The Best Exercise Bike for Bad Knees (Reviewed)

Many people have knee problems that make it difficult to exercise. They can’t do intense workouts like the rest of us, so they struggle with their fitness. A solution to this is exercise bikes. They’re easy to use and you can have them anywhere.

Out of many other options, I believe recumbent bikes are the best kind for people with bad knees that let them recline and pedal without worry.

If you have such conditions then it’s your lucky day because this article today focuses on which is the best exercise bike for bad knees. How about you stick till the end and find it out yourself?

12 Best Exercise Bikes for Bad Knees: Top Recumbent Bike Reviews

If you are experiencing knee pain while you exercise, it is important to find an alternative. A great option for those with bad knees is a recumbent exercise bike. It will allow you to still get in your cardio without having the pressure of weight on your joints.

If so, then I am glad that you found my blog post. There are a lot of different types of recumbent bikes out there that can accommodate your needs:

1. Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike

Let’s start with a popular face. The Exerpeutic. It is a brand known for making budget workout machines. This is the same. The 400XL is a piece of easy-going semi-recumbent exercise equipment for those who have bad knees as they can lay back and work on it without putting pressure on the joints.

It is surprisingly space-saving and folds really easily. But don’t think that it lacks power just because of its small stature. Rather than the double drive V belt transmission having more than enough power necessary to give you a good run, the precision balanced flywheel supports it magnificently.

The reason I say it’s superb for bad knees is that you get the right amount of resistance, courtesy of the control system that has eight magnetic tension levels to match your training intensity.

You can track how many calories you’ve burned and how much distance you’ve covered at what time, and all of that is beautifully conveyed through an LCD display. It also has a heart rate sensor.

A lot of old people have back pain, no worries the backrest comes with a large cushioned seat that you can recline on and easily complete your workout session. It’s designed in a way that it can fit different body types easily.

By the way, the pedaling circle radius is a little smaller than other bikes so it might throw your rhythm off for the first few days.

I have one gripe with it, the heart rate sensor gives you a generalized idea, it’s not precise rather 10-15 bpm off. If you’re in need of a fully accurate heart rate monitoring gadget, check our article on the best watch for heart rate monitoring.

2. Exerpeutic 900XL Recumbent Exercise Bike

You’ve seen the 400XL, now let’s see another Best exercise bikes for bad knees from the ever so familiar brand, Exerpeutic. Unlike the previous one, this does hold quite a bit of space. But, if space isn’t an issue for your home gym, then this is a piece of great equipment to have.

Because it is oversized, it also makes this machine great as it can fit a wider variety of body types up to 300 lbs, even a 6’6″ person can use it without trouble, astonishing!

Just like the previous model, this one also has a large cushioned seat with a backrest to relieve those with back pains. 8 resistance levels help a lot with bad knees so you can start slowly and then gradually level up your routine by turning the dial, it’s really easy to do.

There’s also a heart rate monitor to check your pulse, and a calorie counter to keep you track of your daily goals, and every bit of that data is shown in a neat LCD screen, although it’s a bit smaller than the 400XL.

But that’s where the comparison with 400XL stops, the foot pedals are much more secure and comfortable on this one, and it has more stable supports that won’t wobble at all. The leg extensions make sure of that.

The foot pedals have a longer cycling radius, making it easier for people with long legs to maneuver around.

Also, if trying to make a home gym, style is necessary. Well, a good thing for you is that the 900XL is stylish as hell, the grey body with some darker shades here and there is an absolute beauty.

3. SCHWINN 270 Recumbent Bike

While the previous two were more on the basic side of things, this one is for the people who want their machines to be stylish and full of features. Yes, the recumbent bike from Schwinn is a package full of surprises.

It’s a great cardio exercise bike for people with bad knees. You can say, it’s a product made for people who wanna challenge themselves. Why? Because it comes with not 5 or 10, but 29 programs!

These consist of 9 heart rate controls, 4 preloaded programs, 1 quick start feature, and 2 fitness tests with 12 programmed features for an immersive exercising experience.

Also, it has 25 resistance programs to test your limits.

This machine has enough length for you to extend your leg as a part of the exercise for bad knees, and the reclining seat gives you enough comfort as you can steadily peddle without moving too much. And it’s not gonna generate much noise either unless you use the fan.

You don’t need to make extra wiring setups for it, a standard wall 110-120V 1.5A socket does the job. There’s a USB port but the voltage isn’t too much for charging anything more than a smartphone.

You also get Bluetooth connectivity with it, so you can easily connect your Bluetooth headphones and listen to whatever you like, alternatively, there’s an mp3 port for you.

The bike also lets you connect to the rest of the world with the ride social app where you can virtually ride your bike with your friends- displayed through the dual-track LCD screen.

While the features attract the younger people, it has enough comfort for seniors with bad knees as well.

4. Circuit Fitness AMZ-587R Recumbent Exercise Bike

Circuit Fitness is no stranger to this business, having 35 years of experience; and they make use of that experience to make unique products. The AMZ 587R is yet another machine that falls in that category. It’s a new take on recumbent bikes; don’t worry it’s still used for exercise but it has a different core design.

Let’s start with the seats, it has contoured seats that are well cushioned but aren’t a mesh type like you might see in one of the earlier three recumbent bikes. It can fit people from 5’3″ up to 6’5″ easily.

Both the seats and the backrest are well-padded and made of vinyl which is sweatproof. And, there’s a sturdy iron rail that keeps it firm and lets it carry a load of up to 300 lbs. There’s a lever that you can freely unlock and lock at the desired height.

The seat’s handlebars have a heart rate sensor to check your pulse, that’s a good thing because you don’t have to stretch your hand all the time to keep track like in other machines.

This bike uses an eddy current for resistance, there are a total of 24 resistance levels, if you have bad knees try to start somewhere around levels 1-6. There are a total of 15 programs to choose from that simulate a real-life cycling experience.

The first is a manual program, the next 12 can be categorized into beginner, advanced, and expert programs each having 4 presets, and the final two are cardio and watts.

Its console is quite larger than others, it has an LCD that shows your heart rate, burnt calories, how fast you’re going, your BMI, etc.

Overall, it’s a power-packed product.

Pros

5. FitDesk Bike Desk 3.0

I bet this one would come as a surprise to a lot of you. This folding exercise bike is a unique gear, out of all the 12 products- it’s one of a kind.

So what makes this so different from the others? Well, for starters, while this might resemble an upright bike, there’s no need to worry if you have bad knees because you can actually adjust the angle. With the help of the backrest and extenders, you can make it go semi-recumbent in a matter of seconds.

It’s got a comfortable cushioned beach cruiser seat with a solid steel rail to support you [up to 300 lbs]. There is also forearm support for you to hold on while pedaling to make sure you don’t fall off. It also acts as a massage unit to prevent sore forearms. The steel rails are powder coated so they won’t catch rust.

Just below the seat, there is a knob to adjust what resistance you want to exercise with. You can get a good upper body exercise while you pedal away.

Its standout feature is the 16″x19″ desk where you can place a laptop and work while you’re exercising. Perfect for a home office and workout routine.

It weighs almost half of other recumbent bikes but is equally strong, due to the high-velocity flywheel over a twin belt drive that offers smooth operation.

This one is for those who want to keep up their exercise with bad knees but also want to work at the same time [(*coughs*)me in the future], bringing a mashup between work and workout.

6. NordicTrack S22i Commercial Studio Cycle

Till now, I’ve shown you a lot of machines, some were good for the budget, and some were basic recumbent bikes to start your road to fitness; now I’m showcasing the premium pick- The power-packed exercise bike from NordicTrack.

If you’re thinking “Why do I have to spend a thousand bucks on something when I can get one in a hundred?”, let me clear it for you, the difference lies in quality.

The thing that made me a fan of this machine is the studio training program. With this, you can stream training sessions from the best trainers worldwide and follow their sessions, it’s like having your own personal trainer at home. And these elite trainers will be controlling your decline, incline, and resistance settings.

The drive system can incline 20% and decline -10%, giving you a realistic training program. And, its flywheel delivers smooth pedal motions, so even if you have bad knees, you won’t feel pain. Having 24 resistance settings means you have much more flexibility with your workouts as they range from beginner to advanced exercises.

While these are not LIVE sessions, they are rich in content and full of insights. The trainer will provide coaching on a variety of exercises alongside cycling, like cross-training, yoga, or full-body workouts.

You can enjoy the sessions in HD with a 22″ touchscreen. It can rotate 360 degrees. It’ll also show you real-time stats like how many calories you’ve burned, how much distance you’ve covered, elapsed time, etc. There’s also a heart rate monitor.

NordicTrack claims there are 16000 on-demand workouts with every day having a new challenge for you to accomplish.

Pros

7. Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

Schwinn’s 230 Recumbent Bike ensures a convenient and efficient way to work out. The step-through frame of the bike is designed with comfort in mind so you can spend more time working on your health rather than worrying about problems with your knees.

Get your workout started in no time with the easy start-up offered by this bike’s high-speed drive system. With 20 levels of computer-controlled resistance, this exercise bike offers a wide range of intensity for workouts.

DualTrack 2 LCD screens enable increased visibility to fitness programs and goal tracking while the innovative layout gives you quick access to all major controls. Also, its built-in charging port helps you charge your devices while you are exercising.

Guess what? It also keeps track of your heart rate with its built-in sensors. Yes, they have embedded heart rate sensors so you always know if/when to speed up or slow down!

Moreover, the handlebars of the modern fitness machine are ergonomically positioned and padded.

In addition to that, the recumbent bike is perfect for sweltering summer days as it has a ventilated and contoured seat with lumbar supporting backrests. Plus, the 3-speed fan keeps you cool without making any annoying sound. Besides, the seat rail slider system allows you to smoothly adjust your preferred position during workouts to stay comfortable at all times.

The exercise bike comes with a power adapter that plugs into any standard electrical wall outlet. Overall, this well-crafted bike with an easily adjustable seat that will offer long-lasting performance.

8. Nautilus R616 Recumbent bike

If you’re looking for an efficient way to enhance your physique, track your progress, and become better at hitting your fitness goals, the R616 recumbent bike from Nautilus is a worthy choice.

This amazing machine assists you in focusing on achieving fitness milestones while improving your overall performance with ergonomic design and innovative functions. Also, you can assemble the bike pretty quickly without any hassle.  

To make fitness tracking further convenient, the bike can be paired with smartphones and tablets through Bluetooth connectivity. As a result, you can synchronize the bike with popular fitness tracking apps and effortlessly set, track, and monitor your progress.

Additionally, the 65.3”x 28.3”x 49.6” machine is made with top-notch materials to let you use the thing for several years without any repairing hassle. Also, this heavy-duty stationary cycle can withstand 300 lb of weight which is a big plus point.  

For those who are extremely serious about their body shape, this stunning machine offers 25 levels of resistance. These various resistance levels allow them to choose from a wide range of workout intensities according to their physical conditions.

It is also equipped with a top-notch Dualtrack LCD that has a blue backlit for increased visibility. Moreover, the display console has 29 customizable workout programs. Moreover, it comes super-comfy padded seat and ventilated back. Therefore, you will have amazing exercise sessions, especially on hot summer days.   

9. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709

Marcy has been a leading company in exercise equipment manufacturing for over 30 years. So you know that when it comes to exercise bikes, they’ve got the experience and expertise to make them both seriously heavy-duty and enjoyable.

With 14-gauge steel tubing and heavy-duty structure, you can expect this powerful machine to deliver a robust performance. In addition to that, it is easy to assemble right out of the box. So, you don’t need to be an expert to assemble the thing.

Plus, an ergonomic saddle seat will provide you comfort and support for extended use, and an attractive LCD screen ensures easy readability when tracking metrics such as speed, distance, calories, and time. Also, the seat is soft and has high-density foam covered for offering relaxing workout sessions.

It also has eight levels of resistance with an easily adjustable resistance knob– meaning no matter what your fitness level goal may be, you’re going to have a challenge on this bike because there will always be something new and exciting just waiting around the corner!

If that’s not enough for you, this Marcy product also incorporates padded handles that keep your hands from getting sore even after hours on end. Don’t worry, it can support up to 300 of weight. What’s even better, You can easily move it to suitable positions within seconds because it comes with handy transport wheels!

10. Exerpeutic Magnetic  Exercise Bike

If you are looking for a space-saving exercise bike for your smaller workout space, the Exerpeutic Magnetic Exercise Bike is a worthy candidate. Yes, the compact bike has a lightweight construction combined with easy folding capabilities making it perfect for congested apartments.

What’s more, the perfect-sized LCD screen (3.3” W x 1.5” H) allows you to track your distance, time, speed, calories burned, and pulse while the hand pulse sensors help to monitor your target heart rate precisely.

Though this guy has a compact design, it is capable of holding weights up to 300 pounds. Outfitted with all of today’s advancements, this bike operates so silently that it won’t disturb your family or neighbor when you’re at work. With the help phone holder, you enjoy talking with your friends or family members over the phone while doing intensive exercise.

Plus, this folding magnetic bike has a wide range of resistance( 8 levels) so that no matter what your physical abilities, this item can provide the right challenge. Additionally, it has a wide seat and ergonomic pedals to accommodate seniors or anyone who might be shorter than average. You can adjust its height from 5 ft 3 inches to 6 ft 1 inch.

Apart from these features, this impressive bike has a sturdy design and offers top-grade mechanical engineering to give you the maximum workout in a minimum time. Accompanied by a beautiful appearance, easy maneuvering, and errorless heart rate monitoring, this exercise bike makes fat-burning fun!

11. Merax Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike

This exercise bike is a dream come true for someone who desires the convenience of a home gym without sacrificing quality or function! The breathable, padded seat and compact design make this an ideal personal trainer. Yes, your fat-burning exercise doesn’t have to be hard with the Marax recumbent bike.

The Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike features a cushioned seat and backrest that offers an excellent workout while reclining in a very comfy position. Also, it is designed with slip-resistant pedals so that you can exercise flawlessly.

With highly adjustable settings and 8 levels of magnetic tension, the cycle provides ideal resistance levels so you never run out of challenges. You will also love its high-quality LCD that shows time, speed, distance, pulse, and calories burned clearly.

The best thing about this heavy-duty exercise machine is that it can withstand 380 lbs of weight. This attribute makes it one of the best recumbent exercise bikes for big and tall people.

Like other exercise bikes on the list, this one is also extremely easy to assemble and you will put up the whole thing within an hour. It also takes less space. Also, it comes with a very reasonable price tag. 

Overall, if you are someone who just had knee surgery and really serious about burning calories while staying at home, this best exercise bike for bad knees can be a worthy choice. With a compact design and handy functionalities, even the laziest couch potato can get their heart rate up.

12. Fitness Reality X-Class Magnetic Recumbent Bike

You are in the game! This Fitness Reality exercise bike is the perfect choice for exercise enthusiasts on the go! Just watch TV, read a book, or talk with friends while you work out.

The most significant fact about the Recumbent bike is that it is fully lab-tased for performance, endurance, and durability. So, you can put your trust in this machine. Moreover, the step-through design of the X-Class cycle lets you use the bike without any hassle of getting on and off.

If your height is anywhere between 5ft to 6ft 3 inches and your weight is below 325lbs, you can enjoy every feature the bike offers. With 24 preset workout programs and 24 magnetic tension levels or resistance levels, you can choose your preferred workout according to your fitness level.

Besides, this ultra-modern cycle is equipped with Bluetooth technology and comes with a user-friendly app called, “MyCloudFitnessApp” which is compatible with both Android and IOS devices. So, you can track your progress more conveniently with mobile devices.

Moreover, it comes with a patented large 3-inch extra-thick cushioned seat that allows proper airflow. This feature gives you remarkable advantages during long workouts. Also, the office chair-style backrest combined with comfy armrests will prevent any back stress.

The machine also incorporates an easy-to-use backlit LCD console that will show real-time workout information. The hand pulse sensors of this noise-free product also monitor heart rate meticulously.

For further convenience during workouts and to keep your personal items within reach, it has a built-in tablet or smartphone holder, an under-seat storage basket, and a water bottle holder. Its built-in transportation wheels make relocating the bike easy as pie.

Things to consider before buying the Best exercise bike for bad knees [Buying guide]

The recumbent bike is a stationary exercise equipment that simulates the action of riding an actual bicycle. It has a chair-like seat that supports your back and lets you pedal using your legs without putting stress on your joints hence reducing the risk of injuries such as knee pain, back pain, and other major pains.

Here are some important things that you need to consider while buying an exercise bike.

Seat design:

Most recumbent bikes come with a backrest and an adjustable seat which you can move forward and backward when pedaling. The model should have a comfortable seat that provides good support to your lower back while allowing your arms to reach the hand pedals comfortably. This lets you pedal at a rate that is comfortable for your heart, lungs, and muscles. Adjustable seat design is also helpful for short people. You can see our review regarding the best spin bike for short people here.

Foot pedals:

The foot pedals are adjustable and designed in such a manner that it provide easy access for your feet to enter or exit the pedals. The foot pedal should be comfortable, non-skid, durable, and easy to wipe clean. It shouldn’t cause any pain to your ankles while pedaling even for long hours.

Handlebars:

The handlebars should be close to the seat with a slight backrest. This helps in maintaining an upright position of your body while pedaling and protects yourself from lower back pain. The handlebar should not be positioned too high, because it causes you to lean forward which will strain on your neck muscles and can cause back pain.

Programmable console:

Most of the recumbent bikes come with a digital console which gives you access to different programs like speed, distance covered, time spent on exercise, and calories burnt. Having a programmable console lets you track your progress and helps you adjust your workout plan. The console should be easy to use and provide accurate results.

Comfort:

The recumbent bike is designed for comfort so it shouldn’t feel like you are sitting on a block of wood or concrete. It should have appropriate adjustments that can be made to the seat, which lets you set up the bike for maximum comfort. The LED monitor should be bright with easy-to-read numbers.

Durability:

The bike frame, rollers, and flywheel must be strong enough to endure years of rigorous use. Try out different bikes in the shop before buying one in order to make sure that it’s comfortable to use and provides a smooth ride even at full speed.

Weight capacity:

The weight of the user should be appropriate for the recumbent bike. Check out for the weight limit before buying it, because if you exceed the recommended weight capacity then it might not be safe for you to ride and can damage other parts as well.

Price:

Most of the recumbent bikes range from $200 to $1000 depending on their brand, type, availability of extra features, and other specifications. You can get a decent bike for around $500 which is durable and has all the required features to let you pedal comfortably.

So, These are the things that you need to consider before buying a recumbent exercise bike.

Types of exercise bikes

Exercise bikes are a great way to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are many different types of exercise bikes available on the market, but it is important to remember that one bike might not necessarily be better than another. Here are the 3 main types of exercise bikes. They are-

Upright Exercise bikes

Upright exercise bikes are among the most popular types of exercise bikes available. This type of stationary bicycle is shaped like a standard road bike but without wheels. Upright exercise bikes allow users to pedal with their feet while sitting upright on the seat with their hands resting on handlebars which are located in front of them near shoulder level when seated.

The seats on upright exercise bikes are typically padded and feature a backrest for additional support while riding. Upright bikes are a great choice for users just starting out because they typically have a lighter flywheel weight which makes the workout feel easier.

Recumbent Exercise bike

A recumbent exercise bike features a seat that is positioned horizontally and users pedal with their feet while seated. The pedals on most recumbent bikes are located in front of the user and below the level of the seat.

Because recumbent bikes allow users to rest their backs against a padded backrest, they provide additional support during workouts, which makes them a good choice for users with back and knee problems.

Spinner or studio exercise bike

Spinner or studio exercise bikes are a type of stationary bike which have an oval-shaped flywheel. Though they look similar to upright and recumbent bikes, spinners offer a very different workout. Spinning is a cardiovascular exercise with an emphasis on resistance training.

Spinning classes are popular workouts because the high-intensity workout keeps your heart rate up and because the bikes are very challenging, which means you can get a great workout in a small amount of time.

Why is a recumbent bike for bad knees better than a Treadmill?

It is obvious a recumbent bike is significantly better than a treadmill if the user has bad knees. But if you still have even the tiniest of doubts, let me clear it for you down below:

Less stress on the knees

If you have knee pain, the most important thing to keep an eye on would be to not overexert your joints. You might aggravate your condition. A treadmill will cause soreness and swelling in your knees, whereas a recumbent bike will provide comfort.

Helps with injury

Sometimes, injuries can get so bad that it takes months to recover. If you use the wrong equipment during your workout session though, these issues will only be exacerbated!

If you want to prevent injury in your knees, it’s important that they are well taken care of. The treadmill isn’t the best machine for knee workouts because this type of cardio equipment doesn’t work with bad knees as effectively.

A bike is a great option for injury prevention when working out with knees in poor shape, as they don’t exert too much pressure in that area and a recumbent bike specifically has a minimal bend. All in all, it’s good for recuperating knee injuries.

Improves the muscles

A bike is a great way to boost muscle strength without the joint pain that can damage your knees. Not only will your muscles feel stronger after a bike ride, but you are less likely to hurt yourself in the process.

Benefits of exercise bikes

Exercise bikes provide countless health benefits, this is why you’ll see a high demand for them in gyms. No matter what kind of workout plan you have, you’ll use them once at the very least.

The following reasons are what makes them so great:

1. Weight loss

Riding a bike can cause a major fat burn. A 30-minute session a day can make you lose 300 calories, give or take [some factors are involved]. I’d say it’s easier to sit on a recumbent bike and pedal away than to do 100 jumping jacks, mountain climbers, or burpees.

2. Strengthening muscles

It’s not that you can only shed weight with a bike, you can also build your muscles. When you’re riding a bicycle, you’re moving your legs and thighs, as well as your back. So, obviously, the muscles in those areas would be strengthened.

3. Easier on the joints

You probably know this already, I talked about it in the entire article over and over again. Recumbent bikes are great for knee pains. People with bad knees have limited workout options because traditional exercises impact your joints a lot.

But with a bike, you don’t have to put excess pressure there and work your way up.

4. Body toning

Have you seen athletes have fantastic leg muscles, especially cyclists? Well, it’s no surprise that they’d have strong-toned calves, glutes, and quads. After all, those muscles face the grind every day.

5. Great cardio exercise

Cardio is one workout that is good for everyone. Everyone might not want the biggest muscles or the slimmest waist but they definitely wanna stay fit. And cardio is the gateway to it. And hopping on an exercise bike is one cardio workout anyone can do.

6. Good for health

Doing a 30-minute session every day on a bike will definitely improve your health for the better. Not only does it burn the excess body fat that makes you obese, but it also improves your blood circulation and lowers blood sugar and cholesterol. Death is inevitable but hey, this way you have improved chances right?

7. Improves stamina

Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Journal had an interesting finding from one of their studies. According to the magazine, regular workouts reduce stamina consumption by 65%.

It’s because when you’re working out on a cycle your brain releases neurotransmitter dopamine.

8. Easy to use whenever you want

The one true reason cycling is such a popular exercise is that it is universally appreciated. Everyone can hop in on a cycle and pedal. Be it a 10-year-old or a 60-year-old.

Plus you can have them anywhere. On your home, in the office, or even on the balcony. Hot or cold weather doesn’t matter you can just pedal away at your leisure.

So now that you’ve understood the advantages of an exercise bike, I’m sure you’ll consider getting one.

How to sit properly in a recumbent bike for knee pain: Expert tips

It is important for you to understand how to sit on your recumbent bikes. Every year, hundreds of people get injured because they don’t sit properly or quit because they don’t seem to get used to it.

I’m here to ensure you’re not one of them. Below I’ll be providing some suggestions that people often overlook while sitting in a recumbent bike:

Sit midway and recline

An uncomfortable seating position will also put more stress on your knees, making riding difficult without the proper support of an efficient bicycle fit system.

Recumbent bike riders adjust seats at a mid-position. If the seat recline allows for adjustments, start from a mid position to relieve discomfort and pain that can be caused by being too straight or too reclined.

Imagine sitting on a recliner chair. You can adjust the back of your seat forwards or backward to find one that feels comfortable for you, but not too far forward as this will make riding difficult and uncomfortable.

Once you’ve found your sweet spot, start to pedal slowly.

Position your legs and extend

An expert recumbent bike rider knows how to ride with good form, which is why they will only have a very small bend in their legs while riding. The best way to ride a recumbent bike is by keeping your legs mostly straight and pedaling at an angle of just 2-5 degrees.

You should make sure that you never lock out your knees when the pedals are turning, but rather keep them slightly bent throughout the riding. This will prevent putting too much pressure on the joints while also preventing unnecessary stress buildup in other parts of the body such as back or neck muscles.

Be wary of knee strain

It might seem like recumbent bikes are perfect for everyone, but you should take care of your body when riding. Your legs will be doing most of the work while seated upright and leaning back slightly on a seat which puts pressure on them throughout long rides. If they become too tired or weak to sustain this position, it could lead to sore knees after each ride.

If you use a recumbent bike as your main form of exercise, it is important to take breaks and stretch.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can exercise bike or damage hurt knees?

You may face some knee issues while exercising on an upright bike but a recumbent exercise bike is completely safe for people who have knee-related issues as the pedals of the bike are designed in a way to put less pressure on the knees while using it.

2. How can I ride my stationary bike without hurting my knees?

If you use a top-notch recumbent stationary bike, you can easily ride the bike without hurting your knees without any extra effort. However, for other types of bikes, you have to pedal moving your feet circularly.

3. Is walking or biking better for the knees?

Undoubtedly, walking is good for our health. But, people suffering from knee issues may not enjoy walking. Biking also puts lots of stress on the knees. But, using any bike having a recumbent design will be a much better option compared to walking.

4. What exercises not to do with bad knees?

Exercises that put pressure on your legs and knees are not recommended if you have bad knees. Some of these workouts are jumping, running, leg press, and deep squats. 

5. Are exercise bikes good for seniors?

Exercise bikes are great for seniors, but the exercise bikes must be properly adjusted to accommodate their limitations.

6. Can riding a stationary bike help with lower back pain?

Yes, riding a stationary bike can help with lower back pain. The action of pedaling the bicycle typically stretches the hamstrings and buttocks, which may reduce nerve compression and improve circulation to muscles in your low back

7. Do stationary exercise bikes burn belly fat?

Of course, cycling can help you lose belly fat. If done consistently and regularly, cardio exercise is a surefire way to burn the unwanted belly fat that many people struggle with. However, it’s important to note that it will take a while for your body to get there.

Editor’s notes

It’s hard for me to say really. All of them belong to the “best” category. But, which is the best of the best?- that’s a case-by-case question as everyone’s physique is different, and so is their threshold to pain. Meaning every person will react to their knee issues differently. As such it’s hard to point out just one.

Although, some of them are best for their own situations.

For example- the Exerpeutic 900XL is an amazing machine for starting out, while the Fitness Reality X-class has a lot of features that help you midway, and the S22i from NordicTrack is the premium recumbent bike that you might see in deluxe places.

Likewise, every one of them has something special about them, which is why I shortlisted this bunch of exercise machines.

To sum up

Exercise bikes are great for people who have bad knees. They keep the joints from overworking and provide a low-impact workout that is easy on the body. Plus, they can be used in any room of your house so you don’t need to worry about having enough space at the gym.

I’ve tried to include a variety of options so you can find the best exercise bike for bad knees that have been causing trouble for you. So hopefully, one of these will click with you and relieve your troublesome knee.