Types of exercise bike explained

Upright exercise bikes

An upright bike sits you in a relaxed, town bike position with a wide seat and handlebars close to you. Most have magnetic resistance with numbered levels and a console showing time, speed and distance. Flywheels are usually lighter than on spin bikes, so they are best for seated riding.

Uprights are compact and quiet and suit general home use. Better models add a seat that moves fore and aft, adjustable handlebars and Bluetooth for apps, which brings them closer to a spin bike in fit. See our best exercise bikes.

Spin bikes

A spin bike, or indoor cycle, has a narrow saddle, low handlebars and a heavier flywheel, much like a road bike on a stand. It suits class-style riding, standing climbs and app classes. Many connect to apps by Bluetooth. Our spin bike vs exercise bike comparison explains the difference from uprights.

See our best spin bikes and best spin bikes under 500.

Recumbent bikes

A recumbent has a chair-like seat with a backrest and pedals in front of you. The low, open frame is easy to step through. Riding is seated and supported. Recumbents are longer than uprights. See what is a recumbent exercise bike and our best recumbent exercise bikes.

Air bikes

An air bike uses a fan for resistance and has handles that move with the pedals, so the arms and legs work together. The harder you go, the more resistance you meet. There are usually no levels to set. Air bikes are loud at high effort, blow air at the rider and suit short, hard sessions. A related machine, the Concept2 BikeErg, uses a fan without moving arms; see Concept2 BikeErg vs Assault AirBike. See what is an air bike and air bike vs spin bike.

Folding X-bikes

Folding bikes have an X-shaped frame that folds in half for storage. They are light, quiet and easy to move, with magnetic resistance and a simple console. Some have a backrest and arm bands, and a few convert between upright and reclined positions. They have lighter flywheels and less adjustment than full-size bikes, so they suit gentle to moderate seated riding. See are folding exercise bikes any good.

Desk and under-desk bikes

Desk bikes have a built-in work surface, while under-desk pedal units sit on the floor beneath a normal desk. They let you pedal gently while you work. They are designed for light resistance, not hard sessions. See under desk and desk exercise bikes explained.

The types side by side

Some bikes blur the lines: there are uprights with spin-style flywheels, recumbents with moving arms and folding bikes that recline. Read exercise bikes with moving arms for hybrids.

See our best exercise bikes →

How to choose

Start with how you want to sit. If you want to follow classes and stand up, choose a spin bike. If you want a relaxed ride, an upright. If you want a backrest and easy access, a recumbent. If space is very tight, a folding bike. Then check fit and max user weight; see exercise bikes for tall and short riders and max user weight explained.

Finally, measure your space with exercise bike dimensions and think about noise if you live in a flat.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common type of exercise bike? Upright bikes and spin bikes are the most common types for home use.

Which type of exercise bike is quietest? Magnetic uprights, recumbents, desk bikes and folding bikes are all very quiet. Air bikes are the loudest.

Which type takes the least space? A folding X-bike when folded, followed by an upright bike.

Is a spin bike an exercise bike? Yes. A spin bike is one type of exercise bike, built for class-style riding.