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The best exercise bikes for home workouts in 2024, including £250 off Peloton
Put a new spin on getting fit
This article was updated in March to reflect the latest prices and deals. You can currently enjoy a huge £250 off the game-changing Peloton bike, £100 off our Apex winner and £350 off the top-rated Echelon EX-5S.
Getting out and about on a bike is fantastic in theory; feeling the wind rushing through your hair as you free wheel through the picturesque countryside – there's nothing quite like it. But if the unpredictable British weather, a jam-packed schedule or family commitments are stopping you from heading outdoors, a stationary exercise bike is an extremely convenient option.
The best exercise bikes are packed with features to help you get an effective workout from the comfort on your own home, including adjustable resistance, HD screens and virtual cycling trips in exciting locations around the globe.
Many also give you the ability to stream live classes led by expert instructions – providing a challenge for beginners and seasoned riders alike. These sessions aren’t limited to cycling either, with the likes of HIIT, yoga and strength training available via rotating screens. This interactive approach will help keep your fitness routine fresh and your motivation levels high.
Now, the only question remains: which exercise bike should you buy? Don’t worry, the Good Housekeeping Institute has done the hard work for you.
What is the best exercise bike?
Here’s our experts’ pick of the best exercise bikes for all budgets and needs at a glance but scroll on for full reviews, plus our indoor cycling tips.
Is it worth having an exercise bike?
In a word: yes! Here, Lucie Cowan, master trainer at Third Space, breaks down some of the key benefits.
- Cardiovascular improvements: According to Cowan, regular spin sessions can do wonders, helping you maintain a healthy cardiovascular system and improving your heart health.
- Low impact: Unlike running or jumping, indoor cycling doesn’t involve impact from contact with the ground, so it’s gentle on the joints and suitable for all ages and fitness levels. It also carries a lower risk of injury and can be good for those with existing ankle, knee or hip pain, as it can help strengthen the muscles in the lower body without putting them under too much stress.
- Effective lower body workout: Though it can’t replace strength training, Cowan says indoor cycling provides an excellent lower body workout, targeting most of the muscles in the legs. It also requires a strong, stable core.
- Mental health benefits: As with all forms of exercise, a session on your exercise bike will trigger the release of endorphins and give your mood a lift. “It can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, boost your self-esteem, confidence and overall mental wellbeing,” explains Cowan.
- Safe way to keep fit: A session on an exercise bike is safer than cycling on busy roads, particularly during the winter months. It removes hazards such as driver errors or slippery surfaces, so you can focus on getting a good workout.
How do you set up a bike for indoor cycling?
Setting up your bike correctly is crucial for a safe and effective workout, says Cowan. Here’s how to get it right.
- Seat height: Stand next to your bike and set the seat level to just below the hip bone. When seated, your knee should be slightly bent when your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
- Seat position: Your knees should be directly above the ball of your foot when the pedal is at the bottom of the stroke.
- Handlebar position: The handlebars should be close enough that your elbows have a soft bend and your back in straight while gripping them.
What is proper form for riding a stationary bike?
It’s important to maintain the right form, both for safety and optimal results. According to Cowan, here are the key things to consider.
- Mind your posture: “When we’re working hard, our shoulders tend to tense up and rise towards our ears,” she says. “This creates a hunched position and will lead to a sore neck, shoulders and traps and won’t do your performance any favours.” To avoid this, keep reminding yourself to keep your shoulders relaxed and your back straight with your core muscles engaged to provide stability.
- Pay attention to your breathing: Cowan suggests inhaling and exhaling deeply as you pedal, using your belly to breathe rather than taking in air quickly from the top of your chest. “This not only sends oxygen to your muscles, but also helps you stay focused and relaxed,” she explains.
- Perfect your pedalling technique: Push down with the ball of your feet and pull up with your heel, imaging you’re riding a square shape with your legs. “This engages different muscle groups in the front and back of the legs and provides a more balanced workout,” Cowan explains. “Concentrate on maintaining a smooth stroke, avoiding jerky movements that can lead to strain or injury.”
How we test
The GHI put exercise bikes from leading brands to the test, with each one trialled by our experts.
Close attention was paid to how stable, smooth and quiet the bikes were in use. We also checked how responsive they were when the resistance was changed, and if they were able to maintain their performance at different speeds and levels of resistance.
Ease of use and design, including how simple it was to adjust each bike to suit our testers and how comfortable they were during their rides, were considered. They also looked at the instructions for each product, with points awarded for simple, easy to understand guidance.
Overall scores were then awarded and only the bikes that impressed made our final list.
Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges.
She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.
Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Yanar was our former Fitness Group Testing Manager. She managed health and fitness product testing across all the magazines, overseeing all testing processes and ensuring our lab and panel tests are conducted to the highest standards. Yanar spent 15 years as a health and wellness content editor and writer for national titles such as Runner’s World, Men’s Health and Women’s Health. Yanar is a Level 3 qualified PT, trained yoga teacher and a registered yoga therapist. She has been into fitness and wellness her whole life. After many years running races and marathons, she now trains and competes in CrossFit and Olympic lifting. She passionately advocates strength training for women to build a stronger mind and body for life.
Jodie is our Health and Fitness product tester. She runs tests on a wide variety of products, including gym leggings, walking boots, fitness trackers and more. Jodie has managed the testing for 577 products to date, including working with over 600 panellists.
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