Best Exercise Bikes for Bad Knees Reviews & Buying Guide
Bad knees can significantly narrow down your exercise and workout options. However, cycling remains a great low-impact exercise recommended for people with knee problems, such as osteoarthritis, arthritic knees, or old knee injuries.
After a long and daunting search for the best exercise bike for bad knees, I finally found and settled for the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike.
Studies report that stationary bikes are best for knee rehab. That’s because they strengthen knee muscles and joints while supporting your knees and causing less stress.
More specifically, we recommend recumbent bikes as the best exercise bikes for bad knees compared to upright bikes. Despite recumbent bikes exercising the same muscles as upright bikes, they are easier on your joints. Thus, they reduce the chances of worsening your knee problems.
In this article, we’ll review three of the best exercise bikes for bad knees in 2021, discussing their features and benefits, outlining any downsides, and explaining who they fit best. We will also explain what to look out for when choosing the best exercise bike for knee rehab to ensure you make the best and most informed buying decision.
Upright Vs. Recumbent Which one is batter for Bad Knees
When it comes to exercise bike, there are two major option that comes to mind, One is Upright and the other is Recumbent. Upright bike is designed to simulate outdoor bike in all aspects meaning in terms of the positioning of the pedals and the handlebars.
However the recumbent exercise bike provides more relaxed way of cycling as it puts the paddle in front of you rather than below while providing adequate back support through the back rest. So considering the reclined position and the less impact on knees Recumbent Bike tend to be the better option for people with bad knees.
3 Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes for Bad Knees
Recumbent bikes are hailed for their comfort and, as mentioned earlier, their low impact on your knees as you exercise. You can get the best cardio workout on the following three recumbent exercise bikes despite your knee problems. But you must be sure to maintain the correct posture, seat position, and resistance level to get the most of your workout.
Here are 3 of the best exercises for knee problems.
Our Top 3 Picks:
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1. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike
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The Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike is a high-end model that offers top-notch quality and performance. It is the best option for people looking for the best exercise bike for knee replacement rehab, and it is easy to see why.
The bike has the availability of multiple adjustments, including 25 intensity levels and 29 workout programs. It allows you to choose the lowest impact for your bad knee. You can also test your physical capabilities using the inbuilt fitness test.
This bike prioritizes comfort with ergonomic pedals, a heavily cushioned and ventilated seat, and improved lower back support. You can adjust the seat to most body types and fitness levels to ensure you get your much-needed low-impact workout for knee replacement rehab.
Not to forget the electromagnetic tension that ensures a smooth and quiet ride, allowing you to focus on your workout and not the noise other bikes make. The pedals on this bike have wide platforms and come with foot straps.
The Schwinn dual track two LCD window and goal tracking systems will help you monitor your goals and keep you challenged and motivated.
Even better, this exercise bike offers Bluetooth connectivity, a USB charging port, and data transfer functionality, a media rack, adjustable fan, built-in bottle holder, and in-sole speakers.
Products Details
Product Dimensions: 64 x 27.7 x 49.9 inches
Weight: 86.6 Pounds
Material: Carbon Steel
Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 Pounds
Inseam length: 25” – 35”
2. Exerpeutic 900xl Recumbent Exercise Bike With Pulse
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The Exerpeutic 900xl stationary bike is a budget and user-friendly stationary bike with a durable design. It is the best exercise bike for arthritic knees that features several essential features for alleviating knee pain.
The seat, for instance, is grand and well-padded with reliable back support and side handles that assure maximum comfort and correct exercise posture. The seat is also adjustable, making it suitable for taller individuals.
Among its best features include an LCD screen that lets you know the distance you’ve cycled, the speed, time used, and calories burnt. This exercise bike has hand pulse sensors that track your heart rate to help you make necessary improvements to your workout routine or program.
With this bike, you get to choose from eight resistance levels that ensure minimum strain for your knees. You also get to enjoy noiseless operation thanks to its flywheel and magnetic control system.
Additionally, you can enjoy long sessions on this bike while watching your favorite movie, film, or show.
Product Details
Product Dimensions LxWxH: 54 x 22 x 34 inches
Item Weight: 63 Pounds
Seat adjustments: 5.3” – 6.6.”
Inseam Length: 26” – 34”
Maximum Height: 54 Inches
Minimum Height: 34 Inches
Weight capacity: 300 pounds
3. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709
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The step-through design of the Marcy Recumbent exercise bike makes it easy to get on and off the bike, making it the best exercise bike for knee rehab. It is an industry favorite due to its heavy-duty construction, compact design, and affordable price point.
This bike offers the best support for your lower body, back, and arms with its ergonomic design. The lightweight recumbent bike also comes with an oversized seat and a well-padded backrest so that you can work out in a relaxed position.
The pedals are counterbalanced to provide comfort and user-friendliness, have safety straps to secure your feet as you cycle, and weight pedals to enhance foot support.
You can customize your workout plan by switching between eight resistance levels available, using tension knobs found under the handlebars.
The LCD screen allows you to monitor your performance and progress plus keep the necessary records such as calories burnt, time, speed, and distance. However, the LCD screen is not a backlight, meaning you can’t read it at night.
Product Details
Product Dimensions: 55.5 x 25 x 37.5 inches
Product Weight: 59.52 Pounds
Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 Pounds
Inseam Length: 27” – 36”
Buying Guide: Choosing The Best Exercise Bike For Bad Knees
There is a lot to consider before purchasing the best exercise bike for knee problems. Here are a few of these considerations and how they affect your choice.
Type
As aforementioned, recumbent bikes are the best type of bike to choose if you have arthritic knees, a knee injury, or other knee problems. As seen, they offer maximum comfort with plush seats, ergonomic positioning, back support and facilitate low-impact exercise and knee rehabilitation.
Size
Both your height and space it requires for use and storage determine the right size of an exercise bike. You must ensure that you go for a size that matches your height correctly and comfortably to ensure you maintain the correct posture and position when working out.
Thus, it is crucial to find the best exercise bike based on the available space. Remember that recumbent bikes are bulkier than upright bikes, so you need more space.
Budget
Based on my analysis, most stationary bikes for bad knees range anywhere between $100 and $5000. The more expensive ones are high-end brands with multiple features, while the cheaper ones are low-end models with fewer features. Either can work, but it depends on how much you are willing to spend and which features are the most important to you.
Seat Position
The seat position on different exercise bike types and brands varies. However, an adjustable seat that ensures minimal bend at all times should be a constant. You should be able to move the seat on a recumbent bike forward and backward, whereas the seat on an upright bike must be easy to adjust up and down.
Weight Capacity
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s weight capacity guidelines. Note that ignoring the weight capacity guideline significantly increases the risk of injury.
Noise
Loud squeaking and screeching noises can be very annoying and distracting when you are cycling. Therefore, go for an exercise bike that is quieter, preferably one that utilizes magnetic resistance instead of manual resistance.
Pedals
Pedals with a slight inward slope are the best for people with knee problems as they put minimal strain on your knees. The pedal platform should also be big enough to accommodate your shoes and feet, and foot clips are a plus as they prevent your feet from slipping during intense pedaling.
LCD Screen
The LCD screen monitors and displays your progress and performance stats during the workout. On some models, you can also use it to watch and follow a variety of workout routines that keep you hyped and motivated.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the three best exercise bikes for arthritic knees and other knee problems. These best exercise bikes for bad knees will ensure you start enjoying your workouts again without straining your knees.
I have found the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Exercise Bike to be the best overall bike for bad knees. Schwinn is a renowned brand that has been producing bicycles and home fitness equipment since 1895, and the quality of their products is unmatched.
I especially love its walk-through base design, high-speed and high inertia systems that ensure I get the most from my workout despite my knee injury. Workouts on the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Exercise bike are fun and exciting. That’s thanks to the free Schwinn Trainer App, phone holder, VR compatibility, MP3 input port, and in-console speakers.
We hope you can use this review and buying guide to make the best exercise bike choice for you, depending on your needs, budget, and preferences. Whatever machine you choose, ensure that it is safe and designed to strengthen and care for your delicate knees.