Last Updated on October 29, 2021 by Jeff
Finding a recumbent bike for over 350 lbs can be tough. Heavy-duty reclining bikes are not as popular but they are available.
Recumbent bikes in general have sparked tons of curiosity recently. The increased popularity is largely because a recumbent bike is non-weight bearing.
This makes it great for those who already have joint strain due to being overweight or obese.
A high-weight capacity bike is perfect for exercising without straining already stressed joints.
And because we know how tiresome it is to find these bikes, we did all the work for you. Continue reading for our review of the top 6 heavy-duty recumbent bikes.
High Weight Capacity Recumbent Bikes (Our Review)
Vanswe Recumbent Bike (Top Pick)
The Vanswe Recumbent Bike has 16 levels of resistance and smooth, quiet pedaling.
The average user height is between 5’2” and 6’1” and the weight limit is 380 lbs (172.36 kg). This is not a recumbent bike for short legs.
It has a step-through frame for easy mounting and dismounting. The adjustable seat and backrest are ergonomic and cushioned for comfort.
The handlebar pulse sensors monitor your heart rate on the LED progress tracker. The bike has Bluetooth and supports both iOS and Android. This allows you to connect to the free fitness app. Your workout data will never be lost.
The transport wheels on the bike mean you can move it easily between rooms. Unfortunately, the bike doesn’t have a bottle holder, media shelf, or cooling fan.
The seat adjustment handle is difficult to push down. You will have to press down hard to lock the seat in the desired position.
Pros
- Adjustable Seat
- Ergonomic cushioned seat and backrest
- Transport wheels
- Hand pulse sensors
- Step-through frame
- Bluetooth
- 16 levels of resistance
Cons
- The seat adjustment handle is difficult to push down.
- Not suitable for short legs.
- No bottle holder, cooling fan, or media shelf.
Fitnex R70 Recumbent Bike (Best Runner Up)
The Fitnex R70 is a 400 lb weight capacity recumbent bike. It has an LED progress tracker with 8 workout programs. There are 16 resistance levels and pedaling is smooth and quiet.
The hand pulse sensors allow you to monitor your heart rate during your workout. It has a large seat and a comfortable backrest so you can cycle for longer.
The step-through design means easy mounting and dismounting. The bike has a bottle holder and accessory holder but no media shelf.
This is a self-powered bike and the LED is only on when pedaling. It has no transport wheels or cooling fan.
Pros
- Hand pulse sensors
- 8 workout programs
- Oversized seat and comfortable backrest
- Bottle holder
- 16 levels of resistance
- Step-through frame
- Accessory holder (for phone, keys, etc.)
Cons
- Self-powered. The LED is only on while pedaling.
- No transport wheels
- No cooling fan or a media shelf
NordicTrack NTEX76016 Commercial Vr21 Recumbent Bike (Best Extra Features)
The NordicTrack Vr21 is one of the more high-tech bikes. This recumbent bike has a weight limit of 400 lbs (182 kg) and 25 resistance levels.
What makes it high-tech are the extra features that a basic bike lacks. It has a 5” backlit display progress tracker. It comes with a 1-month iFit membership, auxiliary music port, and dual speakers.
It has a convenient step-through frame and transport wheels. The cooling fan ensures you won’t overheat. It also has a bottle holder and media shelf. And handlebars have pulse sensors to track your heart rate.
The bike needs to be activated online before you can use it. This has been a problem for many customers since the activation requires a fee.
Pros
- 1-month iFit individual membership
- 5” backlit display progress tracker
- Auxiliary music port
- Dual 2-inch speakers
- Bottle holder
- Transport wheels
- Cooling fan
- Tablet/media shelf
- Step-through design
- Hand pulse sensors
- 25 levels of resistance
Cons
- Users have complained about the seat being uncomfortable.
- The bike needs to be activated online before you can use it. There have been complaints about this since they ask for a registration fee.
- The manufacturers seem to have bad customer service.
Cybex 750R Recumbent Bike (Best Heavy-Weight)
Another heavy-duty recumbent bike, the Cybex 750R has a weight capacity of 400 lbs (182 kg).
This is one of the best bikes on the list since it has a bit of everything. It has 21 programs and 21 levels of resistance. There are 7 built-in languages to choose from.
It has a step-through frame and the adjustable seat has a ventilated back. The handlebars are multi-positional and there are 2 sets of hand pulse sensors.
The bike has 2 bottle holders, a media shelf, a cooling fan, and transport wheels. Placing a tablet or book on the media shelf might cover the LED display a little.
This is a self-powered bike which means the LED will only be on while pedaling. You have the option to purchase an AC adapter if you want the LED on full-time.
Pros
- 21 programs
- 21 levels of resistance
- Cooling fan
- 7 built-in languages
- Multi-positional handlebars
- 2 sets of hand pulse sensors
- Adjustable seat with ventilated back
- Transport wheels
- Media shelf
- 2 bottle holders
- Step-through frame
Cons
- Self-powered. You will need to purchase an optional AC adapter to keep the LED on full-time
Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR Folding Recumbent Bike (Best Value)
The Exerpeutic Gold is a recumbent bike for tall people with a user height between 5’2” and 6’5”. It has a maximum user capacity of 400 lbs (182 kg) and 8 resistance levels.
This bike could be considered basic, with a simple large LCD progress tracker.
The seat and backrest are cushioned and the handlebars have heart rate pulse sensors. The seat is adjustable and it has transport wheels for convenience.
The best thing about this recumbent bike is that it can fold for easy storage.
Unfortunately, it has no bottle holder, cooling fan, or media shelf as a basic bike. It doesn’t have a step-through design. This would be difficult for those with balance problems or lower-joint pain.
Pros
- Large LCD is easy to read.
- Hand pulse sensors
- Adjustable seat
- The seat and backrest are cushioned.
- The bike can fold for easy storage.
- Transport wheels
Cons
- Only 8 levels of resistance
- No bottle holder, media shelf, or cooling fan.
- Can’t reverse pedal.
- Not suitable for short legs.
- Not a step-through design.
HCI Fitness PhysioStep Recumbent Elliptical Bike with Swivel Seat (Best Overall)
The HCI Fitness PhysioStep is a recumbent bicycle for big and tall people. It has a weight capacity of 500 lbs (226.79 kg) and a user height average of 4’8″ to 6’4″.
The best thing about it is the 90⁰ swivel seat. This feature makes this the perfect recumbent bike for seniors. Those with mobility problems will benefit from this feature as well.
It has a large, cushioned seat and backrest. It’s fully adjustable, including the option to recline. The arms are fully adjustable as well to allow easy sliding on and off the seat. Multiple handles also help with mounting and dismounting.
It has a large LCD with 12 programs, including a Heart Rate Controlled program. There are 16 levels of smooth resistance and a built-in heart rate receiver. The heart rate chest strap is not included.
The bike is AC powered and switches off after 15 minutes of no activity. It has a media shelf, 2 bottle holders and transport wheels.
Pros
- Fully adjustable swivel seat (90 degrees).
- Large cushioned seat and backrest, including seat recline.
- Large LCD progress tracker
- Fully adjustable arms
- AC powered with an automatic shut-off after 15 minutes of no activity.
- 12 programs including a Heart Rate Controlled program.
- 16 levels of resistance
- Media shelf and 2 bottle holders
- Multiple handles including a transition handle for mounting and dismounting.
- Transport wheels
- Built-in heart rate receiver
- Elliptical stride length is 12 in.
Cons
- The heart rate chest strap is not included.
- Not suitable for short legs.
Recumbent Exercise Bike For 350 Pound Person (FAQ)
Is a recumbent bike good for an obese person?
A recumbent bike can be good for an obese person. As long as you find the correct bike for your weight capacity.
Unfortunately finding heavy-duty recumbent bikes can be difficult. Reviews are always a good starting point. Another option is to ask in-store personnel or get recommendations at the gym.
Fitness instructors should have a good idea of what bike would suit your needs.
How much weight can a recumbent bike hold?
The weight capacity of a recumbent bike depends on how it was manufactured.
All recumbent bikes have their weight limit. You should take note of this before purchasing. Some bikes can only hold a maximum of 250 lbs while others can take up to 500 lbs.
It all depends on the model.
Why is there a weight limit on exercise bikes?
Exercise bikes have weight limits for your safety. But they are also likely there to protect the manufacturers from lawsuits.
Exceeding the weight capacity will compromise the bike and you could be injured. It’s advised to always take careful note of the weight limit.
What exercise bike holds 400 pounds?
The Cybex 750R is one of the best recumbent bikes with 400 lbs capacity. It ticks nearly all the boxes. The only downside is that it’s self-powered.
This means that the LED only stays on as long you’re pedaling. You can buy an AC adapter separately to counteract this flaw.
Other recumbent bikes with a 400 lbs capacity are the Fitness R70, NordicTrack Vr21, and Exerpeutic Gold.
It’s important to note that they each have their good points and flaws. You should always choose the bike that best suits your needs.
What is the best bike for an obese person?
A recumbent bike is better for someone who is overweight or obese.
The reason for this is simple. Someone who is obese likely has strained joints from the constant weight on them. Recumbent bikes are low impact. There is no strain on the lower joints.
This means that you can exercise without pain or risk of injury.
An upright bike would place more strain on already stressed joints. You likely wouldn’t be able to exercise for long like that.
What’s the best exercise bike to lose weight?
An upright bike would be better for weight loss than a recumbent bike. On an upright bike, the core is constantly engaged. It’s a full-body workout.
A recumbent bike focuses on the lower body. And while you can lose weight on a recumbent bike, you will have to work harder for it.
What’s better: a recumbent or upright bike?
This answer depends on your needs. For the elderly, injured, or those with disabilities, a recumbent bike is better.
They are closer to the ground, have low impact, and have back support. All these factors are important to avoid injury or strain.
But, if you have no physical or health problems, then an upright bike might be better. It provides a full-body workout and you will reach your fitness goals faster.
One is not better than the other. The choice depends on your physical capabilities and requirements.
Final Note
Choosing a recumbent bike can be a tiring process. There are dozens of options available and you can only pick one.
Searching for a recumbent bike with a weight capacity of over 350 lbs? That’s twice as difficult. We hope that this article has helped in your search for the right bike.
Top Fitness Magazine can help you with many fitness and fitness equipment questions. Take a look at the list of similar articles below. You might find the answer to your questions in one of these informative articles.