Recumbent exercise bikes are one of the popular ways to get an incredible low impact cardiovascular workout. What makes recumbent exercise bikes so unique is their wide supportive seat and backrest, which provide support, and enable you to recline into a more comfortable position while cycling. The supportive frame makes them a perfect option for users of all levels and ages.
Recumbent exercise bikes promote good posture, increase blood flow, help to build strong, lean muscle in the lower body, and are great for cardiovascular exercise. If you’re interested in starting a home gym of your own, a recumbent exercise bike is a wonderful choice that will be easy and accessible for the whole family!
When selecting a recumbent exercise bike, there are a wide variety of choices out there. Two of the most popular options to choose from are the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4616 Magnetic Recumbent Bike and the Marcy ME-709 Recumbent Exercise Bike. In this article, I’ll go through the key features of each of these bikes, and what makes the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4616 Magnetic Recumbent Bike the best choice!
Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike ME-709
The Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike ME-709 is a great basic recumbent exercise bike. The bike has a high weight capacity of 300 lbs making it suitable and supportive for a wide variety of users.
This recumbent bike includes a wide, supportive seat that can be adjusted to fit an inseam range of 27 to 37 inches. When making adjustments to the seat, users will need to dismount their bike and make adjustments to the seat distance at the base of the frame by pulling the back part of the frame away from the front. For users who have a limited range of motion or back pain, reaching down to adjust the seat may present a challenge. You may also need to toggle between sitting on the seat to test if each adjustment is right for you and getting off your bike to make adjustments a few times until it’s set up just perfectly for you.
Once your bike has been adjusted, it includes a convenient step-through design which makes it easy for those with limited range of motion to mount this bike and get started. Use 8 levels of magnetic resistance to challenge yourself and change up your workouts. Magnetic resistance is smooth and silent making your overall workout experience quiet and enjoyable. Follow along with everything on the digital monitor which includes time, speed, calories, distance, and odometer (total distance).
The bike has a large frame of 55.5"L x 25"W x 37.5"H. Be sure to measure your space before making your decision, as a bike of this size may not be ideal for those working with smaller spaces.
| Pros | Cons |
|
- Comfortable, Supportive Seat with Backrest - Magnetic Resistance - High Weight Capacity - Step-Through Design |
- Seat is difficult to adjust and must be done when off of your bike by adjusting from the base of the machine - No Pulse Sensors - Large frame may not be ideal for small spaces |
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike SF-RB4616
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4616 Magnetic Recumbent Bike is a recumbent exercise bike designed with your comfort in mind. This bike also includes a high weight capacity of 300 lbs which makes it suitable and supportive for users of all shapes and sizes.
The comfortable wide padded seat is designed for optimal support and can be adjusted to fit an inseam range of 29”-38”. Take advantage of this bike's easy step-through design that makes it easy for users who have a limited range of motion to mount this bike.
Enjoy the patented easy seat adjustment lever, which makes it simple and convenient to adjust your seat while remaining seated on your bike. All you have to do is lightly pull up on the lever to move your seat forward and back. When you’re finished, simply push the lever back down to lock your seat into place. The best part about this easy adjustment system is it can be used while feet are strapped into the pedals of your bike so you can feel exactly where you need to adjust the seat according to your height and body.
Once your bike is adjusted, you’re ready to rock! Slide your feet into the self-leveling pedals that make getting set up on your bike a breeze. Challenge yourself with 8 levels of adjustable magnetic resistance to make your workouts hard when you want it, and easy when you need it. You’ll find the smooth magnetic resistance system on this bike to be extremely smooth, and quiet for an optimal cycling experience.
Use the digital monitor to track your time, speed, distance, calories, odometer, and pulse, or choose the convenient scan function to set the digital monitor to constantly scan through all of your metrics while exercising. The pulse sensors are a great added-on feature of this recumbent bike. Simply grab onto the pulse grips located on the foam grip handlebars at the sides of your seat. Heart rate is an incredibly important exercise metric to ensure your intensity matches your goal for each workout session. You can use your heart rate to adjust your training to your fitness level and ensure you’re working out at a level that’s safe and effective for you.
The bike has a compact frame of 46”L x 24.5”W x 38”H making it a great option for small spaces or a corner of a room. The lightweight frame makes it easy to lift and roll this bike from room to room or store it away if desired.
| Pros | Cons |
|
- Comfortable, Supportive Seat with Backrest - Magnetic Resistance - High Weight Capacity - Step-Through Design - Patented Easy Seat Adjustment - Pulse Sensors - Compact, Lightweight Design |
- No Pre-programmed Exercise Mode - No Device Holder |
You may notice the cons listed for the SF-RB4616 are also features that the Marcy ME-709 does not include. However, I’ve listed both pre-programmed workouts, and a device holder above because while not necessary to get an incredible workout, I think these are great features that can really take your recumbent exercise bike workout experience to the next level.
Pre-programmed workouts can help make your workout more interesting, as you can follow along with a workout already programmed into your bike than having to come up with one of your own. A device holder is also convenient when using a recumbent exercise bike because the comfortable seat makes these bikes ideal for reading or watching TV shows or movies. Having a device holder there will make it a lot easier to enjoy your workout entertainment while using your bike.
If you’re interested in purchasing a recumbent exercise bike that includes pre-programmed workouts and a device holder, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4954 Evo Fit Cardio Recumbent Bike includes these convenient features and even more to make your workout experience as enjoyable and fun as possible.
Product Comparison Chart
| Sunny SF-RB4616 | Marcy ME-709 | |
| Dimensions | 46”L x 24.5”W x 38”H | 55.5"L x 25"W x 37.5"H |
| Weight Capacity | 300 LB | 300 LB |
| Adjustable Resistance | 8 Levels of Magnetic Resistance | 8 Levels of Magnetic Resistance |
| Digital Monitor | Tracks time, speed, distance, calories, odometer, scan, and pulse | Tracks time, speed, calories, distance, and odometer. |
| Pulse Sensors | Yes | No |
| Handlebars | Comfort foam padded | Comfort foam padded |
| Step-Through Design | Yes | Yes |
| Seat | Large, padded seat with backrest | Large, padded seat with backrest |
| Easy Seat Adjustment | Yes, use easy adjustment lever to make seat adjustments while seated on your bike | No, seat must be adjusted when user is off bike |
| Adjustable Inseam | Min 29” - Max 38” | Min 27” - Max 37” |
| Pedals | Self-leveling pedals with strap | Pedals with strap |
| Transportation Wheels | Yes | Yes |
How to Choose the Best Recumbent Bike for You?
There are a few things I would recommend considering when narrowing down your recumbent exercise bike choice. Your budget, height and weight, as well as your specific preferences, are all major factors to consider.
Budget
Your budget is always going to be an important factor when it comes to making a big purchase like a piece of fitness equipment. Luckily, both the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4616 and Marcy ME-709 are relatively affordable and in the same price range. In that case, it comes down to picking the bike that has the best features for the value.
Height & Weight
Making sure the recumbent bike you want to purchase is a good fit for you is always an important factor to consider before purchasing. Read the comparison chart above to ensure both the weight capacity and inseam range that the bike you have your heart set on matches your criteria.
Preferences
Finally, your preferences when it comes to features should guide your purchase decision. Check the product dimensions to be sure that your future bike will fit in your space. Consider additional features such as the easy seat adjustment and heart rate sensors that can make your workout experience more comfortable and effective.
I hope this article was helpful to determine the best recumbent exercise bike for your needs. Like I’ve noted above, be sure to carefully consider the features and specifications that make your ideal recumbent bike unique before making a purchase decision. The best recumbent exercise bike for you will be the bike that fits your space, fits your body, and has all the features you could want or need to make your workout fun, comfortable, and effective for years to come!
