The 10 Best Exercise Bikes for Low-Impact Workouts at Home

Cycle your way to becoming stronger, faster, and fitter without heavy impact.

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If your legs are beat up after one too many hard weeks on the road, it might be time to give the ol’ hips and knees a break with some time on the bike. Cross-training is a boss move for runners because it protects all that hard-won aerobic capacity without making your legs take another beating. On the days you can’t face one more mile, or one more staring contest with the treadmill, a good indoor bike keeps your fitness up while your joints get a break.

These machines are compact and quiet, and they take up far less space than a treadmill. You get a killer cardio workout that’s decently low impact, whether it’s your main workout of the day or a warm-up before your strength training routine (which you 100 percent should be doing).

I don’t put my name on anything I haven’t actually ridden on. To build this list, I traveled all over, riding stationary bikes in gyms, brand showrooms, and local rec centers, and I hauled plenty of them into my own home and office to live with day in and day out. All told, I tested more than 30 different stationary bikes. (Thank you, UPS driver Alex.)

I rode each one long enough to learn its ins and outs, blessings and curses. I stood up to feel how the flywheel handled a hard push, and I stayed on well past the 40-minute mark to find out whether the seat was still bearable. Spoiler alert: this is where many bikes fell off the list of contenders.

From there, I weighed the things that make or break a bike over time. I wanted a wide, usable range of resistance settings and a display I could read at a glance. Stability is also a huge factor here: a footprint small enough to fit a room but planted enough that it won’t rock when you sprint. I also checked the extras that keep a workout corner from getting too cluttered, like water bottle holders, and a place to hang a towel, and I dug into the subscription service tied to each bike, so you know you’re getting a solid library of quality classes and, ideally, a free trial before you commit to a monthly bill.

The X24 bike follows the same line as the X24 treadmill in that this puppy goes uphill in a big way. It’s the first bike I’ve ridden, where you’re not just feeling the tension of an incline through the magnetic tensioners; this thing actually inclines. It rises. You’re pushing through the resistance of the magnets and gravity, and you’re sitting like you would on an actual hill.

It is the wildest thing. And that’s not the only cool thing about this bike. It also has a gigantic pivoting screen that plays your work outs and streams whatever you’re feeling that day, allowing you to workout on the bike or on the floor for strength. It has easy-in pedals that are dual-sided. You can have multiple users with multiple profiles, so everyone in the house can gauge their progress.

And with every NordicTrack, you’re getting their legendary service and in-house installation if you opt in to that. And, fair readers, you should opt in.

In terms of consolidasing your workout zone, Schwinn’s IC4 is tops thanks to its relatively small profile, double water bottle holders, and racks for included dumbbells. On top of that, it offers one of the most finely adjustable rides on this list with 100 unique resistance settings. Will you notice the difference between one and another? Maybe not immediately, but it does smooth the transition between speeds if you’re tapering to a different effort level.

The bike’s LCD screen isn’t huge, but it nevertheless monitors resistance as well as heart rate, calories, and distance. No need to cycle through a frustrating number of pages to find data you need immediately.

Schwinn bundles the IC4 with access to a two-month trial membership to JRNY classes on the house. The collection of workouts you get with these classes isn’t as elaborate at some other subscription services, but two months for free is two months for free—that’s twice as much time as you’ll get with a lot of other brands. It’s also easy to connect to a few other apps, so this is my pick for app hoppers.

If you’re looking for a no-frills exercise bike to keep your legs spinning during the off-season, this simple-but-effective Yosuda model offers fantastic value and keeps you churning out miles without a fuss.

While this exercise bike lacks a screen, it does have a spacious tablet holder, so you can still follow along with online classes if you have some downloaded. It also has an LCD monitor to track your basic stats, like distance and time, and the seat and handlebar are adjustable.

I’ve been consistently impressed with Merach for the past year. They are elevating value-priced sports and fitness equipment in a way that’s subverting the market. This bike is no different. It has all the bells and whistles of many of the pricier models, like the big, rotating screen, the streaming capabilities, and the adjustable pedals and seat, but for under $600. That’s a big deal.

You won’t get everything a Peloton or NordicTrack will get you, but you’re getting scarily close. The only note I’d make is that I’d like the handlebar adjustment to be a bit less finicky, and for the adjustments to be a little more accessible to people with mobility issues. Other than that, it’s a great ride.

There was a time in the early 2010s, when after work, I’d meet with my friends for a class at SoulCycle and follow it up with happy hour at a Mexican tapas place. Those were the days. But let me tell you, you can still get close to that effervescent feeling if you bring the bike home.

There are a few great things about this bike that I want to highlight. The first is that it’s by far the easiest to adjust of any of the bikes on here. And the saddle is comfortable through even the 90-minute classes, and the handlebars don’t get swampy. The next is that the classes are more affordable than competitors, and they’re every bit as fun and freaking hard as you remember. You are getting ramped up on this one.

The magnetic wheels are stupid quiet. To the point where if you’re wearing headphones for the class, if it’s in your living room, someone could easily work right beside you.

The pedals are by far my fave. They are dual-sided clip-in, and yes, I do have spin shoes, and they lock them really well, but they also come off fairly easily. That’s hard to do.

It’s pricey, but dang, is it fun. The new Peloton bike feels like a personal trainer, DJ, and motivator in one sleek machine. Its upgraded AI engine learns your habits, adjusting resistance and recommending workouts that suit your pace and goals—whether you’re into high-intensity rides, yoga, strength training, or recovery sessions with your fave trainer (Yo, Adrian!).

The rotating HD screen makes it easy to pivot from cycling to floor workouts, blending cardio and strength and whatever else you feel like pulling up that day. You know all about the on-demand classes and live sessions led by trainers from around the world—hoping they’ll read out your name in class.

The integration of smart stats and voice-guided coaching adds an intuitive layer that feels almost too human—Skynet what? Sure, it’s an investment, but with AI personalization, endless variety, and pure ride bliss, this Peloton turns your home gym into a high-tech fitness studio that actually keeps you coming back.

This is not a traditional stationary bike. Instead, this is a bike trainer that you hook your road bike into and ride. I am not someone who rides a real bike because that’s terrifying. But my husband does, and he bought this a few years ago, and trains with it all winter long, and when it’s too hot in the summer. I, too, have trained on it, because you’re at no risk of getting hit by a car.

This is the best, most durable option if you already have a bike. You literally just take the back wheel off, and lock it in. And not for anything? It’s a teeny footprint. Also, if you are a runner, you’re likely already in the Garmin ecosystem.

I originally was not sold on this type of stationary bike until my husband got into it. It’s just so seamless, and changing the resistance is a cinch. Nothing is preset, but you can get up to 2200 watts of resistance, which to me feels like biking uphill through quicksand with dead legs.

I am not lying when I tell you that I could ride this all day if I could just figure out a way to get my laptop to stay on it. The seat is more comfortable than my desk chair, and it has exercise bands to give you a full-body workout. This is, more than anything, a tool for recovery. Yes, you can get a solid workout, and it’s way more fun than you think it would be, but when you need to keep up your fitness, and your body needs to keep you grounded, this is an excellent choice.

It’s simple to operate, great for mixed-generation homes. The pedals are simple, the seat is adjustable, and you can sit your iPad on top for entertainment. It has 16 levels of resistance, and while it’s not the quietest, it’s the quietest of its type.

The Sunny Health & Fitness Resistance Adjustable Bike offers a solid, no-frills workout experience that won’t break the bank. It delivers smooth, quiet rides thanks to a durable 49-pound flywheel and belt drive system. While this bike doesn’t have a screen or fancy smart features, it’s fully mechanical with a simple resistance dial that’s easy to use—even for beginners.

Ideal for fans of classic spin-style workouts, it lets users focus on pedaling without distractions. The seat is quite firm and may require a cushion for longer sessions, but the bike’s solid build and stable frame make it feel sturdy and reliable. Overall, it’s a practical choice for those wanting a straightforward, budget-friendly indoor cycling experience.

Most standard exercise bikes position riders with their torsos tilted forward, which can help engage rear leg muscles like the glutes and hamstrings. Unfortunately, this posture can also feel uncomfortable if you have an achy neck, back, or shoulder.

If you don’t want to lean forward or all the way back into a recumbent-style machine, this exercise bike from Schwinn remedies that awkward positioning with a short reach, an elevated handlebar, and a wide seat that can comfortably hold a greater portion of your weight.

You have a few solid setups to choose from. First is the classic stationary bike. It puts you in the familiar upright position, close to how you’d sit on a road bike, and gives your legs a full range of motion. For most people, it’s the default pick and the closest thing to riding outside.

That position isn’t for everybody, and it can be a genuine pain in the back. If you want more comfort and support, a recumbent bike might be your speed. You get a padded seat with a backrest and an even lower-impact ride.

And if you live for real roads the second the weather turns nice, you don’t have to abandon your bike just because you’re stuck inside. A bike trainer clamps onto your own bike’s wheel or drivetrain so you can ride your own bike no matter what the forecast says. It can feel a little less stable than a dedicated stationary bike, but it’s hard to beat if you're attached to the fit and feel of your road bike.

Resistance is what turns easy pedaling into a workout, so it’s worth understanding before you buy. You’ll mostly run into two systems: fans and flywheels. Fan bikes are the simple option. Start pedaling, the blades spin, and you push against the air. The catch is that the moment you stop, the momentum vanishes and you’re building it back from zero. Those spinning blades are also worth keeping little fingers and loose drawstrings away from.

For a ride that feels more like an actual bike, a flywheel is your best bet. These create resistance with friction or magnets, and thanks to all that mass, they hold their momentum. A good flywheel is heavy and holds its inertia, which gives you a smooth, steady ride. It usually costs more and may need a pro for repairs, but it won’t push a draft around your workout space the way a fan bike does. Magnetic resistance in particular tends to be the quietest and lowest-maintenance option.

Beyond standard flats, your two main pedal options are toe clips (a.k.a. foot straps) and clipless pedals, which use metal or plastic cleats, bought separately, to lock your foot in place. It works a lot like a ski boot snapping into its binding, which is where the tech came from.

The name is genuinely confusing, since clipless pedals were introduced as an alternative to toe clips even though you “clip into” them. It’s an odd bit of naming, and if it trips you up, you’re in good company.

Naming aside, both styles beat flats because they let you pull up as well as push down, so you power the full pedal stroke and use more leg muscles. Toe clips let you do that in whatever shoes you like, while clipless pedals require cycling shoes fitted with the matching cleat, most commonly a Shimano-style SPD. Plenty of bikes have both fittings, one on each side of the pedal, but it's worth checking before you buy if you’d rather not invest in cycling shoes.

One safety note: if your feet are strapped in, you may not be able to catch yourself as easily if the bike tips. It’s rare, but worth knowing, especially if you’re planning intense efforts that mix in upper-body work. If that gives you pause, ride carefully at first and practice popping your feet out quickly.

Indoor workouts, especially endurance efforts like cycling, can drag without something to look at. A display might be a small screen that tracks your distance and time, or a 22-inch touchscreen streaming immersive rides to keep boredom at bay (Netflix or lively classes are your BFF, here).

Fancier screens let you load spin classes and follow-along virtual routes so you're not staring at the wall, but they cost more and aren't strictly necessary if you entertain yourself another way, like a book or a show on a nearby TV. If a movie on your phone or iPad is what gets you through, look for a bike with a roomy media holder or a screen that connects to streaming services.

Think about the small hardware, too. If you're a constant sipper, a bottle holder is non-negotiable. And if you like syncing your numbers, look for smart features and health-app compatibility. Several bikes come with a companion app that presets workouts and auto-adjusts resistance to match your intervals, plus a library of spin classes to ride along with.

Some higher-end bikes even fold in off-the-bike classes like HIIT and yoga that you do right beside the machine. Those add-ons can be worth it if you want to grow your home-workout options without cramming your space with gear. Just make sure you have room to move around the bike before you commit to a subscription.

Yes. A stationary bike lets you hold onto your aerobic fitness while giving your joints a break from repetitive impact, which makes it one of the best cross-training tools a runner can own. It’s especially handy on recovery days and any time you can't get outside to run.

What's the difference between a stationary bike and a recumbent bike?

A standard stationary bike sits you upright with your chest over your hips, close to an outdoor ride, and it works your glutes and hamstrings. A recumbent bike reclines you into a bucket-style seat with a backrest, which takes pressure off your lower back and neck for a gentler, lower-impact workout.

You can find a solid, no-frills stationary bike for around $200 to $300, while feature-packed connected bikes with big touchscreens and live classes can run past $2,000. The right number depends on whether you want a simple pedal-and-go machine or a full studio experience at home.

No. Plenty of bikes work fine with zero monthly fees. You just pedal, watch your stats, and go. A subscription unlocks live and on-demand classes, guided rides, and auto-adjusting resistance, and many bikes include a free trial so you can decide whether the extra content is worth the ongoing cost.

Magnetic resistance is generally quieter and lower-maintenance because nothing physically rubs against the flywheel, and it's the more common choice on modern bikes. Friction (felt-pad) resistance is simpler and cheaper, but the pads wear down over time and can get noisier as they go.

Most stationary bikes have a compact footprint of roughly 4 by 2 feet, far smaller than a treadmill. Leave extra clearance around the bike if you plan to do off-the-bike classes, and factor in your ceiling height if you're tall, since you sit up above the frame while riding.

Many of them are! Peloton, SoulCycle, and Nordictrack all have guides to show you how to do this. You may need a note from your doctor, but overall, the majority of these are HSA/FSA eligible. And SoulCycle even gives you a refund of $300 if you buy with your AmEx.

Cat Bowen, senior editor of commerce; reviews, is a seasoned runner with more than 20 years of distance running experience, including dozens of marathons, half marathons, and even a few ultra marathons. For over a decade, she has tested parenting, fitness, home, and running gear and written in-depth guides to help readers with their next purchase. Holding multiple advanced degrees and currently studying kinesiology, Cat Bowen brings research-backed insight to all of her guides. Passionate about women’s health and neurodivergent inclusion, she advocates for closing research gaps and helping others—especially AudHD people—find joy in running and fitness.

Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.

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