Investing in one of the best exercise bikes might be the next step to elevating your home workouts, if you love a spot of spinning or are a keen bean on two wheels. After all, there's so much to love about working out in the privacy of your own space: it's convenient, saves time, and you get to choose what you do.
There's been a real boost in sales of the best exercise bikes and spinning bikes for at-home use in recent years. Need proof? Spin bike manufacturer Peloton saw UK sales nearly treble during the first year of the pandemic, and while sales have now slowed, stationary exercise bikes are still a great addition to any workout or home gym.
While they're a big investment, it's best to think about them in the long term – spin classes and gym memberships don't come cheap, either. One study showed that, during the pandemic when we passionately embraced home workouts, Brits were saving an average of £100 a month by investing in at-home gym equipment, compared to going to a physical gym.
Why indoor bikes, specifically? “Some [spinning bikes], including Echelon, now provide so much more than just an exercise bike,” Jama Oliver at Echelon told us. From live and on-demand classes to scenic rides, home exercise bikes serve up the physical benefits of exercise along with the mental health benefits of an engaging community. Yep: exercise bikes have a lot going for them.
So, where to start? Which is the best exercise bike for a beginner? What is the difference between a spin bike and a regular bike? According to an expert, here’s everything you need to know.
SKIP TO: How we tested the best exercise bikes | What are the benefits of using an exercise bike? | What should I look for when buying an exercise bike? | What is the closest exercise bike to a Peleton? | Our full exercise bike reviews.
Meet the expert:
- Jama Oliver, fitness instructor at Echelon.
Best exercise bikes at a glance:
- Best Exercise Bike UK Overall: Echelon EX-5s Smart Connect Bike, WAS £1,349 NOW £1,152, Echelon
- Best Professional Exercise Bike: Technogym Bike, £3,250, Technogym
- Best For Virtual Racing: Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift Indoor Bike Trainer, £2,598.99, Tredz
- Best Luxury Bike: Tacx NEO Bike Plus Trainer, £3,499.99, Garmin
- Best Budget Exercise Bike: Opti Aerobic Manual Exercise Bike, £319, Argos
- Best For Comfort: NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike, WAS £2,299 NOW £1,799, NordicTrack
- Best For Beginners: ProForm Pro 22 Studio Spin Bike, WAS £1,499 NOW £999, John Lewis
- Best For Performance Data: Wattbike Atom, £2,399, Wattbike
- Best For Live Workouts: Peloton Bike+, WAS £1,995 NOW £1,695, Peloton
- Best Peloton Alternative: Apex Smart Bike, from £699, Apex
How we chose the best exercise bikes:
Our editors are fitness experts who have taken the time to test not only the best exercise bikes on the market – but cross-trainers, treadmills, rowing machines, dumbbells, yoga pants and running trainers, too. We know what it takes to be crowned the best in at-home gym equipment, and scored these bikes on ease of assembly, durability, riding experience, extra features like immersive LCD screens, comfortability of riding position, maximum user weight and how well they fit into a busy home. Consider your fitness goals achieved with this high-quality bunch.
What are the benefits of using an exercise bike?
There are so many benefits to using an exercise bike. "Indoor cycling improves cardiovascular health, can lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar, and improve sleep," Jama said. “Regular cycling will boost muscular endurance and tone your lower body and core,” she adds.
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