Cycling in a reclined position has been shown to be more comfortable and more ergonomic and just generally a whole lot better for most people rather than cycling on a traditional upright. But finding the best one for an individual's needs can be difficult and time consuming. To help you along, here are some reviews of the best recumbent exercise bikes currently available; from low cost models to the most expensive.

Many entry-level users of fitness equipment want to buy cheap. This isn't surprising as many are unsure if they'll get any benefits from using it and are unsure if they'll like using it. At the back of each mind there's the thought that the machine may end up unused, abandoned in a corner, never to be used. So, it's natural to want to look for a cheap exercise bike.

Some argue that buying a machine for under $300 is a complete waster of money as these machines simply won't provide a decent workout and will fall apart quite quickly. However, I disagree. Most of those who express this opinion are seasoned cyclists who seem to forget that not everyone is going to cycle a thousand miles each week. The fact is there are perfectly adequate entry-level bikes for under $300; you just need to be a little careful in choosing one.

My two personal recommendations would be the Weslo 4.5R and the ProForm GR 80 stationary bike, both retailing for around $250. The Weslo recumbent bike comes with an LCD monitor that provides basic feedback readings such as speed, time elapsed, distance, heart rate etc. There's also a heart rate monitor built into the hand grip (beside the chair) and the user weight capacity is 250 lbs. Most importantly, there are 6 personal trainer workouts.

The ProForm GR 80 bike comes with only 4 preset workouts. However, it does have digital resistance so you can set your required level instantly at the push of a button. Another advantage over the Weslo is that it comes with a built-in CoolAire fan.

While there's very little in it when comparing both models, I think that the ProForm exercise bike is the slightly better machine.

If you have a few more dollars to spend you might want to look at the Schwinn 231 recumbent bike ($650) and the Stamina EMR Conversion II bike/rower. The Schwinn has 16 resistance levels. There are 10 preset and 10 profile workout programs as well as a fan. Its weight capacity is 300 lbs. The build quality and styling of this machine is very impressive for its price.

The Stamina bike/rower is a nice concept as it converts between bike and rower. I like this idea as both types of machines exercise different parts of the body but many simply don't have enough money or room to buy two machines, so the Stamina really fills a nice niche. The machine comes with 8 resistance levels (2 less than the Schwinn) and heart rate sensors. The drawback with this machine is that there are no preset programs.

Which of the two is better depends on what it is you want. If you're looking for a bike only, then take a look at the Schwinn exercise bike.

For around a thousand dollars or so, you can buy a machine that is well-built and has a multitude of preset programs as well as user defined ones. The Tunturi E60R is a beautiful piece of kit. It retails for around $1,000 and has everything you could possibly want. It has 8 scalable workout profiles and 8 user profiles. A T-Scale function allows configuring and adjustment of the preset profiles even when exercising. It comes with a Polar wireless heart rate monitor. The console is feature-rich and fun to use, but it really is the bike's stylish good looks that impresses; who said you can't have both power and beauty?

Whichever bike you do buy, you should try to read as many consumer reviews of recumbent exercise bikes as you can. But be careful with the advice given; often, many reviews are quite scathing of one model of bike when comparing it to another model. However, these comparisons are often made between two bikes that are at opposite ends of the scale. Take your time, set your budget and try out as many models as you can.

Follow the links for more detailed recumbent exercise bike reviews on models like the ProForm exercise bike and the Stamina exercise bike and many more.