Fitness

The best exercise bikes for home workouts, spin and getting sweaty, tested

Published

2 weeks ago

January 11, 2026

The best exercise bikes for home workouts, spin and getting sweaty, tested

Cycling has the potential to benefit your health in myriad ways, whether it’s the mood-boosting properties of inhaling fresh air, the social element of riding with friends or the simple act of improving cardiovascular fitness with every pedal stroke.

The UK weather doesn’t always play ball, though, so for those who don’t want a dire forecast to result in a missed workout, indoor training replicates the exercise (if not the fresh air).

The best exercise bikes are not only fantastic for burning a few calories without donning all the outdoor gear, but they can also help you nail training goals if you’re a more serious rider. With many letting you connect your phone or laptop to make the most of online training tools, it’s never been easier or more enjoyable to work out from your home.

I tested 12 exercise bikes, including the sort you might find in a commercial gym, along with more dedicated riding simulators and recumbent models for those who find it tricky to sit hunched forward for any length of time. The resulting list features those that I think performed best.

While I’ve tried to appeal to a wide range of budgets, it’s difficult to recommend much under the £500 mark because the build quality of these cheaper models is often not worth the investment.

At a glance

£1,899 at One Peloton

£569.99 at Johnson Fitness

£1,575 at Wattbike

£3,620 at Technogym

£2,095 at John Lewis

Why you should trust me

While I no longer compete in official cycling events, I still consider myself a keen cyclist, often heading out with friends on a gravel bike, even if those rides now end in a warm pub, rather than a timed finish line. But when the weather isn’t playing ball, I’ll get stuck into a home- or gym-based exercise bike session to keep fit and stay in shape for when cycling season comes back around again.

Having tested exercise equipment for numerous publications, I’m always one to get stuck in and test a product for as long as possible. With exercise bikes, this meant getting plenty of hands-on experience, no matter how sweaty it made me.

How I tested

Wheels on fire: some bikes were tested in dedicated workout spaces. Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

Exercise bikes are bulky items that typically require an element of setup or construction. To make testing so many of them viable, I either borrowed a pre-assembled machine for one or two weeks or tested the bikes in a dedicated boutique or workout space.

During each test, I used any workout modes that were available, syncing a smartphone or laptop to take advantage of third-party software or online classes, if these were offered. The machines were judged on their build quality, features, ease of setup and storage (some companies offer premium white glove deliveries), as well as the overall adjustability or suitability for numerous members of the household.

After slipping into a pair of fetching cycling shoes, I assessed noise levels with a smartphone-based decibel meter, and made more subjective assessments on the general ride feel, comfort and the overall quality of the workout experience.

The best exercise bikes in 2026

‘Unmatched when it comes to live and on-demand classes’: the Peloton Bike+. Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

Horizon 3.0SC Indoor Cycle — Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

Leon rides the Horizon SC bike — Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

Technogym Bike — Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

Leon rides the Technogym bike — Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

Life Fitness RS3 Lifecycle Recumbent Exercise Bike with Track Connect Console 2.0

The best of the rest

Wahoo Kickr Shift — Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

Leon rides on the Wahoo Kickr Shift — Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

Schwinn 510R Recumbent Bike — Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

Leon tests the Schwinn 510R Recumbant — Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

Matrix U50 — Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

Leon tests the Matrix U50 in a gym — Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

What you need to know

Look for a connected bike with an integrated screen and app compatibility if you want to be entertained while riding. Photograph: Leon Poultney/The Guardian

How much should I spend?

Exercise bikes vary wildly in price, with the cheapest models often taking the form of basic upright or spin bikes that focus purely on pedalling, and the most expensive offering large HD touchscreens, automatic resistance adjustments and fully integrated training platforms.

Budget models typically start at £250-£400, but often lack the build quality and adjustability needed for long-term use. At the other end of the spectrum, premium connected bikes – such as those from Peloton, Technogym and NordicTrack – can set you back £2,000 or more, and often require monthly subscriptions on top for interactive classes.

For most riders, a budget of between £600 and £1,200 is a good place to start for solid build quality, smooth resistance and decent connectivity features without straying into commercial-gym territory.

How much room do you need?

Even the most compact exercise bikes take up space, with the smallest options measuring about 55 x 120 x 130cm (WLH). While that’s less floor space than a treadmill or cross trainer, you’ll still need clearance around the bike for safe mounting and dismounting, as well as enough ceiling height to remain comfortable when standing on the pedals.

Recumbent bikes, which offer a chair-like riding position, often require more floor space, while upright and indoor cycles are more compact. It might be tempting to look at folding exercise bikes, but they can often be flimsy and offer weak pedal resistance.

What features should I look for?

The most important thing is the resistance system: magnetic resistance is smoother, quieter and requires less maintenance than older friction-based systems found on traditional studio spin bikes. Belt-drive systems are also preferable to chain-driven units for their silent, low-maintenance operation.

Adjustability is another key factor – a bike with multiple saddle and handlebar positions will ensure better ergonomics and comfort over long sessions, and it will also fit more members of the household.

For those who want to stay entertained, connected bikes with integrated screens and app compatibility (Zwift, Peloton, iFit, etc) can make training more engaging. Heart-rate monitoring and Bluetooth/ANT+ connectivity are also useful for tracking progress.

Finally, noise levels are worth considering, especially if you live in a flat or plan to exercise when everyone else is sleeping. Modern magnetic systems are whisper-quiet, making them perfect for shared living spaces.

Leon Poultney has been a consumer technology and automotive journalist for longer than he cares to divulge. A lifelong fitness enthusiast, he can often be found trying not to kill himself on a mountain bike/surfboard/other extreme thing, often at the request of an editor. Whether getting to know the latest connected kettlebells or partaking in CrossFit sessions, Leon is always willing to put his body on the line for great editorial

Fitness

Amazon exercise bike slashed to under £100 is a fitness ‘gamechanger’ – save 41%

Published

2 hours ago

January 24, 2026

Press Room

Amazon exercise bike slashed to under £100 is a fitness ‘gamechanger’ – save 41%

Gym equipment is often pricey, but this January Amazon deal has dropped an exercise bike to its lowest ever price.

The foldable exercise bike usually costs £169.99, however it’s now plunged to £99.99.

Illustration of a man cycling on an exercise bike and a close-up of the bike's digital display. — The exercise bike has a display for all the speed, calorie and distance settings.

Foldable exercise bike,
£99.99 (was £169.99)

For many, January resolutions involve getting fit and healthy, but finding the time to do it can be challenging.

Fitting a quick workout in-between tasks at home could be a smart solution, especially if you can add a new piece of equipment on a budget.

The Amazon bike is compact, with a slim frame, so it won’t take over, and could fit into the corner of a room or office.

To adjust your workout, the bike has 16 levels of resistance, so you can vary your session from a light cycle to a more intense ride.

The screen has all the settings you’d need to take control of your workouts and track your progress, including time, calories, distance, pulse and speed.

At the discounted price, the bike is now not only one of Amazon’s cheapest, but also £60 cheaper than it’s ever been previously, according to camelcamelcamel.com.

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After racking up 250 reviews, shoppers are leaving their feedback on their new fitness purchase.

One shopper said: ‘’I’ve been using this exercise bike for a few days.

‘’It’s a complete game changer.

‘’I don’t need to find spare time to go to the gym to work out now.

‘’The bike is pretty sturdy with a comfortable seat.

‘’It’s highly recommended to those who are looking for an easy way to remain fit and healthy.’’

Another shopper commented: ‘’I am very happy with this exercise bike.

‘’It is easy to set up and folds nicely, so it doesn’t take much space at home.

‘’The 16 levels of resistance are smooth and quiet, which is great for daily workouts.’’

I like the LCD display because it shows my time, speed, distance, and heart rate.’’

Foldable exercise bike,
£99.99 (was £169.99)

Even with good deals available, an exercise bike is still an investment, and if you want to do your research, check out our round-up of the best exercise bikes to compare some top models.

Fitness

What Are Vibration Plates, and Do They Really Work?

Published

14 hours ago

January 24, 2026

Press Room

What Are Vibration Plates, and Do They Really Work?

All over TikTok and other social-media platforms, influencers are hopping on vibration plates. One sits on hers daily to “drain my thyroid.” Another says her “vibe plate” means she no longer needs to work out.

It’s a fitness fad that’s easy to roll your eyes at. Whole-body vibration plates don’t look all that different from the 1960s’ “exercise” belts that promised to shake off fat. But pro athletes and even astronauts use these machines, and scientists have been looking into them seriously for decades. So could the benefits be legitimate?

“What we’re seeing on TikTok is a loose interpretation of the data,” says exercise scientist Rachele Pojednic, director of education at Stanford Lifestyle Medicine. She says that while studies show that hopping on a whole-body vibration plate can move the needle in a few different areas of health and fitness, it’s a pretty tiny change.

“Research does support a modest level of benefits in some pretty specific contexts,” says Brent Feland, an exercise science professor at Brigham Young University who has studied the effects of vibration on things like stretching, sprinting, and blood flow. But, he adds, “whole-body vibration is not some magic little tool.”

How vibration plates work

There are two main types of whole-body vibration platforms: linear plates that move up and down in one piece like a tiny elevator, and oscillating plates that tilt side to side like a seesaw (which can get more intense the farther you step out to the sides). Both move in a pretty small range of motion—up to about 14 millimeters, max—but they can do it anywhere from 5 to 50 times per second.

These quick movements force your muscles to rapidly contract and release, says exercise physiologist Rachelle Acitelli Reed. Just like during traditional exercise, those muscle contractions set off physiological responses, like increased blood flow, a higher body temperature, and the release of proteins called myokines that help bring glucose into the muscles.

Read More: Is Eating Too Fast Hurting Your Health?

Additionally, because the plate keeps pushing you upwards over and over again so quickly, Feland says it creates a stronger gravitational load, meaning there’s an extra pull on your bones and muscles.

Proven benefits vs. Hype

So what does science say about the potential of vibration plates?

There’s a good amount of data showing that they can help improve balance, likely because they activate the neuromuscular system. “The catch is the population where the most beneficial effects have been found for are older, deconditioned individuals, or those with physical debilitations or neurological limitations,” Feland says. If someone has a condition that prevents them from doing traditional exercise, standing on a plate can trigger those muscle contractions without them having to actively move their large muscles or joints, explains Darryl Cochrane, an exercise and health science professor at Massey University in New Zealand who’s published a number of studies on whether vibration can enhance athletic performance. This is why you’ll often see vibration plates used in rehabilitation settings.

There’s also some data behind the possibility for whole-body vibration to improve bone mineral density, particularly in post-menopausal women and geriatric populations. “The thought is that those little contractions and relaxations are in some way loading the bone,” Reed says. Feland adds that the additional gravitational load gives an extra stimulus for the bone to build more tissue in people who don’t get that through weight-bearing exercise or resistance training.

Some research shows that whole-body vibration can also help a little with certain aspects of athletic performance, like muscular strength and power and range of motion. Cochrane’s research has found it can warm up the muscles faster than cycling or jogging, without using up as much energy. “You go do five 30- or 60-second bouts on a whole-body vibration platform, and you’ll actually get a semi-decent warm-up from it,” Feland says.

Read More: What to Do If Your Friends Keep Leaving You Out

Plus, it just feels good. “That’s the magic of being bombarded with vibration,” Feland says. “Every joint segment and every tissue in you is moving and oscillating at this frequency. You’re firing off a ton of neurosensory receptors, and that’s interfering with some of your other sensory signaling that’s normally going on.” If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat. (That said, a good dynamic warmup can have the same outcome, he adds.)

Unfortunately, influencers’ claims around “wobbling your weight away” by simply standing on a vibration plate aren’t really backed up by evidence, experts say. Compared to standing still, “you get just a little more calorie burn because your muscles have to work a bit harder against that external force,” Pojednic says. But research shows you’d burn more simply by going on a brisk walk.

Another claim that experts find to be misleading is that vibration can spur lymphatic drainage. “It is moving the fluid around. However, so does going for a walk,” Reed says. Feland adds that even though whole-body vibration companies themselves often tout the lymphatic benefits, “there is not one study that has ever measured lymphatic drainage and lymphatic improvement” with these devices.

Who might benefit most from vibration plates

Based on the proven benefits, experts mainly recommend vibration plates for two distinct populations on opposite ends of the spectrum: People who aren’t strong enough to do a traditional workout, and serious athletes looking to eke out a little extra performance enhancement.

“The maximum benefit is for the compromised population, the ones that are having trouble with balance, mobility issues—it could be an entrée in terms of starting a fitness program,” Cochrane says. He adds that for athletes, the plates can offer a new way to challenge the body to get past a plateau or just keep workouts from getting monotonous.

Read More: The 1-Minute Trick to Calming Down Your Nervous System

That said, as long as you’re using them correctly, vibration plates are unlikely to cause harm, so there’s no reason for the average adult not to use one if they want. “If this is really jazzing up your routine enough for you to be motivated, cool, I love that for you,” Reed says. Just treat it as an additional tool rather than a replacement for exercise, she and Cochrane both add.

How to use a vibration plate

Many vibration plates come with all kinds of settings: dialing up amplitude increases intensity, for example, and a higher frequency ups the number of vibrations per second. But there is not yet enough research to know the ideal settings or even duration of use. The best approach might differ from person to person. “We do think that people have different frequency responses,” Feland says. “We just haven’t figured out how to tap into that yet.”

Experts recommend starting small until you get used to vibration: Cochrane suggests beginning with the frequency set to 10 to 15 hertz, and doing five sets of 30-second intervals while standing in a shallow squat. Eventually, you can bump up the frequency and start to do strength training on the platform (like squats, lunges, planks, or bridges). Just be sure to work up to trickier moves gradually so the vibrations don’t knock you off balance, Pojednic adds.

And always use proper form. “The right way to stand on these is bending at the knees and bending over at the hips, because you want to minimize vibration to the head,” Feland says. There have been case studies of negative effects to tissues in the head (like a torn retina) when people stood on these with straight legs.

Most of all, remember that whole-body vibration is not a get-fit-quick scheme. As Cochrane says: “You still need the motivation to [use] it, just as if you’re jumping on an exercise cycle or going out for a brisk walk or anything. You still have to find time to do this.” But it could give you just a little boost—and make getting fit a bit more fun.

Fitness

Free ‘Health & Fitness Day’ happening Saturday in Lake Hallie

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2026

Press Room

Free ‘Health & Fitness Day’ happening Saturday in Lake Hallie

LAKE HALLIE, Wis. (WEAU) – A free ‘Health & Fitness Day’ is set to take place this Saturday in Lake Hallie.

Fitness Freedom 24/7 gym is hosting a ‘Health & Fitness Day’ on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at its Lake Hallie location, 1561 Commercial Blvd.

This event is available to the community free of charge. Doors will open to anyone wanting a free day pass at 8:00 a.m.

The event starts at 9:00 a.m. with a free yoga class. At 10:30 a.m., there is a free Zumba class. At 12:00 p.m., there is a cup and mobility class. At 1:00 p.m., there is a mobility and stability training class.

The event is expected to end at 2:00 p.m.

This event is intended to highlight other businesses in the area. Many other local businesses will be involved in the event, featuring supplements, protein popcorn, and protein cookies. The group ‘girl get after it’ is expected to be attending the event as well.