Fitness is something that is equally important for people of all ages but with every age the ways of getting fit changes. A small kid might have to engage himself in some outdoor sports while the elderly have to choose different options considering the health conditions.
As for senior people, there are not many options to work on their fitness as their physical health doesn’t allow most of them so finding the best recumbent bikes for seniors is one fine option.
Let’s move into the details of a recumbent bike as to what actually is a recumbent bike and what benefits seniors can get from it followed some useful tips on how to choose the best recumbent exercise bike for seniors.
Our Picks for Best Recumbent Bikes for Seniors
If you are in a hurry, you can directly check these recumbent bikes that could meet different needs of seniors citizens.
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What Is a Recumbent Bike?
The first and foremost question is what actually is a recumbent bike (also called recumbent exercise bike)?
So for that, a simple explanation is a kind of bike which has an inclined seat where a person can kind of lay back and get comfortable and then engages the lower body in exercise while staying comfortable.
This kind of design allows seniors to engage in fitness exercises without putting themselves in difficult positions. It is also easier to mount and dismount than other bikes for seniors. That is why recumbent bikes are often been used in rehab exercises.
If you are a senior and are up for some fitness workout, buying one of the recumbent bikes that are designed for elderly people is a good choice.
If you don’t work out for a long time, you can always start by using a pedal exerciser.
Benefits Of Using A Recumbent Bike For Seniors?
Cycling is a great form of cardiovascular exercise but for seniors and for some people facing back problems it could be quite a challenge to take a trip around the block and that’s where recumbent bikes come to the rescue.
Now one can opt for a best recumbent bike for seniors and doing exercise while staying comfortable on the inclined seat. There are many benefits of using a recumbent bike for seniors.
1. Safe and Comfortable:
A recumbent bike is safer and more comfortable as compared to a regular bike. As your back is supported fully it keeps you at ease while you ride your way through.
A lot of seniors suffering from back pain, the recumbent bike can help them keep an active lifestyle without hurting their back.
In addition, the seat of recumbent bikes is larger which makes the trip more comfortable and it also eases mounting and dismounting the bike which saves you from potential injuries.
For seniors with poor balance(for example, they need to use a cane or walker in their daily life.) it is also a better option.
2. Long duration workouts:
It is also noted that while doing a workout on a recumbent bike you are tended to exercise longer.
The large comfortable seat supports your back and makes it possible for you to occupy yourself in training for long durations and hence making your muscles more activated.
As you know, exercise regularly is important for aging health, a recumbent bike can make the exercise become easier.
3. Good for rehabilitation
For seniors who just had a surgery or illness, doing exercise on a recumbent exercise bike is a good way to recovery. It is gentle on the joint and back which will not cause extra burden on your body.
What To Look For When Buying a Recumbent Bike For Seniors
While choosing the best recumbent bikes for seniors, there are certain things you should be taking care of to make the best of your money.
1. Backrest and Seat:
Backrest and seat is one thing that you never want to compromise on while looking for a best stationary recumbent exercise bike for seniors.
You should always go for a large and comfortable seat preferably a padded one which adds in a lot to comfort level. A comfortable recumbent bike will definitely increase your desire to exercise.
2. Design:
Design is one thing you might want to consider while buying a recumbent bike for seniors. The design of the bike should be the one that eases mounting and dismounting.
Besides, it should be in a way that you can easily paddle while seating comfortably. The distance between the paddle and the seat should be the one which suits you.
Many bikes have adjustable seats but even then some may not offer the adjustment which suits you best.
3. Heart rate monitor:
If buying a recumbent bike for elderly you might have to consider a heart rate monitor as that would be really helpful in monitoring your heart rate while during a workout and can prevent serious problems.
Recumbent bikes often have a handle that has a pulse monitor that monitors the heart rate and displays it on the computer screen. If you have a fitness tracker, you can use the heart rate function in it as well.
4. LCD Feedback Screen:
If you want to work out considering the speed, distance, and all the other factors then you might have to pay a little attention to the display of the screen.
Many recumbent bikes have a display monitor but only some have the one with larger numbers and clear display. Such a screen would be helpful especially when it comes to seniors as their vision will decline as age. ( Check also microwave and alarm clock with big numbers)
If you are not into monitoring the feedback then you can probably eliminate this point from your checklist and focus on other things.
5. Speaker
Listening to music is a great way to make you feel relaxed. Some good recumbent bikes come with a speaker so that you can enjoy music while doing exercise.
6. Budget
Money is a great factor that can limit your choices so keeping in view your budget you can opt for the best recumbent bikes for seniors when you know that what are the features you can compromise on, and which are the ones you should never compromise.
How to Use a Recumbent Bike As a Senior:
Using a recumbent bike is yet another thing you should consider learning properly to make the most of the time you spend on it. The first thing is to always read the manual before starting. Other than that, here are some tips you can use to reap maximum benefit.
Adjusting seat:
First things first, you must adjust the seat according to your needs before beginning the workout. The seat has to be adjusted in a manner that your knee should be slightly bent when the pedal is at the backside of the crank.
Use a lever to adjust the seat until you reach the best position.
Adjusting resistance:
Resistance is another thing that you have to adjust according to how much strength you can put in. The resistance level brings on the additional challenge in your workout.
Start from low resistance and gradually increase as your muscles become stronger.
A good posture:
You should look for your posture and make sure that you are doing things the right way. Working on a recumbent bike with a wrong posture can lead to injuries which is something you definitely don’t want to happen.
Sit straight up with your hands forward and make sure you don’t lean forward. The legs should push hard when you paddle and take a grip of the side handles when paddling.
Prepare for Workout:
Working out on a recumbent bike needs quite a lot of strength in the muscles of your lower body. You should prepare yourself for the workout so you won’t hurt those sets of muscles and get all the positives out of the workout.
You can prepare yourself by carrying out some stretching exercises before starting your workout on a recumbent bike.
Ask your doctor:
Always remember to consult your doctor before doing any exercises. This is very important especially for seniors.
Best Recumbent Bikes for Seniors Review
There are a lot of recumbent bikes available in the market and to find the best means, finding the one that suits your needs.
Below is the review of some of the best recumbent bikes for seniors so you can make the best decision for yourself.
1. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike
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Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike can be classified among the best recumbent exercise bike for seniors. It includes almost every features that you need.
It comes with an adjustable padded seat so that seniors can get enough support no matter which kind of shapes the user is.
The seat is naturally shaped which is essential for the elderly who want to do long cycling session. The one-piece frame is so sturdy that it can hold up to 325 lbs.
The comfort features include a large LCD display, an input port for MP3, adjustable fan and USB media charging. You can enjoy music while exercising anyway but the quality may not as good as your phones.
It consists of as many as 29 programs among which 12 are profile, 9 are about heart rate control, 4 are custom, 2 are fitness tests, 1 is quick to start. However, the heart rate monitor is not accurate and you’d better use a fitness tracker instead.
Some additional features that make Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike stand over other options include 25 resistance levels, offering a very large range of workout intensity to cater to different needs of seniors.
This recumbent bike has Bluetooth connectivity and also is compatible with a lot of fitness Apps.
Pros:
- Pre-programmed workouts
- DualTrack LCD display
- Built-in charging port
Cons:
- Makes a cranky sound as you pedal.
- The heart rate monitor is not accurate.
- Expensive.
2. Exerpeutic 900XL Recumbent Exercise Bike with Pulse
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If you are looking for a recumbent bike for your loved ones that is affordable and with high-quality, this one will not let you down.
Made from high-strength steel, this recumbent bike is capable of giving an excellent workout experience to the people weighing up to 300 lbs. The weight of the bike is 63 pounds while the dimensions are 22 W x 34 H x 54 D.
The bike has a magnetic tension control system that has 8 levels and hence you can customize the ride according to your preferences and challenges.
The bike has a large LCD display which shows information about the distance covered, time taken, speed, no. of calories burned and heart rate.
Last but not the least this bike comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty which is definitely a very big plus. However, it doesn’t include other fancy features such as sleek design, speaker or USB media charging.
Pros:
- Comfortable seat with a comfortable back.
- It does not make noise and provides a silent ride.
- Hand pulse sensors monitoring heart rate.
- Affordable.
Cons:
- Difficult procedure for adjusting the height.
- Not suitable for shorter people.
3. Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike
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It is another high-end recumbent bike that is suitable for seniors. This recumbent bike comes with a large and beautiful LCD display screen and has a total of 29 workout programs for you to choose.
Nautilus R616 also has 25 levels of resistance that provides you with a wide range of intensity in the workouts. For seniors with weak muscle control, they can always start from a low resistance level.
The bike has Bluetooth connectivity, a jack for MP3 Player, and a built-in charger. You can track your exercise and get the report on a lot of fitness apps.
Nautilus recumbent bike is comparatively a really big one and definitely needs a sober amount of space to keep, so if you have a small room you might face a problem fitting it in there.
Pros:
- It is super quiet.
- Built-in charging port.
- DualTrack LCD display.
Cons:
- The user interface is not very user-friendly.
- The back of the seat which is not very comfortable for some people.
4. Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike with Resistance ME-709
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The same as Exerpeutic 900XL Recumbent Exercise Bike, Marcy recumbent exercise bike with resistance ME-709 uses a mechanism of magnetic resistance and offers resistance up to 8 levels.
It is another one of the best and affordable recumbent exercise bikes for seniors.
The dimensions of the bike are 24.5 W x 38 H x 48 D with an adjustable distance 26” – 33” between the seat and the paddle.
The weight of the bike is 61 pounds. It has a very comfortable padded seat with a padded back which adds up in the level of comfort. However, as the seat is flat, it is not suitable for a long exercise session.
The recumbent bike has a simple LCD computer screen with a sharp display that displays the time, distance, speed and no. of calories burned. The display has extra-large numbers which make the readability easier.
But it doesn’t come with a heart rate monitor which a lot of seniors may need it. As for the pedals, this bike has an adjustable foot strap on paddles which can be used to adjust the paddle according to your foot size. It has 2-year limited warranty.
Pros:
- A padded seat which adds to the comfort level.
- It offers a quiet and smooth workout.
- Reasonable price.
Cons:
- Makes a clicking sound while paddling.
- People with shorter height can’t reach the paddle.
- No heart monitor.
5. Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Bike
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Stamina total body recumbent bike is not just about having your lower body move but it also has an additional feature that is upper hand paddles that allow the movement of arms, back, and shoulders to engage your full body in the exercise.
It has eight levels of magnetic resistance and a tension dial in an easy reach. The design of the bike is a compact one so it takes up little space and is easy to accommodate.
The Stamina Elite has a pulse sensor in the handlebar that keeps track of your heart rate and is displayed on the screen.
Pros:
- It is sturdy and of good quality.
- It is very quiet during the workout.
- It also has upper hand pedals for the exercises of shoulders, back, and arms.
Cons:
- This bike is expensive
- The seat is firm.
6. Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR Folding Recumbent Exercise Bike, 400 lbs
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For seniors who live in small spaces, they may want to have a foldable recumbent exercise bike. (See also narrow walkers for small spaces) This Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR is a good one to opt for.
The frame of this exercise bike is very strong and durable which can hold up to 400 lbs. The seat is adjustable and large. Both of these features ensure that it can support big and tall men.
In addition, it included an LCD display with large numbers and 8 level magnetic tension is available. This recumbent bike doesn’t have advanced features such as Bluetooth or music speaker, but it is foldable and affordable.
Pros
- Affordable
- Foldable and Space-saving.
- Weight capacity is 400 lbs.
Cons
- No advance functions.
- This seat is not very comfortable.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, the recumbent exercise bike is a piece of good equipment to improve cardiorespiratory fitness for seniors. You should consider your budget, the features you need and the space you have when purchasing it.
Let us know with your opinion as to what you think about our judgment and what in your view is the most important thing to look for in a recumbent bike for seniors.
