Working out in an exercise bike helps to tone down our lower body, boosts our fat burning capacity, and promotes cardiovascular health. It is a great way to shed those extra pounds, but what if you suffer from a knee problem?
Such ailment can be a hindrance to your fitness goals, especially if you don’t choose the best exercise bike for bad knees that will enhance your workout.
Benefits of using an Exercise bike
Riding an exercise bike helps tone down our body by shedding those extra pounds, toning, and strengthening our calves, glutes, and quads.
It is a low impact exercise that does not put a strain on our joints, especially our knees.
You can get your share of cardio from an exercise bike, which duly increases your heart rate and promotes good cardiovascular health.
It also results in improved respiratory function and relieves high blood pressure.
Exercise in any form gives a boost to our self-confidence and immune system.
Things to look for in an exercise bike
Before you buy any model of a recumbent exercise bike, do consider these points.
Height and weight: Every bike has an adjustable seat and certain weight limitations on it. Make sure that your height and weight conform to the restrictions provided by the model.
Light resistance: It might be better for your knees to indulge in some low resistance training in the beginning. Your ideal bike should have several low resistance settings to enhance your workouts and protect your knees.
Affordability: Your exercise bike should not cut a hole in your pocket, so make sure it is within your budget. You will always find options that adhere to your needs.
Recumbent or Upright: Even though both models are similar in their functions, recumbent bikes are much better if you suffer from knee problems. Bodyweight gets distributed evenly as the rider can rest their back in a naturally reclined position. This posture relieves the stress that cycling can induce on knees.
Precautions while using an exercise bike
Before using a recumbent exercise bike, you need to keep in mind certain precautions to avoid any injury:
Correct posture: Our posture matters a lot when we indulge in any kind of exercise. In a recumbent bike, you should sit in a semi-reclined position and bend your legs slightly when you pedal. If we sit too upright or bend our knees more, it will cause strain on our knees. You should be able to see your knees and toes.
I wish I had known this fact before riding an exercise bike. My wrong posture led me to skip the bike for a few days!
Seat position: The seat should not be too near or too far from the handlebar. Proper seat positioning will make your workout comfortable and convenient.
Consulting your doctor: Always get approval before hopping on an exercise bike or indulging in any fitness regime.
Now, let us look at some of the best exercise bikes for bad knees.
Marcy Recumbent ME-709 Exercise Bike
This exercise bike is worth every penny that you plan to invest in a piece of fitness equipment. With a solid construction that can hold a rider of any weight and height, it has a comfortable seat for a luxurious feel.
Easy to assemble and mount or dismount, it provides an 8 level resistance while working out that is great for your knees.
The weight is distributed evenly throughout the machine with adjustable foot straps on the pedals.
Pros
- Sturdy, efficient, and compact design
- Quiet, comfortable, and high mobility
- Easy to read panel display
- Eight resistance levels
- Affordable and easy to assemble
Cons
- The resistance level is not enough for hardcore workouts
- One-piece pedal cranks
- It lacks heart rate sensors and pulse meter
- Not foldable
Exerpeutic 300SR Heavy Duty 300 LBS Recumbent Bike
The Exerpeutic 300SR is a great recumbent bike if you don’t have enough space at home. After your workout, you can fold and store this exercise bike, which means it takes up less space.
Its weight capacity is around 300 pounds, and the stats get displayed on an LCD screen that monitors your speed, distance, calories burned, etc.
It is practically noiseless with a large cushion seat and a comfortable backrest.
Pros
- 8 level magnetic tension for good resistance workouts
- LCD to monitor your progress
- Low noise level and easy to mount and dismount
- Less storage space
- Affordable
Cons
- The instruction manual is in German
- Not suitable for riders with height more than 6’2
Schwinn 270 Recumbent Exercise Bike
Nothing is left to the imagination with this exercise bike from Schwinn. It has a rock-solid structure with comfortable pedaling that is perfect for your bad knees.
Its additional features include a built-in fan, speakers, and 25 levels of different resistance that give you variety in impact.
The LCD panel clearly shows your stats and workout status.
An exciting feature of this bike is the variety of training programs. There are 29 training programs, and if you like any program, then you can save it to four user profiles.
I enjoyed these features on the Schwinn as I could listen to my favorite tracks while working out. I could also upload my workout data to MyFitnessPal or Schwinn Connect.
Pros
- Sturdy body, ergonomic design
- Built-in fan, speakers, Bluetooth, and USB port
- 29 different training programs and four user profiles
- 25 resistance levels
- LCD screen with integrated goal tracking
- Media shelf and hand pulse sensors
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Built-in speakers could be better
ExerpeuticExerWork 1000 exercise bike
This recumbent exercise bike has a steady and robust frame that doesn’t tip over while working out.
A great feature in this bike is the desktop, which can hold a laptop or other devices. So, you can complete your work while pedaling away those extra pounds. You can also adjust the position of the desk.
It has an 8 level resistance, which provides a moderate level of activity. A built-in console displays your stats such as speed, distance, calories burned, and pulse.
The bike also has a built-in drawer and two cup holders to hold refreshments.
Pros
- Sturdy frame and foldable after use
- Desktop to hold media devices
- The position of the desk can be adjusted
- Easy mobility with transport wheels
- It can comfortably fit tall people
- It doesn’t create any noise
Cons
- Not for high-intensity workouts
- There are no preset workout programs
- It cannot keep track of previous workouts
Wrapping Up
Now, you have an idea about what you should be looking for in an exercise bike and what are the features they may possess.
The clear winner out of this list is Marcy Recumbent ME-709 Exercise bike. It offers a moderate-intensity workout, which doesn’t strain your knees and thereby keeps you fit. It is durable, comfortable, and quite affordable. It is an excellent choice if you are a beginner and don’t want to spend much on an exercise bike.
