8 Best Exercise Bikes Under $200: Budget Bikes For Home Gyms

Exercise Bikes Under $200 Compared

What To Expect From Budget Friendly Home Gym Bikes

There are exercise bikes available for every budget and many specific needs. The cheaper models may come with less of the fancy features that top-of-the-line models boast about, such as pre-programmed exercise programs or Bluetooth connections.

Bikes between $100 and $200 may not be as sturdy or capable of accommodating everyone, but this does not mean they lack quality. Many feature LCD screens that give detailed stats about the rider's distance covered, calories burned, and even monitor heart rates. Several cheaper models are foldable, making them great solutions for people with limited space.

Choosing a Quality Home Exercise Bike for Under $200

Exercise Requirements Vs. Bike Type

We don’t all have the same needs when it comes to exercise, which is reflected in the range of home exercise bikes available. There are a few standard types, with the upright stationary bike being most popular.

This kind of model is great for those looking for a serious calorie-burning cardio workout. Recumbent bikes offer a more comfortable ride that puts less stress on your joints. Mini models are also available that sit under your desk, which are great for people with hectic lifestyles.

Flywheel Resistance

Stationary bikes create resistance in several ways. Most use a flywheel that is heavily weighted and makes the experience similar to riding a road bike.

The flywheel will use either direct contact braking (creating resistance through friction) or magnetic resistance (resistance is created through electromagnetic induction). Magnetic resistance is a lot quieter and needs less maintenance, as friction can cause wear and tear. Some models may instead create resistance by using a fan.

Dimensions (In Use & In Storage)

The space needed to use and store your bike is another serious consideration to take into account. Some bikes are foldable and may even have wheels to make storage easier, but some do not.

Recumbent bikes will need more room than upright bikes, so make sure you measure the space you have available. Most will likely need at least 40 inches in space.

Rider Comfort

Most bikes are built to deal with a range of heights and weights. Make sure your bike will accommodate you - most affordable models will comfortably take riders weighing up to 200+ pounds. The seat's comfort is also another consideration, and if a more comfortable ride is a necessity for you, a recumbent or 2-in-1 bike may be the better option.

Ease of Assembly

Home exercise bikes should be easy to put together, but how easy a particular bike actually is to assemble is a crucial consideration, especially if you live alone. Properly assembled equipment is essential for a safe and efficient workout.  

Build Quality & Design

Look for reviews that testify to the bike’s durability. While spending more money should be a guarantee of quality, that may not always be the case. If your budget is limited, it’s imperative to make sure you're getting as high quality a bike as possible.

Extra Bike Features

1. Slim Cycle (Original - As Seen On TV)

Best exercise bike under $200

The Slim Cycle 2-in-1 Stationary Bike by BulbHead has a lot to recommend it. This As-Seen-on-TV exercise bike is attempting to be marketable to a wide audience. With a seat that can be placed either upright or reclined, this model can be used as an upright stationary bike for a high-intensity cardio workout and also as a recumbent bike for low-impact exercise that is kinder on your joints.

The seat is designed for comfort, with a memory foam cushion and a backrest that supports your lower back, encouraging good posture as you exercise. The pedals have straps to help support your feet, and the bike folds completely flat, allowing for easy storage and making it a great option for limited floor space.

Selling for just under $200, it is on the upper end of this price bracket, but I believe many of its features make it a good value for money. It has the unusual bonus of included arm resistance bands, allowing you to burn more calories by working out both your upper and lower body.

The bike's display tells you your distance, speed, calories burned, and even heart rate and the accompanying app allows you to take advantage of 10 free virtual rides. It’s designed to accommodate people from 4'1'' to 6' 4'' and can support nearly 300 lbs, but some reviewers question how suitable this bike is for those on the upper end of the scale.

Overall, there is a lot to recommend this machine, both for seasoned workout pros and complete beginners.

2. DeskCycle

Best under desk exercise bike under $200

It’s become increasingly clear in recent years that our sedentary lifestyles are causing a massive increase in health issues. It isn’t helped by the long hours many of us spend sitting down at a desk for work.

You can use machines such as the DeskCycle Under Desk Bike to help you keep fit while you work. It uses magnetic resistance to make the machine as quiet as possible to not be disruptive while you work.

DeskCycle also promises to be easy to set up and simple to operate, with a dial allowing you to select from 8 different resistance levels, which it falsely claims is twice the number offered by its competitors. Customers note that it took them less than half an hour to get their DeskCycle operational out of the box.

Weighing just 23 pounds and operated by battery, this under desk exercise peddler can be easily moved from the office to your home, and used under desks as low as 27 inches.

This exercise bike is selling for around $180 and would be an excellent option for older people, those recovering from injuries or illness that cannot complete intense exercise, and those looking to keep fit while they work. With nearly 4,000 Amazon reviews and an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars, it certainly seems that this handy device delivers on its promise.

3. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike (ME-709)

Best recumbent exercise bike under $200

While exercise bikes are great for cardio workouts and calorie burning, they can also put significant strain on your joints and could cause stress on your wrists due to gripping the handles.

For older people, those with joint conditions, or those who are new to serious exercise, a recumbent exercise bike could be a great choice as it allows you to sit back with proper posture. The Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike (ME-709) is a quality product for under $200. Currently sold at around $190, it is ergonomically designed in several areas to offer a comfortable ride.

It has a high-density sponge padded seat that can easily be adjusted with a handy level, allowing multiple users to exercise with ease. It also features a backrest and foam-covered handles for a more comfortable grip.

These same handles also claim to trace your pulse. You can track exercise stats with the standard LCD screen. If you wish to watch a TV show or read while you cycle, the Marcy bike has a device stand for tablets.

4. YOSUDA Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike

Best upright exercise bike under $200

This bike is also made by YOSUDA, and at first glance, it is remarkably similar to the Slim Cycle mentioned above. Like the Slim Cycle, this is another model that folds for easy storage and offers more than one mode.

However, the YOSUDA Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike goes one step further - it claims to be a 3-in-1 model, with it able to act as both a recumbent and upright exercise bike with a little adjustment. But between these two modes, it offers a third - semi-recumbent.

The added benefit of this option is not fully explained by YOSUDA. While it could offer a good bridge for users who are building up their strength and looking to move from low-impact to high-intensity workouts, it doesn’t really strike me as a distinctive enough feature against the Slim Cycle.

It also includes arm resistance bands and also carries a wide range of users by weight and height, but its figures are slightly lower, with 250 lbs to the Slim Cycle's almost 300 lbs. It is the cheaper model, but only just, currently being sold for under $190 online.

On its own, this is still a good indoor exercise bike and great for people with little floor space as it folds flat. However, against the Slim Cycle, it comes in second place, with not even a significantly lower price tag to recommend it more.

5. Body Rider BRF700

Best fan exercise bike under $200

One of the biggest draws for the Body Rider Upright Fan Bike is its ability to double as both an exercise bike and a cooling fan. With the pedals turning the fan and creating resistance to challenge you, cool air is also produced, which is a great bonus for an exercise machine.

The belt drive system is quieter than chain systems used on other bikes, which is great for those wanting to exercise in peace.

This bike also bills itself as a 2-in-1 product, and instead of adding resistance bands, it instead adds elliptical arms. This exercise bike will need assembly, but other customers report it being relatively straightforward. Also included with the bike is a warranty of one year for the bike's frame and 90 days for its parts, provided it has been used correctly.

At under $170, it is a cheaper alternative than other upright exercise bikes that we've looked at. Also included are an LCD screen displaying your stats, an adjustable padded seat, and straps for the pedals. The resistance can be adjusted via a turn knob. The most desirable feature of this particular bike has to be the added bonus of a constant stream of cool air.

6. Exerpeutic Motorized Leg & Arm Pedal Exerciser

Best mini exercise bike under $200

At first glance, the Exerpeutic Motorized Leg & Arm Pedal Exerciser might appear remarkably similar to the DeskCycle. While they both serve similar functions and have similar appearances, there is a key difference to the Exerpeutic.

Besides being one of the best mini exercise bikes, it’s also the best motorized pedal exerciser under $200 and is currently being sold for just over $100. For people with no or little leg function, an exercise machine like this can be invaluable. Exercise is essential for everyone, not only in maintaining our body's fitness but also through improving our mental wellbeing.

With motorized pedals and a hand-held speed controller, this machine helps exercise both legs and arms comfortably and easily. Using a machine like this can help keep joints working well and prevent the development of arthritis, improve circulation, and maintain muscle strength.

It comes ready to use straight from the box. It’s lighter than the DeskCycle and has a carry handle, making it easy to move and store. It’s not battery operated and needs to be plugged into the mains, so while it’s easy to move, it’s not portable. The Exerpeutic Pedal Exerciser has been well-regarded by its customers, with an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

7. XTERRA Fitness FB350

Best folding exercise bike under $200

If space is a big issue for your home gym, the XTERRA Fitness FB350 is a good option. The foldable upright exercise bike is both sturdy and comfortable.

With a supportive backrest and two sets of padded handles both next to the seat and at the front of the bike, you have the choice between two exercise positions. This versatility is helpful, especially as using an upright exercise bike with your hands in one position too long can put a strain on your wrists and shoulders.

As with other options, the XTERRA upright bike has eight levels of resistance, changed with an easy tension knob, and a battery-powered LCD screen showing stats. The pulse sensors are clearly located on the handles, which is a helpful design feature.

The seat is adjustable, but despite its sturdy frame, the bike is capable of supporting a much narrower range of heights and weights than others on this list. Its weight capacity is 225 lbs and can adjust to support heights of 4’ 10’’ to 5’ 10’’.

However, it can fold down to a size of 20.5 x 20 inches and has wheels for easy movement and storage. This bike is the best choice for a small home gym, and is currently priced at around $150 online.

8. ProGear 225

Best cheap exercise bike under $200

The ProGear 225 is the cheapest full exercise bike on this list. It’s a great option for those with a limited budget and still offers many great benefits that other exercise bikes under $200 have.

This upright foldable bike neatly closes up to save you space, and although the lack of a backrest means this bike doesn’t offer as much support, it does mean it can fold smaller if saving space is a big concern.

Again, because of its compact nature, it doesn’t offer as big a range for heights and weights, with the seat capable of adjusting for heights of 5’1’’ to 6’ and the frame supporting 220 lbs. While this isn’t as heavy as models like the Slim Cycle, which can carry close to 300 lbs, it’s also not far off the XTERRA, and yet the two bikes have a significant price gap.

For sturdiness, this little bike can hold its own. The standard LCD screen is available with stats for your exercise session, with the bike even able to record your pulse. The pedals have straps for extra support, and the seat cushion is curved and padded for maximum comfort.

This is an affordable machine that will perform as you need it to. And for a cheaper model is quite impressive. It comes with a warranty of one year for the frame and 90 days for the parts.

Comparing Different Types of Exercise Bikes

Recumbent Vs. Upright

Upright bikes are the most like road bikes in their setup, with the seat positioned above the pedals. This can put a strain on joints, so recumbent bikes with seats set much further back and slightly reclined are a gentler option for those who cannot always tolerate a high-intensity workout.

To experience the best of each option, 2-in-1 adjustable exercise bikes come highly recommended by many users.

Read Our Full Comparison: Recumbent Vs. Upright Exercise Bikes

Regular Bikes Vs. Under Desk

The most significant difference between regular and under desk bikes is clearly the size. One needs dedicated floor and storage space, and the other can be slotted under a desk. Traditional bikes suit those who like to set aside time for exercise, and under-desk peddlers are great for those who need to slot exercise into a hectic work schedule.

Health Benefits of Regular Bike Exercise

Exercise Bike Workouts for Every Goal

Exercise bikes are great for interval training, where you will alternate between low, medium, and high intensity, allowing you to maximize the calories burned during your session.

There are some great resources out there with suggestions for alternating intensities for different needs, such as beginners, those looking to lose weight, and those developing better toleration for interval training. 

If guided exercise is more your speed, this beginner class for exercise bikes from a popular fitness YouTuber may just be the start you need.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What muscles does an exercise bike work?

Using an exercise bike is a great way to get in a cardio workout. It will be particularly effective for leg and core muscles, along with the lower back. Some bikes include features that also engage your arm muscles.

Are folding exercise bikes as stable to ride as recumbent bikes?

Due to its build, a folding bike will not be as stable as a solidly built recumbent bike; however, well-made models are still safe for exercise.

How do exercise bikes compare to other cardio equipment?

Additional equipment such as a treadmill may help you burn more calories during your workout due to the position needed, but it does put more strain on your joints. An elliptical can also minimize the stress, and exercise bikes can include elliptical arms, but it may not offer enough support for your back. A rowing machine has similar low intensity benefits to an exercise bike, but it may take more time to understand the proper form needed.

Can I change the seat on my exercise bike to make it more comfortable?

This will depend on your chosen model. Some seats can be removed, and others can be improved with padded cushions or gel pads.

Where can I buy top rated exercise bikes under $200?

Amazon is a reliable seller of all kinds of exercise equipment, including exercise bikes.

Conclusion

There’s a bike for every need, and many great models can be found for less than $200. By far, the most versatile exercise bike for home use is the Slim Cycle 2-in-1. With two modes of use, multiple resistance levels, and resistance bands to engage your whole body, it’s an excellent choice for a home gym.