If you cannot use an indoor mountain bike trainer, then low impact option is a good buy. These portable exercise bikes are currently all the rage in the fitness community but do they have a place in the mountain biking community. We say yes! When the dark winter nights are setting in (depending on where you live) your riding will be reduced. Add excessive festive eating into the mix and you will start getting out of shape. These low-impact exercise bikes are perfect to keep your legs in shape for when you next hit the hard MTB trails. With these mini exercise bikes, you can easily burn 300 calories in 30mins, to burn those alcohol carbs away.
Portable exercise bike FAQs
Are portable exercise bikes good for losing weight?
Yes they are excellent, as long as you are on a calorie controlled diet. With them being so portable they can be pulled out whilst you watch TV…there is NO excuse not to train.
Are portable exercise bikes good for toning your legs?
Yes. My wife uses ours every night for 30 minutes and we have seen results in 4 weeks (she won’t let me post before and after pics 🙂 )
What does low impact mean?
‘Low Impact’ with these portable bikes means they do not put any strain on your joints like running does.
What are elliptical machines?
Portable elliptical machines will have a place to rest your hands and add a secondary required movement like pushing or pulling.
Can you build leg muscles with portable exercise bikes?
Yes, you would need to set the resistance level to maximum.
We have looked at some of the options available and here are our top picks.
Best Minis
DeskCycle Desk Portable Exercise Bike
- SMALL & SMART : Our quality under desk exercise machine keeps you focused, improves productivity and burns far more calories than a standing desk. Home exercise equipment that can fit under desks as low as 27inches.
- ADVANCED DESIGN: With more than twice the resistance range of other foot pedal exercisers, our desk elliptical has 8 calibrated resistance settings so that you're the one in control. The pedals have adjustable straps to keep feet secure and comfortable.
- QUIET & SMOOTH: The DeskCycle desk bike uses premium magnetic resistance for a super smooth pedal motion. This desk cycle is great for your joints and remains whisper quiet on the floor. So whether you're patched into a zoom meeting or working on site, your coworkers won't notice!
- EASY TO USE: This mini exercise bike has simple settings. The 6 function removable LCD display tells you everything you need to know - including your speed, time, distance, and calories.
- FITNESS & REHAB: Great for getting in a cardio work out while you dig into office projects, but the stationary bikes for seniors & adults are also essential to help building strength as well as increasing mobility in occupational or physical therapy.
Created for the static office worker, these are perfect to slide under your desk. Probably better if you work from home though. This machine has eight different resistance settings and a super quiet pedal motion. It also comes with a neat display showing time, distance and calories burnt. At the time of writing, this product has over 1600 positive reviews on Amazon.
Stamina In-Motion Elliptical Trainer Portable Exercise Bike
- SMALL & SMART : Our quality under desk exercise machine keeps you focused, improves productivity and burns far more calories than a standing desk. Home exercise equipment that can fit under desks as low as 27inches.
- ADVANCED DESIGN: With more than twice the resistance range of other foot pedal exercisers, our desk elliptical has 8 calibrated resistance settings so that you're the one in control. The pedals have adjustable straps to keep feet secure and comfortable.
- QUIET & SMOOTH: The DeskCycle desk bike uses premium magnetic resistance for a super smooth pedal motion. This desk cycle is great for your joints and remains whisper quiet on the floor. So whether you're patched into a zoom meeting or working on site, your coworkers won't notice!
- EASY TO USE: This mini exercise bike has simple settings. The 6 function removable LCD display tells you everything you need to know - including your speed, time, distance, and calories.
- FITNESS & REHAB: Great for getting in a cardio work out while you dig into office projects, but the stationary bikes for seniors & adults are also essential to help building strength as well as increasing mobility in occupational or physical therapy.
We love this elliptical trainer and have one in the office. Its main USP is it can be used as a bike simulator or a stand-on step machine, due to its pedal directional switch. Comes with a resistance dial and good display panel. Watch some sport for an hour and pedal away and burn 600 calories.
Drive Medical Portable Exercise Bike
- Steel construction.
- Easy exercise while sitting and Tension Adjustable.Comes completely assembled
- This product comes completely assembled.
- Loops on pedals for feet support.
- Portable Four Antislip Rubber Feet to Protect Floor.
If you are looking for something purely mechanical, this mini exercise bike is for you. Low cost, solid and does the job well.
Excy XCS 260 Portable Exercise Bike
- Lightweight, Compact, and Easy to Use: High and low intensity. Folds for storage and transport. Only 14 lbs. Great for groups or individuals. Use anywhere!
- Upper and Lower Body Versatility for Broadest Range of Exercises: Lying down. Sitting. Standing. Kneeling. Body Weight Positions. Functional training. Easy setup. Create personalized programs easily.
- 2 to 70 Pounds of Unmatched Bi-Directional Resistance Cycling: Aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Cranking. Spinning. Isometrics. Range of Motion.
- High Quality Heavy Duty Metal Construction: Recumbent bike. Upper body ergometer. Step cycle. Bed cycle. Body-weight cycle. One portable system.
- Live, On-Demand, and Guided Anywhere Coaching: Exercise videos from physical therapists. Tracking. Guided workouts. FREE iOS and Android.
If you are after something a bit more multifunctional for a home gym, the Excy XCS 260 is a good buy. Watch the video below to see what different workouts you can do with this machine.
>>Read our guide to the best post-ride nutrition supplements
Best Folding Stand-up Portable Exercise Bikes
If you have the storage space for something bigger, a proper upright folding exercise bike is a good option. These can be put away in a cupboard and will give you a sit on exercise bike – better if you to really push yourself.
Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse
- 【ENOUGH RESISTANCE FOR ALL FITNESS LEVELS】- Level 1 is perfect for beginners while Level 8 will make anyone work for it. Other bikes don't come close to our max resistance. Don't waste money on a bike that will be too easy in a few months. Get a bike that can grow with you.
- 【300 POUND WEIGHT CAPACITY】- Solid steel frame has been providing safe and effective workouts for over 10 years.
- 【COMPACT & QUIET】- Perfect for smaller spaces, this exercise bike folds into a 22" x 20" footprint. So quiet, you won't disturb anyone in the room.
- 【EASY READ LCD COMPUTER】- A Large 3.5" x 1.5" LCD screen makes it easy to see your Distance, Calories Burned, Time, Speed and Pulse.
- 【ADJUSTABLE SEAT HEIGHT】- Fits users from 5'3 to 6'1. Perfect for starting a fitness journey with your partner.
With over 4500 positive reviews on Amazon, this folding bike is a good buy. It has eight different resistance levels created by a magnetic tension control system. It has a decent display and even has a heart rate pulse monitor – which is pretty rare at this entry-level exercise bike.
Dimensions are: 22” L x 20” W x 55.5” H – so check you have the storage space available.
Innova XBR450 Folding Upright Bike with Backrest and iPad/Android Tablet Holder
- Bonus Universal Tablet Holder, Supports iPad, Galaxy, Kindle, and other brands, keeps you connected, combines leisure and productive time with a cardiovascular workout.
- Precision dual flywheels with multi crank and multi level magnetic resistance system provides flexible workouts with a smooth, consistent and quite ride.
- Large comfortable seat with seat back can adjust Vertically and Horizontally
- Built in Hand Pulse LCD Monitor displays time, distance, speed, calories and Pulse
- Designed to save space and folds for easy storage; Weight capacity up to 250 lbs
Innova’s folding exercise bike is another good folding option. We like this one due to its tablet holder. Attach you iPad and binge watch a series while you peddle away. The bike also has a decent display and measures your pulse rate.