Best Folding Exercise Bike in 2021

When looking for a folding exercise bike, you’ll find that most come with very few options compared to their full-size brethren. Not so with the Exerpeutic 575 XLS. Almost every full-size exercise bike has included workout programs, but the 575 XLS is the only folding bike that includes this feature, and it has 21 different programs.

In addition to the programs, the 575 XLS has double the number of magnetic resistance, allowing users to more finely tune their workout to fit their needs. With bluetooth, activities can be tracked on your phone and the included MyFitQuest4 app. Two user profiles allow couples or roommates to track their activities separately.

For many, the thought of sitting high atop a slim folding exercise bike sounds like a recipe for disaster. Paradigm has you covered with the Exerpeutic 575 XLS – it has been overbuilt to accommodate users up to 400 pounds and 6’5″. A wide base ensures stability, and it still folds in half.

With all of these features, it’s not surprising that the 575 XLS costs more than the others on the list. Unfortunately, it isn’t convertible, and is unable to switch to a recumbent style exercise bike. However, this may not be an issue for those who want a standard style bike. One thing to take note of – when purchased from any third party seller, it comes with a 1-year warranty. However, if purchased directly from Paradigm, it includes a 6-year limited warranty – better than all others on the list by a mile.

The Paradigm 500 XLS is a great bike for those looking for a sturdy folding exercise bike that gets the job done at a reasonable price. It truly supports 400 pounds and is comfortable for riders up to 6’5″ – whereas many of the other options on this list are challenged to comfortably handle riders over 6′ tall. Even at speed, the wide frame allows intense riders to move at speed without fear of tipping over.

While it may not include any features like resistance bands or a convertible design, the 500 XLS can handle a user moving dumbbells while riding, which can help if you need a full-body workout while pedaling. It also includes the same long warranty as the 575 XLS if purchased directly from Paradigm – 6 years, which is really impressive.

It has a small LCD display that will display distance, time, speed, and an odometer (which is cumulative and cannot be reset.) You can cycle through these at the press of a button, or have the display cycle through them for you. One benefit of not having many electronic features is the durability of the bike. If the LCD display stops working, the bike is still fully functional in a purely mechanical form.

With 8 levels of resistance, it’s a basic bike to be sure, but you can build your own workout programs incorporating either “Low-Intensity Steady State” (LISS) cardio or popular High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts. There should be many online articles to help you build an appropriate plan for your workout goals.

For those who need a sturdy bike on a budget, the 500 XLS is a great choice.

Easy to assemble and easy to store, the Slim Cycle started the craze of foldable exercise bikes to help riders with limited storage space make the most of their exercise goals. Rather than forcing the user to purchase multiple pieces of equipment, the Slim Cycle includes resistance bands so you can work out your upper body while riding.

One of the best benefits of the Slim Cycle is not only it’s foldable nature, but the fact that it can easily convert from a recumbent exercise bike to a standard exercise bike as well! Whether you have multiple users who need a different kind of workout, or some days you just need to sit in a different position, the Slim Cycle has you covered.

As with most of the options on this list, the Slim Cycle comes with 8 levels of magnetic resistance, so you can easily adjust the difficulty to suit your needs. While it does not have built-in workout programs, the Slim Cycle folding exercise bike comes with an app that allows you to download classes and workout rides through picturesque locations.

The Slim Cycle folding exercise bike has one of the widest ranges of height adjustments of all bikes on the list. Fitting riders from 4’11” to 6′ 4″, this is a great option for couples who are of widely differing height. It’s also completely silent, allowing users to enjoy their workout without disturbing others. It has wheels making it easy to roll away for storage.

The Slim Cycle has a digital LCD display that shows time, calories, distance, speed, and total mileage. It will also display your heart rate when gripping the included heart rate monitor, however, it does not have any “smart” features such as bluetooth connectivity.

Offering a feature that no other folding bike can boast, the Pleny has a 3-in-1 convertible frame that allows users to ride in three different styles: recumbent, semi-recumbent and standard style to suit your preferences and health goals. While some other convertible folding exercise bikes offer a recumbent style, the Pleny 3-in-1 has a true recumbent option. Most of the other “recumbent” folding exercise bikes are really just adding a back to the seat, whereas the Pleny stretches out further.

In addition to the convertible frame, the Pleny offers 16 levels of magnetic resistance. For those who want a wide variety of adjustability, this is a great feature, allowing you to fine-tune how hard you have to pedal across your workout. Without built-in workout programs, I suggest getting online to find some suggested workout programs and manually adjusting your resistance to simulate hills, flats and downhill rides.

Pleny has taken even more steps to include additional features you won’t find elsewhere – and that includes leg resistance bands. This helps users perform stretching or strength exercises in addition to cardio. It also has arm resistance bands that can be used while riding to do arm workouts.

Like the other bikes on the list, it includes an LCD screen that shows time, distance, calories burned, and heart rate from the included heart rate monitor. Unlike the other models, this shows all of these details on one screen, so you don’t have to switch what’s on the display.

For those who want lots of convertible options, the Pleny 3-in-1 might just be for you!

Frankly speaking, most of the folding exercise bikes on the market are not very different from one another. Some are convertible, some have more features than one another, but they’re all designed for one purpose – getting an exercise machine that can easily fit into a closet when not in use.

Knowing this, I wanted to give readers an alternative option! Many city dwellers and those with small apartments already have a full-size bicycle for commuting or saving money on the costs of owning a car. If the goal is to save space and get exercise, a bike trainer may be the ticket. The Sportneer Bike trainer offers 8 levels of magnetic resistance, and by using your bike’s gears (assuming it is a geared bike) you can have even more resistance options.

The Sportneer trainer offers a quick-release setup, offering an easy in-and-out option, so you can quickly disconnect your bike and take it out for a ride. It is adjustable for multiple sizes and styles of bikes, so anyone can use it with their own bicycle. With a compact foldable design, you can easily store it in a closet or under a bed, and it’s lightweight and easy to move.

If you’ve already got a bike, a bike trainer might be just the ticket to get your exercise in a compact space.