What are the best exercise bikes under $200? When money is tight and you want to stay fit, it makes a lot of sense to be on the lookout for the best bargains.
It is an open secret that exercise machines are expensive and typically, you’d have to spend a couple of thousands to get the best of the best.
However, we have found a few models with a combination of super generous price tags and the necessary features to keep you on track as you begin or continue the journey to fitness.
Keep in mind that that having a $200 budget won’t take you very far if you are an extremely fit athlete with a well-honed degree of stamina from thousands of gym hours.
Let’s take a look at the top models for anyone unwilling or unable to spend more than 200 bucks on a stationary exercise bike.
Contents
Best Exercise Bikes Under $200 Comparison Table
Model | Maximum User Weight | Rating | Price | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser
| 300 lbs | 4.7 | $$ | |
Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike - White - Counterweighted Pedals with Adjustable Foot Straps
| 300 lbs | 4.4 | $ | |
Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike
| 300 lbs | 4.4 | $$ | |
Exerpeutic GOLD 500 XLS Foldable Upright Bike
| 400 lbs | 4.4 | $$ | |
Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike
| 300 lbs | 4.2 | $$ |
Best Exercise Bikes Under $200 Reviews
Checkout our reviews of the 5 top models available for sale within the $200 budget. Remember, these are the best options out there so regardless of the one you choose, you can be sure of getting your fitness on track.
DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser
The Deskcycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser is the perfect companion for those who want to stay ultra productive at work without sacrificing their health and fitness.
Any time you find yourself sitting idle, just fit your legs into the pedal and begin working on them.
The resistance range available to users is more than double when compared to other exercise bikes of similar design and price range. Also, 8 levels of calibrated resistance are available starting from extremely easy to very difficult.
Powered by patented magnetic resistance, it takes fluid and quiet operations to the next level. The manufacturer is aware of the importance of staying productive without distractions and this is why this model is so quiet.
Even at the highest speeds of pedaling motion, you can expect it not to cause any form of distractions to your co-workers.
The low-profile design and wider base are extra highlights of the Deskcycle Desk Exercise Bike. These features prevent the sliding as well as back and forth rocking reminiscent in full-scale exercise bikes.
The exercise bike fits under even the smallest desks, thanks to the low pedal height of just 10 inches. This makes it a great option for users who require shorter desks due to their heights.
The bike is also popular among students ranging from kindergarteners to college attendants They are found in many classrooms, giving kids the chance to get some physical activity while undergoing normal academic work.
The Deskcycle Pedal Exerciser can also come in handy for video game enthusiasts, readers, and those always talking on the phone.
Buy the DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser here.
PROS
- Low-profile design and wider base makes it sturdier than most taller gym bikes
- Low pedal height of 10-inches enables even shorter people with shorter desks to work out effectively
- Full 1-year warranty with 30-day money-back guarantee
CONS
- Built-in calorie counter is not very accurate
- A heavier chair is required to be able to pedal at resistance levels of 3 or higher
Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike - White - Counterweighted Pedals with Adjustable Foot Straps
The Marcy NS-652 Foldable Exercise Bike is great for comprehensive cardio workouts for users saddled with space concerns at home.
Armed with the same features found in most gym exercise bikes, this machine could be the missing piece to finally cracking the fitness puzzle.
It is manufactured from heavy-duty 14-gauge steel which gives it the necessary level of resilience to withstand abuse for a long period of time.
The seat comes with a flexible design so anyone can adjust it to the desired height for world-class comfort regardless of how short or tall one may be.
The bike essentially allows extensive workouts without the uncomfortable burning butt sensation found in rival products.
Users are able to access the manually adjustable continuous resistance integrated into this exercise bike. The good news is that there are 8 defined levels to choose from depending upon the user’s stamina.
The counterweighted pedals enable you to pedal as quickly as possible within varying levels of resistance. They also feature adjustable slaps to improve safety of exercise sessions.
Located between the handles is a powerful fitness monitor that aids users in tracking performance during exercise sessions. Variables ranging from Speed to Time as well as Distance and Calories burned are displayed.
This gives users a good idea of how hard they may be pedaling at any point in time in order to decide whether to slow down, maintain the current pace, or kick it up a notch.
The Marcy NS-652 Foldable Exercise Bike gives you hassle-free storage when compared to rival models.
It can be folded to half its size at the end of each exercise session.
Buy the Marcy NS-652 Foldable Exercise Bike here.
PROS
- Sturdy construction from 14-gauge steel material
- Adjustable seat height for both taller and shorter users
- Relocating to another part of the home is quite easy
CONS
- Seat cover (available for sale separately) may be required if you want ultimate seating comfort
- High cross-hinge makes mounting and dismounting a hassle
Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike
The Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike is an excellent model that can be folded and rolled away after use.
It is extremely efficient for those with space concerns at home but don’t have time to drive to the gym several times per week.
Getting on and off this bike is usually stress-free thanks to the modern semi-recumbent design which enables ultra-effective and comfortable exercises for anyone weighing up to 300 pounds.
Regardless of your size, the large seat cushion and comfortable backrest can prevent undue stress on the butts and lower back muscles.
It promotes the right posture so you can keep pedaling for as long as you want without any form of discomfort in the back area.
Additionally, users get complete control over how easy or difficult their workouts should be via the 8-level tension control system powering the bike.
This system also allows users to switch between varying resistance levels during different exercises to keep it fun and more engaging.
Smooth and consistent pedaling motion is essentially guaranteed via the 3-piece high torque cranking system. This enables everyone to exercise with exceptional levels of fluidity without worrying about any form of noise to co-workers and family members.
If you love exercising while watching your favorite TV shows or sports games, this unit can be life-saving.
The Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike can be folded to at least half-size during storage.
The transportation wheels on the other hand enable stress-free movement from one side of the home to another.
Buy the Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike here.
PROS
- 3-piece high torque cranking system guarantees smooth and consistent movements
- World-class design enables easy getting on and off for everyone regardless of weight
- Seat is extremely comfortable which encourages daily workouts
- Foldable design is perfect for storage
CONS
- Transportation after it has been folded feels a bit awkward
- Plastic housing on the gearbox is the bike’s weakest link
Exerpeutic GOLD 500 XLS Foldable Upright Bike, 400 lbs
The Exerpeutic Gold 500XL Foldable Upright Bike is a heavy-duty model endowed with a wide range of features that deliver excellent results.
It is worth nothing that this is probably the only model within the $200 price limit designed to support users weighing up to 400 pounds.
No form of interference is experienced when watching TV or listening to music thanks to the extremely quiet operation.
This is thanks to the precision balanced flywheel engineering coupled with the patented V-belt drive system which enables smooth movements regardless of your weight.
Choose between easy and challenging workouts depending on how fit you are via the 8-level magnetic tension resistance integrated into the machine.
Those who do not compromise on comfort find the large padded seats featured in this exercise bike very reassuring. It is perfect for users of any size and can be easily adjusted to fit exercisers with heights ranging from 5’1” to 6’5” with no problems.
When not in use, the unique compact design can be very useful. It also folds to half of its size so you can hide it in a closet or another part of the home to prevent it from being an obstacle as you go about normal daily activities.
The large LCD monitor displays Time, Distance, Calories, Speed, Odometer, and Scan for easy performance feedback.
Thankfully, the comprehensive user manual included in the shipment gives you everything you need to know to leverage these features for improved fitness.
Buy the Exerpeutic Gold 500XL Foldable Upright Bike here.
PROS
- Heavy-duty construction with quality parts
- Precision balanced flywheel and V-belt design guarantee smooth noise-free operations
- 400-pound maximum weight capacity makes it accessible for a wider range of users
- Folds to half size during storage
CONS
- Transportation wheels are quite small and difficult to use
- Tension connections can be a little complicated and therefore requires reading the assembly manual in detail
Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike
The Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike with Pulse gives users all the benefits of top-level recumbent exercise bikes without the typically monstrous price tags.
It guarantees extremely challenging cardiovascular workouts without undue stress on the knees, ankles, and other delicate areas of the body.
The ability to customize your ride to challenge yourself over time is enhanced by the 8 level magnetic tension control system.
Users get a sense of achievement whenever it gets to the point where they have to move up to a higher resistance in order for their workouts to feel challenging again.
This affordable recumbent exercise bike comes with dimensions of 22x34x54 inches (WXHXD) and weighs 63 pounds when fully assembled. The 300-pound weight capacity makes it suitable for the fitness needs of a wide range of people.
The display is large and easy to read even for those who are not very tech savvy. It indicates Time, Distance, Calories, Speed, and Heart Rate data.
The integrated hand pulse sensors also measure user heart rate and instantly transmit the figures to the computer monitor.
It enables you to work out within your personal target heart rate zones for maximum fitness benefits depending on your specific objectives for each session.
The seat is designed to give comfort for anyone whose weight falls within the maximum figures. Users 5’3’’ to 6’5’’ tall are able to use this recumbent bike with ease due to the adjustable nature of the seats.
Need to relocate the bike for any reason? The built-in transportation wheels make this possible with minimal stress.
Unlike other models on the market, you will never have to enlist the help of a 3rd party to carry the Exerpeutic 900XL Recumbent Bike around.
Buy the Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike with Pulse here.
PROS
- Extremely quiet pedaling thanks to precision balanced flywheel and V-belt design system
- Pulse monitor enables users to stay within their target heart rate zones
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance helps you determine the difficulty level of each exercise
CONS
- Instruction manual can be overwhelming
- Display is quite basic
Difference between $200 Exercise Bikes and More Expensive Options
Whether you prefer an upright model or a recumbent-style version, detailed comparisons have proven that each of them brings unique advantages.
Also, you should note that $200 won’t take you very far in Exercise Bike Land.
While the stationary exercise bike reviews presented at the top of this page are the best of the best within our predefined price range, you should know that they have a couple of limitations.
Let’s consider a few of those.
Resistance Levels
Most of our top picks come with approximately 8 levels of resistance, to help beginners and intermediates benefit from challenging workouts. However, professional athletes and those with superior degrees of stamina may find these models too easy.
So if you have honed your fitness over a long period of time in the gym and consider yourself very fit, you will have to take the plunge and invest in one of those world-class exercise bike models.
Fitness Console
Almost every type of exercise bike comes with some form of computer console that generates feedback for users. However, the monitors featured in majority of the models at the lower end of the market tend to be fairly basic.
Most of them give inaccurate feedback, especially with respect to the estimated number of calories burned after each session.
They tend to overestimate the number of calories burned which can give users a false sense of achievement.
Aside that, the figures generated for the other variables are usually on-point so they aren’t entirely useless.
Fitness Programs
High-end exercise bikes usually feature built-in fitness programs that can be chosen depending on your goal for each workout. The make-up of a calorie burning workout for instance will be different from a body building program.
Unfortunately, it is hard to come across a $200 stationary bike with integrated workout programs.
Conclusion
All in all, our top picks for the best exercise bikes under $200 have proven to be exceptional for the body and offer loads of benefits for users.
It still feels surreal that you can power up your body to fitness with a machine under 200 bucks considering the high cost of gym memberships in recent times.
Hopefully, you are now ready to scroll back to the top of the page in order to choose the best model for your needs, and budget.
Open to buying a slightly more expensive option? Click here to get a sneak peek of the top-rated compact exercise bikes for sale.