The best mini exercise bikes to stay fit, no matter your fitness level

Whether you want to get fit, recuperate after an injury, illness or operation, tone some muscles, or keep your blood pressure and cholesterol down, a mini exercise bike can help you achieve your fitness goals. There’s no need to be intimidated, though. After all, at Yours, we’ve written an essential guide to the best mini exercise bikes to help you out, no matter your fitness level.

Best Mini Exercise Bikes at a glance

• Best mini exercise bike: AGM, Mini Exercise Bike
• Bestselling mini exercise bike: Opti Mini Exercise Bike
• Best motorised mini exercise bike: Reviber Mini Motorised Exercise Bike
• Best mini exercise bike to fit under the desk: DeskCycle2

Are mini exercise bikes any good?

If you haven’t got the space for a full-scale exercise bike, perhaps a mini machine would suit you best. After all, a mini exercise can be used under a desk while you’re working – like an under-desk treadmill, is easy enough to use whilst watching TV and a compact way to store away when not in use. One of these handy machines could be a fun (and non-intrusive) way to keep moving.

But, if you’re not keen on braving the wild outdoors with a road bike, then an indoor alternative may be a good fit. In addition to working out your legs and glutes, you can also use the pedals with the arms to provide an efficient upper-body and core workout, too. Not only that, but they can help aid weight loss and tone muscle, and protect the bones, too. They’re easier on the joints, which is a plus.

Best Mini Exercise Bikes

There are quite a few mini exercise bikes to sift through, so we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve listed some of the best below to suit an array of exercise needs, fitness levels and budgets.

FAQs

What is the difference between an exercise bike and a spin bike?

Despite the pedalling movement, there are quite a few key differences between these two. While both pieces of equipment are a great addition to your home or garage gym, it really depends on what your goals are.

Bryony Firth-Bernard, our fitness writer, lays out the differences between the two.

Looking for an intense workout? A spin bike can provide that with changeable resistance and positions. However, they are generally a little pricier, but the build quality is typically better.

Despite being a little cheaper, an exercise bike is still a great piece of kit, which is gentle on your joints and good at strengthening your lower body. They’re better for gentle workouts.

What are the benefits of an exercise bike workout?

There are many benefits in terms of our physical health, but did you know that exercise bikes can also benefit us mentally, too? In general, cycling increases our levels of dopamine and serotonin (our happy hormones), which helps reduce anxiety and stress. They can strengthen the body and mind.

With the help of Bryony, we’ve listed our favourite benefits of using an exercise bike:

Firstly, an exercise bike can strengthen your legs and muscles, providing some toning all over your body, not just your legs. This can be managed by ‘resistance’ on the bike. We suggest setting resistance on your bike at something manageable but still giving yourself a little challenge.

If you’re someone who suffers from joint pain, maybe an exercise bike could be for you. As they’re gentle on joints, it’s a good piece of equipment to continue being active on – if you have an injury. Though seemingly low impact, this workout actually can strengthen your joints, with little pressure.

Next, they can be good for weight loss. If you’re looking for a healthy and gentle way to lose some weight, this could be a good method. Even a 30-minute workout can provide results. But don’t tire yourself out – and do what’s right for you.

Getting your heart rate up is important and will strengthen your heart. Cycling - or any cardiovascular activity, will help oxygen flow throughout the body – which will help all of your organs, muscles, and your precious heart. It can even reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease.

It goes without saying that investing in a mini exercise bike is much safer than the road. If the road is too busy and scares you, this will be a good solution. Not only will you avoid British weather at its rainiest but motivating yourself will be much easier. You won’t have to go as far, after all.

Lastly, as mentioned before, getting an exercise bike can boost your mind. After all, exercise has wondrous effects on our mental health as it puts our stress hormone, cortisol, in its place. Though not for everyone, cycling has been proven to reduce depression and anxiety. All positive, here.

Any exercise bike workouts for beginners?

Bryony has written a great guide to exercise bike workouts for beginners, which includes mentions of weight loss and internal training. If you’re new to your mini exercise bike, remember to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity (and length of time) as you go. Don’t overdo it. We've nabbed her workout here for you:

The workout:

Aim to cycle for 25 to 35 minutes

Start by cycling for 5 to 10 minutes on a low intensity to warm up your muscles and prevent injury

Select a medium intensity and cycle for 5 minutes

Once that five minutes is up, switch to a higher intensity and cycle for 1 to 2 minutes

Alternate between cycling at medium intensity for 5 minutes and then a high intensity for 1 to 2 minutes three more times

Finish by cycling on a low intensity for 5 minutes to cool down

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Yours, an all-rounder who will write on anything from décor to wellness. When not scouring the net for the best home bargains, Piper is listening to a musical soundtrack and tending to her houseplants.