When looking for a way to stay in shape from the comfort of our own home, few options are better than getting an exercise bike or a recumbent bike that spares us from having to brave the wind and rain on gloomy days. With it, it will be easy to improve our cardiovascular endurance and lose weight by exercising whenever we have some free time, instead of lounging on the sofa.
Today we're going to focus on folding exercise bikes, because if there's one thing we usually don't have plenty of at home, it's space. Even in small apartments, we don't have to give up setting up a basic gym, and this is one of the essential pieces of equipment that will help us stay active with ease.
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Our selection of folding exercise bikes, at a glance
- Cecotec X-Bike PRO with backrest, the best-selling folding exercise bike on Amazon
- Ultrasport F-Bike 150/200, very easy to assemble and store
- FitFiu Best-X2000, so comfortable it will surprise you
- ATIVAFIT, X-design with a wide padded seat
- Tecnovita by BH Open&Go YF90, as lightweight and easy to store as it is complete
- Micyox MX-600, ideal for a full workout, arms included
- Body Coach X-Bike, the Lidl option that's as affordable as it is complete
What is a folding exercise bike?
Folding exercise bikes often have the same functions as other exercise bikes, but with the added benefit that their folding mechanism allows us to store them in very little space. They are much lighter than others, and we can place them under the bed or behind a door without them bothering us in the slightest.
However, if instead of long, gentle pedaling sessions we're more interested in HIIT or very high-intensity workouts, we should consider that for our needs, it might be better to opt for a non-folding exercise bike.
What to consider when buying a folding exercise bike?
Resistance levels offered by the bike
We should keep in mind that we can use the exercise bike for recovery exercises after an injury, or for gentle maintenance pedaling. All of this would constitute a low-intensity use, for which we wouldn't need many resistance levels.
If, on the other hand, we're interested in high-intensity training, a bike with plenty of resistance levels will suit us better. There are various types of resistance on the market:
- Manual: the most basic type, included in traditional bikes. The inertia wheel is braked by pads and is usually adjusted via a rotary knob on the console. These are typically found on the most economical bikes.
- Magnetic system: uses a series of magnets to brake the inertia wheel, but without contact between the magnets and the wheel. Perfect for those looking for a quiet bike that allows smooth, consistent movement at an affordable price.
- Electromagnetic resistance: the wheel is braked by a magnet powered by electricity, allowing adjustments to be made from the bike's computer. This makes the resistance more precise and the pedaling even quieter. These bikes are the most expensive.
Frequency of use
We should consider that the more we plan to use the bike, the more robust its structure should be. The most recommended materials to make the right choice are aluminum (for its lightness and strength) as well as stainless steel (for its long-lasting durability without corrosion).
Dimensions, seat, and supported weight
It may seem obvious, but if we're thinking about buying one and have limited space, we should pay close attention to the dimensions of the exercise bike, both folded and unfolded, to make sure it won't get in the way at any time.
It's very important to check whether the seat is adjustable vertically and horizontally, and likewise, whether the handlebars are adjustable vertically and in tilt. Only then will we be able to maintain a correct and comfortable posture while training.
Other important details to consider are whether the device has wheels or not, to make it easier to move from one place to another, and what the recommended height and maximum supported weight are. The latter is especially important if our weight and height are outside the average, as this is an ideal exercise for people who are overweight or obese, but only if they have a suitable machine.
Disc and inertia flywheel
The heavier the inertia disc, the smoother and more comfortable the pedaling. The one included in folding exercise bikes usually doesn't exceed 10 kilos, but we should make sure it weighs no less than 2.5 kg for optimal resistance and stability.
The inertia flywheel should also be moderately heavy, to provide smooth, jerk-free pedaling motion.
Console parameters
The basic parameters on consoles are usually distance and time, as well as kilocalories burned, but some models offer more advanced ones like power or heart rate. The more control we demand over these variables, such as outdoor training simulators, the more advanced our folding exercise bike should be.
It's also interesting to have Bluetooth connectivity so we can connect other devices to it, like our smartphone or a heart rate monitor band. This way, we don't need the console to offer many parameters because we'll have them anyway.
Folding exercise bikes available on the market
Cecotec X-Bike PRO
This model offers maximum comfort thanks to its anatomical ergonomics and padded backrest, perfect for people with leg or back pain. Its dimensions are 53 x 110 x 120 cm, supporting a maximum weight of 100 kg.
It features a 2.5 kg inertia disc with belt drive and 8 resistance levels for long, gentle, not-too-intense workouts. We can't connect our phone to it, but it offers a holder where we can place our tablet or smartphone. Its price? 109 euros on Amazon.
Cecotec Folding Exercise Bike with 2.5 Kg Inertia Flywheel X-Bike Pro. Silence Fit System, Backrest, Adjustable Handlebars and Seat, Heart Rate Monitor, LCD Screen, Wheels, Max weight 100 Kg
Ultrasport F-Bike 150/200
With over 27,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, this folding exercise bike from Ultrasport has become Amazon's favorite choice. Made of steel, it offers eight resistance levels, supports a maximum weight of 110 kg, and features a battery-powered LCD screen showing data such as time, km/h, calories burned, distance, and heart rate (includes sensors on the handlebars).
A folding exercise bike ideal for beginners, priced at 164.99 euros on Amazon.
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