As real estate becomes expensive, it is normal for people to optimize their space. With gyms closed, a lot of people have no other choice but to buy their own equipment if they want to stay fit. A folding upright exercise bike can help you stay fit even if you don’t have an extra room. You can simply fold it and have it underneath your bed once you’re done.
To help you with your decision, we’ve come up with some of the best folding exercise bikes in the market today.
Table of Contents
Best Folding Exercise Bikes Review
BulbHead Slim Cycle 2-in-1 Stationary Bike – Folding Indoor Exercise Bike
Some prefer an upright bike while others prefer to use a recumbent bike. The Bulbhead SlimCycle 2-in-1 Stationary Bike allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
It’s a contender for the best folding recumbent exercise bike if you have some injuries in your lower back or if you want an equipment that features a low impact design.
This exercise bike offers a relaxed posture for its users. And also, you get to experience smooth performance as you pedal. This exercise bike has 8 levels of resistance that can help you stay fit depending on your fitness level.
Before you decide to buy the Bulbhead SlimCycle 2-in-1 Stationary Bike , understand that it’s not a perfect space-saving exercise bike. Some users complained about the tension adjustment. Some noted that tension 1 and tension 8 doesn’t seem to have any significant difference to challenge their legs as they workout.
But despite this flaw in its tension, it allows you to work on both your legs and upper body. It comes with bands perfect for women who don’t want to lift heavy dumbbells. You get to trim your shoulders, upper back, biceps, and triceps without spending extra for additional weights.
But what makes the Bulbhead Slim Cycle 2-in-1 Stationary Bike unique is that it offers a recumbent bike and a regular spin bike option. You can either lean forward or just lean back.
This folding indoor bike also gives you a chance to monitor your progress too. It has an LCD that lets you track the amount of calories that you’ve burned, the distance you’ve covered, and even your heart rate. This unit also folds flat and makes it easier to keep in small spaces.
Pros:
- Allows users to lean forward or use it as a recumbent bike
- You can pedal smoothly
- Has 8 resistance levels
- Comfortable
- Has bands that allow you to work on your arms
Cons:
- Tension problem
ProGear 225 Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike with Heart Pulse
ProGear 225 Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike is a compact, durable, and low impact exercise machine that can come in handy for many individuals. It is the right type of fold up stationary bike if you are looking for something easy to store under your bed or inside your cramped closet.
This folding bike exercise machine gives you the chance to burn calories and not have a strain on your lower back as it allows you to pedal with your spine in a neutral position. You can also lean forward in its handlebar if you are looking to lift your butt off the seat to mimic cycling uphill.
It offers 8 levels of tension with its magnetic tension system. This allows users of the ProGear 225 Folding Magnetic Bike to burn a serious amount of calories or rehab lower-body injuries. You can choose the right tension that fits your needs and your fitness level.
One of the biggest concerns for any user is that you might end up working too hard pushing your body beyond its limit. With the ProGear 225 Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike, you can burn calories without worrying that you’ve gone overboard. The entire time you are doing the workout, you’ll be able to see the amount of calories that you’ve burned and monitor your heart rate at the same time. This foldable exercise bike has an LCD that is bigger than your average LCD found on other foldable exercise bikes. Aside from the calories and heart rate, it also tracks the time you’ve been cycling, the distance, and your speed.
However, it doesn’t support heavy users. It has a 220-pound weight capacity, something that’s not ideal for obese individuals. Next, on paper, it says that it can be adjusted for users 5’1” to 6’1”. But when used by individuals 5’6” to 5’8”, they find the seat to be uncomfortable. Many consider the adjustment to be limited and not something that someone 6’0” can use comfortably.
Pros:
- It comes with 8 levels of resistance options
- Magnetic resistance
- Foldable and compact
- With an accurate heart rate meter
- Large LCD
Cons:
- Not designed for obese and tall individuals
Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike with Pulse
The Exerpeutic stationary bike has become a favorite by many individuals who are looking to improve their health by doing cardio workouts at home. It’s also one of those collapsible exercise bikes that can be used by different types of users regardless if you are after fitness or if you are after rehabbing your legs. It has a low impact design that keeps the user upright minimizing the pain that you might feel on your lower back.
If you are going to compare the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike to portable exercise bikes, you’d notice that it has a wider seat. It can also support users up to 300 pounds proving that it has a robust design perfect even for obese individuals who are looking to start their fitness journey. And because the spine is maintained in a neutral position, it lessens the usual issue that users end up with back pain when they finish their workout.
The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse is perfect for a variety of body types. It can be adjusted for users 5’3” to 6’1”. You also get to enjoy an LCD that tells you all the important details about your workout including calories, heart rate, distance, speed, and the time.
And once you fold the exercise bike, you get to reduce its size into half, which is something that people living in small apartments can enjoy. They can even have it underneath the couch or in a small spot in your home.
It has 8 levels of magnetic resistance that can help you regardless if you’re a beginner or already someone who wants to supplement your outdoor cycling programs. It runs smoothly and doesn’t feel wobbly especially when you are in the zone pedaling hard during your workout.
Overall, the Exerpeutic bike exceeds the expectations of many users. However, there are also flaws that might turn off potential customers.
Though it meets your needs whether you are doing rehab or you are looking to trim your weight down, it’s not the best fold up exercise bike in the market. It’s a cheaper option but it tends to show signs of wear and tear after just a few months of regular use. Some users noted that the flywheel started making a clicking sound when they were able to surpass the 1,000-mile mark.
Pros:
- Perfect for different body types
- LCD that tells you your calories burned, heart rate, speed, time, etc.
- Foldable
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance
Cons:
- Some parts show signs of wear and tear after a few months
XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike
The XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike is an outstanding product that can hold its own against some of the best folding exercise bikes in the market today. It has an X-frame responsible for its easy-to-fold design. The X-frame is also responsible for keeping the seat near the handlebar allowing the user to have an upright posture.
It also offers support on the user’s lower back making it an ergonomic option for those who are conscious about their spine’s posture whenever they are working out. And because of the comfort that it offers its users, you won’t mind using it for an hour.
By design, some things stand out with the XTERRA Fitness FB350. It does have a 3-piece pedal crank that can prove to be durable. It even comes with a large LCD that tells you everything that you need to know about your progress. It gives you an idea of how much calories you’ve burned, the time you’ve spent on your workout, speed, and even your heart rate for safe measures.
XTERRA Fitness FB350 even added a place where you can hang your phone so it won’t get dangled while you are doing your workout.
It comes with 8 levels of resistance controlled using a large dial knob. Throughout the different levels of resistance, users will experience pedaling smoothly without any issues. However, between an exercise bike that comes with magnetic resistance and the XTERRA Fitness FB350, this foldable indoor bike feels inferior in this department. You’d have to consider the fact that friction is a factor that can contribute greatly to the wear and tear, therefore reducing the tension in the long run.
But the biggest design flaw is the fact that the handlebar isn’t adjustable. It’s hard to also get on and off this exercise machine unless you’re lanky.
Pros:
- Large LCD
- 8 levels of tension
- Supports the back
- X-design making it easy to fold and unfold
- Supports 300-pound individuals
Cons:
- Hard to get on and off the foldable exercise bike
- Tension isn’t as consistent as it gets older
ANCHEER Magnetic Resistance Exercise Bike, Folding Indoor Upright Bike with App Program
The Ancheer Magnetic Resistance Exercise Bike usually gets mentioned as one of the best portable exercise bikes in different review sites. One thing that you will notice with the Ancheer Magnetic Resistance Exercise Bike is its heavy-duty design. Just like some of the best workout bikes, it can support a decent weight. It has a weight capacity of 265 pounds catering for large users.
In terms of performance, it can arguably exceed several fold away exercise bikes as it can cater to 10 levels of resistance. On the other hand, an average folding exercise bike can only cater to 8 resistance levels. And unlike a mediocre exercise machine that uses friction to raise the level of difficulty, this exercise bike runs on magnetic resistance. It also functions smoothly and quietly allowing you to do your workout in peace without bothering anyone.
It has an LCD computer that displays everything that you need to know about your workout. It includes the standard calories, speed, distance, time, and heart rate. However, what made the Ancheer Folding Magnetic Exercise Bike unique is the fact that you can place your tab, and have the free app to make your workout exciting. The app gives you a chance to simulate game scenes. It allows the users to enjoy what you typically see from high-end exercise machines in your commercial gym.
The exercise machine was also designed for many users. The seat can be adjusted according to 6 levels that can cater to different heights.
Though it sounds like a modern-day foldaway exercise equipment, it is something that’s far from perfect in the eyes of different users. Some still find the strongest tension to be too weak while others find the design too small for someone 6 feet tall.
Pros:
- Smooth and quiet performance
- Includes an app that makes workouts exciting
- LCD monitors calories, heart rate, and other important details
- 6 levels of adjustment on the seat
- 10 levels of tension
- Durable X-frame
Cons:
- Too small for tall individuals
Exerpeutic ExerWorK 1000 Fully Adjustable Desk Folding Exercise Bike with Pulse
Exerpeutic ExerWork 1000 is a perfect combination for those who are dealing with a busy schedule but still want to stay healthy. It’s not your average folding stationary bike for different reasons. One, it has a unique feature that allows you to pull a desktop that can accommodate a laptop and work while you pedal.
It includes a durable X-frame design that can support users up to 300 pounds. And with a semi-recumbent design, you can sit normally as how you normally to sit in your office chair. It offers enough support on your back allowing you to work and workout at the same time without putting stress on your back. The adjustability of the Exerpeutic bike fits users 5’1” to 6’3”.
But does it get the work done if you are after a good workout? It has 8 levels powered by a magnetic tension control system that helps the exercise bike run smoothly without any noise. This allows you to have your meeting while you also pedal and burn those calories.
This exercise bike tends to give you everything that you need in a space-saving stationary bike but combined with the perks of a work desk.
Though it has its unique features and it can arguably be a good exercise bike, certain individuals may not like its design. If you are a shorter individual, better choose another portable spin bike. Users around 5’10” tend to fit the Exerpeutic ExerWork 1000.
Pros:
- Quiet and smooth performance
- With 8 levels of magnetic tension
- Comes with a work desk
- Easy to fold
- Comfortable seat
Cons:
- Designed solely for tall individuals
Lanos Folding Exercise Bike with 10-Level Adjustable Magnetic Resistance
Lamos Folding Exercise Bike is another outstanding option for individuals looking to stay fit in the comfort of their homes. It has a 10-level adjustable magnetic resistance that goes above the usual 8 resistance levels that you see on your average folding spin bike. Because of this, many have considered the Lanos Folding Exercise Bike to be their equipment of choice.
Apart from the availability of more resistance levels, other things can be considered exceptional, as well. This exercise bike is a 2-in-1 option as it is a recumbent and an upright exercise bike that you can use at home. It caters to a variety of users. You can enjoy the bike if you want more support on your back or if you want to mimic riding an actual bike outdoor.
The Lanos Folding Exercise Bike is the ideal option both for those who are doing rehab and for those who plan on improving their health. And because of its X-frame design, it can easily be folded and kept anywhere in your house. The X-frame design is also responsible for supporting the user well.
It even has adjustable seats that can cater for both small and tall individuals who are looking to work on their legs.
The LCD is capable of recording important details about your workout from the calories that you’ve burned to how fast you’re pedaling and even your heart rate. This gives you an insight into whether you are hitting your target or you need to pick up the pace.
There are many issues that users mentioned with the Lanos Folding Exercise Bike such as the LCD malfunctioning and the pedal making noise after a while. But then, what can you expect from a $150 to $200 exercise bike?
Pros:
- Affordable
- Durable X-frame
- Easy to fold
- Monitor your calories, speed, distance, and heart rate
- Caters to tall and small individuals
Cons:
- Pedal starts to make noise after a few months
Best Choice Products Folding Upright Exercise Cycling Bicycle for Cardio w/Resistance Knob
Best Choice Products Folding Upright Exercise Cycle Bicycle is a good option for those who are dealing with limited spaces but still want to find a way to stay fit. This portable spinning bike has a 2-in-1 design that functions both as a recumbent bike and an upright bike.
Just like most exercise bikes in the market, it has 8 levels of magnetic resistance that can let you choose how difficult your exercise is going to be. It comes with an ergonomic X-frame design that helps support the user but doesn’t cause discomfort in case you are working out for 30 minutes or more. It includes a padded seat with back support to keep your posture straight if you opt to use the Best Choice Products Folding Upright Exercise Bike as a collapsible recumbent bike.
It also comes with an LCD that tells you every important details about the workout including the calories burned, the distance you have already covered, the time you’ve been doing the workout, speed, and heart rate.
Though it’s a well-designed foldable fitness bike, let’s admit that there are some limitations to this product. For starters, it’s a bit tough to move around but not really because of the lack of good design. Its materials are simply durable that can support users.
Pros:
- Compact and sturdy
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance
- X-frame
- 2-in-1 functionality
Cons:
- Tough to move around
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Folding Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Folding Recumbent Exercise Bike provides sufficient support on users’ lower back. This prevents a lot of strain especially if you bought the portable exercise bicycle to rehab or if you are only getting started. However, by design, it’s not just a typical recumbent bike but can also serve as an upright exercise bike.
It comes with an X-frame design making it easy for the user to fold and unfold the exercise machine. It even has a monitor that allows you to see the amount of calories that you’ve burned, the distance you’ve covered, and even your speed. It also offers 8 levels of magnetic resistance that guarantee smooth operations.
It is even designed smaller than your average exercise bike, plus the fact that it is colored pink. This makes it perfect for women than men. But the biggest issue is the defect typically seen on the pedal. Some even mentioned that the pedal started clunking after just the third use.
Pros:
- X-frame design to make it easy to fold and unfold
- Works as an upright and a recumbent exercise bike
- LCD provides enough details about your workout
- Designed for women
Cons:
- Questionable construction
Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709
The Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike is a good addition to your home if you happened to be looking for an exercise machine that will help you get started with your fitness journey.
It has 8 levels of resistance that can be controlled using tension knobs. The biggest downside to the Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike is the fact that it doesn’t offer you a smooth performance unlike exercise bikes that have magnetic resistance. It also means that you will most likely feel changes in the resistance the longer you use the equipment. You might feel that the exercise bike is no longer providing the same experience compared to when you used it the first time.
Though this is an issue for a lot of buyers, comfort is something to look forward to with the Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike. It comes with a padded seat and back support that reaches the user’s shoulders. And also, you get to monitor your performance with its LCD. You will be able to see the calories you’ve burned, the distance that you have already covered, and the amount of time that you spent on the bike.
The pedal design is worth mentioning as it comes with weights that provide you with maximum foot support and great control. Details such as a foot strap are a good addition to the Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike as it keeps the user’s foot in place.
Apart from the resistance and the recumbent exercise bike’s performance, you also have to anticipate that shorter individuals will have a more difficult time using this exercise machine.
Pros:
- Relaxed back
- LCD monitor allows you to monitor your calories
- Durable
- 8 levels of resistance
Cons:
- Not designed for shorter individuals
- Performance is not as smooth as other exercise bikes that have magnetic resistance
EXERPEUTIC 300SR Heavy Duty 300 LBS Weight Capacity Foldable Recumbent Bike
The Exerpeutic 300SR Heavy Duty Foldable Recumbent Bike offers things that most folding exercise bikes for sale can’t offer. For starters, it has a 300-pound capacity that you don’t see in a lot of compact exercise machines in the market. Next, this Exerpeutic foldable exercise bike promotes good posture and ergonomics above everything else. You’ll notice that it made use of a comfortable padded seat including a high back support that can let you seat and have an upright spine. And on top of that, according to Exerpeutic, this exercise bike can be used as a chair on height-adjustable desks given its semi-recumbent design.
Performance-wise, you have 8 levels of adjustable magnetic tension that allows you to tweak the difficulty depending on how you want your workout. Pedaling also feels smooth thanks to the 3-piece crank system on the pedal. It involves a balanced flywheel and a V-belt that ensures quiet performance making it an ideal exercise machine even for those who are working out while working on their work.
You also get to monitor your progress with the LCD that displays the distance, calories, time, speed, and heart rate.
Though it’s a candidate for the best foldable exercise bike based on design, some tall users complained that it’s a bit painful to use the Exerpeutic 300SR Heavy Duty Foldable Recumbent Bike for them. The LCD will also need some improvement because it’s a bit difficult to see if you are working out in a not so well lighted area.
Pros:
- Can handle heavy individuals
- Padded seat and comfortable back support
- LCD gives you all the info you need
- 8 levels of adjustable magnetic tension
Cons:
- Sometimes hard to see the LCD
- Not fit for individuals over 6’0
PLENY Foldable Upright Stationary Exercise Bike with 16 Level Resistance
PLENY Foldable Upright Stationary Exercise Bike is most likely the best foldable stationary bike when it comes to the available levels of resistance that you can enjoy. It features 16 levels of resistance while most exercise bikes only offer 8. It also has a unique S shape design making it easy even for seniors to get on and off the unit.
It has a heavy-duty construction that can support a significant amount of weight. However, it is also lightweight and easy to fold. And once you folded the PLENY Foldable Upright Stationary Bike, you can keep it even underneath your bed.
The biggest downside though is that it’s not exactly the most comfortable foldable exercise bike available in the market. After 20 minutes of use, you’d want to get off this machine.
Pros:
- Senior-friendly design
- Stable and durable
- With 16 levels of resistance
Cons:
- Not comfortable to use
How to Buy Good Folding Exercise Bikes
Are folding exercise bikes any good given the growing mixed reviews on small portable exercise bike designs? It does have its pros and cons. Though it can’t meet the experience of riding an actual bike, it’s still better than nothing.
And also, there’s no generic bike that meets the needs of all users. You need to be picky if you wish to get the best bang for your buck. And at times, it can get intimidating and confusing. To simplify the selection process, we’ve come up with things that you want to consider in case you are in the market for a foldup exercise bike.
Performance
First, is to evaluate the performance of the exercise bike. Does it feel as if you are riding a bike? Unfortunately, not a lot of portable stationary bikes give you this type of feel. Some bikes don’t offer enough resistance to give you the satisfaction that you are looking for.
There are a few important parts that you want to consider if you are particular about your bike’s performance. The flywheel is the round disk responsible for giving you that outdoor bike simulation. The bigger and heavier the flywheel, the better it is. However, given the usual design limitation on foldable stationary bikes, you typically have a small flywheel on most designs.
Next, you also want to be particular whether it uses magnetic resistance or a friction resistance. Friction resistance tends to show signs of wear and tear faster than magnetic resistance stationary bikes. And also, the latter is known for promoting tougher resistance options for the users.
How do you plan to use the exercise bike?
How do you plan on using the foldable spin bike? Are you looking to recover from a knee injury/surgery or are you simply looking for something that can help you burn excess calories while gyms are closed? Are folding exercise bikes any good for working out? Or is this only good for those who are doing rehab?
There are no fixed answers to these questions. It all depends on the manufacturer and how the bike was designed. But as a rule of thumb, you might want to consider your fitness level if you are going to find a foldable stationary exercise bike.
For those who are using an apartment size exercise bike for their workout, the bike should at least have available resistance levels that are challenging to you. A lot of athletes don’t find satisfaction over the resistance levels provided by most fold up exercise bikes. But for beginners, some of these models might be enough for their needs.
On the other hand, if you are looking for an exercise folding bike because you are trying to regain mobility and strength on your legs post-injury or surgery, then you can have several great options. It’s even easier to find a foldable exercise bike that you can use for your rehab than for workouts given the limited tension that resistance levels produce. Also, many low-impact designs allow users to stretch their legs.
Design and Comfort
The next thing you’ll have to consider is the design of the exercise bike. There are folding exercise bikes that promote an upright posture while there are others that somewhat mimics how you are going to ride an actual bicycle.
You also have to consider how much weight does the folding indoor bike support. Some designs allow exercise bikes to carry users close or even over 300 pounds.
Plus, you want to take a closer look at the seat and how it is going to support your back. One of the biggest design flaws of space saver exercise bikes is that they don’t promote enough support on a user’s lower back making it a struggle to use for more than 30 minutes.
Another important aspect that can contribute to the bike’s overall comfort is the handlebar. Does it have any rubber? Does it allow you to lean forward and not have any stress on your back?
Weight and Folding Mechanism
Another important consideration when buying a fold away stationary bike is how easy it is to fold and move around. Is it compact? Does it take so much space? Is it something that you can store under your bed? And of course, how much does it weigh? Are you willing to forego durability if you can have a lightweight bike that’s easy to fold and move around?
A good foldable exercise bike’s design should be easy to fold and unfold. And not only that, but it should also offer you peace of mind that it can support your weight once it’s being used. On top of that, a folding exercise machine shouldn’t take so much space.
LCD
Next, you also want to monitor your progress in case you are going to do your workout. You need to know all the important details and have an idea of what’s happening in your body. A good foldable stationary bike should have an LCD that can tell you more about the calories that you’ve burned, the distance that you’ve covered, and the time you’ve spent on the bike.
But of course, other exercise bikes will also include your heart rate which allows users to stay safe and not work beyond their means if they are doing exercises.
And also, when it comes to looking into the LCD, you have to make sure that it’s something that’s not hard to see. There are compact exercise bikes that also have small LCDs that make it difficult for the user to see the numbers. At times, you need to place your bike in a well-lighted area to see the numbers displayed on the LCD.
Technologies
Modern folding fitness bike is not just your typical workout machine. Some brands have included advanced features including apps and even Bluetooth integration wherein you can hook your phone and even see the progress on your mobile device. Though it’s not exactly necessary, it’s a good addition especially for those who want to skip pen and paper when they are monitoring their progress.
Some even integrate entertainment along with the bike. You can hook your headphone and even watch videos as the bike connects to the internet.
Ability to do other exercises
And before you even decide to buy a small foldable exercise bike, you also want to check if you can also do upper body workouts. There have been portable stationary bikes that include bands that will allow you to do your upper body workouts while you pedal. Though not all foldable exercise bikes have this type of accessory, it can be a great addition especially if you want to work on both upper and lower body.
Conclusion
There are a variety of exercise bikes that are available in the market. When it comes to choosing the best folding stationary bike, it is ideal that you take a closer look at the technical details. Is it easy to fold? Does it support your weight? Is it something that fits your frame? Once you answer these questions, try to pick three to five products that you can compare. This way, you can have the best value for your money when you buy a foldable exercise bike.