The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.
If you suffer from chronic knee pain, finding a type of exercise you can do that doesn’t bother your knees can be challenging. Although treadmills, ellipticals and stair climbers are great pieces of equipment for a full-body workout, many people with bad knees find these types of weight bearing exercise to be painful. Exercise bikes provide a low-impact, non-weight bearing workout that is easier on the joints, while still strengthening the muscles in your legs and improving cardiovascular fitness.
In this article, we share our top picks and reviews of the best exercise bikes for bad knees. We also break down what to consider when choosing an exercise bike for your home if you suffer from knee pain.
Our Picks for the Best Exercise Bikes for Bad Knees:
- Best Overall Exercise Bike for Bad Knees: Sole Fitness R92
- Best Splurge Exercise Bike for Bad Knees: Nordictrack Commercial R35
- Best Exercise Bike for Bad Knees and Arthritis: Proform Pro CR10
- Best Recumbent Exercise Bike for Bad Knees: Nordictrack Commercial R35
- Best Budget Exercise Bike for Bad Knees: Sole Fitness SB700
- Best Exercise Bike for Bad Knees for Workout Classes: Echelon Connect Bike
Best Overall Exercise Bike for Bad Knees: Sole Fitness R92
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 57 inches long (front to back), 37 inches wide (side to side) and 50 inches high
- Machine weight: 134 pounds
- Max user weight capacity: 300 pounds
- Resistance levels: 20 levels of digital magnetic resistance
Although any type of exercise bike provides a low-impact workout that places minimal stress on your joints, the reclined position of a recumbent bike is often most comfortable for people with bad knees. Recumbent bikes offer a horizontal orientation for your legs and greater stability from a backrest on the bike seat. Plus, there is a step-through design, so it is easier to get on and off the bike because you don't have to swing your leg over a high seat.
Our top pick for the best exercise bike for bad knees is the Sole Fitness R92 recumbent bike. The bike is specifically designed to reduce stress and strain on your knees and lower back. There is a patented inward angle orientation of the foot pedals, which is designed to optimize the alignment of your joints. To reduce lower back discomfort during long workouts, the adjustable, padded bike seat and padded back rest have supportive contouring and cushioning. There are 10 preset workout programs and 20 levels of digital silent magnetic resistance to challenge users of all fitness levels. With the included chest strap heart rate monitor, you can gauge the intensity of your workouts to help you reach your fitness goals.
Pros:
- Great warranty
- Nice convenience features like water bottle holders, transport wheels, USB port for charging, Bluetooth audio speakers, tablet holder and pulse sensors in the handlebars
- Padded seat and pedals improve comfort for your lower back and knees
- Easy-to-read LCD display is great for seniors
Related Post: The Best Exercise Bikes for Seniors to Help Improve Health and Maintain Mobility
Cons:
- Basic backlit LCD screen rather than touchscreen
- Large footprint
Best Splurge Exercise Bike for Bad Knees: Nordictrack Commercial R35
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 57 inches long (front to back), 37 inches wide (side to side) and 50 inches high
- Machine weight: 134 pounds
- Max user weight capacity: 300 pounds
- Resistance levels: 20 levels of digital magnetic resistance
If you have a bigger budget and want a feature-packed stationary bike for bad knees, we recommend the NordicTrack Commercial R35 Recumbent Bike. This high-quality exercise bike features a sturdy, commercial-grade solid steel frame. User reviews note that it feels stable and doesn’t rock or wobble even during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. Plus, like all of the NordicTrack cardio equipment, the R35 features interactive programming with iFit on-demand workouts and Explore the World virtual courses. There’s a large touchscreen in the center of the console to stream your classes, or you can try one of the 35 preset workout programs.
In terms of comfort and ergonomics, the NordicTrack Commercial R35 offers a patented Step-Thru design and oversized cushioned adjustable seat with built-in lumbar support. One of the challenges with riding an exercise bike with bad knees is getting correct foot placement on the pedals. The R35 has extra-wide ergonomic foot pedals with adjustable straps, which means that it can accommodate large orthopedic shoes. The wider platform also allows you to play around with your foot positioning during your biking workouts to find the most comfortable alignment for your knees.
Pros:
- 35 preset workout programs plus iFit compatibility makes for tons of workout options
- Padded seat and ergometric pedals improve comfort for your lower back and knees
- Commercial-grade steel frame
- User reviews report the bike has a comfortable seat with good lower back support
Cons:
- More expensive and requires ongoing subscription fees and Wifi connectivity to use iFit
- Large footprint
Best Exercise Bike for Bad Knees and Arthritis: Proform Pro CR10
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 57 inches long (front to back), 25.5 inches wide (side to side) and 50 inches high
- Machine weight: 150 pounds
- Max user weight capacity: 300 pounds
- Resistance levels: 25 levels of silent magnetic resistance
If you suffer from arthritis in your knees, hips, ankles or spine, the ProForm Pro C10R recumbent bike can be one of the best exercise bikes for you because it is designed to make it easier to maintain proper posture. The ergonomic seat and backrest are specifically engineered to help support the healthy alignment of your joints. The oversized foot pedals have adjustable straps to help you get a secure and stable connection as you ride, helping keep your feet properly aligned to reduce stress on your knees.
Customer reviews note that this is a great exercise bike for beginners because it is user-friendly, has plenty of easier magnetic resistance levels to select from and offers an approachable step-through design. Although there are 25 levels of magnetic resistance, the higher levels of resistance may not be challenging enough for advanced cyclists looking to do high intensity training. In terms of programming, even though this is a budget-friendly exercise bike, it offers iFit on-demand classes for guided cardio workout with personal trainers. Alternatively, you can follow any of the preset workout programs if you do not want to purchase an iFit subscription.
Pros:
- Great value for the price point
- Nice convenience features like a water bottle holder, transport wheels, USB port for charging, Bluetooth audio speakers and cooling fan
- Oversized cushioned seat and ergometric pedals improve comfort for your lower back and knees
- More compact than many recumbent bikes
Cons:
- Resistance levels may not be challenging enough for fit riders
- iFit subscription fees are extra
- Smaller 10-inch touchscreen is less immersive than high-end bikes
Best Recumbent Exercise Bike for Bad Knees: Nordictrack Commercial R35
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 68.35 inches long (front to back), 24 inches wide (side to side) and 53.5 inches high
- Machine weight: 192 pounds
- Max user weight capacity: 350 pounds
- Resistance levels: 25 levels of digital magnetic resistance
Although most of our picks for the best stationary bikes for bad knees are recumbent bikes, the Nordictrack Commercial R35 exercise bike gets our vote for the best recumbent bike for bad knees. It offers all of the knee-pain-reducing design features of a recumbent bike with impressive performance specs and interactive high-tech capabilities. With a 14-inch HD smart touchscreen, you can stream iFit workout classes and enjoy automatic control from the personal trainer leading the workout. This means you only have to focus on your workout rather than fiddling with the resistance level as you ride. In terms of reducing knee pain, there is an oversized, supportive bike seat with lumbar support and ergonomic, extra-wide foot pedals with adjustable straps. These features can help you find a comfortable position even if you have a larger body size or wear wide orthopedic shoes.
Pros:
- 25-pound inertia-enhanced flywheel and commercial-grade steel frame make for a very smooth, stable ride even for heavier users
- 14-inch HD touchscreen with automatic trainer control during iFit classes
- Oversized lumbar support bike seat and ergometric pedals improve comfort for your lower back and knees
- Good warranty
- Easyglide™ seat adjustment makes it easier to get a good fit
Cons:
- iFit subscription fees are extra
- Large footprint
Best Budget Exercise Bike for Bad Knees: Sole Fitness SB700
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 40 inches long (front to back), 21 inches wide (side to side) and 42 inches high
- Machine weight: 141 pounds
- Max user weight capacity: 300 pounds
- Resistance levels: Friction resistance with a tension knob
The Sole Fitness SB700 upright stationary bike is surprisingly feature-packed and sturdy for its budget-friendly price point. It features a heavy-duty, 48-pound chrome-plated flywheel, which is on par with even the best spin bikes found in commercial gyms. The heavy flywheel and belt make for a smooth, stable and quiet ride. Although there isn’t an integrated touchscreen display, there is a basic LCD screen that provides workout metrics such as your time, calories, distance, speed, RPM and pulse. With the tablet holder, you can watch whatever entertainment you choose or you can stream a guided workout from your favorite fitness app. The bike offers Bluetooth connectivity with a wireless chest strap heart rate monitor to help you stay in your target heart rate zone. Because this upright exercise bike uses friction resistance with a tension knob, you can gradually increase the difficulty as your fitness improves.
Pros:
- Great warranty
- Nice convenience features like water bottle holders, transport wheels, USB port for charging, Bluetooth audio speakers, tablet holder and pulse sensors in the handlebars
- Very affordable price point
- Four-way adjustable handlebars and seat
- Nice compact footprint is ideal for small spaces
Cons:
- Basic LCD display rather than touchscreen
- Friction resistance doesn’t provide discrete levels, which can make it harder to follow guided workouts on fitness apps like Peloton Digital
Best Exercise Bike for Bad Knees for Workout Classes: Echelon Connect EX-5s-22 Bike
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 58 inches long (front to back), 21.5 inches wide (side to side) and 61 inches high
- Machine weight: 124 pounds
- Max user weight capacity: 300 pounds
- Resistance levels: 32 levels of digital magnetic resistance
The Echelon EX-5s-22 indoor cycling bike is a great option if you enjoy low-impact HIIT workouts. You can climb up and out of the saddle during high-intensity intervals for a heart-pumping workout while still reducing impact on your joints relative to running on a treadmill. Plus, like Peloton, Echelon offers both on-demand and live workout classes on and off the bike. The vast library of different types of exercise classes, as well as the ability to do live classes 24/7, can be super motivating for those who like structured, guided workouts for a well-rounded fitness routine. Biking mostly works the muscles in the lower body, but you can stream Echelon workouts for total-body training, weight loss, HIIT, bootcamp and more.The 22-inch touchscreen display flips for easy viewing during strength training or other cardio workouts off the bike. There are also built-in dumbbell holders so that you can add weights for upper-body exercises. This gives you the advantage of being able to get a full-body workout.
One feature that’s nice for riders with knee problems is that both the bike seat and handlebars are adjustable in four ways (up and down and forward and backward), helping you customize the exact fit you need to support proper body alignment.
Pros:
- Offers both live and on-demand workout classes with a subscription to the workout app
- Large, 22-inch touchscreen display for immersive training
- Dumbbell holders enables a full-body strengthening workout
- Adjustable toe cages on the pedals for a secure fit
- 32 resistance levels offer a range for beginners and advanced athletes
Cons:
- More expensive
What to Look for When Choosing an Exercise Bike for Bad Knees
There are several factors to consider when choosing the best exercise bike to buy when you suffer from a knee condition.
Type of stationary bike
There are several different types of stationary bikes, but the two broad categories are upright exercise bikes and recumbent exercise bikes. Depending on the nature of your knee problems, many people with bad knees prefer recumbent bikes. However, upright stationary bikes and spin bikes can also be workable options, particularly if you’re looking to do HIIT workouts or more intense cycling.
Resistance
The exercise bike that you buy should provide enough resistance to give you a challenging workout while still being doable. Depending on your fitness level, you will want to choose an exercise bike that has a sufficient number of resistance levels so that you can increase the difficulty as your fitness improves. Beginners can often get away with an inexpensive exercise bike with just eight or 10 levels of magnetic tension. However, if you are a more advanced athlete and plan to do high-intensity workouts, look for a minimum of 22 to 25 levels of resistance.
Product weight and dimensions
An important consideration when you are buying an exercise bike for your home gym is its footprint as well as necessary connectivity (power, WiFi, etc.). Although stationary bikes typically take up much less floor space than cardio machines like treadmills and elliptical trainers, they still can have a fairly large footprint. In fact, although recumbent exercise bikes are usually the most popular choices for people with bad knees, this style of exercise bike has the largest footprint.
Adjustability
One of the most important considerations when choosing the best exercise bike for bad knees is the adjustability of the bike. With upright bikes, it is best if there is an adjustable seat and adjustable handlebars, permitting up and down as well as fore/aft movement. If the foot pedals are adjustable or have a nice wide platform with adjustable straps, it will also increase the likelihood that you can position your feet in just the right way to reduce stress on your knees.
Comfort and ease of use
Look for a padded bike seat so that it is more comfortable and supportive. Contouring in the bike seat and backrest can help maintain proper posture. Finally, if it hurts to put all your weight on one leg, look for a step-through recumbent bike.
Workout programs
Most of the best exercise bikes offer pre-programmed workouts or on-demand biking classes for guided instruction. If you want to be able to stream video workout classes, look for an exercise bike with a built-in touchscreen or one that has Bluetooth connectivity to fitness apps that offer on-demand workouts. Keep in mind that most of these fitness apps operate on a subscription model, so you will have to factor in ongoing fees into your budget.
Maximum weight capacity
If you have a larger body size, make sure to double check the maximum weight capacity of the exercise bike before you buy it. Even if you have a lower body weight, choosing an exercise bike with a high weight capacity can be a smart choice or anyone looking to do high-intensity workouts. A stationary bike with a high weight capacity will have a more durable and sturdy construction, so it will be able to withstand heavy duty use without shaking or breaking down prematurely.
How We Chose the Best Exercise Bikes for Bad Knees
To choose the best exercise bikes for bad knees, we reviewed the top stationary bikes from reputable manufacturers of fitness equipment for at home workouts. We evaluated all the bikes for specific design features that would support proper posture and joint alignment to reduce knee strain and enhance comfort when working out with knee pain. We then looked at the other features and functions of the exercise bike, the adjustability of the seat and handlebars, the number of resistance levels, the type of display, workout metrics, heart rate monitoring, connectivity, workout programs, warranty and maximum weight capacity. We combed through the user reviews for each of the exercise bikes, paying particular attention to pros and cons for each bike and any mentions of issues causing knee pain or features alleviating knee pain when cycling. In the end, we tried to choose the best exercise bikes for knee pain covering a range of price points, technology features and programs or resistance levels suitable for different fitness levels.
What's the Correct Form to Protect Your Knees While Riding?
Working with a physical therapist is the best way to get individualized advice about exercising with bad knees. However, it is generally recommended to ride a recumbent or semi-recumbent bike. The semi-reclined position helps take pressure off your knee joints by helping distribute more of your weight along your bottom and lower back. The seat position should be adjusted so that your legs have a minimal bend in them when the pedal is fully extended. Aim for a five to 15-degree angle in your knees. If you are riding a recumbent or semi-recumbent bike, keep your weight backwards; try not to lean forward as this will place more pressure on your knees.
Whether using an upright exercise bike or a recumbent one, keep your core tight and engaged. Make sure your spine is in a neutral position. Slouching or hunching over may cause back pain and can make it harder to breathe.
Types of Exercise Bikes for Bad Knees
There isn’t necessarily a “best“ type of exercise bike for bad knees; rather, you should consider the differences between the different types of stationary bikes to find the one that best meets your needs. The primary types of exercise bikes include upright stationary bikes, recumbent stationary bikes, indoor cycling bikes or spin bikes and under-desk foot pedal bikes.
An upright stationary bike is the traditional type of exercise bike found in most gyms. These exercise bikes can provide a great workout, but can be more difficult to get on and off than a recumbent exercise bike. The bike seat may also be less comfortable because there is no back support. Additionally, because you are sitting upright with the foot pedals below your body, some riders with bad knees find that there is more pressure on the knees than in the recumbent position.
A recumbent exercise bike is a reclined position so that your legs are pedaling out in front of you rather than below your body. Some fitness experts say that a recumbent bike can decrease the stress on your joints, including your hips, knees, ankles and spine. The different orientation and the fact that you are pressing outward instead of downward may reduce the pressure and stress on your knees. Additionally, recumbent bikes are easier to get on and off because they offer a step-through rather than step-over design. The more supportive seat with a backrest can help you maintain proper posture to reduce low back pain. However, because you’re leaning up against a back rest, recumbent bikes require less core muscle activation.
Lastly, there are folding exercise bikes and portable exercise bike pedal machines that can be used on the floor. These exercise machines are compact, lightweight and generally quite cheap on Amazon. However, the pedaling stroke uses a much smaller range of motion, so they are not as effective at strengthening your muscles or burning calories.
FAQs
Are exercise bikes good for bad knees?
Exercise bikes provide a low-impact form of physical activity. Exercise bikes are easier on your knee joints than many other types of exercise, and may reduce the knee pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Are ellipticals better for knees than exercise bikes?
Both ellipticals and exercise bikes provide low-impact exercise. However, an elliptical is a weight bearing exercise since you’re standing upright rather than being supported by a bike seat. For this reason, many people with bad knees find an exercise bike to be more comfortable.
Are upright or recumbent bikes better for knees?
Either a recumbent or upright exercise bike can be good for your knees, but recumbent bikes are often said to be more comfortable. The horizontal orientation of the pedal stroke may reduce pressure on your joints, with evidence suggesting that the stress on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is reduced while riding a recumbent bike.
Final Thoughts
Overall, an exercise bike can be a great option for a low-impact cardio workout for people with bad knees. If you suffer from knee pain, it's important to consider the features of an exercise bike, but also how the design impact any activity imitations or movement restrictions you have.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
