Finding the Best At Home Exercise Bike can transform your fitness routine, offering a convenient and effective way to stay active without leaving your house. With a plethora of options available, from budget-friendly models to high-end interactive bikes, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We’ve rigorously tested a range of stationary bikes to help you navigate the market and select the perfect equipment to meet your home workout needs. This guide provides in-depth reviews and comparisons, ensuring you find the ideal best at home exercise bike to achieve your fitness goals in 2024.
The Bowflex VeloCore stands out as a robust and well-constructed option, enhanced by its integration with Jrny, Bowflex’s and Schwinn’s workout-streaming application, for a year-long membership. It is offered in 16-inch ($1,800) and 22-inch ($2,200) screen versions and uniquely features a lean mode, simulating the side-to-side motion of outdoor cycling. While this lean feature promises to add excitement to workouts, its practical use might be less frequent than anticipated. Mastering the lean requires some practice, guided by the bike’s instructional videos, and the sensation is not entirely comparable to the natural feel of turning on a traditional bicycle.
Alt text: Bowflex VeloCore best at home exercise bike showcasing its lean mode for an immersive workout experience.
The VeloCore is designed for adjustability, featuring fully adjustable seat and handlebars. It accommodates various users with dual-sided pedals compatible with SPD cleats for cycling shoes or toe cages for regular sneakers. The magnetic resistance system offers 100 levels, providing precise control over workout intensity. However, users might notice screen shaking at higher pedaling speeds, particularly when standing. Although the bike offers an engaging riding experience, the workout content through the Jrny app (which costs $20 per month after the initial free year) may not match the depth and dynamism found in platforms like Peloton. Jrny includes on-demand, instructor-led workouts both on and off the bike, which are informative but may lack the high-energy and varied intensity levels of competing services. The VeloCore does support connectivity with other fitness apps like Peloton and Zwift via external devices, though we encountered difficulties syncing its cadence monitor with the Peloton app. For entertainment during workouts, the bike supports streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+, provided you have subscriptions.
In our 2022 testing, the Diamondback 510ic (currently unavailable) presented significant reliability issues. The first unit arrived with a defective motor, and a subsequent replacement bike also suffered from a malfunctioning RPM sensor, requiring a part replacement. These experiences highlight potential concerns regarding the durability and quality control of the Diamondback 510ic for at-home use.
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-5 utilizes a user-provided tablet mounted in a holder to access the Echelon Fit app ($39 monthly subscription). Connection is facilitated via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, offering access to workouts and classes. It includes dual-sided pedals and a display that mirrors the Peloton Bike’s interface, complete with a leaderboard for competitive engagement. However, the resistance adjustment on the EX-5 can feel less predictable compared to the Peloton, making it difficult to accurately gauge the resistance level. A notable limitation is that resistance adjustability is lost when the bike is not actively connected to the app and engaged in a class, significantly reducing its utility for casual riding. Echelon offers a comparable number of daily live classes to Peloton and boasts an extensive on-demand library with over 3,000 workouts. Despite enthusiastic instructors and some high-quality sessions, the overall app organization and workout consistency may not match the polished experience of Peloton.
Alt text: Echelon Connect EX-5 best at home exercise bike featuring a tablet for interactive fitness classes.
An enhanced version, the Echelon Connect Bike EX-5s, integrates a built-in screen for streaming Echelon’s proprietary workouts. While the bike provides a smooth ride, the resistance mechanism was found to be inconsistent, requiring excessive knob turning without clear feedback. Handlebar instability was also noted, and the forward positioning of the pedals led to some testers feeling uncomfortably close to the handlebars and screen. The Echelon user interface was described as cluttered, and the quality of water bottle holders was underwhelming. Overall, the Echelon EX-5s did not fully meet expectations given its features and market positioning as a premium best at home exercise bike option.
The Keiser M3i is recognized for its elegant design, featuring V-shaped handlebars and sleek aesthetics, alongside broad compatibility with various cycling and workout applications. Connectivity to the Keiser M Series app for ride tracking and syncing with apps like Strava is seamless. The bike’s 24 resistance levels are easily adjustable via a lever, and it accommodates a wide range of user heights (4’10” to 7’0”) and a high maximum weight capacity (350 pounds). The M3i offers a pleasant workout experience, especially when used with platforms like the Peloton app. However, its advanced features and robust build may particularly appeal to serious cyclists focused on structured training, positioning it as a top-tier best at home exercise bike for dedicated athletes.
Alt text: Keiser M3i best at home exercise bike known for its sophisticated design and user-friendly features.
The Myx II Plus, an upgrade to the Myx Plus, offers a comprehensive home gym package. A subscription to Beachbody On Demand Interactive (BODi, $39 per month) provides access to live and on-demand classes. The Myx II Plus includes a Star Trac bike equipped with sensors for cadence, distance, and speed, and a 21.5-inch tablet with enhanced audio and an 8-megapixel front camera. The package also features a generous exercise mat, bike mat, resistance band, dumbbells, kettlebell, and foam roller, making it a complete best at home exercise bike and workout solution. A Polar OH1 heart-rate monitor is included to optimize workouts based on personal effort, although adapting to heart-rate based training may require an adjustment period. The Myx II (without additional equipment) is also available for those seeking just the bike.
The NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike is equipped with a 22-inch tablet for streaming studio and scenic rides via iFit, NordicTrack’s subscription service ($39/month for family, $15/month for individual). It boasts features like automatic resistance, incline, and decline adjustments during iFit workouts. However, the screen exhibited noticeable shaking during workouts, and the screen mount and handlebars felt unstable. Durability concerns were raised when a pedal detached during testing of an initial unit, with further online reviews echoing similar issues. The bike’s large and bulky design makes it less convenient to move, and handlebar height adjustments were cumbersome due to the screen’s size and weight. These factors may detract from its appeal as a user-friendly best at home exercise bike for home environments.
Alt text: NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike best at home exercise bike featuring a large screen and iFit integration.
While the Sole SB900 offered an adequate riding experience, it lacked the refinement of top-rated models. The resistance adjustment felt vague, requiring significant knob turns for noticeable changes. The separate safety break lever, unlike integrated systems, seemed redundant. The device and water bottle holders appeared cheaply made, and the thin, inward-angled handlebars were not particularly comfortable or functional. The LCD console also requires external USB charging. Overall, the Sole SB900 is a functional at home exercise bike but lacks the premium feel and features of higher-ranked options.
For users drawn to indoor cycling classes with a dance-party atmosphere, the SoulCycle At-Home Bike is a potential fit. SoulCycle classes prioritize rhythm-based riding to music over metric tracking, requiring a $40 monthly subscription to the Equinox+ app. Off-bike workouts are not accessible via the bike’s screen and must be viewed on a separate device. The bike is solidly built and comfortable, featuring a clear 21.5-inch touchscreen (non-rotating and sometimes unresponsive). Dual-sided pedals and adjustable handlebars enhance user customization. The magnetic resistance is responsive and smooth. However, the SoulCycle experience is niche, focusing on “beat match” performance, which may not satisfy users seeking traditional progress tracking metrics in a best at home exercise bike.
Alt text: SoulCycle At-Home Bike best at home exercise bike designed for rhythm-based and immersive workout sessions.
The Yosuda Pro Indoor Cycling Bike L-010 was found to be disappointing due to its low-quality feel, with testers describing it as flimsy. The resistance response was poor, the flywheel noisy, and the LCD screen excessively dim. The Yosuda Pro falls short in delivering a satisfactory at home exercise bike experience compared to more robust and user-friendly alternatives.
Conclusion:
Choosing the best at home exercise bike depends largely on individual needs, preferences, and budget. Factors such as workout content, bike features, durability, and user experience should all be weighed. While models like the Bowflex VeloCore and Keiser M3i offer premium features and performance, considering options like Echelon and NordicTrack requires careful evaluation of their specific strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, the ideal best at home exercise bike will seamlessly integrate into your lifestyle and help you achieve your fitness aspirations from the comfort of your home.
