Best Portable Exercise Bike

Thinking about purchasing a portable exercise bike?

On this page we're going to tell what to look for and what to consider in order to find the best portable exercise bike for you.

Let's begin with some basics. You want an exercise bike that's going to give you a good workout, as good as you'll get on a similar machine at the gym. But since your living space is limited, you need something that doesn't take up the whole room. In fact, you'd really like a recumbent bike that you can easily store out of the way.

You want a low-impact, cadiovascular workout that will burn those calories quickly and let you get on with the rest of hurried life.

So let's look at some considerations for the best portable exercise bike:

Type of Exercise Bike

There are three basic types of exercise bikes. The upright bike looks very much like a traditional bike and when you sit on it, you sit in an upright position. A semi-recumbent bike allows you to sit back further, in a more comforable position. And finally, a recumbent bike provides a position in which your feet are out in front of you, nearly as high as the rest of your body, and your back is fully supported by the seat. Recumbent models are especially good for those who have joint or back problems.

Features

Not every bike will include all of these features, and the more features a bike does include the more you're likely to pay. With that said, you might want to consider if there's a padded seat and if it's adjustable. You might also want to consider if it comes with a control panel, and if so, how extensive it is. A very fundamental display board will show your riding time, speed and distance. More advanced units will also include calories burned, resistance levels (for magnetic resistance systems, which we'll address shortly), and heart rate.

For a portable exercise bike, you'll also want to consider the ease with which it folds up or tears down. And what it's footprint (how much space it takes up) is both when in use and when stored.

Is it an adjustable magnetic resistance system. These are much more difficult to find in portable bikes, but they're also considered to be the best. You're provided with the ability to set your resistance level with this system, which uses an electrical current through a magnet, and change resistance even while you're working out. It provides a very quiet ride.

Construction

One of the major considerations for a portable exercise bike is its sturdiness. You want to make sure it's well constructed to hold up under consistent workouts. Can it effortlessly support your weight, for example? Is it stable? Is the frame solid and high-quality? Is the design easy to assemble? And does it include a tool kit for even easier assembly?

Safety

There aren't many safety features to take into consideration, beyond sturdy construction and a comfortable, balanced seat. You'll probably want to also look for a bike with non-skid foot pedals and safety straps. These can help prevent your feet from slipping off the pedal and causing a loss of balance or an injury to your leg muscles.

Performance

Not every bike rides smoothly. As we mentioned above, an adjustable magnetic resistance system is the smoothest, quietest ride you'll find. Look for a stable bike that doesn't rock or threaten to tip when you ride it. Also look for a quiet bike. It's easy to get bored while working out. If your portable exercise bike is quiet, you can watch television or listen to your iPod without fighting against the noise of the bike.

Price

Exercise bikes can range from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars. Generally, the more features, the sturdier the bike, the more you'll pay. But there is a wide price range and an equally wide range of features and accessories.