Best Exercise Bikes for Seniors
When looking for an exercise bike, seniors should pay special attention to how adjustable it is to ensure they can ride in a comfortable position
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An exercise bike can provide a flexible home workout that’s accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels, says Michael Rogers, PhD, a professor of human performance studies and the research director for the Center for Physical Activity and Aging at Wichita State University in Kansas. On an exercise bike, even high-intensity workouts are low-impact exercises, which may be preferable for seniors or anyone with joint pain or certain other health problems.
“One great advantage of these is the variety [of workout classes] they offer,” he says. These classes range from “the very beginning stages, for someone who has not been on a bike ever, all the way up to the more advanced classes that have high-intensity-type activities.” And the health benefits of regularly working out are substantial. Routine exercise has been tied to improvements in blood pressure, joint mobility, body weight, cognitive acuity, and more, according to Rogers.
What Makes ‘Studio Bikes’ Different
Since the start of the pandemic, home exercise bikes that duplicate the experience of riding a road bike have become popular, often called studio bikes. According to survey data from the group PeopleForBikes, 75 percent of those new to indoor biking planned to continue riding in the future.
Special Considerations for Seniors
Try before you buy. Seniors—like everyone else—should try a bike before buying it, says Bernie Deitrick, who oversees exercise bike testing at CR. An uncomfortable or poorly fitting bike could deter motivation and, worse, cause pain or exacerbate physical problems, Rogers says.
Look into trainers. People who aren’t experienced cyclists may want to consider a session with a personal trainer, who can help adjust a new bike to the right position, assess fitness levels, and recommend classes at an appropriate starting level.
Study the adjustability score. The five spin-style exercise bikes rated by CR do relatively well in our testing. But seniors in particular may want to pay special attention to the adjustability scores, which reflect the ability to adjust handlebar height, seat height, and seat position.
On these bikes, you generally lean forward in a way that may be uncomfortable for people with certain back problems. Because of that, a bike that allows the rider to sit a bit more upright may be preferable, Deitrick says. Rogers says raising the handlebars higher means you generally don’t have to lean forward as much.
Find the right-sized seat. Another factor that seniors may want to consider is the size (and the comfort) of the seat, or saddle, Deitrick says. A narrow racing seat can be uncomfortable for some. While some bikes come with a wider seat out of the box, you can swap out the seat on any of these bikes for one that you find more comfortable.
Pay attention to the types of pedals on your bike. With some bikes, like the Peloton, the built-in option requires you to use clip-in cycling shoes, so make sure you’re comfortable attaching your feet to your bike. Others have toe cages that you slide your regular athletic shoes into. (It’s possible to swap out the pedals, according to Deitrick, but you’ll need the right wrench and know-how to do so.)
Consider riding in a recumbent position. Although we don’t include them in our ratings, exercise bikes that allow you to ride in the recumbent position—reclined instead of leaning forward—may be good for those who have certain back problems or those who have balance issues, Deitrick and Rogers say.
Adjustable Exercise Bikes for Seniors
Of the exercise bikes tested by CR, here are a few picks with features that may be preferable for senior riders. Though all the bikes in our tests perform fairly well across the board, these four CR-recommended exercise bikes score highly in our adjustability test. CR members can check out our full ratings and reviews of exercise bikes.
