Last Updated on October 29, 2021 by Jeff
Recumbent elliptical bikes are the latest exercise machine to make its way in the series of quality rehabilitation exercise equipment. It allows you to perform full-body exercises in a comfortable sitting position.
Although many users feel uncomfortable using a recumbent bike for a long time, the design of the recumbent elliptical cross trainer provides a more natural step movement for the user, allowing you to exercise for longer periods of time. But, like any other fitness equipment, you need to know what to look for before buying.
Top Pick: The Body Power 3-in-1 Trio Trainer Recumbent-Elliptical Bike
- Hybrid machine functions as an elliptical trainer, upright stationary cycle, and a recumbent bike
- Trio Trainer variable workouts - a perfect addition to your home gym
- Quiet and smooth magnetic resistance - workout while everyone is sleeping
Fortunately, you have come to the right place. In this article, we review some of the best recumbent elliptical bikes.
Elliptical Recumbent Exercise Bike (Our Review)
Octane Fitness xR6xi Elliptical Trainer (Best Overall)
One of the best elliptical cross trainers available on the market would have to be the Octane Fitness xR6xi elliptical trainer.
This machine is very suitable for people with disabilities and physical therapists, because it has a low step to reach the seat, making it easier to kneel down compared to the traditional design.
You can also adjust the recline position on this elliptical bike too. Unlike other machines, this device can actually tilt the entire seat and backrest, giving you a comfortable posture.
What we like about this machine is the large handles. The Octane fitness xR6xi elliptical trainer also features a heart rate strap to track your heart rate during your workout. This makes training more comfortable.
The xR6xi has a circular pedal movement and the workout from this machine strengthens your hips and glutes too.
Pros
- LED dashboard
- Adjustable seat with lever
- Twenty resistance levels
Cons
- No cooling fans on the machine
XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Seated Recumbent Elliptical (Best Value)
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 combines flexibility and coordination to provide you with an effective cardio workout. The more you use this machine, you will notice that it helps your breathing capabilities and allows you to burn calories too.
This machine has a total of twenty-four different resistance levels, and they designed it to suit everyone, regardless of age or ability. You will enjoy the large LCD display, this all contributes to an exceptional training experience.
This dual action recumbent exercise bike has a large seat with pedals placed at the bottom of the machine. What’s great about this elliptical bike is that it also has handlebars for you to use during your workout too.
The Xterra fitness RSX1500 seated recumbent elliptical machine has a weight capacity of up to three hundred pounds.
Pros
- Foam cushions on the seating
- Mesh back support
- Great for home and gym use
Cons
- No wireless heart rate monitoring
Proform Hybrid Trainer 2-in-1 Elliptical and Recumbent Bike (Best Hybrid Machine)
The Proform Hybrid Trainer 2-in-1 elliptical and recumbent bike is the best hybrid recumbent exercise bike on the market.
What makes this exercising machine the best is that it uses anti-magnetic resistance with a fixed and movable handlebar. It has sixteen resistance levels, and a large LCD display screen.
The Proform Hybrid Trainer is also a lightweight recumbent bike with large adjustable pedals and cushioned seating.The padded seat provides additional support and can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. This means that the bike can be adapted for users of different sizes.
Some of the other features of this machine include tablet boards on the console, contact cardiac frequency monitors and transport wheels.
What I love about this machine is that the resistance system is magnetically and generally, this is related to silent operations. To get the most enjoyment from your training sessions on this machine, make sure to attach a tablet to access unlimited training for iFit, and use your own apps, and connect it to the internet too.
Pros
- Pulse monitor
- Comfortable seat with back support
- The design includes wheels for ease of movement
- Smart-phone holder
Cons
- He heart rate sensors are fixed on the handlebars.
KT20 Premium Folding Exercise Bike 2-in-1 Upright & Recumbent Bike (Best Semi-recumbent Bike)
If you are looking for the best semi recumbent exercise bike, then the KT20 Premium Folding Exercise Bike 2-in-1 Upright and Recumbent bike is for you.
This machine features eight different resistance levels that are perfect for users of different age groups or fitness levels.
It offers the user a unique cardio experience because it has two different cycling possibilities to choose from. You can either use this machine as an upright bike or a low-impact recumbent machine.
Pros
- The machine can fold away for storage
- Pulse monitor and digital monitoring options
- Adjustable pedals
Cons
- Large and heavy machine
Inspire Fitness 3 (CS3) Cardio Strider (Best Budget Bike)
The Inspire Fitness 3 CS3 cardio strider is an excellent machine for home use. What’s great about this exercising machine is that it is easily accessible because of the medium height step.
Most users will love that the Inspire Fitness 3 CS3 cardio strider handles are adjustable and it offers a variety of customizable handles which you can use to suit your exercise.
Along with this, CS3 Cardio Strider offers you a variety of full body exercises. The CS3 also uses linear pedal motion, your joints will love this as it reduces stress on the joints.
With ten pre-set programs that give you flexibility in choosing exercises, as well as twenty different resistance levels, you can completely challenge your fitness.
Pros
- A reclining backrest with three different positions
- Easy to assemble
- Good warranty
Cons
- This machine has no armrest
Recumbent Elliptical Bicycle (FAQ)
What is a recumbent cross trainer?
A recumbent cross trainer bike is a combination of recumbent bicycle and elliptical trainer. The seat is similar to the large and comfortable seat associated with recumbent bicycles. But, instead of pedaling like a bicycle, you push the big pedal back and forth with your foot.
They designed the recumbent cross trainer exercise bike to protect your back, knees and joints and provide you with an excellent full-body workout. You can also use the handles to exercise your upper body muscles too. This is great because you can comfortably sit in a large seat with a back for full body exercise.
This seated elliptical machine is a favorite with aerobic fitness enthusiasts because it provides good aerobic exercise and is well tolerated by the joints.
A comfortable and naturally inclined sitting posture can reduce body fatigue and relieve pressure on the joints and back, while the unique pedal exercise and synchronized handle can provide a complete aerobic exercise to burn fat.
Can you lose belly fat on a recumbent bike?
Yes you can lose belly fat on a recumbent bike. Recumbent bikes are excellent to use for a good cardio workout. Most people believe that cardio exercise remains the best way to lose that belly fat. Exercising on a recumbent bike is a good way to focus on fat in the core area.
When you ride a bike, you use your core muscles to perform actions. So by adding basic exercises to your plan, you can increase your core strength to perform better on a recumbent bike. The more calories you burn during exercise, the more fat you burn on your belly.
Is the seated elliptical a good workout?
Yes you can get a good workout from a seated elliptical bike. Elliptical trainers allow you to perform either a high-intensity workout or steady interval training.
This simple aerobic exercise works to strengthen your heart, lungs and muscles. What we love about this machine is that you can get a good cardiovascular workout by paddling with your legs and also pushing and pulling the handles too.
You will be happy to know that the seats on a recumbent elliptical bike can be adjusted too. This will help your hips and torso feel more relaxed and less pressure will be applied to your lower back, to ensure proper breathing and comfort while working out.
How long is a good workout on an elliptical?
Most people rush to jump on the elliptical machine and use it until you hit a certain number of minutes, but it’s important to have a plan that includes how long you’ll be using it.
If you’re warming up for an elliptical endurance workout, you should be riding a bike for 5 to 20 minutes. But if you really want to maximize the cardio benefits of your machine, it’s best to stay on for at least 15 minutes or an hour at most.
If 15 minutes of hard work on the elliptical trainer per day seems intimidating, you can start more simply with just 5-10 minutes on the elliptical trainer per day, then slowly build up over the week to 15 minutes on the bike. elliptical every day.
How to choose a recumbent elliptical machine?
There are so many recumbent bicycle types. Make sure to keep the following in mind if you are looking to buy an elliptical machine.
Try to look for a recumbent elliptical bicycle that has a backrest, and it features different reclining settings to get the most out of your machine.
The pedal motion on the seated elliptical recumbent bike is also important. The pedal motion will either be linear or circular.
Lastly, make sure to pay close attention to the features of the machine. Usually the features that your machine has directly impacts the cost you will pay for your machine.
Most recumbent elliptical bikes include simple features such as a digital display of the time and distance you’ve covered on the machine, while others may include additional features such as adjustable handlebars, weight capacity and a durable frame.
Which is better a recumbent bike or an elliptical?
Both the recumbent bike and elliptical trainer have benefits of their own. Knowing the pros and cons of elliptical trainers over stationary recumbent bikes is important when looking for the best exercise machine for your needs.
Elliptical trainers work both your arms and legs, while stationary bikes work your legs and core without putting stress on your joints.
Both machines are ideal for cardio workouts. The elliptical trainer allows you to move your legs in a circular up and down motion while working your arms thanks to the movable handle. On the other hand, a side bike requires less coordination and the resistance can be adjusted to make it harder and force your muscles to work harder.
The number of calories you burn may vary depending on how fast you are cycling. If your fitness goal is to lose weight then a stationary bike is best for you.
When used at high intensity, the stationary bike burns more calories than the elliptical, making it a slightly better choice for those trying to lose weight. More strength training means more calories burned.
Buyer’s Guide for a Recumbent Elliptical Bike
Difficulty Level
At the entry-level side, you have combination machines that you can use as a recumbent bike or as an elliptical machine. What’s great with this type of machine is that you have the option of doing each movement independently. The best example for this type of machine would be the ProForm Hybrid Trainer.
Higher-level recumbent elliptical bikes provide you with the ability to work your upper arms and legs at the same time, unlike on an entry-level machine. The only difference is that you’re sitting down instead of standing. Some of the best examples of this type of cardio trainer are the Octane Recumbent elliptical trainer
Warranty
Always make sure that you consider the warranty when purchasing a recumbent elliptical trainer.
Recumbent elliptical bikes often have warranties for the different parts on the machine, including the frame.
Depending on the manufacturers policies, the warranty on a recumbent elliptical bike’s parts can last anywhere between five to twenty years. A good frame warranty can range from 5 years to a lifetime.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity on a recumbent bike deals with the amount of weight the bike can support. As with any other type of exercise equipment, you need to consider the weight capacity of the machine you are going to use.
This is important because you need to know if the machine you choose can support the weight of you or any other family member who might use this machine.
Generally, I would advise that you always choose the machine with the higher weight, which demonstrates superior strength and durability.
Commercial grade recumbent exercise bikes, like the ones used in the gym, usually have a much higher weight capacity requirement. This can range anywhere between three hundred to four hundred and fifty pounds.
Adjustable Incline and Resistance
This is a feature that makes this product a true elliptical machine. Having the ability to adjust the incline on your elliptical machine shifts the focus to other muscle groups and is a great way to add variety to your workout.
It takes more effort to use the elliptical machine at a higher level, just as walking uphill takes more effort than it does on the ground. As a result, both heart rate and calories burned increase. At the higher incline you also use more hamstrings and glute muscles than at the lower incline.
Increasing the resistance on your elliptical machine means that the resistance level on the elliptical trainer increases. The pedals will stay where they were, but it will take more effort to move them. You will need to put more weight or force on the pedals to push them, so that your muscles work harder.
More exertion means more calories burned and increased resistance also leads to more toned muscles. Your heart will also beat faster at a higher resistance at the same rate as a lower resistance, which promotes cardiovascular health.
Programs
Another thing to consider when it comes to buying a good-quality elliptical bike are the exercise programs that come with the machine.
There are so many different types of programs that come on an exercising machine. All of them are designed to give you the best results from your workout. The exercise program can add more to a simple exercise, which can be obtained more often from the machine.
You can get basic programs that resolve certain types of exercises. The types of programmes that come on your machine will depend on the manufacturer, but the necessities include the manual, chance, climbing the hill, the gap, the long slow distance and the targeted heart rate.
The custom program allows you to create your own resistance profile.
Movable arms & Non-movable ams
Most ellipticals have movable arms connected to the pedals and resistance systems to give a smooth, dual-action upper body workout.
There are two main types of arms: the standard arm type, which protrudes straight in front of the body when pushing and/or pulling. Non-standard converging arms, which converge toward the mid-body, tend to mimic a more natural walking or running motion.
Fixed arm elliptical machines have no movable arms and are a bit less common these days. These are mainly lower body exercises, and people who don’t like using their arms often and moving them back and forth tend to switch to stationary biceps.
Hybrid armed elliptical trainers are the least common. These ellipses are optimal for many exercises because the arms can be fixed in place so they don’t automatically move back and forth if you don’t want to use them.
Conclusion
I believe that the recumbent elliptical bike is a great choice for those who prefer to be in a more comfortable position while they exercise.
Training on a recumbent elliptical cross trainer has many health benefits including; improves endurance and strengthens the cardiovascular system. You still get all the benefits of a low impact, full body workout, and also burn more calories, all while sitting down instead of standing.
So by all means, I would suggest if this is something that interests you, go ahead and try it out today. If you can, try a session on a recumbent elliptical bike at your local gym to see how it feels before you buy your own recumbent elliptical trainer.
Personally, if I was going to invest in a recumbent elliptical bike, I would choose to buy the Octane Fitness xR6xi Elliptical Trainer because it has great features and can be used by everyone, from people with disabilities to those doing physical therapy.
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