Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes for Seniors - Updated Oct 2021

Introduction

Physical fitness is not limited to the age of an individual. It should not be. But naturally, due to aging, many elders lose the physical abilities they possessed during their young age. 

Old age folks usually stick to light walks as it doesn’t trouble them a lot. Although agreed that it is very light and effective for them, it could be better.

This is where they should consider purchasing Recumbent Bikes.

Let’s read Recumbent Bikes for Seniors is a great idea!

What are Recumbent Bikes and why?

Recumbent Bikes are the special type of gym equipment where we cycle as we regularly do, but with our back lied slightly backward on support.

It has all the benefits of a normal gym bike along with the additional advantage of back support. Like the regular gym bike, the recumbent bikes also primarily engage the lower body and provide a good cardio session to its user.

A recumbent bike is mostly used by individuals who suffer from back pain, especially the lower back. This is a common problem found in most senior citizens.

When there already exists a perfectly effective gym bike, why consider recumbent bikes as what more can it offer? Well, here are some of the benefits of a Recumbent Bike that seniors would love:

•Recumbent Bikes are easy on the lower back. Pain in the lower back is commonly found in senior citizens. When operating an upright bike, it is necessary to hold a straight position throughout the workout session, which may later cause muscle soreness and fatigue. Thus a leaned-back position will be much comfortable for senior citizens who wish to do cardio.

•The seat is comparatively larger than an upright bike. Sitting on an upright bike for a longer period can cause pain in the buttocks. On the other side, it is very comfortable to sit on a recumbent bike and elders can sit on it as long as they desire.

•An upright bike is a machine that demands certain skills from its user. If you have spent a good amount of time in the gym, you might find it easy. But to keep the posture intact, and to lean forward like when riding a real bike requires some skill that most seniors might not possess. So here recumbent bikes are slightly more beginner-friendly and senior citizens might find that favorable.

•There is a very low chance of injuries while working out using a recumbent bike. This is a very serious factor to consider, especially if either a person works out alone, or is old.

8 Best Recumbent Bikes for seniors

1. Exerpeutic 900XL Recumbent Bike

A very basic Recumbent Bike that serves its purpose very well. The Exerpeutic 900XL Recumbent Bike is one of the most rated recumbent bikes and is recommended for seniors. 

The purchase comes with all the tools to manually assemble this recumbent bike. The large cushion seat provides comfort while working out to anyone who is sitting on it for a long time.

The Exerpeutic 900XL also has an in-built LCD that accurately displays the necessary information like distance, calories burnt, pulses, and other heart details along with the time.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 54” L x 22” W x 34” H

• Product Weight: 63lbs

• Max. Weight Capacity: 300lbs

Features:

• Large Seat and Back Rest

• LCD to monitor all current stats

• Pulse Sensors

• An 8-level adjustable magnetic tension

• Transportation Wheels

2. Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike

The Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike sustains itself as one of the stylish and advanced bikes than most basic recumbent bikes. The manufacturing company of this model has known to produce inexpensive gym equipment for home use. The Nautilus R614 is no exception. For a very good price, this product can aid seniors in their daily cardiovascular activities.

The seat of this recumbent bike is vented and very comfortable and can sit on for a long time. The backrest is shaped in such a way that provides aid while leaning back.

Another main selling feature of this recumbent bike is the DualTrack LCDs. The is specially planned to allow the users to multi-task as they can read a magazine or emails in of the displays while the other can be used to read the training progress.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 64" L x 27" W x 50" H

• Product Weight: 80lbs

• Max. Weight Capacity: 300lbs

Features:

• DualTrack LCD screens to monitor workouts and to read magazines or emails.

• 22 pre-built workout programs

• 20 levels of adjustable resistance

• A USB Charging Port

• A cup holder

3. Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

The Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike is another one of the most highly rated recumbent bikes available and it is for some good reasons. Along with looking good, this machine has a load of features that surprisingly recumbent bikes of this price do not have.

The Schwinn 230 model has a feature to compare the previous workout by tracking time, distance, and calorie goals. This allows workouts for a long term very efficiently.

The seat is ventilated and contoured for a painless workout session.

Another key feature about this recumbent bike is the DualTrack 2 LCD screen system along with a charging USB port and MP3 connectivity.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 64" L x 27.7" W x 49.9" H

• Product Weight: 81.6lbs

• Max. Weight Capacity: 316lbs

Features:

• Option to view previous workouts

• DualTrack 2 LCD screen system

• Charging USB port

• MP3 Connectivity

• Media Shelf 

• 3 Speed fan.

• Bottle Holder

• 20 computerized levels of resistance

• 22 pre-set exercise programs.

4. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bikes

The successor to the Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike comes with a lot more features. If you are satisfied with the products manufactured by Schwinn and have a higher budget for a recumbent bike, Schwinn 270 is the recommended model. The model has all the features of its predecessor and much more.

The first notable feature of this huge machine is its comfortable seat. Seniors citizens would love to have a comfortable cushion to sit on and workout. The Aluminium slider seat rail system makes the seat adjustment for different users very easy.

The Schwinn 270 has two very attractive DualTrack blue backlit LCDs. It is easy to track time, distance, speed, and all the other vital information.

The most spoken feature about this fancy recumbent bike is its Bluetooth Connectivity to the “Explore the World App”, which allows many users to give an outdoor riding experience.

It has 29 built-in workouts and has the feature to set up profiles of a maximum of 4 users. 

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 64" L x 27.7" W x 49.9" H

• Product Weight: 86.6lbs

• Max. Weight Capacity: 300lbs

Features:

• Two blue backlit LCD window system

• Bluetooth Connectivity

• 29 built-in programs

• 25 levels of eddy current resistance and 10 resistance quick keys

• 3-speed fans

5. Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Bike

Due to age, many seniors may not be able to perform total body workouts as they used to do. This is the primary reason why they stick to jogging. But The Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Bike solves this issue. As the name suggests, you can work out your entire body using this bike.

Any recumbent bike already takes care of the lower body. But this model has an arm pedal that allows us to engage the arms, shoulders, and back without much strain.

This bike has a quiet magnetic resistance which allows its operation to be smooth. The seat is very comfortable and padded and the backrest adds extra comfort.

The display shows all the vital information such as speed, calories, heart rate, distance, and workout time.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 52" L x 24" W x 49" H

• Product Weight: 121lbs

• Max. Weight Capacity: 250lbs

Features:

• Foot pedals and upper hand pedals for a total body workout

• Quiet operation

• Comfortable and padded seat that can easily be adjusted.

• 8 adjustable resistance levels

6. Marcy Recumbent ME-709 Exercise Bike

Coming back to the basics, The Marcy Recumbent ME-709 Exercise bike is our most recommended recumbent bike in budget and terms of quality.

When your priority just having a good cardiovascular session without much hustle or feature, you should opt for this model. It is very inexpensive yet will give you the desired workout to stay fit in your old age.

It has a very basic design and has 8 resistance levels. Even for a low price, you can adjust your difficulty from 8 different magnetic resistances.

It also has an ultra-functional LCD computer screen to display time, speed, distance, and calories.

It also takes care of the most important part of any recumbent bike – the seat. It has a comfortable and padded seat with extra back and arm support so you remain in your best form while exercising.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 55.5" L x 25" W x 37.5" H

• Product Weight: 61lbs

• Max. Weight Capacity: 300lbs

Features:

• The adjustable seat, back support, and arm support are very comfortable to use for a long time

• Lightweight and transport wheels make the product very easy to move around.

• The resistance level can be easily adjusted using a knob.

• Minimalistic LCD

7. Exerpeutic 400XL Recumbent

Exerpeutic has made into this list once again, but with a more basic model which serves its purpose very well. Slightly more basic than the previous model, the Exerpeutic 400XL Recumbent bike is another recumbent bike suitable best for beginners and seniors.

Two main features of this particular model are that:

• It is foldable

• It is semi-recumbent

It has a perfectly balanced flywheel and an 8 level adjustable magnetic tension control system.

Like most recumbent bikes, the LCD screen displays distance, calories, time, speed, and heart rate. The basic and obvious design makes it very easy for seniors to operate without any difficulty.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 33” L x 19” W x 46” H

• Product Weight: 43 lbs

• Max. Weight Capacity: 300lbs

Features:

• Semi-Recumbent Design

• Foldable

• 8 levels magnetic tension control system

• LCD Display and Hand Pulse Sensors

• Transportation wheels

8. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike (SF-RB4616)

When it comes to fitness equipment for home, it is quite rare that Sunny Health and Fitness doesn’t make the list. For a quality recumbent bike, it is no exception. 

Sunny Health and Fitness have earned the reputation of manufacturing quality products at an affordable price for a long time. They have a range of recumbent bikes that might suit anyone from beginner to advanced. Here, we will be specifically talking about the SF-RB4616 model, but feel free to explore this brand more.

The bike has a very comfortable design which allows you to work out for a long time. The seat, back support, and the arm handles are comfortable so it protects you from a long-term injury.

The digital monitor displays all the vital information needed to track the workout and the pulse sensors on the armrest calculates the pulse on the screen almost accurately.

The adjustable seat and magnetic resistance make it is easier for multiple users to use the machine and the transportation wheels make it portable.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 46” L x 24.5” W x 38”H

• Product Weight: 59 lbs

• Max. Weight Capacity: 300lbs

Features:

• Adjustable Seat

• Multifunctional Digital Monitor

• 8 levels magnetic resistance

• Pulse sensors

• Transportation wheels

What to look for while purchasing a Recumbent Bike?

When seniors are looking for any product online, they might get confused. Especially if the product is something as useful as a Recumbent bike, they might not know where to even begin.

Let us break down for you the important things to look for while purchasing a recumbent bike for your home.

• The Basic functionality of any recumbent bike is the same. It engages the lower body and provides a great cardiovascular session.

• A basic recumbent bike that is worth purchasing must include the following features:

       1. An LCD

       2. A pulse sensor

       3. Comfortable seat and back support

       4. Sturdy Armrest and foot pedals

• If you lack a lot of space, make sure to either buy a small bike or a foldable bike so it can be kept away after use.

• If you don't intend to move the recumbent bike once assembled, you can go for a non-foldable bike with no transportation wheels.

• If you wish to work out on the bike for a long time and not just for a few minutes, it is recommended to have a media holder as it would provide some sort of entertainment.

• If you want to work out your whole body and not just your lower body, go for a total body workout recumbent bike.

Conclusion

Recumbent Bikes are a great solution for seniors who wish to have a great cardio session. It is very unlikely to get joint pains in a recumbent bike. They can work out without any strain for as long as they want.

There are many recumbent bikes for seniors. Go through the factors required to buy a recumbent bike and have fun choosing the best recumbent bike!

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

1. What exactly are recumbent bikes?

Recumbent bikes are a special type of exercise bike where instead of sitting upright throughout the workout, you can lean back and reduce pain to your joints.

2. Are recumbent bikes a great option for seniors?

Recumbent bikes are a great option for seniors. Recumbent bikes reduce any chance of lower back pain while working on an exercise bike while still offering a great cardio session.

3. If proper posture is demanded in an Upright exercise bike, how is a Recumbent bike effective?

Using a recumbent bike doesn't affect your posture in any negative manner. It relaxes it. It might not be possible, especially for seniors, to stay upright throughout the session. Thus recumbent bikes are recommended for seniors who wish to have a great cardio session.