We all come in different shapes and sizes and there are exercise bikes that can fit all of us.

Heavier people may have to keep a closer eye on certain specs when choosing a bike, but there are still plenty of great options to choose from.

You just have to know what to look for and where to look for it.

And it just so happens this is exactly what we’re going to be discussing in this guide.

More specifically, in this article I’ll go over the key performance specs (like weight capacities and assembled weights) heavier people should look out for when choosing an exercise bike.

I’ll also share my top picks based on the specs we discuss.

After reading, you’ll be well-prepared to choose the right exercise bike to meet your needs.

Well, let’s get to it already.

	Type	Weight Capacity	Assembled Weight	Warranty
#1 Sole LCR	Recumbent	350 lb	145 lb	Lifetime frame 5 year parts 2 year labor
#2 The Rogue Echo	Air	350 lb	127 lb	2 year frame/parts
#3 Spirit XBR95	Recumbent	350 lb	147 lb	Lifetime frame 10 year parts 1 year labor
#4 LifeSpan C5i	Upright	400 lb	99 lb	10 year frame 2 year parts 1 year labor
#5 Spirit XIC600	Indoor Cycle	350 lb	141 lb	Lifetime frame 3 year parts 1 year labor
#6 LifeSpan R5i	Recumbent	400 lb	145 lb	10 year frame 2 year parts 1 year labor
#7 Sole LCB	Upright	350 lb	130 lb	Lifetime frame 5 year parts 2 year labor
#8 Diamondback 1260Ub	Upright	350 lb	106 lb	5 year frame 3 year parts 1 year labor
#9 NordicTrack Commercial R35	Recumbent	350 lb	In box weight of 192 lb	10 year frame 2 year parts 1 year labor
#10 Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR	Semi-recumbent	400 lb	55 lb	1 year

How To Pick An Exercise Bike For A Heavy Person

Regardless of your weight, exercise is always a good thing – as a physical therapist, I believe this whole heartedly.

And it’s not just about weight – regardless of what health issue, ailment, or limitation someone might be dealing with, exercise is always a good idea.

There are so many different ways to modify activity, that there are few circumstances where someone can’t do some kind of exercise.

And regardless of what you’re dealing with, I promise you that being stronger or more mobile is always a good thing.

Ok, I’m stepping off my soap box and getting back to the topic at hand here.

When heavier folks are looking for a home exercise bike, there are a few key things they should focus on before making a decision.

These include:

Weight Limit

This is actually a spec I think we should all consider when deciding on an exercise bike, but if you’re especially heavy, it’s even more important because first and foremost, you have to make sure it’s safe for you to use whichever bike you choose.

Weight limits vary greatly on exercise bikes and generally speaking, nicer, more expensive bikes come with higher weight limits.

And cheaper, less high-quality bikes tend to come with smaller weight limits.

This rule isn’t written in stone or anything, but it tends to ring true.

Weight limits can also be used to get a general idea as to how heavy-duty or quality a bike is in the first place – because if a bike can safely hold larger users, it must mean it’s better built right?

The minimum weight limit you need depends on your personal weight of course, but personally, I like to see at least a 300 lb weight limit for any bike I’m considering.

This is the average for most legit bikes and I think it shows a certain level of quality (in my humble opinion anyway).

You’ll see home exercise bikes with weight limits up to 450 lb these days though.

Oh, recumbent bikes tend to have the highest weight limits, but you can find uprights and indoor cycles with higher capacities as well.

For the sake of this guide, all the bikes I chose will have a weight limit of at least 350 lb.

Assembled Weights

This spec refers to the physical weight of the bike and like weight limits, seeing higher numbers here is also a good thing.

And that’s because a higher assembled weight means a heavier bike – and heavier bikes are less likely to wiggle and wobble during use, making for a more stable feel.

Heavier bikes are also more likely to feel secure for larger users.

Exercise bikes will vary greatly with regards to their assembled weights with higher-end bikes usually weighing more than their more affordable counterparts.

Which makes sense – heavier bikes have more material, which means higher cost (and vice versa).

When looking at any exercise bike, I like to see an assembled weight of at least 100 lb because this is a good indicator that the bike will feel secure during workouts.

And there are certainly exceptions to this rule, like Keiser’s M3i, which only weighs in at 92 lb, but to be fair – this bike doesn’t have a really heavy flywheel adding to that weight.

Anyway, I still think it’s a good idea to compare assembled weights when comparing bikes and when in doubt, go with the heavier bike.

Most bikes on this list come with an assembled weight of at least 100 lb, although a couple under this mark did slip in.

Flywheel Weight

This isn’t as specific to heavy people as the other 2 specs, but it’s still important, so I thought it was worth mentioning.

Regardless of what type of exercise bike you’re looking for, I think it’s always a good idea to consider the flywheel weight.

The flywheel is the part that spins as you pedal and it’s paramount for determining how smooth the pedaling motion is, as well as how much resistance you get to work against.

When it comes to exercise bikes, having a heavier flywheel is usually a good thing (especially when looking at bikes under $2k).

That’s because the extra weight builds more momentum as it spins, which helps keep the pedals moving a little between pedal strokes.

The result is less lag between strokes, making for a smoother overall feel.

Heavier flywheels tend to offer a little more overall resistance, but this isn’t written in stone either.

I like to see at least a 20 lb flywheel on any bike I’m considering because this should be enough weight to give you that smooth feel we’re all looking for.

More affordable bikes tend to come with lighter flywheels, although this isn’t always the case (especially when it comes to indoor cycles).

Upright bikes and recumbent bikes also don’t tend to come with flywheels as heavy as those found on indoor cycles.

For the sake of this guide, I tried to use a 20 lb flywheel as a minimum requirement, although a few bikes squeaked in just under this threshold.

Warranty

Finally, it’s always a good idea to consider warranty, regardless of your size or what kind of bike you’re looking for.

The warranty is your insurance policy for your bike, giving you some peace of mind that it’ll last for at least a certain given period.

As you’d probably guess, nicer bikes tend to come with longer warranties and this isn’t a coincidences – manufacturers are realistic in how long they expect their products to last.

And they don’t want to waste monty paying for replacements.

Bike warranties are usually broken down into 3 components: frame, parts, and labor.

The frame is the most durable part of the bike and it should come with the longest guarantee – lifetime is preferred, but anything 10+ years is pretty good.

Most brands offer 2-3 years on parts, so anything longer is great.

One year on labor is standard, although you’ll see some 2 year labor warranties.

There are other stuff you should think about when comparing bikes, like console features, price, and brand reputation, but I think the above represent the most important things heavier folks should focus on when choosing a bike.

Now, let’s get to the good stuff already.

The 10 Best Exercise Bikes For Heavy People

#1 The Sole LCR Recumbent Bike

 

If you’re familiar with my work, it’s probably no secret that I love the Sole brand.

And there’s really nothing shady going on about it, it’s just that their products are heavier-duty and backed by longer warranties than pretty much every other brand out there.

And their LCR is a great example of this.

The LCR is a recumbent bike, so it’s easy to access and comfortable to sit on for extended periods.

When it comes to performance, this bike is packing a 30 lb flywheel, 40 levels of resistance, and an easy to use console with 10 built-in workouts.

And when it comes to the frame, it’s gonna be hard to find a heavier-duty specimen in this price range – the LCR comes with an assembled weight of 145 lb and a weight capacity of 350 lb.

With a frame this robust, this recumbent can offer a secure ride for folks of all sizes, but it’s also backed by a fabulous warranty: lifetime frame, 5 year parts, and 2 year labor.

It’s also backed by a light-commercial warranty, which is always a good sign.

Overall, if you’re looking for one of the heaviest-duty recumbents under $2k, the LCR is a no-brainer. See full review.

#2 The Rogue Echo

If you’re familiar with the Rogue brand, it shouldn’t surprise you that their Echo Bike is one of the heaviest-duty fan bikes on the market.

With an assembled weight of 127 lb, the Echo can safely hold folks up to 350 lb, allowing folks of all sizes to as intense a workout as they can handle.

And at this size, it’s also got a good 30 lb or so of bulk over the popular Assault Bike Classic.

The Echo comes with a durable, 27″ fan that powers every workout you do, and since this is an air bike, the resistance you can feel has no limits.

Well, technically it does have one limit – you.

Throw in a fully-adjustable seat, a smooth belt drive, and an easy to use console with a few built-in interval programs and you’re good to go.

The warranty on this bike could be better (2 year frame/parts), but I don’t think most of us could damage this bike if we tried.

Overall, an air bike isn’t for everyone, but if you’re looking for a rock-solid exercise bike that can provide intense workouts regardless of your weight, the Rogue Echo is a smart choice. See full review.

 

#3 The Spirit XBR95 Recumbent Bike

Spirit’s another brand dear to my heart and they have a lot in common with Sole (both brands even share the same parent company).

Like Sole, Spirit products tend to be heavy-duty, straightforward to use, and backed by great warranties.

Case in point, the XBR95.

The XBR95 is another recumbent bike that comes with great performance specs and a really heavy frame.

More specifically, we’re talking an assembled weight of 147 lb, a weight capacity of 350 lb, a 30 lb flywheel, and 40 levels of magnetic resistance.

This recumbent also comes with a self-generating power source, meaning you don’t have to plug it in, which makes for total freedom when it comes to bike placement.

The console isn’t super fancy or anything, but it comes with a nice selection of workouts to choose from and Spirit even includes a chest strap heart rate monitor with purchase.

And the warranty is about as good as it gets: lifetime frame, 10 year parts, 1 year labor (also backed by a light commercial guarantee).

All things considered, the XBR95 is easily one of the best recumbent bikes out there, regardless of user size. See full review.

 

#4 The LifeSpan C5i Upright Bike

It’s about time we get a classic upright bike in the mix and LifeSpan’s C5i is a great example of what an upright bike can offer for larger folks.

You know, as a brand, I feel like LifeSpan can easily get overlooked. And I say that because you don’t see or hear much from them in terms of marketing.

But if you stop and check out their lineup, they really do have some impressive machines (especially treadmills).

Not flashy or anything, but just good ol’ fashioned cardio machines designed to work.

Anyway, the C5i is an upright model with some surprisingly impressive specs.

This bike only weighs in at around 99 lb, but it’s got one of the highest weight capacities on this list at 400 lb.

When it comes to performance, the C5i comes with an 18 lb flywheel and 16 resistance levels, so not quite as hardcore as some of the bikes already mentioned.

But this model also comes with a self-generating power source and compact footprint, so you could pretty much put it anywhere you like.

LifeSpan’s warranties aren’t bad either: 10 year frame, 2 year parts, 1 year labor.

Oh, the C5i also comes with over 34 different built-in workouts, so if workout variety is important to ya, there ya go (oh yea, and sometimes LifeSpan even throws in a free treadmill with purchase). See full review.

 

#5 The Spirit XIC600 Indoor Cycle

Yeah, another Spirit bike made the list – hey, I told ya they make heavy-duty machines.

The XIC600 is an indoor cycle, so the heavier folks looking to minima the feel of riding a road bike may appreciate what this model has to offer.

With an assembled weight of 141 lb and a max weight capacity of 350 lb, I think it’s fair to call the XIC600 “heavy-duty”.

But it’s also got a lot to be proud of when it comes to the performance side of the workouts.

This cycle comes loaded with a 48.5 lb flywheel, so if you live by the “heavier is better” motto, you’ll likely appreciate the mass the cycle has under the hood.

It also comes with a micro-adjustable friction brake resistance system, allowing you to make very small adjustments to the resistance during workouts.

Personally, I prefer magnetic resistances, but friction brakes can still work very effectively.

Other highlights include fully adjustable handlebars/seat, a belt drive, and a solid warranty (lifetime frame, 3 year parts, 1 year labor).

Overall, if you’re looking for a heavy-duty indoor cycle that’s easy to use, Spirit’s XIC600 could make a lot of sense. See full review.

 

#6 The LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike

LifeSpan does a great job making their bikes accessible for folks of all sizes, which is impressive considering their lineup is pretty small.

The R5i is the only recumbent bike they offer to date, but I guess if you get it right on the first attempt there’s no need to keep trying.

Anyway, the R5i comes with an impressive 400 lb weight limit and an equally impressive assembled weight of roughly 145 lb.

It uses the same 18 lb flywheel found on the C5i, which users agree is adequate to provide a smooth pedaling motion.

Users also seem to agree that this bike is more than capable of challenging users when it comes to how much resistance it can offer.

Like the C5i, it also comes with a boatload of workouts to choose from (well over 30), as well as heart rate monitoring, a quick start button, and a self-generating power source.

And unlike most exercise bikes, the R5i also comes with an adjustable angle backrest, allowing folks to customize the angle they sit at during workouts.

The R5i is backed by the same warranty as the C5i: 10 year frame, 2 year parts, 1 year labor.

If you like the R5i, I recommend comparing prices – Amazon occasionally offers a better price than LifeSpan. See full review.

 

#7 The Sole LCB Upright Bike

The LCB is a heavy-duty upright bike that can perform with the best of ’em.

And this being Sole, of course it’s backed by a great home warranty.

When it comes to the frame, the LCB weighs in at 130 lb, which is massive for an upright bike. It’s also comes with a weight capacity of 350 lb, allowing folks of all sizes the ability to use it.

Under the hood, this bike is packing a 30 lb flywheel which has been paired with 40 levels of magnetic resistance, giving you complete control over every workout.

The LCB is no slough in the console department either. Highlights include bluetooth compatibility, USB charging, bluetooth speakers, and 10 workout programs.

The seat is also fully adjustable, which is always nice.

When you add in the fact it’s backed by one of the better warranties around (lifetime frame, 5 year parts, 2 year labor), it’s easy to call the LCB one of the best upright bikes on the market. See full review.

 

#8 The Diamondback 1260Ub Upright Bike

Diamondback’s another great brand that probably doesn’t get the kind of attention it deserves. They specialize in no-BS exercise bikes that are durable and easy to use.

I used to own one of their 510Ic Indoor Cycles and it was great – the only reason I stopped using it was because we ended up getting a Peloton.

But the 1260Ub is a solid upright bike in its own right.

With an assembled weight of 106 lb and a max weight limit of 350 lb, you shouldn’t have to worry about this bike feeling flimsy whatsoever.

And with a 25 lb flywheel, 32 levels of magnetic resistance, and 15 built-in workout programs, it’ll be able to keep you working for as long as you feel like using it.

This bike works great for taller folks too -with a fully adjustable seat that can accommodate riders up to 6′ 7″, there aren’t many folks who won’t fit on the 1260Ub.

It also has a rather attractive console, not that that should particularly matter.

I wish Diamondback would expand their warranty period a little, but it’s still not that bad: 5 year frame, 3 year parts, 1 year labor.

All things considered, I think the 1260Ub is a very nice upright for larger folks.

 

#9 The NordicTrack Commercial R35 Recumbent Bike

Ah, now there’s a brand I bet we all recognize.

I mean few fitness brands are as recognizable as NordicTrack, especially here in the States.

And even though their customer service doesn’t exactly have the best reputation, their exercise products are generally well received by users.

Their R35 is their highest-end recumbent bike to date and it’s got a lot to offer riders of all sizes.

The 14″ HD touchscreen console is what most of us probably notice first, but this recumbent comes with some respectable performance specs too.

More specifically, the R35 comes with a 25 lb flywheel, 26 resistance levels, and a max weight capacity of 350 lb.

NordicTrack makes things a little difficult when it comes to assembled weights, mostly because they don’t share this particular spec.

Instead, they disclose the “in box weight”, which includes the weight of the box and any packaging used to secure the bike during shipment.

Either way, the R35 comes with in box weight of 192 lb, so even if the packaging weighed 50 lb, this recumbent is still very heavy-duty.

And of course the folks interested in streaming workouts will appreciate that the R35 is designed to pair with iFit, NordicTrack’s streaming service that gives you all the workouts and whatnot.

Other highlights include a built-in fan, a comfortable seat, and easy to use one touch controls.

NordicTrack’s warranty isn’t bad either: 10 year frame, 2 year parts, 1 year labor.

Overall, if you’re looking for a streaming bike that can handle larger users, the R35 is a nice option. See full review.

 

#10 The Exerpeutic Gold 525 XLR Folding Recumbent Bike

Rounding out my list is a very budget-friendly folding bike that’s positive user reviews and impressive weight capacity can’t be ignored.

Exerpeutic is a budget brand that specializes in really affordable fitness equipment.

Not that this is a bad thing, but they aren’t really in the same league as the brands mentioned above.

But that’s ok, not all of us are working with budgets that allow us to purchase those more expensive options.

And as budget cycles go, the Gold 525 XLR does come with some impressive numbers.

Right off the bat, the fact that a bike that costs around $200 comes with a 400 lb weight limit is pretty astounding.

Especially considering it only weighs about 55 lb assembled.

That, plus it folds up for storage.

I wouldn’t really consider this a true recumbent bike because you sit up higher over the flywheel on this model, but I won’t hold that against it.

Exerpeutic doesn’t offer any info regarding the flywheel weight, but it does come with 8 resistance levels to work with.

There’s also a simple display that allows you to track your time, calories, distance, and a few other simple metrics.

The warranty isn’t much to speak of (1 year), but to be fair, at this price range this is to be expected.

But if you’re looking for a portable, affordable bike with a surprisingly high weight limit, the 525 XLR could be worth investing in.

Final Thoughts

Well, there ya have it.

If nothing else, I hope the above list illustrates that there are plenty of great exercise bikes out there, so regardless of your shape or size, rest assured there are plenty of options to choose from.

I tried to include exercise bikes of all varieties in the above list and I have to admit it was difficult to put them in exact order based on quality and specs.

I mean it can be tough comparing exercise bikes of different styles.

Regardless, I hope you found the above guide helpful and at least a little entertaining.

When searching for an exercise bike for larger folks, I encourage you to focus on the weight capacities and assembled weights because these will give ya a good idea as to how well-built and heavy-duty the bike is.

After that, I’d focus on the flywheel weights and resistance levels.

Finally, there are the console features to consider.

Ultimately, it’s all about finding the bike that offers the best combination of these specs and the features that you want (within your budget).

If you have any questions or comments, leave ’em below and I’ll get right back to ya.