Yahoo News Best folding exercise bikes to save you space between workouts
Since the start of the pandemic, our home and work lives have changed significantly. Many of us are now working from home far more than we used to, with our homes becoming combined spaces for work, rest and play.
As much as you may want to incorporate more exercise into your day, not all of us are lucky enough to have a spare room we can use as a home gym. Whilst the idea of adding exercise equipment to your living room may feel like a suitable solution, no one wants an exercise bike as a permanent fixture - always on display or gathering dust in the corner of their living room. As a result, the popularity of folding exercise bikes has increased significantly in recent years.
These innovative, lightweight and portable exercise bikes are not only generally cheaper and smaller than traditional exercise bikes but are a great space-saving tool too. With the ability to provide great cardio exercise from the comfort of your own home, folding exercise bikes also fold to around half their original size, allowing them to be easily stashed away when not in use.
What should I look for in a folding exercise bike?
Size - Folding exercise bikes are generally much more compact than traditional stationary exercise bikes, still, it’s worth checking the specific dimensions of each product depending on where you intend to use it. If opting for a folding exercise bike, you should consider both the upright and folded dimensions so that it can be stored appropriately when not in use.
Casters - Not all folding exercise bikes have casters, but if you’re planning on sharing the bike with family members or moving the bike to various locations around your home, they certainly help with the portability.
Display - The specification of folding exercise bikes also varies from one brand to the next, but a good quality bike should have an easy-to-read display that shows calories burned, distance and speed at a minimum. Exercise bikes with better specs will also include integrated pulse or heartbeat monitors to more closely assess the quality of your workouts.
Weight limits - Because folding exercise bikes are generally more lightweight and fold in upon themselves, they often have a maximum weight limit, which will vary from one manufacturer to the next. If you are over 100kg (around 15 stone) in weight, it’s recommended you check the bike’s full specification before investing, opting for one with a higher weight capacity, or reverting back to a traditional stationary exercise bike if required.
How seriously are you taking your cycling? - Are you cycling for fitness, daily exercise and fun, or training and preparing for a competitive cycling event? Whilst they still provide a great cardio workout, folding exercise bikes generally don’t offer the same levels of resistance as a traditional exercise bike. If you are taking your cycling very seriously, you may prefer to opt for a traditional machine.
Cost - Whilst exercise bikes are obviously cheaper than a gym membership, folding exercise bikes do tend to be more affordable than a fixed exercise bike, ranging between £100-£300 depending on the size, resistance levels and features.
Whether you’re trying to burn some calories, increase your cardio, or simply move a bit more during your working day, here are our recommendations for the best folding exercise bikes on the market today.
Ultrasport F Bike 200B Folding Exercise Bike
Size: 119 x 46 x 96.5cm
Size when folded: 138 x 57cm
Maximum user weight: 110kg
Resistance levels: 8 resistance settings
The Ultrasport F Bike 200B Folding Exercise Bike offers great value for money, making it an ideal choice for those purchasing an exercise bike for the first time.
Available in a variety of colour options (a refreshing change from the traditional black and white designs), the Ultrasport also comes with a whisper quiet noise level, meaning you can easily cycle in a home office or shared living room space without disturbing the rest of your family.
Suitable for a more gentle endurance and cardio exercise more than a strong high-intensity workout, the Ultrasport comes with eight different resistance levels that are grouped depending on their intensity level - 1-3 is the relaxed mode, 3-5 is motion and 6-8 ‘captain’ mode. For beginners or those with back pain, you can choose to purchase the Ultrasport with a backrest if preferred, whilst the adjustable height on the seat allows it to adapt to the height of the user.
The battery-operated LCD screen clearly displays the key functions to record your cycle including the time, distance and speed, calories burned and heart rate (the latter of which is measured by a hand pulse sensor on the handlebar).
The space-saving curved design of the Ultrasport collapses via a hinge to around half its original size and will fit behind a sofa or door when not in use.
Buy now £143.49, Amazon
Domyos EB Fold
Size: L101 x W45 x H136 cm
Size when folded: L63 x W45 x H109 cm
Maximum weight: 110kg
Resistance levels: 15
If you’re looking for a folding exercise bike that offers a bit more oomph, the 6kg flywheel on the Domyos EB Fold, allows a more adjustable intensity level, with 15 auto-motorised resistance levels that you can vary depending on your mood (and motivation levels).
Linking to an external mobile app and preloaded with seven coach-created programmes to assist your workouts, the Domyos is designed for occasional use (up to three hours per week) for users up to 110kg and between 1.55m and 1.90m in height. When folded, it tucks away neatly to around 50 per cent of its original size.
The electric panel shows six key functions including calories, distance, time, speed, heart rate and cadence/pedal revelations per minute.
We love the addition of an iPad clip which allows you to use compatible apps such as Econnected and Kinomap, and benefit from a more interactive cycling experience.
Buy now £299.00, Decathalon
Exerpeutic Gold 500 XLS
Size: L99 x W67 x H123cm
Size when folded: L67 x W63 x H146cm
Maximum weight: 181kg
Resistance levels: 8 magnetic tension levels
A folding exercise bike with a higher maximum weight capacity (up to 181kg), the Exerpeutic Gold 500 XLS is a heavy-duty and robust design with a large height adjustable seat that is well cushioned and suitable for users between 1.55m and 1.98m in height.
The large LCD screen is easy to read and understand, clearly indicating details such as calories burned, distance, time, speed, scan, pulse and odometer, whilst the eight levels of magnetic resistance allow the rider to select from a simple or more challenging workout.
We loved the addition of the safety strap on the pedals that can prevent feet from slipping mid-cycle, whilst the transportation wheels make the Exerpeutic Gold really portable and easy to pack away when not in use.
It’s worth noting however that the Exerpeutic Gold 500 XLS larger seat whilst comfortable for many, may not be as suitable for riders with a petite frame.
Buy now £299.00, Amazon
Exerpeutic Gold 525 XLR Folding Recumbent Bike
Size: 123.19 x 60.96 x 116.84 cm
Size when folded: 69L x 46W x 122H
Maximum weight: 181kg
Resistance levels: 8
For a more relaxed and leisurely ride, Exerpeutic also offers the 525 XLR Recumbent bike, a bike which sits more horizontally, making it easier to mount and dismount as required and ideal for a calm cycle whilst watching TV or listening to an audiobook.
The reclined position is also kinder on the knee joints, making the Exerpeutic Gold 525 XLR a good choice for senior users who are looking to stay simply stay fit and mobile.
With a heavy-duty, durable steel frame and a dual transmission flywheel, it comes with eight levels to work up through as you gain confidence, quickly adjusting the tension by turning around the dial.
With the same large sized easy-to-read LCD as the Experpeutic Gold, you can easily keep track of key metrics including distance, time, speed and calories burned.
We loved the compact fold, larger pedal design and extended leg stabilizers that will prevent the bike from tipping during use.
Buy now £299.00, Amazon
Songmics Exercise Bike
Size: 78 x 41 x 113 cm
Size when folded: 133 x 35cm
Maximum weight: 100kg
Resistance levels: 8
If you’re looking to make your time watching Love Island or Netflix boxsets time better spent, jump on the Songmics Exercise Bike, where you can watch movies and TV whilst you cycle using the attached iPhone / tablet holder. With a smooth and quiet operation, you can even do so without disturbing others.
With eight magnetic resistance levels, the metrics display will reveal key stats such as your speed, calories burned, distance, current time spent and heart rate. It’s worth noting, however, that the display will be covered when using your iPad or tablet. We see this as a positive, preventing you from clock or calorie watching and focusing instead on the task at hand.
You can easily adjust the bike to your required settings, including selecting from six different height options. The Songmics Exercise Bikes even come with a PVC floor mat included, ensuring the bike stays securely in place even on wooden or tiled floors (and protecting them at the same time).
Buy now £119.99, Amazon
Roger Black Gold Folding Exercise Bike
Size: ââââ67 x 41 cm
Size when folded: 140cm x 41cm
Maximum weight: 100kg
Resistance levels: 8 resistance levels
Whilst younger users may not be familiar with the name, Roger Black is a former 400m Olympic Silver Medalist sprinter, who went on to present and launch his own range of popular home fitness equipment.
The folding exercise bike from his collection comes with an easy-to-adjust knob which allows the rider to alternate between eight different tension and resistance levels, all controlled by a 3kg flywheel. The clear display makes it really easy to see how your cycle is progressing, with key metrics including time, distance and calories burned.
The sleek black design and cushioned seat look great whilst out on display in your home, whilst the bike self stands upright when folded; discreet enough to store behind a door or tucked away out of sight.
Unique to this particular folding exercise bike, we loved the addition of self-levelling pedals with straps, meaning the pedals will always be upright and in the right position ready to go as soon as you are.
Buy now £199.99, Amazon
SportPlus X Bike
Size: 111 x 83 x 45 cm
Size when folded: 150 x 50 x 45cm
Maximum weight: 100kg
Resistance levels: 24 resistance levels
If comfort is one of the requirements high up on your exercise bike wish list, the SportPlus X bike offers a soft and comfortable king-sized saddle with an integrated backrest, as well as easy-hold handles made from high-density foam for a more comfortable grip.
With practical features including integrated hand pulse sensors, transport wheels for portability, floor level adjustment and slip-resistant pedals, the SportPlus X Bike can also be used with a tablet holder and the Cardiofit app to complete one of six pre-loaded training programmes.
Whilst the SportPlus X bike offers an impressive 24 resistance levels, confident cyclists may still find them less powerful or challenging than those at their local gym. That said, you won’t need to limit your workouts to the daylight hours thanks to the backlit display showing calories, distance and speed.
Buy now £249.99, Amazon
Verdict
Whilst you shouldn’t expect the same quality of exercise bike you will find at your local gym, folding exercise bikes are a great space-saving option that allows you to incorporate some gentle movement and cardio exercise into your working day. Used regularly, a foldable exercise bike can improve your stamina, reduce body fat and enhance your muscle strength. It’s worth remembering that you will need to do some basic assembly and adjustment every time your ride, but this is generally outweighed by the benefits of compact and portable storage.
A great all-rounder that is feature rich but at a budget-friendly price, the Ultrasport F Bike 200B Folding Exercise Bike is a great folding exercise bike for beginners who aren’t taking their exercise too seriously.
If you’re looking for a more robust, sturdy bike that allows more intensity, the Domyos ES Fold offers a greater range of resistance that can add some variety to your workout routines using the ‘real world’ routes.
