On the most grueling hot days and in the bitter cold, a recumbent stationary bike gives you a comfortable workout option in the comfort of a climate-controlled home or gym. Exercise bikes are not the most expensive of cardio machines, but recumbent bikes cost more than uprights. There also are quality machines for people on modest budgets.
Marcy ME 709
The Marcy ME 709 is a budget recumbent stationary bike that is still good quality. For $150 you cannot expect more than a seat, two pedals, a display and handlebars, and that's pretty much what you get with the Marcy ME 709. This bike does have the respected Marcy name as well as a padded seat for extra comfort and ultra quiet operation.
Stamina InTone 15-0200
The Stamina InTone is only about $10 more than the Marcy ME 709, but it has an attractive feature that the 709 lacks: a folding deck. The Stamina InTone folds up vertically so that it requires less room when you're not using it. This also protects the walking deck from dirt, children and pets. Other than that, you get a padded seat, handlebars and a display. The InTone is still a basic stationary bike, but that's all you're paying for. It is also quiet.
Schwinn 240 Recumbent Exercise Bike
No "best of" list would be complete without the Schwinn 240 recumbent bike. It costs only $400, which is still inexpensive for a cardio machine. For your money, you get a 300 pound weight limit, oversize "deluxe" pedals, 16 levels of resistance and two options for monitoring your heart rate. The hand grips have pulse sensors to track your pulse but only when you hold the handlebars. Or, you can wear a chest strap with constant monitoring, though women sometimes find these straps uncomfortable because they rest directly below the bra. It also features a user-friendly LCD screen and a water bottle holder.
Vision Fitness R1500 Semi-Recumbent Bike
The Vision Fitness may not be a name you know, but its R1500 semi-recumbent bike is worth considering. The R1500 has three models all with the same name. The cost of this bike ranges from $600 to $1,000 depending on the console option you choose. The R1500 Simple is around $600, the Deluxe is around $800 and the Premier is close to $1,000. When you upgrade the console, you get more workout programs. How much data the console can store increases too. Get the Premier model if you want wireless heart rate monitoring with a chest strap. All the models have pulse sensors and a 300-pound weight limit.
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