedals and handlebars simultaneously, and therefore, the faster you pedal, the greater the resistance and the more challenging it becomes.
Indoor Cycling Bikes Are Perfect for at Home Training
At first glance, indoor cycling bikes look pretty similar to your standard upright exercise bike, and in many ways they are. What makes an indoor cycling bike different is the positioning of the saddle and handlebars. Like a road bike, you have to lean forward to pedal, making them feel much closer to the real thing.
A great option for cyclists looking to train indoors when weather and lighting conditions aren’t ideal, or who wish to practice pedal technique. You can even pedal standing up to help engage a wider range of muscle groups.
Spin Bikes Are Ideal for Fat Burning Cardio and HIIT
Spin bikes, or studio bikes, are a type of indoor cycling bike. The handlebar and saddle position are the same as a road bike, letting you pedal in both a forward leaning seated or standing position. And they work out much cheaper than a gym pass in the long run!
Like air bikes, spin bikes are ideal for fat burning, cardio and HIIT. They're designed to let you easily change the resistance while cycling, with fixed gears that keep the pedals turning once you stop pushing to prevent any sudden stops, and keep your legs working even as the bike slows down.
Decide Whether a Self-Powered or Mains Powered Exercise Bike Is Right for You
Most exercise bikes will require some form of power to run functions such as a console or to modify resistance. Self-powered bikes have an internal generator which means you won’t need to plug them into the mains. This provides many more placement options, as you won’t have to worry about cables and their distance from the nearest plug socket.
Self-powered exercise bikes will have a limited running time depending on the generator, albeit a duration that's usually more than adequate for day-to-day use by 1-2 people.
However, if you opt for a bike with more technologically-advanced features or one intended for multiple users, you may want to choose a mains powered model instead.
Check the Weight of the Flywheel for Bike Size and Resistance
The flywheel is a weighted metal disk that’s integral to the inner workings of your exercise bike. This mechanical device is connected to the pedals via a chain or belt and stores rotational energy. As you pedal, momentum builds up and is released, which is why the first few pushes always feel the most difficult.
Flywheel weight tends, on average, to range between 5 kg to 20 kg. Bear in mind that the heavier the weight of the flywheel, the more resistance it provides, but also the larger it will need to be.
Note that fan bikes do not require a flywheel, as resistance is generated by the fan through pedalling.
Choose How the Bike Achieves Resistance: Direct Contact Is More Accurate, Magnetic Is Quieter
In order to emulate the resistance of an actual bicycle, exercise bikes usually use either direct contact braking or magnetic resistance. In direct contact bikes, the brake presses directly on the flywheel to slow it down (similarly to how gears work on a real bike) which allows for greater accuracy when modifying resistance. Unfortunately, these bikes can be quite noisy and are more susceptible to wear and tear.
Magnetic bikes, on the other hand, use electromagnetic induction to create resistance, meaning that the brake never actually comes into contact with the flywheel. These bikes are almost silent and won't wear down, although they will require a higher level of maintenance.
Having a quiet bike is a good idea if you wish to avoid disturbing neighbours, family members or housemates. However, greater accuracy may be preferable for certain types of training – the choice is yours.
Seek Interactive Features to Monitor Your Workout and Track Progress
If you like to monitor your progress, look for bikes with interactive features. The majority of exercise bikes will have some form of digital or smart console which are generally used to provide performance feedback, you'll just need to pick the ones that fit your goals.
Generally, you'll be able to track time and distance cycled, the resistance level, and the speed you are cycling at. Those aiming to lose weight or improve cardiovascular health can additionally seek out features like real-time heart rate monitoring and how many calories are burned per session.
On some models, the console can also be used to access pre-programmed workouts that automatically vary the resistance. Modern smart bikes can sometimes even be used alongside apps to download extra workouts and customise your own tailored programs!
Top 10 Best Exercise Bikes in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | NordicTrack GX 7.0 Indoor Studio Bike | | The Ultimate Spin Bike for High Intensity Workouts | |
2 | Apex Rides Bike | | Super Premium & High Performing | |
3 | Sunny Health and Fitness Indoor Studio Cycle Pro Exercise Bike | | A Classic and Simple Way to Build Up A Sweat | |
4 | Dripex Magnetic Resistance Indoor Exercise Bike 2021 Version | | Newly Upgraded Exercise Bike | |
5 | Matrix Fitness Commercial R1XE Recumbent Exercise Bike | | Commercial Level High Quality & Built to Last | |
6 | WaterRower NOHrD Indoor Bike | | Most Stylish Premium Indoor Exercise Bike | |
7 | Songmics Exercise Bike | | Always Ready to Go With Magnetic Resistance! | |
8 | JLL Sonic 1 Air Bike | | Feel the Force: Air Power | |
9 | Reebok Astroride Sprint Exercise Bike | | An Affordable Option for Both Sprint and Endurance Training | |
10 | Confidence Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike | | A Recumbent Machine for an Affordable Price |
The Ultimate Spin Bike for High Intensity Workouts
The NordicTrackGX 7.0 Indoor Studio Bike is our top choice for cardio, high intensity and endurance training. It uses a wool felt resistance system which creates accurate adjustable resistance, whilst benefiting from being more hardwearing and quieter than other direct contact braking systems.
Made for high intensity workouts, it comes with a hefty 20 kg flywheel built into a welded steel frame. It even has SPD cleats to keep your feet firmly on the pedals if you decide to wear cycling shoes
Super Premium & High Performing
If you're looking to join a community of hardcore bike enthusiasts, then this is the perfect bike for you. Designed to be used in addition to a pay-monthly app subscription, this exercise bike connects you to a wide community where you can work out together with live trainers.
Apex's sleek design really shows off how well crafted the product is, though its best features are internal including Wi-Fi and BlueTooth connectivity. If you buy this bike, you are making a serious investment in your health and well being.
Sunny Health and FitnessIndoor Studio Cycle Pro Exercise Bike
A Classic and Simple Way to Build Up A Sweat
What we love about this bike is its simple yet chic design and steel frame, keeping your body supported even when you're going full throttle.
Equipped with dual felt pad resistance, you can increase resistance or come to a complete stop in a flash. Additionally, the handlebars have been ergonomically designed to suit a range of exercise styles. Deservedly so, it is the best simple machine on our list.
DripexMagnetic Resistance Indoor Exercise Bike 2021 Version
Newly Upgraded Exercise Bike
Crafted for those hard workouts and upgraded from its 2020 predecessor, DripeX knows how to form an exercise bike. With an ultra-quiet magnetic resistance, you can workout any time of the day, or night.
Thanks to its multi-functional monitor, transportation wheels and 9 kg flywheel, this exercise bikes makes sure that it is convenient and easy to use while enabling you to perform your best.
MatrixFitness Commercial R1XE Recumbent Exercise Bike
Commercial Level High Quality & Built to Last
The Matrix recumbent exercise bike is of exceptionally high quality. Built to last and supporting up to 182 kg, this exercise bike is perfect for anyone, whether it be for weight loss, muscle gain or recuperation.
Powered through mains, make sure that this place is close enough to a plug socket, before buying! With 30 resistance levels, a multitude of workouts and virtual reality training to enhance your usual surroundings. A great purchase for those looking to go all out or for those who need it for their business.
Most Stylish Premium Indoor Exercise Bike
Few exercise bikes are likely to be described as beautiful, but with its minimalist Nordic design, the WaterRower NOHrD indoor bike looks more like a work of art than a piece of exercise equipment.
You may notice that WaterRower has chosen to forgo a console entirely – instead, performance data is sent via Bluetooth to the NOHrD Bike App, which is available for free on both iOS and Android. You may also notice the premium price point! While this bike is certainly not cheap, we think it's worth every penny when it comes to design and build quality.
Always Ready to Go With Magnetic Resistance!
This bright and perky exercise bike is ideal for in-home usage. With an included floor mat and 8 levels of magnetic resistance, you can make your workouts happen anywhere while protecting the floor.
Additionally, this bike features a classic performance feedback screen, where you can view your calories burnt, heart rate, speed and distance. The best part is that it's the cheapest on our list!
Feel the Force: Air Power
Air resistance may not be the most common, but those who use it always fall in love with it. With a 7 function motor, 130 kg weight capacity and 3 piece crank to protect your body as it works, this bike is perfect for nearly everyone.
As this is a belt-driven exercise bike, it offers a smooth, reliable and outstanding workout. When compared to slightly more conventional exercise bikes, there are fewer to choose from, which sadly may cause issues with these machines not lasting as long or being of worse value than others.
An Affordable Option for Both Sprint and Endurance Training
The Reebok Astroride Sprint is perfect for both sprint training and steady pace endurance training, and gives you the option of 15 manual resistance levels. Enhanced by a moderately weighty 14 kg flywheel, this bike allows for some seriously intense workouts!
It is somewhat lacking in interactive features, and only offers a pretty basic manual LED console. However, while it may not be as technologically advanced as others on the list, it provides a sturdy build quality at an affordable price.
Confidence FitnessMagnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
A Recumbent Machine for an Affordable Price
Sometimes it is better to get simple and easy to use equipment. This recumbent exercise bike has a 2 kg flywheel weight, an LCD monitor and handle-pulse sensors to help you get the best workout you can.
Additionally, its anti-slip functionality is perfect for those who need to exercise with care, and 8 levels of resistance mean it can be used by anyone. While it is a good purchase, this bike does not have many stand-alone features when compared to others on our list.
Already Own A Bike? Try This!
More Ways to Power Up Your Workouts
Having the right equipment can really make a difference during exercise, and afterwards too if you're familiar with the anguish of DOMS! Have a nosy at some of our other fitness buying guides – you never know, you might even feel inspired to get a workout in after reading them!
Summary
If you're thinking about investing in some home exercise equipment, an exercise bike is a great place to start. It's easy to adjust the difficulty level, they target a wide range of muscle groups, and they won't take up much space in the home. You don't even need to be able to ride a bicycle to use one! Hopefully you've found a favourite from our list.
Author: Wren Mann
Top 5 Exercise Bikes
No. 1: NordicTrack ｜GX 7.0 Indoor Studio Bike
No. 2: Apex Rides｜Bike
No. 3: Sunny Health and Fitness｜Indoor Studio Cycle Pro Exercise Bike
No. 4: Dripex｜Magnetic Resistance Indoor Exercise Bike 2021 Version
No. 5: Matrix｜Fitness Commercial R1XE Recumbent Exercise Bike
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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