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The best exercise bikes of September 2022

If you already have an indoor workout area, you may be thinking about new indoor exercise equipment. Riding a bike outdoors is much different than indoor cycling, and you can’t bike outside if the weather is bad — rainy, snowy, too hot, etc. Exercise bikes are a great way to get high-quality cardio workouts without the damaging impact on joints from running or jogging. Stationary bikes are also a great addition to your home gym because you can use them anytime, regardless of the weather outside. We rounded up a few of our favorite bikes for you to make the decision easier.

Peloton Bike

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The Original Peloton Bike is the trend-setting immersive biking experience that inspired other apps such as iFit and Zwift, and it’s packed with leading-edge features and technology. The 21.5-inch HD touchscreen is adjustable for different heights and paired with a 2×10-watt sound system. The design is compact, with just a 4-foot by 2-foot footprint, so almost everyone can find room for a bike in their home.

Featuring individual profiles for household access, Peloton app access, a built-in microphone, Bluetooth connectivity, a Micro USB port, 16GB internal flash storage, access to thousands of Peloton classes on demand, and much more, this bike has tons of tech. The frame is made of welded steel and is powder-coated, so it’s sturdy and powerful — the Poly V power transmission belt drive is strong and smooth. If you want even more tech, the Peloton Bike+ can deliver in the form of rear-facing woofers, reduced-reflective and anti-smudge coating, a larger screen that rotates 360 degrees, and more.

Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike

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The Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike features 22 preset exercise programs and 20 different levels of resistance that provide you with a wide range of intensity training. The seat is mounted on a rail slider system, which means people of any height can comfortably use the bike.

The handlebars are padded for comfort and also include heart rate sensors so you can monitor your heart rate during your workout. The dual-screen system allows you to view workout stats, track progress, and set individual goals. The Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike has a water bottle holder, in-console speakers, a USB port, and a device shelf.

Bowflex C7 Bike

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The Bowflex C7 Bike is a stationary exercise bike that pairs with popular cycling apps for a total cycling experience. The bike features 100 adjustable magnetic resistance levels, a 7-inch HD touchscreen display, dual-link pedals with toe cages, and easy-to-reach cradles for 3-pound dumbbells. The ride is smooth and quiet, which makes for an enjoyable workout for you and the other members of your household.

Schwinn Fitness 170 Upright Bike

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The Schwinn Fitness 170 indoor cycle is sturdy, quiet, and packed with features. Featuring a contoured seat and forearm rests, comfort is key with this bike. The high-inertia perimeter-weighted flywheel provides a workout that is effective and smooth.

Track your heart rate, distance, time, and calories on the LCD display. The Schwinn Fitness 170 Upright Bike features 25 levels of resistance, 29 preset programs, an MP3 input, USB charger port, and speakers.

Echelon EX-15

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The base Echelon model doesn’t spare on features and performance, with 32 levels of silent and sturdy resistance. The footprint is small, with dimensions of just over 20 inches by 38 inches, and the adjustable steel frame ensures this bike will fit riders of all sizes. With the available membership, you get live and on-demand classes with world-class instructors as well as the latest in music from all sorts of genres on the Echelon Fit app. The ergonomic handlebars and adjustable competition seat are designed for comfort, so you can ride as long as you want.

Merax Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike

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The Merax Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike has a 330-pound capacity due to its heavy-duty steel frame and 22-pound iron cast flywheel. The system is belt-driven, which provides a smooth ride. The LCD monitor allows you to track your speed, time, distance, and calories burned.

The Merax Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike’s handlebars and seat are adjustable for optimal comfort. Several different resistance setting ensure a customizable cycling experience every time you ride.

NordicTrack S15i Studio Cycle

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The NordicTrack S15i Studio Cycle has a 14-inch rotating HD smart touchscreen so you can do more than just cycle — use the iFit app to do cardio and high-intensity interval training on the bike and strength training or stretching off the bike for a well-rounded workout. Wi-Fi connectivity lets you stream live workouts and check your stats on the live workout leaderboard. Featuring a 20% live incline and 10% live decline controls, and 22 digital resistance levels, this bike won’t let you get bored with your workouts. It’s compatible with Google Maps so you can map out your rides and Bluetooth so you can connect wirelessly to your favorite earbuds. The inertia-enhanced flywheel and commercial-grade steel construction make your ride feel sturdy yet smooth, and the one-touch controls make it easy to use.

Schwinn IC3 Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike

woman on schwinn ic3 bike
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This bike features a 40-pound flywheel for a premium indoor cycling experience. You can connect to popular cycling apps that allow you to explore virtual races, exotic locales, and trails from around the world as well as attend virtual classes. The seat is adjustable, so users of all sizes can ride comfortably.

The Schwinn IC3 Indoor Cycle’s LCD screen is full color, backlit, and monitors heart rate, speed, time, distance, calories, and RPMs. Heart rate tracking is Bluetooth enabled with the included arm strap. The machine features a water bottle holder, a USB charging port, and an integrated media rack.

Kelly Kaliszewski
Kelly's work has appeared in blogs and on websites. She enjoys writing about all things kitchen and food. When she's not…