A recumbent bike is often touted as a more ergonomic alternative to an upright exercise bike. Unlike an upright bike, the user is able to seat comfortably and even relax. This provides added support for the back and allows the user to engage in another activity such as reading a book or even working on a laptop.
The Marcy ME 709 Recumbent Exercise Bike is one of the most popular and highest rated recumbent bikes. At less than $200, it provides a variety of features to help you get fit without putting any strain on your back or joints.

Main Features
- 8 resistance levels
The bike comes with 8 levels of magnetic tension, allowing you to change resistance as you see fit. You can turn the dial back when you are warming up and crank it up slowly as your workout heats up. The dial has easy-to-see numbers displaying levels 1 to 8 of tension. Higher resistance helps in developing endurance, burning more calories and building muscles. - Metrics display
To keep you motivated, the Marcy ME 709 has a conveniently placed screen that displays various performance metrics during your workout. You can see what speed you are cycling at, the amount of time you have been doing it, distance cycled and calories burned. The console is large enough to see even when you are busy pedaling away. - Weighted pedals with safety straps
The pedals feel solid and sturdy, allowing you to cycle easily and at different speeds. The surface of each pedal has deep grooves to increase traction and ensure your feet have a strong grip when cycling. To prevent your feet from slipping and potentially injuring yourself, the pedals have attached straps to keep your feet in place especially when you are cycling at high speeds. - Padded seat with foam handlebars
The padded seat is designed to be as comfortable as possible and ensure the user places the least amount of stress on the back and joints. The seat is adjustable, which allows individuals of different heights to use the bike comfortably. Taller users can increase distance from the pedals and shorter users can get the seat closer to the pedals.
When riding, you can place your arms on the handlebars for more control and faster cycling. The handlebars are covered in foam for added comfort and proper traction.
A Few Things to Note
The Marcy ME 709 recumbent bike has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds. This is high enough for most people to safely use the bike. Another thing to remember is that you have to do some self-assembly. Most users point out that assembly is relatively easy and you can do it yourself. Once assembled, the wheels at the bottom allow you to easily move the unit from room to room.
The assembled bike takes up a space of 55.5 inches in length and 25 inches in width. Keep these dimensions in mind when planning where to set it up.
One of the Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes
With a rating of 4.3/5 on Amazon, most users agree with us that the Marcy ME 709 is one of the best recumbent exercise bikes you can buy. It will help you build your muscles, lose weight and be comfortable while doing it.