Residential Exercise Bikes Comparison
Residential exercise bikes are specifically designed for home use simulating the same performance that you would find at the local gym. Depending on the features, usually residential exercise bikes are cheaper than commercial bikes with some comparable features.
| Exercise Bike | LiveStrong LS6.0R |
Sole R92 |
Sole B94 |
Schwinn 240 |
Schwinn 120 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Rating |
Rating: 90.4%
|
Rating: 85.8%
|
Rating: 84.5%
|
Rating: 82.8%
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Rating: 82.4%
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| Full Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
| Type | Recumbent | Semi-Recumbent | Upright | Recumbent | Upright |
| Resistance | 20 Levels | 20 Levels | 20 Levels | 16 Levels | 16 Levels |
| Frame | "Step Through" Design | Durable Steel | Durable Steel | "Step Through" Design | Durable Steel |
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| Music Ready | ![]() |
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| Speakers | ![]() |
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| Display | Backlit LCD 2 LED Feedback Windows |
9" Backlit Blue LCD | 9" Backlit Blue LCD | Multi-Color Backlit LCD | LCD |
| Programs | 11 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 10 |
| List Price | $999.99 | $1,799.00 | $1,499.00 | $599.00 | $399.00 |
| Best Price | $689.99 | $999.99 | $799.99 | $488.00 | $299.00 |
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Residential exercise bikes target home use, hopefully alleviating costly memberships to your local gym. The main difference between residential exercise bikes and commercial bikes is the amount of time spent on the bike. Commercial bikes are built sturdier to endure longer usage from many riders. Residential exercise bikes provide all that you are looking for in a home environment unless you plan to invite the neighborhood over to workout. Since some gyms are open 24 hours a day, you can easily see how commercial bikes receive a much heavier workout.
Residential exercise bikes are designed to accommodate all of your family members plus provide workouts tailored to each individual. Residential exercise bikes adapt to each rider through adjustments on the seat, handlebars and pedals. There are many residential bike choices available whether you are choosing an upright bike that mirrors the outdoor riding experience or purchasing a recumbent bike to support your neck and back.
The flywheel and number of resistance levels are both important factors when considering a residential exercise bike purchase. Most residential exercise bikes come with at least 15 levels which is sufficient for most home users. If you like to change resistance often and beef up your routine, you will want to spend a few more bucks to gain more levels.
Residential exercise bikes that include workout programs provide riders with a variety of options to their fitness routine. Most riders either want to lose weight, burn extra calories, build muscle tone or recover from injury or surgery. Certified trainers design workout programs to address these specific areas. Usually residential exercise bikes also include a couple of user-defined programs to customize your routine specifically the way you want.
Many options on residential exercise bikes are now becoming standard features. If working out to music is important to you, be sure to invest in a residential exercise bike with an iPod dock and built-in speakers. Plug in your iPod or MP3 player and ride away to your favorite music.
While listening to music as you ride may not be a priority to you, being coached by a world renowned trainer might be. Residential exercise bikes with iFit technology open up a vast experience to your fitness routine. Jillian Michaels and Elisabeth Hasselbeck have each developed 8 week courses to help you lose weight, stay fit and increase your cardiovascular workout. Be sure the residential exercise bike’s display is good because iFit allows you to track your progress on your bike’s screen.
Why pay expensive gym memberships for everyone in your household, when you can make an investment in a residential exercise bike? Today’s residential exercise bikes offer a plethora of options and adjust to every member’s needs in your family. If you would rather work out in the comfort of your own home as opposed to driving across town to the local fitness center, a residential exercise bike is for you.
More Residential Exercise Bikes
The following did not make the Top 5 Residential Exercise Bikes, but are still worth a look:
Smooth V2300
List Price: $2,299.00
The Smooth V2300 is a hybrid trainer part exercise bike part elliptical. The extremely versatile Smooth V2300 serves as a semi-recumbent bike with Silent Magnetic Resistance, "Step Through" Frame, Padded & Adjustable Seat and Wireless Chest Belt Heart Rate Monitor as well as provides a 17" stride length designed to imitate the movement of an elliptical.
Read the full Smooth V2300 Review
NordicTrack GX4.0
List Price: $799.00
The NordicTrack GX4.0 exercise bike features Silent Magnetic Resistance, 20 levels of resistance, "Step Through" frame design, Easy Glide Seat Adjust and 24 pre-defined workout programs. The recumbent bike is also compatible with iFit Live featuring TV personality Jillian Michaels.
Read the full NordicTrack GX4.0 Review
Schwinn 220
List Price: $499.00
The Schwinn 220 exercise bike features Eddy Current Braking Resistance, 16 levels of resistance, durable steel frame and 10 pre-defined workout programs. It's one of the most affordable recumbent bikes on the market.
Read the full Schwinn 220 Review
Nautilus R514
List Price: $699.00
The Nautilus R514 is a quality residential exercise bike highlighted by a 20 lb. flywheel, 16 levels of resistance, multi-adjustable seat and 17 workout programs. The Nautilus R514 also features four polar heart rate programs with telemetry, grip and chest belt included.
Read the full Nautilus R514 Review
Nautilus U514
List Price: $599.00
The Nautilus U514 is a great value considering that you get Eddy Current Brake Resistance (w/ 16 levels of resistance), durable & lightweight frame, multi-point adjustable seat, oversized deluxe pedals and 17 pre-defined workout programs for Under $500.
Read the full Nautilus U514 Review
ProForm ZX2
List Price: $599.00
The ProForm ZX2 is not only affordable but loaded with a ton of exciting features like iPod/mp3 dock, built-in speakers, EKG heart rate, Graffix Hi-Res display and two pre-defined workout games. The ProForm ZX2 is not only productive but entertaining.
Read the full ProForm ZX2 Review
Schwinn 140
List Price: $499.00
The Schwinn 140 is a reasonably priced exercise bike. The Schwinn 140 operates smoothly thanks to Eddy Current Braking Resistance (w/ 20 lb. flywheel), 16 levels of resistance and 17 pre-defined workout programs.
Read the full Schwinn 140 Review
LiveStrong LS9.9IC
List Price: $1,999.00
The LiveStrong LS9.9IC provides an enjoyable and stable ride with a 40 lb. flywheel and Kevlar drive design. The LiveStrong LS9.9IC is also equipped with Air-fit Roadside Vertical Adjustment Seat and Pulse Sensor Heart Rate Monitor.
Read the full LiveStrong LS9.9IC Review
NordicTrack GX5.0 Sport
List Price: $1,299.00
The NordicTrack GX5.0 Sport provides an enjoyable workout experience with Quick-Stop Braking Resistance (adjustable resistance), commercial grade steel frame, adjustable & padded seat, toe clips and strap pedals and wireless chest strap heart rate monitoring.
Read the full NordicTrack GX5.0 Sport Review
ProForm 290 SPX
List Price: $699.00
The ProForm 290 SPX is a quality exercise bike with adjustable resistance, cushioned seat and toe-cage pedals. The ProForm 290 SPX is a very basic exercise bike yet more than efficient in terms of delivering a solid workout experience.
Read the full ProForm 290 SPX Review
NordicTrack GX2 Sport
List Price: $999.00
The NordicTrack GX2 Sport is a solid entry-level exercise bike that is affordable and equipped with all the basic features. The NordicTrack GX2 Sport offers very few electronic luxuries, but delivers non-slip adjustable handlebars and oversized pedals.
Read the full NordicTrack GX2 Sport Review
ProForm ZR3
List Price: Discontinued
The ProForm ZR3 is a great "value trainer" considering that you get hi-res display, iPod dock, built-in speakers and iFit for under $600. The exercise bike also features 16 levels of resistance and "Step Through" frame design.
Read the full ProForm ZR3 Review
NordicTrack GX3.0 Sport
List Price: Discontinued
The Nordictrack GX3.0 Sport is a quality entry-level exercise with all the basic specs and little else in terms of added features. The LCD display provides all the crucial workout data while the bike operates on a chain drive system with adjustable resistance.
Read the full NordicTrack GX3.0 Sport Review
NordicTrack C2 SI
List Price: Discontinued
The NordicTrack C2 SI is a practical trainer with 16 levels of digital resistance and compatibility with iFit. Your tunes also sound great on the built-in speakers with iPod/mp3 dock. The NordicTrack C2 SI is a quality budget trainer.
Read the full NordicTrack C2 SI Review




Hi! I'm
2 Comments
unit’s digital control panel has failed again. this the second failure since unit was purchased new (1/2009)
Hi Sheppard,
Thanks for the feedback!
It would be reasonable for it to do that once after 4 years, but if this is the 2nd time that’s not good.
This model has been discontinued, so for anyone looking for a replacement, the Schwinn 120 is a good alternative in this price range.
Have a good day,
Kyle