My Best Heavy Duty Exercise Bike Review to 500 lb. Capacity

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Best Heavy Duty Exercise Bikes with 500 lb. Capacity - heydayDo featured image

Interested in exercise bikes for a heavy person?

In this article I review and recommend five well-built upright & recumbent exercise bikes with 350 lb. to 500 lb. capacity that I product-tested in retail sporting goods stores.

I also tried out a handful of cheaper, lower-quality models with user weight limits between 300lb. – 400 lb., and am including my evaluations of them if you’re on a tight budget.

Many regular exercise bikes max out their weight capacity at 250 lb., and just aren’t built strong enough to safely accommodate someone who’s 50 pounds or more heavier than that.test tubes red - heydayDo iconScience resources included
As is my custom here on heydayDo, I will provide links to all of the relevant sports science & medical resources, clinical studies, and nutritional data used in this article.

 

Table of Contents

5 Best Heavy Duty Exercise Bikes By Weight Limit

Here are my recommendations for the top exercise bikes in their respective weight capacity, along with customer comments.

Click the pics if you’d like to read more buyers’ reviews.

 

3G Cardio Elite RB Exercise Bike – 350 lb. capacity

3G Cardio Elite RB X Recumbent Exercise Bike -...
  • 3G Cardio, an Arizona-based company with a combined 50 years of experience...
  • FreeSync FTMS Bluetooth Connectivity and Interactive 3rd Party Fitness App...
  • Our oversized, highly adjustable cushioned seat provides incredible comfort...

Last update on 2025-01-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

“I love my 3G Cardio Elite recumbent bike! I’ve gotten heavier over the years and this bike allows me to get a really good workout without straining my back or knees.” – Anon

 

Schwinn Airdyne AD7 Exercise Bike – 350 lb. capacity

Sale
Schwinn Fitness AD7 Airdyne Bike
  • Progressive wind resistance for infinite levels of challenge
  • Efficient single-stage belt drive that keeps it running quietly
  • Perimeter weighted fan for easy start up and a smooth ride

Last update on 2025-01-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

“Overall, I am very impressed with my purchase. I would recommend this bike to any level of athlete or average person looking for a good workout. I am a heart patient and I really rely on the AD-7 to get me back and keep me in shape.” – TD

 

Assault AirBike – 350 lb. capacity

Sale
ASSAULTFITNESS Assault AirBike Classic, Black
  • Twenty Sealed Ball Bearings throughout the frame and pivot points to...
  • Unlimited Resistance for upper and lower body extremities based on Air...
  • Computer features motivational programs providing many programs (Tabata,...

Last update on 2025-01-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

“Commercial quality. Well-made and thus far durable. Heavy gauge steel where required. Yes, it will give you a workout like you read about. Would I buy it again? Absolutely!!! The bike is exactly what I wanted.” – S

 

HCI Fitness LXT-700 – 400 lb. capacity

HCI Fitness PhysioStep LXT-700, Recumbent Linear...
  • Low impact: inclusive ergonomic design accommodates a wide range of users...
  • Compare to nustep: patented Low-Impact Linear stepping motion designed and...
  • Premium 360° swivel seat: oversized 20" Orthopedic foam seat with lumbar...

Last update on 2025-01-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

“I just finished a 12 week cardiac rehab using a much more expensive total workout machine. The LXT Physiostep does the same workout but with better programs. This is a fantastic machine & sure give(s) a great workout.” – H

 

NuStep T5 Recumbent Cross Trainer – 500 lb. capacity

NuStep T5 Recumbent Cross Trainer
  • LCD Color Display
  • Locking Handles and Pedals
  • Larger, Comfortable Swivel Seat

Last update on 2025-01-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

“With a variety of medical challenges, this T5 has proven to be a perfect solution to allow me to get the needed exercise to help mitigate my issues. Thank you” – DS

 

Benefits of the 3 recumbent bikes

* All of them feature a low-height, step-through design that assures an “easy on, easy off” exercise bike riding experience for users who have balance disorders, health issues, or are obese.

* Smart design & sturdy workmanship provide a workout with an excellent level of safety & comfort for all users, including those with special needs, rehabilitation therapy, etc.

* These bikes come backed by outstanding warranties and are made by reputable American companies known for providing excellent customer service.

 

Benefits of the 2 upright exercise bikes

  • They’re both among the best upright exercise bikes with 350 lb. capacity on the market today;
  • They offer a full-body workout thanks to their moving arms;
  • They’re known to last for years enduring heavy use in busy gyms;
  • They’re backed by great warranties.

 

Program notes before we get going

In the 350 lb. capacity category, the Assault AirBike Classic is not given a full review in this article, since I product-tested it previously and wrote its detailed review in my article Best Exercise Bikes With Moving Arms here on heydayDo.

Click on that to check it out. The Assault AirBike Classic is tough as nails & built to provide a great full body workout for years & years.

 

Consider weight lifting in addition to riding an exercise bike

If you’re looking to lose weight & tone up your body, then I want to humbly suggest you start strength training a few times a week too.

The benefits of strength training are numerous. Weightlifting can rev up your metabolism better than bike riding can, & a higher metabolism will help you burn more calories even when you’re not working out.

I’ve put together a handful of dumbbell workouts you can easily do at home or at a gym. You can read them here on heydayDo:

9 Muscle-Building Dumbbell Exercises for Seniors – Full Body

Dumbbell Exercises for Flabby Arms Over 60 (or Any Age)

Skinny Fat Workout & Diet Plan for Women & Men

5×5 Workout for the Over 50-Year-Old

 

Protect your investment – get a mat

Do you need an exercise equipment mat to protect your floor from you and your home exercise equipment?

Your sweat can corrode the surfaces it lands and dries onto. And your weight presses down through the “feet” of your bike stand, which over time can damage your floor.

On the flip side of that, a good mat also keeps floor dust or carpet fibers from getting up into your equipment’s moving parts and causing problems.

I wrote a buyer’s guide & review on what to look for in top-quality exercise equipment mats you can check out here: Best Treadmill Mats.

 

Best Heavy Duty Exercise Bike Reviews

Here are details, features, pros & cons for each of the exercise bikes selected for this article. The top picks are again listed in the order of their weight capacity.

Click their names or pics if you want to check today’s price or read other buyer reviews.

 

3G Cardio Elite RB Exercise Bike

Top Pick among exercise bikes with 350 lb. Capacity

3G Cardio Elite RB Exercise Bike

Review summary:

Very comfortable & ergonomically sound, the 3G Cardio Elite RB is a pleasure to use which greatly increases the odds you’ll work out longer & thus gain more health benefits.

The bike is very sturdy when ridden by heavy people, yet takes up little space & is easy to move if need be.

3G Cardio sets the fitness equipment industry’s standard for excellent customer service & warranty support.

Recommended.

Check Today's Price

 

What I like about the Elite RB:

The bike is very well built using quality materials, intelligent design & manufacturing methods, no doubt about that.

And the company that makes it is well-known for backing their products & for their quality of customer care.

But what got my attention the first time I was able to ride the Cardio Elite RB was how much more comfortable sitting in it & pedaling was compared to countless other recumbent bikes I have ridden.

Of course I had to customize the seat settings first, and that was a breeze too. The smart design of the bike puts all your adjustments within easy reach.

About the Cardio Elite RB’s seat: 3G has around 30 (!) different adjustable positions so you can really tailor it to what feels just right to you:

  • front & back;
  • seat tilt angles;
  • & seat back reclining angles.

The benefit of being comfortable while using a piece of cardio equipment is huge: you’re much more likely to enjoy your exercise time more.

This leads straight to getting in better shape much faster than if you had a bike with a hard, uncomfortable seat that you considered a form of torture to sit on for any length of time.

Other perks this 3G Cardio Elite RB bike has:

A Best In Class warranty – Lifetime for the frame, 7 years for the parts, with 1 year free in-home labor. This is the best product protection of any of the exercise bikes reviewed in this article.

And it’s one of the best cardio machine warranties you’ll ever come across, period.

I think exercise equipment warranties are the window to the soul of the company who made the fitness equipment I’m using or product-testing.

A warranty reveals how much the company believes in the quality of their product, & how willing they are to stand by it when you have an issue.

In my decades of experience, I see 3G Cardio as a fitness equipment industry leader in terms of quality products & top-notch customer support.

 

 

Schwinn Airdyne AD7

Top Pick among exercise bikes with 350 lb. Capacity

Schwinn Airdyne AD7 Bike

Review summary:

The Schwinn Airdyne AD7 is an excellent high weight capacity bike choice for anyone with fitness goals or aggressive weight loss goals. Backed by a very good warranty and a well-established company that’s been around forever, the Airdyne AD7 is simple to use and effective for people of all levels of fitness.

Check Today's Price

 

This Airdyne AD7 is the same bike as its commercial twin known as the Airdyne Pro, which has been a very popular bike among Crossfit© enthusiasts, top athletes, & commercial gym goers for years now.

Its simplicity makes it suitable for all types of users, and its air resistance design can provide one of the best workouts possible on an exercise bike.

The AD7 is built tough, solid, & sturdy, which I’m sure you’ll feel when you climb on & use it like I’ve done.

Compared to its similar competitor — the Assault AirBike Classic — the AD7 is the noticeably quieter fan resistance bike among the two.

If keeping your balance while riding a bike isn’t a problem, Schwinn’s Airdyne AD7 is a great choice for anyone looking to lose weight safely & quickly.

 

What I like:

High owner satisfaction – 91% 4&5-star ratings; 4.6 stars across the internet with thousands of owner reviews.

Belt drive – makes this a quieter & smoother bike ride than what its air bike competitors offer.

Great warranty – 5 years frame, 1 year parts, 90 days labor.

Great customer support

Heart monitoring capable – the console will read & display your heart rate, but you need to buy your own uncoded Polar chest strap.

High weight capacity – 350 lb.

Multiple preset programs  – intervals or target-based.

Multi-position handlebars – to target different arm & shoulder muscles.

 

Potential issues for some:

*It’s not whisper quiet – air resistance provides a great workout, but all that air being drawn in by the built-in fan isn’t near silent like a magnetic resistance spin bike is. I doubt it’d work in an apartment late at night with thin walls & sensitive neighbors.

 

 

HCI LXT-700 Recumbent Bike

Top Pick among exercise bikes with 400 lb. capacity

HCI LXT-700 Recumbent Cross Trainer

Review summary:

The HCI LXT-700 is solidly built & smartly designed to provide years of safe, effective exercise for seniors or someone with mobility & balance issues, and it’s backed by a great warranty from a company known for its customer care.

Providing a 400 lb. weight limit, the LXT-700 is recommended as one of the best bikes for heavyset people to kickstart an exercise program for themselves.

Check Today's Price

The two useful design features I’m thinking of that are on this PhysioStep LXT are its recumbent exercise bike seating and low clearance.

These qualities greatly assist the obese person in getting on & off of the bike without incident.

This is important because problems with balance and flexibility are common with the severely overweight.

And these design features also create a comfortable environment in which to exercise, which can enhance workout productivity & thus provide potential benefits including weight loss & better health.

 

What I like about the LXT-700:

*Excellent bike warranty: Lifetime frame, 3 years parts, & 1 year free labor.

*Solidly built –  like a tank, it operates very quietly & smoothly while in use.

*High owner satisfaction rating – 88% (4&5-star owner reviews across the internet).

*Very easy to get on & off of – low clearance & a step-through design allows the user to sit onto the bike without having to climb over it.

Very natural – the position of the pedals and the arms make for a smooth natural workout motion.

Full body workout – using the arm exerciser with resistance can help someone lose weight a little faster.

*Very good customer service reputation – Makes sense, since the great warranty shows they really back this machine.

*Easy to adjust – seat & arm exercisers can be tailor-fit for a range of different sized users.

*Lots of smart design & user-friendly features – nice easy-to-read easy-to-use console with exportable workout stats, lots of preset programs, heart rate monitoring, comfy seat, lots more too.

*Shipping free on Amazon – which is great considering how much it weighs.

 

Potential issues for some:

*Cost – Its price may discourage people on really tight budgets, but a high-quality exercise bike with 400 lb. capacity AND an excellent warranty is simply going to cost you.

*Its big & heavy like the people it’s designed for – ordering the in-home delivery service available through Amazon might be a good idea for some. Also, if you’re not very handy you might consider paying a little for expert assembly.

 

 

NuStep T5 Recumbent Cross Trainer

Top Pick among exercise bikes with 500 lb. capacity 

NuStep T5 Recumbent Cross Trainer

Review summary:

NuStep is one of the preferred brands used in physical rehabilitation & disability therapy practices throughout the U.S. And so this T5 recumbent bike is built with care, aiming to offer years of reliable, user-friendly workouts for people who face mobility or balance challenges.

Check Today's Price

With the ability to support up to 500 lb., the T5 also stands out as a great option for very heavy individuals looking to start their fitness journey.

One standout feature of the NuStep T5 is its extremely low step-through design, which makes it the easiest bike in this review to get on & off of by far.

Obviously this is a real help for users with balance issues due to illness, obesity, & the like. Plus it has several other perks among its features that help to create a comfortable workout environment; I’ll list the main ones below.

All this can encourage better workouts and lead to weight loss & better health.

 

What I like about the T5 Cross Trainer:

*Strong and durable – The T5 is built to last, and operates quietly during workouts.

*Highly rated by users – Many 4&5-star owner reviews from across the internet.

*Very easy to get on and off – The low step-through design is a real plus for users.

*Natural workout – The setup of the pedals and arms makes for a smooth, natural workout.

*Whole body workout – The arm exerciser with resistance could help you lose weight more quickly.

*User-friendly features – The T5 has a large, color LCD display, lots of workout programs, adjustable arm handles, and more.

*Free shipping – A nice extra, considering how much this piece of exercise equipment weighs (close to 300 lb.) & how big it is (roughly 6′ L x 3′ W x 4′ H).

 

Potential issues for some:

*Cost – It’s a big investment. But the high quality and features of the T5 could make it worth it for many people.

*Size and weight – The T5 is big and heavy. So, it might be a good idea to think about in-home delivery and professional assembly.

*Specialized design – The T5 is made for heavier people with limited mobility. It might not be the best fit for everyone looking for an easy-to-use recumbent exercise bike.

 

Inexpensive exercise bikes with 300-400 lb. capacity

Here are the other cheaper models included in this high weight capacity bike review that I was able to “test drive” in local retail stores.

Last update on 2025-01-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

I included these budget exercise bikes as a courtesy to my readers who simply can’t afford to pay for better quality.

Their ratings are above average among bikes in their price range, but the stickler in me questions the longevity & comfort level of most of them.

Cheap manufacturing methods & materials backed by flimsy short warranties doesn’t inspire any confidence in me that these bikes would hold up under consistent use by a dedicated workout enthusiast.

(Except for the Nautilus.)

The only bike in this bunch that I recommend you consider is the Nautilus R616, which I review first.

For an inexpensive recumbent bike it has a great warranty & is solidly crafted with nice design features.

 

Nautilus R616

Best Budget Recumbent Exercise Bike – 300 lb. Capacity

“After six months, still impressed with this machine. Really good customer service response, no issues whatsoever. I would buy another one of these” – WE

Nautilus R616 Recumbent Exercise Bike

The Nautilus R616 has features galore and is a well-built recumbent exercise bike.

Some of those features include a variety of training programs, heart rate monitoring, and Bluetooth connectivity to popular fitness apps.

It’s a very quiet bike while in use, and its open step-through design makes it very easy for anyone to get on & off of.

The R616 is a sound & appropriate choice if you’re looking for a recumbent exercise bike with 300 lb. capacity.

It is built to smoothly provide a low-to-moderate cardio workout at home, and comes backed by a very good warranty as well.

 

What I like:

*Very good bike warranty – 10 years on frame, 3 years on parts & electronics, and 1 year of labor.

*Very good owner satisfaction rating – 88% 4&5-star reviews across the internet.

*Smart design choices – the flywheel & drive system are built for a long-term smooth pedaling experience.

*Tons of user-friendly features

*Workout console is easy to program & use – lots of workouts too, along with fitness app connectivity & more.

*Shipping free on Amazon.

 

Potential issues for some:

*I saw where a couple of owners received bikes with faulty electronics. Luckily, Nautilus has good customer service that is usually quick to correct those types of issues.

 

 

Cheap Exercise Bike – 400 lb. Capacity

Exerpeutic GOLD 500 XLS

“Decent quality but they have to cut corners somewhere…Overall very happy with the bike. The pedal straps are very cheap soft plastic which broke when I went to attach them to the pedals. Not a huge deal, bike works as advertised. ” – B

Exerpeutic GOLD 500XLS

It’s lightweight and easy to move around, but this Exerpeutic model is still an exercise bike with 400 pounds of user capacity.

It also easily folds to a size that only needs around 2’ x 2’ of floor space while stored.

Another positive about the Exerpeutic Gold 500XLS is that it’s a magnetic resistance bike, so it is a very quiet bike good for apartments or other close-quarters living situations where noise could be an issue.

It’s an appropriate exercise bike for seniors & for doing real lightweight exercise. The Exerpeutic Gold XLS500 is definitely not meant for fit individuals to use regularly.

 

What I like:

  • Good owner satisfaction rating – 84% across the internet with hundreds of reviews.
  • Portable exercise equipment – folds & is easy to move.

 

Potential issues for some:

*Very short bike warranty – 90 days for parts doesn’t inspire a world of confidence in me.

*Seat’s not great for everyone – short people in particular

*A few equipment malfunctions – (out of thousands of buyers) have been reported once the bike’s 90 day warranty has expired.

  • pedals breaking
  • gears slipping
  • computer quits
  • heart rate monitor stops working
  • resistance settings get stuck on one level
  • other things as well

Reminder: It is a cheap exercise bike, after all.

 

Cheap Recumbent Exercise Bike – 350 lb. Capacity

Sunny Recumbent Bike w Arms SF-RB4708

“You get what you pay for. This bike is at a great price but not the most comfortable seat. I recommend it at this price.” – RW

Sunny Recumbent Bike SF-RB4708

A very inexpensive high weight capacity exercise bike, this Sunny SF-RB4708 is the real cheap exercise bike version of the HCI PhysioStep that’s a top pick in this review.

It too is a recumbent exercise bike that has moving arms like the PhysioStep we looked at earlier.

The bike’s arms are dependent on your leg work & pedaling, meaning they move when & how much you make your pedals move.

 

What I like:

  • Open step-through design –  makes this recumbent exercise bike easy to get on & off of for anybody.
  • High weight capacity bike – Although it’s cheap it’s still an exercise bike with 350 lb. capacity.
  • Quiet while in use – magnetic resistance keeps noise to a minimum.
  • Good owner satisfaction rating – 89% across the internet (4&5-star reviews).

 

Potential issues for some:

  • Short bike warranty – it’s nowhere near as comprehensive as the warranties of the heavy duty exercise bikes we’ve looked at so far. But it’s better than the bike warranty offered for the Exerpeutic models in this review.
  • The seat wasn’t the most comfortable to me – this is typical of cheap exercise bikes.
  • Faulty pedals – A number of owners have reported issues with their pedals.
  • Other mechanical problems crop up too
  • Assembly instructions not great – they look a lot poorer than many others I’ve come across.

 

Cheap Recumbent Exercise Bike – 350 lb. Capacity

Sunny Recumbent Desk Exercise Bike

“My only problem with the bike is that the seat is uncomfortable for me. It is hard and the contours do not fit me. I’ll buy an orthopedic memory foam cushion to see if that helps, otherwise it will be a loss of money because I’ll avoid using the bike because it feels bad.” – DCP

Sunny Recumbent Desk Exercise Bike

Here’s another Sunny recumbent exercise bike with 350 lb. capacity for you, & this one has a desktop.

I included it here just in case some of you were interested in a cheap recumbent bike like the model we just looked at, but didn’t necessarily want to deal with those moving arms all the time.

 

Structurally, this model (SF-RBD4703) with the desk is built very similarly to the previous Sunny (model SF-RB4708). Looks like they just swapped out the moving arms for the desk & its stand.

So if you like the idea of a really cheap recumbent exercise bike with a 350 lb. weight limit, this is probably about as good as you’re going to get.

 

What I like:

  • The desk idea is nice – and it’s a pretty good size at 22” x 15”. Height is adjustable on it too.
  • Good owner satisfaction rating – 88% 4&5-star reviews.
  • Quiet while in use – thanks to its magnetic resistance.

 

Potential issues for some:

  • So-so bike warranty – only 6 months protection for parts.
  • Some bikes shipped with missing parts – well it’s a cheap exercise bike.
  • Like the other Sunny, the seat isn’t great – you might want to buy a gel seat cushion.
  • Limited inseam range – depending on which literature you look at you’ll see they list different inseam ranges…say what?
  • Weird noises – several owner reports of various noises cropping up soon after purchase. Hate to say it again, but it is a cheap exercise bike.

 

Heavy duty exercise bike buyer’s guide

Here are a few areas I believe are worth your consideration when purchasing a high weight capacity exercise bike.

 

Stay under your bike’s maximum capacity

The following gentle suggestion of mine is just my own opinion, borne of a few decades’ worth of observation & lots of hands-on experience with cardio machines.

I’ll apply it to our high weight capacity exercise bike here, but it applies to any piece of cardio exercise equipment for home use.

May I suggest that you weigh a minimum of 50 lb. less than the manufacturer’s suggested maximum capacity.

 

So for example, if you weigh 250 shop for an upright or recumbent exercise bike with at least a 300 lb. capacity.

If you weigh around 300, then limit your search to bikes with 350 lb. capacity or better yet, look for a bike with 400 lb. capacity…and so on.

The more extra capacity, the merrier. You’re spending hard-earned money here, and you want this thing to last.

 

They’re just guessing your bike’s weight limit

Understand that when most manufacturers choose a weight capacity number to give to that exercise bike you’re thinking of owning, they’re just guessing.

Few pieces of cardio exercise machines are stringently tested. When they are, the manufacturer usually (& rightly so) brags it up in their marketing literature.

You can bet none of the cheap exercise bikes arriving here by the crate load from China have been put through any Underwriter Laboratory type of legitimate weight capacity stress test.

 

More weight = more structural stress

As you may already know, the more weight you put on something the more stress its support structure has to deal with — whether it’s our body or a bike.

So the closer your weight is to the manufacturer’s suggested weight limit for their bike, the more likely that exercise bike will conk out prematurely.

Losing weight takes awhile, so give your bike the best chance to be trouble-free for you for awhile too.

 

Warranty comparison on these heavy duty bikes

One of the clichés I rattle off here on heydayDo is that a manufacturer’s warranty tells you how long they think this product will last.”

I do believe that’s true. The length & breadth of any exercise machine warranty provides insight into how confident the bike manufacturer:

  • feels about providing protection for you;
  • feels about the quality of the materials & methods they used to build that exercise bike.

So let’s take a look at the manufacturers’ bike warranty for every high weight capacity exercise bike in this article.

Also, notice & compare the quality of the warranties between my top choices for Best Heavy Duty Exercise Bike and the cheaper high weight capacity bikes.

I’ve ranked them in order from best warranties to worst.

Best in class warranty

3G Cardio Elite RB – Lifetime frame. 7 years parts. 1 year in-home labor.

Outstanding bike warranty

HCI Fitness PhysioStep LXT – Lifetime frame. 3 years parts. 1 year free labor.

Great bike warranties

NuStep T5 Recumbent Cross Trainer – 10 years frame. 3 years parts. 1 year free labor.
Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike – 10 years frame. 3 years parts. 1 year free labor.
Schwinn Airdyne AD7 Exercise Bike – 10 years frame. 2 years parts. 6 months free labor.

So-so bike warranties

Sunny Recumbent Bike with Arms, Sunny Recumbent Desk Exercise Bike – Both come with 3 years frame, 180 days parts. No labor.

Hope & a prayer bike warranties

Exerpeutic GOLD 500 XLS – Comes with 1 year frame, 90 days parts. No labor.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to a couple of common questions about heavy duty exercise bikes & stationary bikes in general.

What is a good exercise bike for a heavy person?

This year the best exercise bikes for a heavy person by weight capacity are:
300 lb. - Nautilus R616;
350 lb. - Schwinn Airdyne AD7 & 3G Cardio Elite RB;
400 lb. - HCI PhysioStep LXT-700;
500 lb. - NuStep T5 Recumbent Cross Trainer.

What is the maximum weight for a stationary bike?

Stationary bikes nowadays have weight limits ranging from 200 lb. up to 500 lb. It is recommended that you buy an exercise bike that has a weight capacity at least 50 lb. more than you weigh.

 

Does weight capacity matter on an exercise bike?

Weight capacity is a very important specification to pay attention to when it comes to exercise bikes and other pieces of exercise equipment.

The manufacturer provides this as a way to let any prospective buyer know how much weight that piece of exercise equipment can safely support.

A person who weighs more than a bike’s weight limit runs the risk of the bike breaking down much sooner than it normally would.

 

What is the most durable exercise bike?

A good place to start when trying to compare the durability of different exercise bikes is by looking at their warranties.

A durable bike built to last several years without major problems will have its manufacturer backing it with a solid warranty.

High weight capacity bikes with excellent warranties are the:

  • 3G Cardio Elite RB
  • HCI Fitness LXT-700
  • NuStep T5
  • Schwinn Airdyne AD7
  • Assualt AirBike
  • Nautilus R616

We looked at them earlier. I’d also add the LifeFitness RS1 Lifecycle Exercise Bike from LifeFitness.

LifeFitness is a big supplier of commercial-grade fitness equipment to large gyms, fitness clubs, pro sports teams & colleges, hotel chains, & the like.

This bike of theirs is from their residential line of home gym & cardio equipment. The RS1 model I’m familiar with has a lifetime warranty; that says “durable” to me.

Here’s a coupon they’re currently offering if you’re interested:
Life Fitness Exercise Equipment 10% off ad

Are stationary bikes good for obese?

A stationary bike can be an excellent way for an obese person to exercise, but it is important that the type of bike allows them to exercise safely and comfortably.

This is why it is often recommended that the best bikes for most obese people to use are recumbent exercise bikes or recumbent elliptical trainers.

In both cases those bikes are very easy to get on and off of without issue for someone who’s balance & mobility are poor.

And both recumbent bikes and recumbent ellipticals are very easy to use for exercising as well.

 

Stationary bike benefits for a heavy person

Bike riding whether stationary or not is an excellent way to exercise for anyone, since it can benefit not only your weight loss goals but improve other parts of your life as well.

Here are a few of the many benefits you get from riding a bike, courtesy of Harvard Medical.

  • Exercise bikes are easy on your joints;
  • Pedaling a bike helps fight bone loss;
  • Exercising improves your ability to do day-to-day things;
  • Pedaling builds muscle, & muscle burns more calories than fat;
  • Exercising improves your heart & lungs;
  • Indoor biking can reduce fat.

Exercise bikes are easy on your joints

As exercise equipment goes, a stationary bike is a good exercise choice if you have stiffness or soreness due to aging, because it’s easier on your joints than walking or jogging.

Note that some upright exercise bikes (like a spin bike) can be uncomfortable or painful to a heavier person, or anyone with low back issues.

However as I mentioned earlier in the article, recumbent bikes offer a safe and comfortable workout experience.

 

Helps fight bone loss

The downward part of the pedaling motion encounters resistance, which helps build back bone density lost due to aging, and this benefit applies to pedaling on recumbent bikes as well.

 

Biking helps with day-to-day stuff

It helps with normal physical functions like balance, walking, standing, endurance, and stair climbing.

 

Build muscle & burn more calories

Exercise biking builds muscle, since you’re dealing with resistance during the pedaling motion. As your muscles grow from getting stronger, you’ll burn more calories.

 

Biking provides aerobic benefits too

Your bike can provide a good aerobic workout, which will benefit your heart, brain, & blood vessels.

Plus it can boost your mood thanks to endorphin hormones releasing into your system.

 

Your own exercise bike at home is good

Save your time & money and skip the gym routine.

Having a stationary bike in your home allows you to work out whenever you want.

Plus you can keep yourself entertained if you need to, since there are lots of easy-to-watch streaming fitness apps if you’re feeling it, or just your TV too.

 

Indoor biking can reduce body fat

Mayo Clinic reports that in as few as 3 months, cycling for a couple hours per week raises your good cholesterol and lowers your body fat percentage.

If you’re interested in outdoor bike riding, I’ve written an article — Best Bike For Heavy People here on heydayDo where I reviewed several (real nice-looking) heavy duty bicycles.

 

Get moving

The American Heart Assn. reiterates the minimum physical activity guidelines put out by the US Dept. of Health.

A minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise is strongly recommended, and a committed exercise bike workout qualifies as moderate.

On their own website, the US Dept. of Health lists a whole bunch of wonderful health & lifestyle benefits you’ll gain by increasing your physical activity level up to or above those minimums. Have a look here.

Your quality of life will definitely improve as your body becomes healthier, thanks to your increased exercise.

 

Related articles here on heydayDo

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Bowflex Velocore Bike Review: A Deep Look Into The Bike That Leans

A Dive Into the Dietary Deep: Is Whey Protein Vegan Or Not?

Hype Check: Are BCAAs Worth It, Or Just Buzz Without The Bang?

My 9 Best Treadmills for Heavy People Review

HIIT For Seniors: 7 Workouts With Benefits Galore

Mystery No More: Do You Take Creatine On Rest Days Or Not?

My Best Cheap Power Rack Review (Squat & Half Racks Too)

My Best Compact Home Gym Review – 6 Picks For Any Budget

Best Heavy Duty Exercise Bike

 

Wrapping Up

I hope my heavy duty exercise bike product-testing, research, & review is useful to you, and that you found the high weight capacity exercise bike buyer’s guide helpful too.

I wish you well on your fitness journey.

– greg

About The Author

heydayDo author Greg Simon

Hi, I’m Greg Simon. Fitness training & nutrition researching since 1982. ISSN (International Society of Sports Nutrition) Pro Member. MBA, B.Sc.

Author. Surfer. Organic food grower. Congenital heart disease survivor (so far).

heydayDo.com is my wellness blog that’s about encouraging a healthy lifestyle as we age. 

I share my fitness training experience as well as the sports science research I’ve done on the many benefits strength building, exercise, & good eating habits offer us. 

I also write review articles after product testing home gym equipment & fitness supplements.

My hope is that you’ll find useful or encouraging information here on my website that will benefit your unique fitness journey.

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