What would you do when you don’t have a gym near you or don’t feel comfortable going into one?
You still need to get some exercise, but you may be tired of only being able to walk. This is why you want to look into biking. This is a great form of cardio that is not only beneficial for your overall health and wellness but is more gentle on your joints and knees.
However, biking outdoors may not be appealing to everyone. This is why you should consider a home exercise bike. And if you’re limited for space, you’ll want to check out folding exercise bikes.
At a Glance – Best Folding Exercise Bikes under $200
Here’s the comparison of top folding exercise bikes under $200 in 2023. This list is a outcome of more than 40 hours of intense research to make sure that you only get the top-notch exercise bikes.
| Model | Resistance | Weight Capacity | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slim Cycle Stationary Bike (Editor's Choice) | 8 levels | 225lbs | 4.7 |
| Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Exercise Bike (Best Overall) | 10 levels | 300 lbs | 4.8 |
| Exerpeutic Folding Upright Exercise Bike (Budget Friendly) | 8 levels | 300 lbs | 4.6 |
| EXERPEUTIC EXERWORK 2000i (For Heavy Person) | 24 levels | 400 lbs | 4.4 |
| Merax 3 in 1 Folding Exercise Bike | 10 levels | 350 lbs | 4.7 |
| MaxKare Foldable Upright Bike | 8 levels | 265 lbs | 4.6 |
| XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Bike | 8 levels | 225 lbs | 4.5 |
1. Slim Cycle Folding Indoor Stationary Bike – (Editor’s Choice)
This is a very unique bike that you may have seen on TV before. It really is a hybrid exercise bike as you have the ability to perform upper body strengthening exercises on it.
You are able to do this due to the built-in resistance bands. These bands allow you to perform exercise to strengthen your arms, shoulders, and back making this a true full-body piece of cardio equipment.
The Slim Cycle is like having your own home gym on a bike that can be easily folded up and stored away when you don’t use it.
There are also 8 different levels of adjustable resistance so you can always change the intensity of your workouts – higher the number tougher it gets.
The Slim Cycle also comes with some amazing features that will improve your workout and fitness levels. One big feature includes a heart monitor. This will allow you to track your heart rate so you know if you are in the right target heart rate zone or not. This is very helpful if you need to be aware of the intensity you train at.
Overall, this is an amazing piece of home exercise equipment for cardiovascular activities, which comes under $200.
2. Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Exercise Bike – (Best Overall)
If you want a unique, foldable, and very stable exercise bike, this offer from Sunny may be your best bet. This upright exercise bike is designed with stability in mind. It features a rare back support which you often don’t find on these types of exercise bikes.
This is great for anyone with mobility issues as you will be better supported during your exercise. There are also side stability handles if you prefer to sit back, pedal harder–but still feel safe and secure. You still have the option of regular upright handles if you want your workout to feel more like a real bike. No matter how you ride, you will be kept comfortable with the large padded seat.
There are also some great features here that will make your workouts more enjoyable. The first is a device holder so you can use your phone or tablet while you workout. There is also a built-in water bottle holder which becomes more convenient than you may realize.
When you’re done with your workout, the Sunny exercise bike is easy to move and store. The whole unit measures in at only 32 x 21 x 49 inches and the entire thing only weighs 38.5 pounds.
Another feature that makes this bike a great choice is how quiet it is. The belt-driven system is not only smooth but extremely quiet. This will allow you to workout no matter what time of day it is without disturbing those around you. You also can track your workout stats with the LCD display to see your progress as you train.
3. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike – (Budget Friendly)
Exerpeutic makes tremendous fitness equipment including this great folding exercise bike. This is a very stable unit so it will hold up to whatever intensity you decide to ride at. Despite being well-built, it only weighs 39 pounds.
It is of course foldable so not only does it take up a small amount of room–it can be placed in any area you feel like exercising in. This is great if you have an outdoor space and want to get a workout in on a nice day.
The build quality is very strong, and despite being a foldable bike, it can hold up to 300 pounds. It has a large and comfortable padded seat to keep you more secure during your workout. It also has some great features including pulse monitors to easily track your heart rate. You will also be able to track your workout starting with the LCD display. This readout will display things like time, distance, speed, and calories burned. This is great so you can monitor your progress as you get fitter.
It also has 8-levels of magnetic resistance so you can change the intensity of your workout. This is beneficial if you are feeling more energetic and want a challenge, or if you prefer a lower-intensity simple workout.
4. EXERPEUTIC EXERWORK 2000i Folding Bike – (Best for Heavy Person)
If you want to exercise, but still get work done, you’ll want to check out the 2001i folding exercise bike from Exerpeutic. Think of this bike as part exercise, part workstation. This bike features a sliding desktop that can hold your laptop so you can get work done or answer emails while you boost your fitness.
It also has Bluetooth connectivity to help you stay in touch but also gives you access to the Smart Cloud Fitness app. This gives you the ability to enhance your workouts by tracking and recording your workout stats such as time, speed, distance, and calories burned. You will have a log of your progression so you can see where you’ve made health improvements.
Despite functioning as a workstation, the 2000i is still a serious exercise bike. Along with the Smart Cloud Fitness app, you also get access to pre-programmed workouts so you can follow along to a customized training program.
There are 24 different workouts and 24 levels of tension, giving you an endless amount of training options. If you are someone who can get easily bored with the same workout, you will never be bored with the 2000i.
You also get great support through the upright backrest, support handles, and large padded seat. Perfectly suited for heavy person—this bike can hold up to 400 pounds while only weighing 68lbs. It then is easily foldable to be moved out of the way until the next time you need to work, or workout.
5. Merax 3 in 1 Adjustable Folding Exercise Bike
Here’s another great option if you’re looking for versatility in your exercise bike. The Merax folding exercise bike is another great 3 in 1 option. This is an upright exercise bike but still comes with a back support to keep you stable while you ride.
Even for a foldable bike, the Merax is still very compact. The upright position is measured in at 25 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 47 inches high. It can hold up to 350 pounds and can accommodate riders of different heights.
With this bike, you get a regular upright bike, a recumbent bike, and an upper body training system. It also features those built-in resistance bands to train your arms, shoulders, and back.
The idea with the Merax is to give you options. If you experience occasional lower back problems, you can set it to the recumbent position to take the pressure off. But if you want a regular style bike ride, you can easily set it to the upright position.
No matter what way you ride, you have support and safety. There are side support handles, and regular upright handles. The upright ones have a built-in heart rate sensor so you’ll know if you’re in the correct training range. It is also super quiet and won’t disturb others as you ride. You also get 10 different levels of magnetic resistance so changing your workout intensity is quick and easy.
6. XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike
The FB350 from XTERRA is a stylish looking upright bike that also has a back support for extra safety and stability.
This is an ultra-compact design measuring in at 40 x 21 x 50 inches and when folded up, only has a footprint of 20.5 x 20 inches. It can be stored in closets and is even compact enough to be transported in your car if you want to take it on the road with you. It even has built-in wheels which make it even easier to move around.
Feature-wise you get a large LCD display to show you your time, speed, distance, and calories burned. The back support and seat are padded to give you extra comfort and you have the choice between the side stability handles and the regular upright ones.
This is still a great bike to boost your fitness as it has 8 different levels of resistance so you can always adjust your intensity depending on how you feel. Despite being a simple and compact design, you still get built-in pulse sensors to accurately track your heart rate as you exercise.
There is adjustable seating on the FB350 so you can find the perfect position for your ride. You also get handy little features like a built-in phone holder so you can keep it close by.
7. MaxKare Foldable Upright Bike with Arm Resistance Bands
If you still want to work out, but have a few luxuries you need to be careful, the MaxKare foldable upright bike is the best option.
This is a hybrid style bike in that it functions as not just an exercise bike, but also a recumbent bike. A recumbent bike puts you into a more decline seated position and this helps to take the pressure off the lower back. If you suffer from any nagging back injuries, this is a great option to keep you safe, but still allow you to exercise. The recumbent position also takes pressure off the knees so you will be able to exercise for a longer period of time without pain.
But the MaxKare offers more than just these two forms of biking as it also is an upper-body strengthening machine. It features built-in resistance handles so you can strengthen your upper body muscles. You can do this while you’re biking, or for a whole separate workout.
The MaxKare is all about keeping you safe, secure, and supported while you exercise. It has an upright seatback, a padded seat, and side handles to support you. The design of it also makes it very easy to get in and out of so it will appeal to those with mobility issues. You get 8 different levels of resistance so you can easily change the intensity depending on your energy levels that day.
The bike can hold up to 265 pounds and can be adjusted depending on your height. It is easily foldable and is a great choice if you are looking for variety in your exercise bike.
What are the benefits of a Folding Exercise Bike?
1.Convenience/Space Saving
If you are limited for space, an exercise bike is one of the best options. They are smaller than the large options such as treadmills and ellipticals. But they still do take up a bit of room.
With a folding exercise bike, you get the option to keep fit at home–and all the benefits of biking–but with a machine that you can move out of the way. If you don’t plan to leave your cardio equipment out–or don’t have the room–this is where a folding exercise bike is the best option. Some of them fold up compact enough to be stored in a closet or pantry. And they are light enough to move to whichever location you want to exercise.
RELATED: 5 Best Air Resistance Bikes for Crossfit
2. Muscle Strengthening
When you train on an exercise bike, you get a true lower body workout. The act of pedaling targets your leg muscles including your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calf muscles.
If you’ve ever looked at a cyclist you know that they have some of the leanest and most defined leg muscles of any athlete. With the resistance option on an exercise bike, you can make the pedaling even more intense and get even more engagement out of your leg muscles all while avoiding any impact that comes from running or jogging.
3. Cardiovascular Health
Along with being lean and tones, cyclists are among the fittest athletes on earth. This is because the act of pedaling does require a full-body effort despite your legs doing all the work. Your legs make up 65% of your body weight, and when you use them–it targets your entire cardiovascular system. You don’t have to worry about tendons and joints supporting your weight so the pedaling motions are transferred to your heart and lungs building more endurance, stamina, and fitness.
Cycling is one of the top ways to stay fit as you can also go for extended periods without as much fatigue as you would get from running or jogging.
4. Recovery
Biking is a great way to recover from injuries or tough workouts. A good ride will start with a 5-10 minute warm-up and a 5-10 minute cool down which helps in the fitness recovery process. But biking is one of the best ways to stay fit and recover from an injury.
Since there is no impact, you can still get the cardiovascular benefits without aggravating any conditions. If you have joint, knee, foot, or back pain, biking allows you to still stay active without further damaging whatever condition you are recovering from. High-end athletes that are coming off an injury often use exercise bikes as a way to rebuild strength and muscle in the lower body, but to also improve their cardiovascular health.