Upright exercise bikes are low profile cardio machines that can fit into smaller spaces than most other cardio trainers like treadmills, ellipticals and rowing machines. They also burn calories faster than recumbent exercise bikes, making them a great choice for your home gym.
Our top pick after the latest update:
If you need to buy one of the best upright exercise bikes in the market today, we scoured the internet and over 500 reviews to select the best performing upright exercise bike for your home gym and fitness needs.
The Best Upright Exercise Bikes in this review
Best Overall – Schwinn 170 Upright Bike
If our top pick is unavailable – Nautilus U616 Upright Bike
Best Premium Option – Iron Company C535U SportsArt Upright Exercise Bike
Best compact upright bike – NOHrD Indoor Upright Exercise Bike
Best for those on a budget – Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2906 Upright Bike
Alternative Budget option – Schwinn A10 Upright Bike
Honorable Mention – Kettler Giro S3 Exercise Bike
1. Schwinn 170 Upright Bike
Pros
- Affordable.
- Quiet magnetic resistance.
- 29 pre-set workout programs.
- 25 levels of magnetic resistance.
- Simple and easy to assemble.
Cons
- Lightweight flywheel.
- Seats are not very comfortable.
Product details
- Max. Load – 300 lbs.
- Resistance Level – 25 magnetic resistance levels.
- Assembled Weight – 58.4 lbs.
- Console – heart rate, speed, distance, Revolution Per Minute (RPM), calories burned.
Schwinn 170 Upright Bike is our pick for the best upright exercise bike for having a great overall package. It measures 41.3” L x 21.4” W x 55.6” H and is easy to assemble right out of the box.
Once you’re set up, you can enjoy 25 levels of magnetic resistance for more challenging workouts and 29 pre-set workout programs. The padded seat is adjustable and comfortable for most workout sessions and it includes extras such as a 3-speed fan, phone/tablet holder, a bottle holder, and a heart rate sensor.
The Schwinn 170 upright bike runs quietly too and would work great in an apartment with noise limitations. If you consider the sub $500 price tag, it works out to be a great deal if you need an upright exercise bike for your home.
2. Nautilus U616 Upright Bike
Pros
- 25 levels of resistance.
- 29 pre-set workout programs.
- Very easy to assemble.
- It comes with an MP3 input port and a USB charging port.
- easy to maintain
Cons
- The display is not the best.
- Limited warranty on the frame.
Product details
- Max. Load – 300 lbs.
- Resistance Level – 25 levels.
- Assembled Weight – 76 lbs.
- Console – Revolution Per Minute (RPM), speed, heart rate, calories burned, programs.
The Nautilus U616 upright exercise bike is the next pick if our top pick is unavailable. It is a heavy-duty upright bike and can bear up to 300 lbs of load, making it ideal for heavy people. It is also impressive that it achieved this with a small footprint of 41.8” L × 21.6” W × 57.6” H. It also comes with transport wheels for moving it around.
For your cycling sessions, you get 25 levels of magnetic resistance and 29 pre-set workout programs that cover almost every need. It also comes with all the bells and whistles.
Although the display looks dated when compared to some modern Nautilus treadmills, it does a good job of showing all your running stats in a finely laid-out manner.
3. Iron Company C535U SportsArt Upright Exercise Bike
Pros
- It has a high weight capacity of 400 lbs.
- 40 levels of magnetic resistance.
- Strong commercial-grade construction.
- 10 pre-set workout programs.
- Bluetooth connectivity, bottle holder included.
Cons
- The volume controls are only compatible with iOS devices.
- You’ll pay a premium price for this.
Product details
- Max. Load – 400 lbs.
- Resistance Level – 20 magnetic resistance levels.
- Assembled Weight – 125.4 lbs.
- Console – 10 programs, SA WELL+ app, Bluetooth, USB ports, calories burned.
The Iron Company C535u SportsArt Upright bike is a heavy-duty exercise bike and the closest experience you can have at home to a commercial exercise bike. It has a premium feel that makes it hard to recommend for regular people who just want an upright bike for occasional spin sessions. It screams “Pro athlete” all through.
SportsArt C535u is built with a robust steel frame that can hold up to 400 lbs and measures 45.5” L × 22.8” W × 56.3” H. You get 40 levels of magnetic resistance and 10 pre-set workout programs that are more than enough for seasoned pros and newbies alike. It’s able to pair with your phone via buletooth for music playback and includes all the regular bells and whistles.
Overall, Iron Company C535u upright bike is the best premium upright bike that you can buy for your home gym. It is built to last, versatile, and easy to maintain.
4. NOHrD Indoor Upright Exercise Bike
Pros
- Good design and finishing.
- High carrying weight load of 440 lbs.
- Self-powered exercise bike.
- Highly portable. Requires less storage space.
- Transport wheels for moving it around.
Cons
- Wheel rubber might tear.
- Requires proper maintenance.
Product details
- Max. Load – 440 lbs.
- Planetary gear unit – 1:8 ratio.
- Assembled Weight – 132 lbs.
- Saddle handle – 30°.
You won’t quite see an Upright bike like the NOHrD upright bike. It is a beautiful work of art, made from steel and wood design which comes in five different colors, ash, club, cherry, walnut, and shadow.
The slim and understated footprint make it one of the most compact upright exercise bikes in the market even though it can carry as much as 440 lbs.
Unlike many of the upright exercise bikes in the market, the NOHrD indoor upright bike is entirely self-powered and does not require an electrical source to function. It runs quietly too.
NOHrD indoor Upright bike comes highly recommend if you’re looking for a bike to fit in your living room and have got the budget as this level of performance and beauty doesn’t come cheap.
5. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2906 Upright Bike
Pros
- It supports a maximum user weight of 240 lbs.
- It sports a 2-way adjustable seat.
- Possesses a smooth and quiet belt drive.
- Pulse sensors on the handlebars.
- It is lightweight at 44 lbs.
Cons
- Meagre 8 levels of resistance.
- Some users prefer a 4-way adjustable seat.
Product details
- Max. Load – 240 lbs.
- Resistance Level – 8 magnetic resistance levels.
- Assembled Weight – 44 lbs.
- Console – pulse sensors, distance, speed, odometer, calories burned.
Sunny Health & Fitness makes affordable fitness equipment that work well and this SF-B2906 upright bike is no exception. It weighs in at less than 50lbs and can carry a maximum of 240lbs. The dimensions are 35” L × 20.5” W × 51.5”H which means that it stays compact and does not take up a lot of space.
Coming to performance, you only get 8 levels of magnetic resistance which although is perfect for light use, is not enough if you want more challenging spin sessions. The seat is comfortable and adjustable, and the upright bike comes with all the other accessories you expect to see.
For a sub $250 price point, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better upright bike that simply works and that’s why Sunny Health and Fitness SF-B2906 Upright bike makes our list.
6. Schwinn A10 Upright Bike
Pros
- Simple and strong design.
- 8 magnetic resistant levels.
- Top-notch fitness meter.
- Adjustable seat and handlebars for increased comfort.
- Easy to assemble.
Cons
- Heart rate monitors are sometimes inaccurate.
- Persons taller than 6-feet might struggle with the bike.
Product details
- Max. Load – 275 lbs.
- Resistance Level – 8 magnetic resistance levels.
- Assembled Weight – 57.7 lbs.
- Console – track time, distance, calories burned, heart rate, speed.
Schwinn A10 upright bike is our alternative pick for a budget upright bike. It has a simple design whilst having a strong build. It is compact and can carry up to 275lbs of load on its padded seats.
For your spin, you’re getting 8 levels of magnetic resistance and 6 pre-installed workout programs to choose from. Other features include a fitness meter that tracks and display your speed, heart rate, distance, and workout efficiency.
Overall, Schwinn A10 is a stripped down version of our top pick which still does enough to deserve a spot on our list of the best upright exercise bikes in the market.
7. Kettler Giro S3 Exercise Bike
Pros
- Strong build. Able to hold up to 285 lbs.
- Quiet belt drive.
- 6-panel LCD showing distance, speed, time, and pulse.
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance.
- 4-way adjustable seat.
Cons
- It does not sport a sound system or cooling fan.
- No online connectivity.
Product details
- Max. Load – 285 lbs.
- Resistance level – 8 magnetic resistance levels.
- Assembled Weight – 83.8 lbs.
- Console – Time, Revolution Per Minute (RPM), pulse, distance.
The Kettler Giro S3 upright exercise bike is a good fitness bike for toning the legs and other cardio exercises. This upright bike from Kettler features a strong and durable high-carbon steel powder-coated structure that allows for a maximum carrying load of 285 lbs. It isn’t an overly large exercise bike due to the dimensions 19.29” L × 44.09” W × 25.98” H it has.
It sports a good range of 8 levels of magnetic resistance; which is good for some people but not all. The flywheel belt drive on the Kettler Giro S3 exercise bike is a quiet one. So, if you like your bike quiet, Kettler claims to offer it.
It sports a 6-panel display which allows you to read your heart rate, speed, time, and other features as you exercise. Another feature of this bike is the adjustable seat; it allows you to find the perfect and most comfortable sitting style for yourself.
Overall, the Kettler Giro S3 is a good buy for anyone, however, the absence of a sound system, cooling fan, and bottle holder might be a turn off for others.
How to Choose the Best Upright Exercise Bike
Buying an upright exercise bike can be a difficult task if you don’t know what to look out for. From reviewing a lot of stationary bikes, I know that these are some of the key features to consider before splashing the cash for an Upright bike
1. Weight and height limits
This is one of the most important things to consider, especially if you’re not a regular person. Basically, if you weigh more or are taller than the general population, you need to keep an eye on the weight and height limits of your exercise bike. Technically, there are no height limits, but there is a “maximum seat to pedal length” that determines how comfortable your feet and knees will feel when you use the machine.
Generally, any Upright bike with a carrying capacity of less than 200lbs isn’t worth the price.
2. Resistance Levels and Pre-set Programs
The idea of working out on an exercise bike is to gain or maintain a fit state. If you need to push your body to its limit or looking for extra strain, you will need to get a bike that supports a wide range of resistance. These levels practically act as motivation to you.
If you do not need such a high-level strain, then a smaller resistance is best. Pre-set programs help you in your workout. This feature should always be present in your upright bike. If you don’t use it, that’s fine, but a good bike must have it as one of the features.
3. Seat and handlebars
It might seem like a not-needed feature to a beginner user of exercise bikes. But, this feature is necessary in many ways for you. To get in the best position for your body size, you need to select an upright bike with seats that can be fully adjustable.
Some exercise bikes come with 2-way seat adjustments and some others can be adjusted in any direction (up, down, forward, backward). You need to understand how you want your bike and go for it. The handlebars of your preferred bike should also be adjustable to prevent too much strain on your arms and upper body.
4. Display
A display screen on an exercise bike is a nice-to-have feature. Having a display allows you to keep up with the stats of your workout, especially now that connected fitness is a big deal.
Not only does the display show your stats, but some also allow you to watch your favorite TV shows or other programs on the screen. For your comfort, a water bottle holder is also important as it can serve as a constant reminder that you should drink water as you exercise.
5. Warranty
This is one area most fail to look at when purchasing any machine. You might not need the warranty in the end, but it is a necessary addition to your upright bike. Some manufacturers might unknowingly produce faulty upright exercise bike, and you don’t have to pay for these repairs that weren’t caused by you.
A good warranty must follow your bike as you buy. At least your preferred upright exercise bike should have two years part warranty, a year of labor warranty, and 10 years of frame warranty. This will ensure that your exercise bike is fully protected in case of issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is an upright better than a recumbent bike?
Like every other comparison between workout equipment, there is never a straight winner. The choice of which is better always depends on the user, unless the equipment is a total bust. An upright bike is set up like a typical road bike with the pedals underneath the seat and body and the handlebars in front.
A recumbent bike’s set-up is such that the pedals are in front of the bike and the handlebars sideways. If you prefer less strain on your joints (for people with joint problems), a recumbent bike is the better option. However, for persons looking for the extra beneficial workout strain, the upright bike is the better pick.
2. Are upright bikes good for weight loss?
The direct answer to this is yes. But, your weight loss might not be as fast as other fitness gears. However, you will see improvements in your body and weight levels after using this exercise bike.
3. Is it recommended to use an upright bike every day?
If you find yourself addicted to working out on your upright exercise bike, you have nothing to fear. The good news about working out on a bike is the fact that it is a low impact machine so it is very unlikely to cause any serious injuries to your body as a result of overexertion.
Last update on 2024-10-01. Affiliate links and images from Amazon product advertising API