The Best Stationary Bikes

There’s a biker gang out there that vastly outnumbers any convoy of motorcycles you might see riding down the highway. They eschew leather jackets in favor of yoga pants, they drink smoothies instead of whiskey shots, and most of them have never met each other in person. We’re talking about the vast army of fitness fanatics who use a stationary bike, and you might be looking to join their ranks.

Not so many years ago, stationary bikes were an amenity you could only get at the gym, but technology has brought them into home use in a big way. These days, stationary bikes range from simple garage cycles on a frame to sleek, fully wired exercise stations.

So, which one is right for you? The first thing to do is narrow your choices down to one of two main categories: internet-connected bikes that provide a range of classes via a display screen, or unconnected cycles that simply give you the ability to ride indoors (plus or minus a few bells and whistles).

Unsurprisingly, the latter option is going to be significantly less expensive. And if you’re especially motivated and can stick to a routine, it might be all you need. Some of these bikes come with a frame on the handlebars that you can attach a tablet to, and that’s a great way to access exercise classes, music or TV if you’re on a budget.

If you want to splurge for a wired stationary bike, a lot of that extra money is going toward the classes that you’ll be able to access through the bike monitor. Do your research on those before you buy and make sure that there’s enough variety in the sessions. Needless to say, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a reliable internet service at home. (It might be worth setting up the bike near your router if your signal is a bit weak through the rest of the house.)

No matter which kind of bike you buy, there are a few factors that will make or break it as a usable piece of equipment. First and foremost, there’s the question of comfort. This can be difficult to assess if you’re buying online, so look for a few videos of the bike in action. Is the seat made of soft material? Is that material moisture-resistant, and (more importantly) will it accommodate your body type? Remember that you might be spending a few hours per week on that seat, so it might be the most important part of the bike.

Stability is another key factor. There is literally no wiggle room when it comes to this: When you’re using the bike, the only things that should be moving are the wheels. If there’s any wobble side to side, it can be dangerous as well as uncomfortable. Of course, much of this depends on how you assemble the bike. Not all floors are perfectly level, so the cycle should come with some kind of way to adjust the frame. You should also make sure the pedals contain some kind of locking mechanism. Dedicated shoes that snap onto the bike directly are the gold standard, but you should at least be able to slip into some kind of foot harness or cage.

Keep in mind that even with the most stable bikes, you’ll want to keep small children from climbing aboard.

Early stationary bikes had chain system much like regular riding cycles, but today most models use a magnetic flywheel. This is a vast improvement, and for the most part they won’t need much maintenance. They can also be very quiet, which is a definite bonus if you’re trying to exercise without waking up family members.

Another big part of a stationary bike is the tech that comes with it. Even non-connected bikes will usually have some kind of monitor that tells you your speed, miles “traveled,” or calories burned. These make it easier to set goals, and some bikes even have handlebars that can keep tabs on your heart rate.

If there’s a frame provided on the handlebars, make sure that the device you use fits inside it. Plan on diversifying your bike workout a bit? Get a bike that has dumbbell holders. And most importantly, make sure there’s a water bottle holder somewhere on the frame. If the bike is worth riding at all, you’re going to need it.

If your bike isn’t supporting you in comfort right out of the box, don’t despair. There’s usually a little adjustment to be done on the seat and handlebars before you ride. To find your ideal height for the seat, stand up straight next to the bike. Bring the seat up to roughly the level of your hip bone.

Next, hop on the bike and double-check that your feet are able to pedal comfortably. While sitting down, put your foot on the pedal at the downstroke position. You should have a slight bend to your knee — nothing too severe, but you definitely don’t want to stretch straight out and you don’t want a 45-degree angle either.

If your handlebars move, check them as well. You’ll want a slight bend to your elbows, much like your knees should be when pedaling down.