Top 7 Best Folding Exercise Bikes [2024 Reviews]

Get a great workout and save space with these folding exercise bikes, we break down the year's top models

Our Editors independently research, test, and rate what we feel are the best products. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.

If you’ve ever thought of purchasing an exercising bike, one thing that may have come up is the lack of space.

The top folding exercise bikes overcome the space problem so that you can practice your cardio every day without compromising on space. Biking is well known to be one of the best ways to exercise.

However, with so many options available, it can be quite confusing to select the right bike for your needs. Were going to help you in making that choice.

Best Folding Exercise Bikes

Marcy Foldable Exercise BikeXTERRA Fitness Folding BikeProGear 225 Foldable Bike
editorschoice
Resistance:Magnetic Resistance / 8 LevelsMagnetic Resistance / 8 LevelsMagnetic Resistance / 8 Levels
Weight:37 Pounds42 Pounds35 Pounds
Size:33''L x 17''W x 44''H31” L x 18” W x 45” H32”L x 18”W x 46”H
Capacity:250 Pounds225 Pounds220 Pounds



Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Foldable Exercise Bikes For 2024

  1. Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike
  2. Exerpeutic GOLD 500 XLS Folding Upright Bike
  3. ProGear 225 Foldable Magnetic Upright Bike
  4. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike
  5. XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike
  6. Lanos Folding Exercise Bike
  7. MaxKare Folding Upright Exercise Bike

We’ve reviewed the top rated folding exercise bicycles, followed by a comparison table and buying guide to help you decide one that will work for you.


Foldable Exercise Bike Reviews

These fold away exercise bikes can help in improving health and fitness through cardio but are also easy to store when not in use. These bikes each have different features, so let’s get to it!

Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike at a Glance:

  • Type of Resistance: 8 Level – Magnetic Resistance
  • Weight Limit: 250 Pounds
  • Bike Size: 32” L x 18” W x 42” H
  • Portability: N/A
  • Bike Weight: 37 Pounds

Marcy is a well-known brand name in the fitness industry. The brand has been going strong for the past 50 years and still shows no signs of stopping.

This bike has 8 resistance levels which the rider can select from according to their fitness level.

The best feature of the bike is how quiet it is. The bike makes little to no noise making it perfect for use in the home or even in an office setting.

The seat height is fully adjustable which makes it suitable for women of almost every height and is very comfortable, even for long periods of time.

Another nice feature we liked about this exercise bike is its smooth pedaling which makes cycling fun.

In case one is too sensitive, the seats can further be further cushioned with a pad. It might be a good idea to buy the pad for the protection of the seat anyway.

Another thing we liked is that the resistance is not that high. Although the provided resistance is sufficient for normal exercise, it might not be suitable for endurance training or someone who is very fit.

Video: Overview of the Marcy Folding Bike.

Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike with High Back Seat | NS-653

Otherwise, the bike is easy to assemble, easy to use, easy on space, and also easy on the pocket. This makes it an especially good choice for beginners.

We enjoyed this bike for everyday exercise and found the resistance levels relaxing. Some of us found the harder resistance levels challenging and a few on our team needed a bit more.

Overall, its a tough call but we thought the Marcy was the best folding exercise bike.


XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike at a Glance:

  • Type of Resistance: 8 Level – Magnetic Resistance
  • Weight Limit: 225 Pounds
  • Bike Size: 31” L x 18” W x 45” H
  • Portability: Built-In Wheels
  • Bike Weight: 42 Pounds

This portable exercise bike is designed keeping in mind all kinds of people: the tall, the short, the fit ones, and those just beginning a fitness regimen. Thus, the bike can handle the weight up to 225 pounds.

It is fitted with an LCD display which is large enough to keep track of calories, time, and other features. The handles are fitted with a pulse rate monitor which measures the heart rate during cycling.

The bike is fitted with casters so you can easily move the bike after use. The seat is large enough and can be adjusted in height for comfort.

The brackets are also provided in the seat which can be used to hold a Kindle, an iPad or a tablet.

Even a remote can be stowed on the machine. As this is another magnetic resistance folding bike, we found it just as quiet as the more expensive Exerpeutic GOLD 500 XLS.

If you happen to want to exercise early in the morning, later at night, or even while the kiddos are down for a nap, this is the bike you will need.

We also found the Xterra to be the best compact exercise bike that was easy to fold up and move out of the way, all in all a good choice!


ProGear 225 Foldable Magnetic Upright Bike at a Glance:

  • Type of Resistance: 8 Level – Magnetic Resistance
  • Weight Limit: 220 Pounds
  • Bike Size: 32” L x 18” W x 46” H
  • Portability: Built-In Wheels
  • Bike Weight: 35 Pounds

This fold away exercise bike is designed to make your workout fun. It is equipped with large display to show heart rate, calories burned however we didn’t feel is was as accurate in terms of distance as the previous models.

The bike also comes with wide, comfortable seat and the design of the bike is sturdy enough to handle the weight of a rider up to 220 pounds.

The bike is easy to assemble and comes with different levels of the resistance to allow you to challenge yourself.  However, one needs to go through different nuts and bolts that come along in a big bag along with the package.

The ProGear 225 is a good addition to exercise regimen at home.  It was very easy to assemble so we were trying it out in no time at all, even with the “sorting” of the hardware.

There is the issue of the lower weight capacity but those on our team who were able to try it out were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to adjust the resistance levels and to mount and dismount the bike. Overall we found the ProGear to be the best budget exercise bike


Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike at a Glance:

  • Type of Resistance: 8 Level – Magnetic Resistance
  • Weight Limit: 300 Pounds
  • Bike Size: 31” L x 19” W x 46” H
  • Portability: N/A
  • Bike Weight: 42 Pounds

The second Exerpeutic bike on our list of folding stationary bikes comes with a pulse option. This allows you to measure your heart rate with the help of hand pulse monitor.

This is helpful in ensuring you reach and maintain the optimal heart rate for cardio. The design of the bike is such that it can handle the weight of around 300 pounds and height adjustment from 5’3” to 6’1”.

Another excellent feature of the bike is the large seat that has sufficient cushioning.  The bike is equipped with a magnetic resistance system that offers 8-stages of the resistance.

Also, the bike comes with a very comfortable pedal design that prevents your feet from slipping off the pedals when your really pushing it!

We found the bike to have a stable, shake free ride. Even the LCD console is on the larger side which shows all the major features like distance, calories, heart rate, time etc. The console runs on a simple AAA battery system.

One issue with the bike is that its pedals are too forward, and because of that it’s not really upright. This can be a bit of uncomfortable position for a few people. On the other side, the bike is sturdy and inexpensive.

Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse
Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse

Many of the machines are not known for their heart rate monitors, but the heart rate monitor on this bike is accurate and helpful.

The best feature, based on our extensive testing of the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic bike was that it was so quiet. This is because of its magnetic resistance system and the solid, welded steel frame.

The LCD display is easy to use and provides a lot of helpful information for those participating in regular exercise at home. We found this to be one of the best foldable exercise bikes tested.


Exerpeutic Gold 500 XLS Foldable Upright Bike at a Glance:

  • Type of Resistance: 8 Level – Magnetic Resistance
  • Weight Limit: 400 Pounds
  • Bike Size: 39” L x 26” W x 48” H
  • Portability: Built-In Wheels
  • Bike Weight: 51 Pounds

Like the Marcy bike covered above, this bike is a folding upright bike with a large LCD and heart rate monitor. What differentiates this bike from the Exerpeutic upright bike is the weight bearing capacity.

This bike is made with 20% more steel and is able to bear 400 pounds of weight. The bike is also able to adjust to a wider range of heights, accommodating both shorter and taller users.

However, it might be a problem for the people of the height lower than 5’1”. Another feature that is noteworthy for this bike is how comfortable it is, mainly due to the large seat.

No special adjustments to the seat are needed for biking with the Exerpeutic GOLD 500 XLS. Each of the nuts and bolts required for assembly are numbered and the steps are clearly listed out for assembly making the job much easier.

Video: Overview of the Exerpeutic 500 XLS Folding Bike.

4100 - Exerpeutic 500 XLS Foldable Magnetic Upright Bike

If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable with many folding bikes because of the shorter range of height adjustability, this is probably the best upright exercise bike for you.

We have several taller than average people on our team and a few shorter team members and this bike was able to adjust to all of them very well.

The process for adjusting the bike to them is simple so you can have several different household members using the bike, all adjusting it, and it isn’t a hassle.


Lanos Folding Exercise Bike at a Glance:

  • Type of Resistance: Magnetic, 10 levels
  • Weight Limit: 330 pounds
  • Bike Size: 22” L x 20” W x 55.5” H
  • Portability: Built-In Wheels
  • Bike Weight:: N/A

The Lanos Folding Exercise Bike comes with 10 different levels of adjustable magnetic resistance to provide a smooth and consistent riding experience.

Whether you like marathon rides or intervals, you can switch it up quickly and easily. When you’re all finished, it folds up seamlessly for simple storage or transportation.

Coming in either Black, Blue, or White, you’re sure to find one that looks great in your home and suits your personality best.

The 2-in-1 design incorporates both an upright bike and a recumbent bike. The upright is great for really melting away fat, and working your heart and lungs.

Recumbent bikes are more comfortable and let you lean back a bit, which is nice if you don’t have the best balance, have back pain, and so on.

With a max user weight of 330 pounds and the ability to work with users who stand anywhere from 4’5” to 6’5” it works with the vast majority of people, too.

In order to track your progress, you have a big LCD monitor which shows your distance, speed, time, calories, and heart rate pulse (sensors included). To keep yourself entertained, you also get a phone/tablet holder.


MaxKare Folding Upright Exercise Bike at a Glance:

  • Type of Resistance: Magnetic, 8 levels
  • Weight Limit: 265 pounds
  • Bike Size: 19” L x 20” W x 57” H
  • Portability: Built-In Wheels
  • Bike Weight: N/A

Lastly, we have the MaxKare Exercise Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike.

Easily one of the most versatile models on the planet, you can choose to use it in its upright position, semi-recumbent, or recumbent position. It all depends on your body and your goals.

Made of high-quality steel, the frame is extremely tough and can support up to 330 pounds of user weight.

The seats are all made with high-density sponge and come ergonomically designed in order to keep your spine and the rest of your body in proper alignment.

You do get 8 included workout programs here with magnetic resistance which is always sturdy and smooth.

The LCD monitor is there to track your stats, and comes complete with heart rate tracking in real-time and a tablet holder so you can watch workout videos, Netflix, listen to music, and more.


Folding Exercise Bike Comparison Table

Exercise BikeResistanceBike WeightWeight CapacityDimensionsRating
Marcy Foldable Exercise BikeMagnetic Resistance37 lbs250 lbs33''L x 17''W x 44''H4.2 / 5.0
Exerpeutic GOLD 500 XLSMagnetic Resistance43lbs300 lbs31"L x 19"W x 46"H4.3 / 5.0
ProGear 225 BikeMagnetic Resistance35lbs220 lbs32”L x 18”W x 46”H4.5 / 5.0
Exerpeutic Folding BikeMagnetic Resistance52 lbs400 lbs31"L x 19"W x 46"H4.3 / 5.0
XTERRA Fitness FB350Magnetic Resistance42 lbs225 lbs31”L x 18”W x 45”H4.3 / 5.0
Lanos Exercise BikeMagnetic ResistanceN/A330 lbs22'' L x 20'' W x 55.5'' H4.4 / 5.0
MaxKare Exercise BikeMagnetic ResistanceN/A265 lbs19'' L x 20'' W x 57'' H4.5 / 5.0

How to Choose the Best Folding Exercise Bike – Buyers Guide

Biking is one of the best exercises in terms of the versatility it offers. Biking can be a good form exercise for endurance as well as for weight loss.

Even physicians recommend biking as a way to strengthen the back and the leg muscles. Folding exercise bikes are a boon for city dwellers as they offer many advantages.

best folding exercise bike

Advantages of a Foldable Exercise Bike

Ease of Use

The first and the most basic advantage is that they are easy to use. You do not need to travel to and from the gym in order to exercise as the same can be done from the relative comfort of your home.

No Need for a Lot of Space

Folding bikes do not take up as much space as compared to a non-folding bike. In fact, many of the above-mentioned bikes can be folded in half and can be stowed in small spaces after their use.

This makes them perfect for smaller apartments, shared spaces, or even just people who want to keep their folding bike out of the way and out of sight when not in use.

Budget-Friendly Choices

There is a range of prices when it comes to folding bikes and there is something available for every budget. This makes these bikes an affordable form of exercise.

Multiple Forms of Exercises

Foldable exercise bikes allow the users to go through different kinds of exercise regimens depending upon their needs. The different resistance level in the bikes makes the exercise level choices easy for all kinds of biking enthusiasts, based on their fitness level.

Ideal for Beginners

Because of the above-indicated advantages, these bikes are perfect for users who are just getting started with biking. These bikes are also suitable for people who are trying to lose weight and find it difficult or too expensive to exercise in gyms.

Entertainment Included

Many of the folding exercise bikes come with the consoles for the devices like Kindle, iPad, and the tablets. This allows the users to enjoy the entertainment along with the exercise.

fold away exercise bike

Considerations For a Folding Exercise Bike

The above sections explained different features of the five best folding bikes offered and many advantages that these bikes can provide. But the question that arises now is how do you select the right kind of folding bike for exercise.

These are the major points that you must take into account before purchasing a folding bike:

Budget

There are many kinds of bikes available, but the best bike out there is one which fits in your budget. The budget should be the first thing to think of before making a purchase.

Fitness Level

The second factor that you should take into account is how fit you currently are and what level of exercise you need from your bike.

Not all bikes offer the same kind of resistance. The choice of the right bike is dependent upon how much one is used to exercising.

Weight Bearing Capability

The third factor on the list is the weight bearing capacity of the bike. Some of the bikes can only bear 250 pounds, while other are made to bear weight up to 400 pounds. It is important to take this into consideration.

Height Adjustment Choices

If you are a taller or shorter than average user, you will need to be able to adjust the height of the foldable exercise bike.

Make sure you look into the height adjustment features the bike has. The user should be able to reach the pedals without any difficulty.

Seat Comfort

The next point in the selection of the bike is the kind of seat it has. Comfortable seating allows the user to exercise for a long period of time without any issues.

However, you should keep in mind that the seat can be changed or replaced with other comfortable options, provided the same fits into your budget.

Additional Features

Exercise bikes also come with additional features that enhance your exercise routine. Some of the features include: bigger LCDs, brackets for holding your Kindle/iPad/tablets, pulse rate handles, etc.

These features shall also be taken into account before making your final decision if they are things that you are looking for. Its better to buy more than you think you need so if you later decide its something you want you don’t have to replace the bike.

Space Used

Since you are looking for a folding exercise bike you are concerned with how much space it takes up when folded up. The Exerpeutic GOLD 500 XLS Folding Upright Bike is the clear winner taking up the leaset space.

Also check to be sure the bike is easily moved around. Wheels will make it easy to move from room to room or from a closet.

Bike Weight

The material the bike is made from will have the primary bearing on how heavy the bike is. Steel while being the sturdiest material is also the heaviest. Aluminum is a good compromise in light weight and durable construction. The ProGear 225 Foldable Magnetic Upright Bike is the lightest bike on our list.

Ease of Assembly

There are two considerations here. First most bikes do not come ready to go our of the box. Some assembly will be required. Bikes will differ on how hard they are to assemble and the quality of the instructions.

All the bikes on our list excel in this regard. In addition look for the bike to come with the tools needed to assemble the bike if you don’t have any.

The second factor is how easy it it to fold up for storage and then unfold when you want to get a workout. The easiest bike on our list to assemble is the XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike.

fold up exercise bike

FAQs About Foldable Exercise Bikes

Q: What are the Advantages of Indoor Biking?

A: Outdoor biking allows you to enjoy a variety of environments and terrain; but an indoor stationary bike has its own benefits.

Indoor biking is a good exercise option for many reasons:

Convenience – With an indoor exercise bike, there’s no need to check the weather forecast. Depending on your whims and schedule, you can hop on your indoor bike both day and night. There’s no need to transport your bicycle to a trail or park, it’s right there in your own living space, which saves time and effort.

Safety – Biking indoors removes the safety risks inherent in bicycling alongside traffic. Some of us live in bike-friendly communities. For those of us who don’t, an indoor exercise bike allows us to enjoy the activity of biking while not putting ourselves at the mercy of wayward drivers.

Monitoring – Indoor exercise bikes offer bells and whistles that your traditional outdoor bike  doesn’t. These help you monitor your fitness routine and progress. With their back-lit consoles, indoor bicycles can display your heart rate, distance, time, speed, and calories burned. Check out the different features our top-rated folding exercise bikes offer before deciding on the right one for you.

Control – With their varying levels of resistance, an indoor bicycle allows you to have more control over your exercise experience.

Q: What Is the Benefit of a Folding Indoor Exercise Bike?

A: Folding exercise bikes offer the same fitness benefits as a traditional stationary bike, thanks to varying resistance levels, for example; and to the same functions that monitor pulse, speed, distance, calories burned, etc.

The main benefit of a folding model is its portability. Gone are the days of having an bulky, unsightly piece of exercise equipment permanently displayed in your bedroom. A folding bike can easily be collapsed and moved into a closet for storage or into another room for a change of scenery.

Most models include casters, or small wheels, which make it easy to roll or drag your folded bike to another location.

Q: What is the Difference between Recumbent and Upright Exercise Bikes?

A: You’ve seen recumbent exercise bicycles at the gym.They’re the models where you sit back against a backrest and your legs pedal in a more-or-less horizontal position. This design has become increasingly popular.

A recumbent bike is less effective for getting your heart rate up, but it’s more comfortable if you enjoy tinkering on your phone or reading during exercise. It’s also a good option for someone who suffers from back problems.

An upright stationary bike looks more like a traditional outdoor design. Upright bicycles are better for working the core, as you must engage the core muscles to maintain posture and balance while riding. Taking care of your core muscles can actually help prevent back problems.

In addition to the core muscles, an upright bike will help your heart get a better workout.  Hands-down an upright bike is more effective for a challenging cardio workout than a recumbent model.

Q: What Are the Benefits of Magnetic Resistance for an Exercise Bike?

A: Exercise bikes are made with a variety of mechanisms to create resistance. Two examples include, magnetic and fan-based (think spin class).

The folding models use magnetic resistance exclusively. This is good news for someone considering an investment in a folding exercise bike. Magnetic resistance creates little wear and tear on the bike’s parts, meaning a longer life and fewer repairs.

Other pluses of the magnetic resistance design include a quieter, smoother workout and the  ease of adjusting resistance with the touch of a button.

It’s Time to Start Biking!

Folding exercise bikes are meant to make exercising easy and painless. By saving the time traveling to the gym and providing the exercise in the comfort of your home, folding bikes can make exercising less of a hassle.

However, this is only possible if you select the right bike for you. Thus, it is essential to understand the features of the bikes before making your purchase.

The purchase of a folding stationary bike can help with all kinds of fitness issues: weight loss, endurance training, rehabilitation after an injury/illness, or even just the fun of exercising to relax the muscles.

Biking offers many advantages and folding bikes bring all these advantages right to your home.

How We Researched

To come up with the top folding exercise bikes, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as Best Buy, Walmart, Target and Sears along with our own personal experience.

The authors consulted sources such as online magazines for research and reviews unbiased information.

By using Fakespot.com we tried to eliminate fake reviews and use only genuine ones.

With so many options available, the authors narrowed down the selections by using products they felt were the best value for the money.

The staff authors have a wide and varied background as fitness trainers, yoga instructors and runners. The authors have decades of experience and are eager to share their knowledge with readers.

In order to narrow down the options, we used personal experiences plus recommendations from other trainers and instructors.

Sources


I hope this guide was helpful for finding the best folding exercise bike to fit your needs. If you want to comment or recommend an Ab machine I didn’t include, please use my contact form to get in touch.

Have fun and enjoy your workout!

Notice:

BestWomensWorkouts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. BestWomensWorkouts earns fees from products sold through qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com. Amazon offers a commission on products sold through their affiliate links.

Krysha Thayer

Krysha starts her day with yoga and takes every opportunity to enjoy physical activity throughout the day. Her favorite activities are jogging, tennis, volleyball, and swimming. Living in rural New Mexico, she enjoys everything from hiking to snowshoeing and 4x4 trail riding to international travel. She especially enjoys road running. In 2019, she participated in the Zombie 5k Fun Run in Las Cruces.
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