As we know it, the knees are the largest joints in our bodies, and they can suffer from many painful and troublesome conditions. This could range from knee injuries and surgery to chronic pain in and around the knee.
If you are experiencing any of this, know that it does not mean the end of your exercise journey. Cycling can help a great deal in healing bad knee joints. Cycling does more than heal bad knees; it immensely improves the mobility, strength, and stability of the knees.
However, before purchasing any stationary bike for your workout sessions, you should know what works best for you depending on your specifications and needs.
In this article, I have prepared for you a list of 8 stationary bikes suitable for rehabilitation exercise. But before you decide which of them is the best for you, there are a few things you should consider before ordering one. Let’s find out.
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What to Consider Before Purchasing a Stationary Bike
Before you buy a stationary bike, you should explore your training goals and needs, the available space you have for it to sit in, and your current and future fitness levels to know what will work best for you. Here is a detailed look at what you need to consider.
Comfort and Adjustability
In case you have injured or bad knees, comfort should be at the top of your priority list. Whether it is a recumbent or upright model, you should not feel any pressure on the sore joint. Also, ensure that the bike is adjustable enough to enable you to access the pedals and the handlebars in the best riding position before starting your workout session.
The bike should also be fitted with adjustable straps attached to the pedals to prevent any possible slipping of the foot. The seat must also be padded well enough to give you the best possible comfort.
Size
There are two approaches to size when considering the size of a stationary bike to buy.
First, the size of the people who are going to exercise on it. Some bikes are best fit for short people while others are for tall people. The best bikes should also be fitted with adjustable seats to accommodate taller or shorter riders.
The available storage space for the bike should also dictate what to buy.
Bear in mind that recumbent bikes are always larger and heavier compared to upright or spin bikes, so you must have a larger space to host them.
Portability
The portability question is also worth considering because most people prefer working out in one room while storing the workout equipment in another room. If this is the case, most stationary bikes are not fitted with wheels to make them move seamlessly between rooms without much effort.
If you must frequently move the equipment, consider buying a lighter stationary bike with wheels for portability.
Pedals
Pedal postures are also an item for consideration. The best rehab trainers come with slightly inward-curved pedals that resemble the posture of your sole. This helps relieve the body of any soreness or tightness that would accompany the pressure due to peddling.
Noise levels
Noise levels of stationary bikes greatly vary depending on the bike’s brand. Magnetic-resistant bikes are quieter compared to their manual-resistant counterparts.
Workout Tracking
The best training exercise machines are often fitted with LCD screen consoles that show you any relevant data to keep you motivated as you do your exercise.
For a stationary exercise bike, the relevant data could be the speed, distance, time, and other specific bio-data such as pulse rate and calories burned.
Depending on the brand of the workout bike, however, some are more sophisticated compared to others, and some are even fitted with in-built workout programs to help you achieve your workout targets as well as keep you informed of your training progress.
Weight Capacity
The best stationary bike you choose should comfortably support your weight. For most users, the conventional 300 lbs limit of most stationary bikes is more than the average man’s weight.
However, if the bike targets overweight people, then the weight limit must be put into consideration. When on a stationary bike, the rider’s weight must be well distributed across the seat to enhance stability.
You should also avoid purchasing bikes with a weight capacity close to yours. Conventionally, the higher the weight limit is set, the better and more enhanced the bike will be.
Cost and Warranty
Depending on the bike’s brand, stationary bikes will range from anywhere as low as $100 to as high as $5000. For a fact, quality will be guaranteed with the more money you spend purchasing one, although you may find some-low end models with just the same capabilities as the expensive high-end trainers.
Warranty, on the other hand, is a vital phenomenon to ensure that you acquire quality goods from the manufacturers. In case of an occurrence that the bike breaks down or malfunctions, the manufacturer should offer replacement or repair options. The warranty periods will vary from one bike to another depending on their costs.
8 Best Stationary Bikes for Rehab in 2022
1. Flexispot Desktop Pro V9
- All in one desk bike. Part exercise bike, part standing desk. ATTENTION: battery is not included.
- Boost your Immune system: An ideal machine to help safeguard your health and stay in shape when working from home.
- “Whisper quiet” pedaling is ideal for home while watching youtube/TV, recreational webserfing/socmed or listening to music or even when snacking it seems excellent.
- Whether 5’1” or 6’2”, everyone in the family can comfortably use the cycle desk. The user-friendly pneumatic adjustment lever moves the desk bike seat up or down with a gentle press–no pins or knobs to adjust.
The Flexispot Desktop Pro V9 is designed compactly with a 4-way adjustable desk that enables you to hold things like laptops or books on it as you work out simultaneously. It is also equipped with a well-padded adjustable seat and has a maximum weight capacity of 300 lbs.
It is fitted with an LCD console that helps you keep track of your training by providing all the necessary information. It also has 4 transport wheels (that lock up as soon as you sit on the chair) to help you move it conveniently around the house.
The machine is also fitted with rubber pads on the pedals to enable you to ride barefoot, which is good for your foot health.
2. MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike
The MaxKare is a high-end training bike fit for people with back pain or joint issues. The reclined position assumed when riding this bike takes off most of the body weight from the legs, making it more convenient.
It is also designed with a steel frame that enables it to carry a maximum weight of about 300 lbs, not to mention the adjustable seat and integrated movement wheels for ease of movement.
It has magnetic resistance and a belt drive mechanism that enables it to make close to zero noise when in operation.
Furthermore, it is fitted with a digital LCD console that displays variables like speed, distance, time, heart rate, and calories. The MaxKare is also fitted with sensors in the handle-bars that detect the user’s pulse rate.
Despite all these qualities, the MaxKare is available at an affordable price.
3. DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Cycle
- STAY IN SHAPE: Our exercise bikes for home & office are the perfect at home workout equipment for physical therapy, working, reading, gaming, or just watching TV.
- ADJUSTABLE RESISTANCE: The DeskCycle 2 exercise bike offers 8 resistance settings and up to 39 pounds of resistance. Our high inertia flywheel spins 14 times per pedal stroke, simulating a smooth, challenging, real-bike feel.
- STURDY AND QUIET: With sealed bearings, steel components, strap-in pedals, and silent magnetic resistance, our stationary bike provides a hassle-free cycling experience.
This is a mini-exercise bike that you can comfortably peddle from the comfort of your couch or your office desk while working. It is highly flexible and portable, with an adjustable pedal height that enables you to lower the pedals for better clearance, and is also lightweight, enabling you to tag it along to your office.
This mini-stationary bicycle is also fitted with an LCD console to display speed, RPM, distance, time, and calories. This console can also be removed and placed somewhere close, maybe on the table, to help you easily manage your workout.
You can alternatively connect it to Fitbit or your smart gadgets. However, although the mini-bicycle is fitted with 8 different levels of magnetic tension to give different difficulty levels, the trainer has limited workout capabilities.
4. MARNUR Recumbent Bikes
The MARNUR recumbent bike is more affordable compared to other recumbent bikes. It has a well-padded two-way adjustable seat that is comfortable for any user, regardless of their height. The drive system also has magnetic resistance for varied difficulty levels and smooth operation.
Their handlebars are fitted with integrated pulse sensors that display the data on the LCD console. Distance, speed, time, and calories burned are calculated to help you keep track of your training performance.
It is also lightweight and highly portable with a maximum weight limit of 300 lbs.
5. Exerpeutic 400XL Semi-Recumbent Stationary Bike
- Foldable recumbent exercise bike with quiet V-belt double-drive transmission system
- Precision-balanced flywheel; 8-level adjustable magnetic tension control system
- Easy-to-read LCD display tracks your distance, calories, time, speed, and heart rate
- Can be used as desk bike with height adjustable desks. Semi-recumbent design for easy entry and exit; large seat cushion and backrest
Despite the light weight and its compact design making it occupy less space, the Exerpeutic 400XL has a high weight capacity of 300 lbs and a smooth wheel drive with 8 tension levels for different difficulties. It is also fitted with wheels to help in mobility, and additional leg stabilizers to keep it steady while exercising.
This trainer is fitted with an LCD screen to show and help you keep track of your training records with relevant data, including time, speed, distance, calories burned, and heart rate. It is also foldable and easy to assemble, making it very easy to store.
The adjustable seats enable it to be suitable for all possible users, whether short or tall. However, the pedals may feel a little bit flimsy, and the bike comes with a one-year warranty which may not go well with most buyers.
6. Exerpeutic Gold 500 XLS Upright Exercise Bike
- Heavy duty and high durability steel frame construction with up to 400 pounds weight capacity. 20% more steel than the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike for more maximum performance.
- An 8 level Magnetic Tension control system for an easier or more challenging workout.
- Folds to 1/2 the size, so it is uniquely compact; Folded dimensions: 26.4″ L X 24.8″ W X 57.5″ H
- Large comfortable seat cushion for people of any size, and easily adjustable to fit 5’1″ to 6’5″ user heights
The Exerpeutic Gold 500 XLS is a very affordable trainer built with a compact design, making it suitable for home exercising. The device can also be further folded into half the size for convenient storage, not to mention its light weight and transport wheels that enable maximum portability and flexibility.
Despite its size, the Exerpeutic Gold 500 XLS has a reinforced frame that can support a maximum weight of 400 lbs, making it most suitable for overweight individuals.
The handlebars are integrated with sensors that display the pulse rates on an LCD screen display that shows the speed, time, distance, heart rate, and calories burned. It also has a belt-driven flywheel drive system for silent motion, and 8 levels of magnetic resistance that are not too difficult but provide just the right level of resistance for effective knee rehab.
Although this high-end bike is affordable and accessible to many, some might not like it because the pedals might be a bit difficult for short cyclers to reach, and as with other machines, the accuracy of the pulse records has been noted to be a little off.
7. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Exercise Bike
- With enhanced Bluetooth connectivity, users can set, track and monitor progress with popular app-based tracking tools.
- Explore the world and discover 50plus global routes that auto-adjust in real time to your speed
- Fully-loaded console with DualTrack blue backlit LCD screens offers 29 workout programs and visibility to workout metrics, even when the media tray is in use
- 25 levels of resistance for a wide range of workout intensity options
- Telemetry heart rate enabled and ergonomically placed grip heart rate for a relaxed riding position when using a heart rate program
The Schwinn 270 is a high-end exercise bike with just about all the modern features and capabilities you could think of. It has two LCD screens that provide all the data needed by the users to keep them motivated while training.
This trainer also has 29 built-in programs and 4 user profiles for multiple user differentiation. The device is also Bluetooth enabled, which allows you to link with the Schwinn training app or any other fitness application to enable you to access VR training modules.
Besides the wireless tech, this trainer has device holders, charging ports, a cooling fan, and even speakers.
The Schwinn 270 also has a well-padded 2-way adjustable seat, with a smooth and noise free-pedal system. It is fitted with transport wheels that enable easy relocation of the equipment around the training space.
Beyond other trainers, though, the Schwinn 270 has 25 difficulty levels which are adjustable through the console by the eddy current resistance system.
On the other hand, the quality of the drive mechanism might not be what is advertised and has been reported as fading and noisy after a while of being in use. The accuracy of the grip pulse sensors on the handlebars has been questioned by users as well.
8. Marcy ME-709 Recumbent Bike
- STEP-THROUGH DESIGN – Featuring heavy-duty construction 14-gauge steel tubing with a powder coated finish, the step-through design allows maximum mobility during training for quick mounting and dismounting that is created easier for the knees and back. Please note: This item requires assembly
- EIGHT RESISTANCE LEVELS – This stationary bike uses a magnetic resistance mechanism with 8 levels of resistance. The tension knobs control the difficulty to simulate riding on different terrains and customize your workout according to fitness level
- EASY-TO-READ COMPUTER SCREEN – The ultra-functional LCD computer screen acts as a odometer and has a sharp panel display that shows time, speed, distance, and calories burned in extra-large numbers for great readability.
The Marcy ME-709 is a highly affordable and comfortable rehab bike with a no-frills design. It is made of a 14-gauge steel skeleton, making it strong enough to support a maximum weight limit of 300 pounds, not to mention the large and comfortable seat that has both the fore/aft adjustable capabilities for suitable flexibility.
It is fitted with an LCD-screen display that shows the speed, distance, time, and calories burned by the user to keep the cyclist informed of their training progress.
The Marcy ME-709 has a belt-driven flywheel that enables it to run without any noise and has 8 resistance levels provided by magnets that are toggled using a large turn dial. This trainer is also lightweight and is fitted with transport wheels, making it easier and more flexible to move about in the training space.
However, the pedals might be hard to reach for small people, and the trainer doesn’t have pulse or heart rate sensing capabilities.
Conclusion
The stationary bikes mentioned above are by no way an exclusive list of all the best stationary bikes for your rehab process. However, you should carefully scrutinize the details of each bike to see if they meet your training expectations to find one that works best for you.
Resources
- https://www.mykindofmonday.com/best-exercise-bike-for-bad-knees/
- https://www.rehabmart.com/post/product-review-the-top-5-exercise-bikes
- https://www.gymblazer.com/best-type-of-exercise-bike-to-rehab-knee/
- https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/g29112798/best-exercise-bikes/
- https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/g23064646/best-exercise-bikes/
- https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-exercise-bikes
- https://www.apexbikes.com/best-stationary-bike-for-bad-knees/