Stationary exercise bicycles are available in either a recumbent or upright form, and are a much cheaper form of home cardiovascular exercise than treadmills or elliptical trainers. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, even a cheap exercise bike can give you a good workout as long as it is stable and has ample workout features for your needs.
Schwinn Active 10 Series
The Schwinn Active 10 Series is one of the cheapest bikes available in the company's extensive exercise bike line, but bicycle reviewer Rob Chapman states that this only makes it a better buy if you want a quality upright exercise bicycle. The Active 10 Series has 11 exercise programs, eddy current resistance and hand grip heart rate monitors to give you a quality workout. It costs around $170 as of 2011.
ProForm GL 105
American Council on Exercise-certified personal trainer Bret Spottke ranks the Proform GL 105 as the best upright stationary bike available under $300. The most significant features of the bike are its split-screen display so you can monitor your workout progress effectively and the heart rate resistance system. Unlike most other cheap exercise bikes, the Proform GL 105 can increase or decrease the difficulty of your workout based upon your current heart rate so you always train at the best pace possible.
Lifegear Recumbent Bike
The Lifegear Recumbent exercise bike is available for less than $200 as of March 2011. Though it only has basic features like manually adjusted magnetic brakes and a small electronic display console, the Lifegear Recumbent bike still delivers a suitable workout. An 11-lb. flywheel guarantees a smooth pedal stroke, and it has a large seat to maximize your comfort during long rides.
Schwinn Active 20 Series
Reviewers highly praise Schwinn recumbent bikes like the 230 model, but those bikes can be expensive for the fitness seeker on a budget. An excellent substitution is the Scwhinn Active 20 Series. It has the same features and quiet operation of the Schwinn Active 10 Series with the addition of a recumbent seat that will reduce the impact on your joints. According to About-Bicycles.com, the Schwinn Active 20 is available for less than $300 as of 2011.
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