On the lookout for the best exercise bike for back problems? In this article, we have reviewed the 5 best stationary bikes with back support on the market right now for a stable ride.
Back problems are becoming a common issue among people of all ages nowadays. Should you suffer from a bad back e.g., chronic or acute back pain, or had a spinal injury, and thinking it is time to cancel your gym membership. Well, don’t.
According to the research conducted by the National Institute of Health on back pain, regular exercise helps alleviate lower back pain and also improves the quality of life.
All you need to do is focus on the ideal workouts and the right aerobic exercise equipment. It’s true that in case you suffer from back problems, it is quite difficult to choose the right workouts and equipment to help minimize your lower back pain. With extensive research, we’ve discovered that utilizing a recumbent exercise bike can provide excellent relief for back pain.
Top 5 Best Exercise Bike for Back Problems
Product | Models | Features | Price |
  |
| ||
 |
| ||
 |
| ||
 |
| ||
 |
| ||
 |
|
What Causes Back Problems?
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people neglect work; also, it’s a leading cause of disability worldwide.
Research conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that over 80 % of Americans will experience an episode of lower back pain at least once in their lifetime. Americans spend around $50 billion annually on treating spine pain.
Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent or relieve back pain. Surgery is rarely required to treat back pain. Simple home treatment and proper exercise will heal your spine in a couple of weeks and make sure it remains functional.
Signs and symptoms of back pain include:
- Stabbing pain.
- Muscle ache.
- Pain which diffuses down to your leg and worsens when lifting, standing, or walking.
Acute back pain, which lasts a couple of weeks, could be caused by a fall or heavy lifting. Chronic back pain, which lasts over three months, is significantly less common than acute pain. Conditions commonly linked to back pain include:
- Disks between the bones in the vertebrae behave as cushions. The soft material within a disk may rupture and press on a nerve. You might have a bulging or ruptured disk with no pain.
- Heavy lifting or even a sudden difficult movement may strain muscles and ligaments. If you are in poor physical condition, constant strain on your back can lead to muscle spasms.
- Arthritis can affect the back. In some scenarios, arthritis in the lower back may lead to a condition called spinal stenosis, where the space around the spinal cord narrows down.
- Osteoporosis, a condition where your bones become porous and brittle.
- Skeletal irregularities, a condition where your spine curves to the side and can lead to back pain.
- Risk factors such as obesity, ageing, smoking, strenuous activity, and pregnancy could increase the risk of back pain.
Should you feel like you are suffering from back pain and cannot find relief with OTC (over-the-counter) medications, some exercise along with professional medical advice may really help with your back pain, as long as you’re focusing on the correct muscles with the proper equipment.
When it comes to exercise equipment for back pain, exercise bikes are more widely suggested because of their low impact. So, read on, as we’ve listed some of the best exercise bikes for back problems in this article.
Stationary bikes, providing the option for low-impact cardiovascular activity, are a safe and effective way of exercise according to the American College of Sports Medicine.
Upright vs. Recumbent Bike: Which Type of Exercise bike Is Right for Back Problems
Stationary bikes, both upright and recumbent, set less stress on the joints. Recumbent bikes, particularly, are the best option for people who have back pain since the bike provides additional support for your back.
Recumbent bikes are also great for beginners. Choosing the best exercise bike for back problems is the only means to ensure that you get maximum benefit for your back pain.
What Is The Difference Between Them?
Both exercise bikes provide an amazing cardiovascular workout. The upright bike is much more suitable for intensive workouts and provides a similar experience to a standard road bike.
This means that you need to sit upright and hold onto the handle during exercise. You may either stand and paddle or sit back and paddle; this lets you vary the workout on major muscle groups, the legs, and the muscles that are targeted. For people who wish to push their workout experience to the maximum and desire versatility in their regular workout routine, upright bikes are a better option.
A stationary recumbent bike puts the user in a reclined position as opposed to an upright seating position. These uniquely-designed exercise bikes let you sit closer to the ground in a seat that is much more comfortable than the standard upright exercise bikes and are favored as the amount of stress on the body and back is much lower.
The ergonomic design of the recumbent bike is excellent for people with lower back pain and other back problems. Their inclined seat with backrests provides excellent comfort and helps you to work out for a longer duration without even putting much strain on your hip, knee, and ankles joints. Upright bikes tend to get smaller seats, and this also causes them to be pretty uncomfortable. That is why people prefer recumbent bikes for back pain.
To put it differently, the bike effectively spreads out the weight on a large surface area, allowing you to sit in a laid-back position. This makes them bikes a fantastic choice for people with osteoarthritis, neurological conditions, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Now, let’s look at the list
1. Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike- Best Exercise Bike For Back Problems
The Schwinn 270 is a major step up to the more popular Schwinn 230. This stationary bike has a well-padded seat, Bluetooth, 25 levels of resistance, and 4 built-in user profiles, compared with the 230 that has a hard seat without Bluetooth connectivity and no user profiles. The 270 is compatible with the “explore the world” app, which adds a lot of fun and adventure to your daily workout.
The Schwinn 270 recumbent bike is currently among the best products in their reclined bike category. It includes 29 preloaded workout programs, heart rate control, and a dual track LCD display. Its adjustable seat makes it suitable for users of any height.
This relaxed body positioning and lower support allow you to have a smooth ride in maximum comfort with minimum strain. It has 25 levels of resistance, which provides a challenging workout and keeps you motivated. It also includes high speed, higher inertia weighted flywheel for a smooth and quiet workout.
Pros
Cons
2. Marcy ME-709 Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike with Backrest
The Marcy ME-709 combines the benefits of exercise with a relaxed and comfortable seating position. Thus you stay motivated and push ahead. Shape, form, and tone your body while also improving your overall stamina, metabolic rate, and also cardiovascular health. It has a lot of features found on more expensive recumbent exercise bikes.
The most popular and affordable Marcy recumbent exercise bike is one of the best exercise bikes on the market now. It has the usual 8 levels of magnetic resistance and an onboard console to track your workout data. It has a wide padded seat for a comfortable ride. The bike is surprisingly quiet and nicely built, considering its price. Transport wheels for portability.
Pros
Cons
3. Merax Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
The MeraxMagnetic Magnetic recumbent bike is an impressive entry-level recumbent bike for home use. This basic recumbent bike is sturdy, nicely built, and easy to get on and off. This bike is the one if you have mobility issues. It’s a wide padded seat and will hold riders up to 380 lbs.
The new upgraded model has advanced Bluetooth smart technology. You can connect to the free app, which syncs your workout stats to help you track time, speed, distance, heart rate, and calories.
Pros
Cons
4. Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike with Seat
The Exerpeutic 400XL folding recumbent bike could be cheap; however, it has premium features. This semi-recumbent bike is referred to as one of their very best folding recumbent exercise bikes on the market at this time.
The slightly inclined seat acts as a support to your back. However, the seat could do with a little extra padding. This is beneficial for long exercise sessions in case you intend to continue your workout for over one hour. The seat is fine for shorter workouts, though.
The folding design is a great option for apartments and small spaces. This basic machine includes a padded seat and backrest with support handles on both sides. The pedals also have straps to hold your feet.
Pros
Cons
5. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B0418 Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike
The SF-B0418 Magnetic Minibike is one of those unbeatable in the market and can be used under a desk to get upper and lower body exercises. Additionally, the compact design makes it one of the best pedal exercisers for any home or apartment. The dimension of the mini bike is 18.11″ W × 14″ H, so it is quite stable and will not rock during your workout sessions.
This desk pedal exerciser has 8 levels of magnetic resistance and features a belt-drive, which makes it smooth and quiet. The bike can be used with both hands and feet to get upper and lower body workouts. Taking a look at the consumer reviews, the majority of users are happy with the quality and functionality of the Sunny Health & Fitness mini bike.
Pros
Cons
Things to Look Before Buying an Exercise Bike for Lower Back Pain
The best exercise bike for you comes right down to the bike, which you feel comfortable with. If you have both back pain and mobility issues, a recumbent bike is your very best bet, as it is possible to sit in a recumbent position or semi-recumbent position by raising the seat. This reduces the pressure on the back. You can use an upright bike by positioning the seat at hip height. But you will feel much more comfortable with a recumbent bike.
If you have suffered or are currently suffering from back problems and want to spend your savings on an exercise bike for your home gym, you’re going to want to consider a couple of factors for the best back support possible.
So, what should you look for?
- A recumbent style bike with a comfortable backrest. The angle of the backrest is meant to improve spinal posture also helps users with back problems.
- A step-through design helps you to get on and off the seat of the bicycle easily.
- A console that displays workout stats.
- Ability to create custom workouts to give you rest when you need it.
Wrapping It Up
Back problems can make exercising look like a huge challenge. But the exercise bikes we have recommended above are easier on the back and bank. We highly recommend Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike.
It is the best exercise bike for back problems. Even though it’s a bit costly, however, considering features like workout variety and customizable programs, it is worth every penny.
Also Read:
- How Many Calories Do I Burn on an Exercise Bike? – A Better Answer
- The 18 Best Folding Exercise Bikes Worth Buying [Review]
- Echelon vs Peloton: Which Is Better? [Review]
