Best Exercise Bikes in Australia: Home Buying Guide

Search for the best exercise bike in Australia, and you'll get a lot of ranked lists. A ranking can't tell you whether a bike will be too tall for your partner, too loud for a unit with thin walls, or hard on a sore back.

This guide covers the main bike types, what each one is good at, and the specs that decide whether you're still riding six months from now. The aim is to help you find the best home exercise bike for your space and your goals. Further down, a table of ten bikes from the Trojan Fitness range gives you some exercise bike recommendations to start with.

What Is the Best Exercise Bike for Home Use?

There's no single best exercise bike, because the right one depends on who's riding, how often, and where the bike will live. As a starting point, an upright bike suits general cardio and tighter spaces. 

A recumbent bike suits riders who want back support and an easier seat. A spin bike suits people who want a road-bike position and harder efforts, and an air bike suits short, hard intervals.

Within any of those types, check three things before anything else: 

1. How well the bike adjusts to your body

2. How stable it feels when you push it

3. Whether the warranty and local support will be there if something goes wrong. 

The rest of this guide fills in each of those.

Types of Exercise Bike and Who Each One Suits

Exercise bikes, which you'll also see sold as stationary bikes, come in four broad types. All of them give you a seated, low-impact cardio session indoors, but they feel quite different to ride.

If you're new to regular exercise or want something easy on the body, an upright or recumbent bike is a common place to start. Spin and air bikes can be ridden at an easy pace too, but their designs suit hard, interval-style sessions best. 

If you're torn between the two cycling-style options, our guide to the differences between exercise bikes and spin bikes covers position, flywheel and saddle in more detail.

Best Exercise Bike for Seniors in Australia

For older riders, comfort, stability and an easy way on and off usually matter more than a long list of programs. That's why many older riders choose a recumbent. The backrest and wide seat support the lower back, and the low seat and step-through frame on many models make getting on and off easier.

Whichever type you choose, look for a large, easy-to-read display, simple resistance controls, and pedals with straps so feet don't slip. If you'd prefer an upright, a step-through frame and handlebars you can hold without leaning far forward make a real difference. 

Our recumbent exercise bike buying guide goes into seat adjustment, step-through designs and resistance in more detail.

A bike is only part of the picture, though. The Australian Government recommends that people aged 65 and over aim for 30 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous activity on most days, muscle-strengthening on two or more days a week, and activities for mobility, balance and coordination on three or more days. 

Cycling can count towards the first of those. The others need something else alongside it. If you have a heart condition, joint problems, recent surgery or balance concerns, talk to your GP or physio before you start.

Resistance Types: Magnetic, Friction and Air

Resistance is how the bike makes pedalling harder, and the system it uses affects noise, feel and upkeep. Three are common.

• Magnetic. Magnets sit near the flywheel, and the resistance changes as they move closer or further away. Nothing rubs against the flywheel, so these bikes are generally quiet and need little maintenance. They're the usual choice on upright and recumbent models.

• Friction. A pad presses against the flywheel when you turn the tension knob. You'll see this mostly on spin bikes, where it gives a direct, road-like feel. The pad wears and will need replacing eventually.

• Air. A fan provides the resistance, so the harder you pedal, the harder it gets. Most air bikes have no resistance level to set, and the fan gets louder as you push.

Resistance can also be manual or automatic. On a manual bike, you turn a knob. On an automatic one, the console changes the load, which lets you run interval or hill programs without reaching down mid-ride. Manual is simpler. Automatic suits people who want structured sessions. Neither is better; it depends on whether you'd really use the programs.

One trap is the number of levels. A bike with 32 levels isn't automatically harder than one with 8, because each number is a step on that bike's own scale. Treat the figure as a sign of how finely you can adjust, not how hard the bike gets.

Fit and Adjustability

A bike that doesn't fit gets ridden less. Check its adjustment range against the tallest and shortest person who'll use it, and look at these five things on the spec sheet.

• Seat. Look for height adjustment and a seat that slides forward and back, not just up and down.

• Handlebars. Some bikes adjust in height or reach; others don't. If more than one person will ride, adjustable bars are worth having.

• Pedals. Wide pedals with straps or cages work with regular trainers. Clip-in pedals need cycling shoes, so check which type you're getting.

• Maximum user weight. Read the manufacturer's stated limit and treat it as a ceiling, not a target. If the heaviest rider is close to it, ask the seller about a sturdier model.

• Rider height. Some manufacturers list a recommended rider height range. If yours does, check it.

Once the bike is home, set-up matters as much as the specs. Our guide on how to set up an exercise bike correctly covers seat height, handlebar position and riding posture, and it's worth doing before your first proper ride.

Stability, Size and the Features Worth Paying For

The best stationary bike for home use is rarely the one with the longest feature list. A few basics matter more, so start with these.

• Stability. Look for a wide base and no wobble when you push on the handlebars or climb on and off. Adjustable feet help if your floor isn't perfectly level, which is worth knowing if the bike is going in a garage.

• Footprint. Measure the space, then add room to get on and off and to adjust the bike. A recumbent is longer than an upright, so check its dimensions rather than assuming.

• Console. Time, speed, distance and heart rate are common on most. Calorie figures are estimates, so use them to compare your own sessions rather than as an exact count. If you want Bluetooth, check that it works with the app you plan to use.

• Power. Some bikes run without a power point, while others need one for the console or electronic resistance. Check before you decide where the bike goes.

• Floor protection. A mat under the bike protects the floor and cuts down vibration.

A word on exercise bike brands. A name alone says little. What matters more is what the warranty covers in Australia, whether parts such as pedals, seats and consoles are available locally, and who you contact when something needs fixing. A brand you can actually reach beats one with a longer spec sheet.

Best Spin Bike in Australia: What to Check for Home Use

A spin bike, also called an indoor cycle, puts you in a forward-leaning, road-bike position and usually carries a heavy flywheel. If you want the best workout bike for hard intervals, standing climbs, and sprints, a spin bike or an air bike is where to look. These are the points that separate a good one from a frustrating one.

• Flywheel weight. A heavier flywheel generally carries momentum through the pedal stroke, so the ride can feel smoother. Weight alone doesn't decide ride quality, though, so check the drive and build as well as the stated weight.

• Stopping. Most spin bikes have a fixed drive, so the pedals keep turning while the flywheel is still spinning. Learn how the brake works before your first hard effort.

• Frame and adjustment. You'll be standing and pulling on the handlebars, so the frame should feel solid. Look for a saddle and handlebars that adjust both up and down and forward and back.

Saddle comfort is personal, so if you can, sit on one before you buy.

Best Exercise Bikes in Australia: 10 Options From Trojan Fitness

These ten bikes come from the Trojan Fitness range and cover upright, recumbent, spin and air bikes. They aren't ranked or tested against each other. 

Each is here because its listed features match one of the buying points above. Details are taken from each product page as of October 2026, and stock and specifications change, so check the page before you decide.

Maximum user weight, dimensions and warranty vary by model, so check them on each product page.

How Much Should You Ride?

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's 24-hour movement guidelines for adults say people aged 18 to 64 should be active most days, preferably every day, with a mix of activity at different intensities. 

That can include moderate to vigorous activity for 30 minutes or more on most days, muscle-strengthening on two or more days a week, and activities for mobility, balance and coordination on three or more days. 

The activity figures for people 65 and over are the same. The department also notes that replacing sitting time with movement of any intensity can bring more health benefits, so a gentle ride beats none.

That makes 30 minutes on most days a sensible target to build towards, not necessarily where to start. Begin with sessions you can finish comfortably and add time as it gets easier. 

A bike covers the aerobic part, but strength and balance need other work. If you live with a disability or a chronic condition, the same site has separate recommendations, and your GP or physio can help you work out what suits you.

Warranty, Delivery and Your Rights When Buying in Australia

Read the warranty before you pay. Check what it covers (frame, parts, labour), for how long, whether servicing is available where you live, and whether it applies to home use only. 

Some warranties on home equipment exclude commercial use, which matters if the bike will end up in a studio, clinic or shared space.

A warranty sits on top of your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, not in place of them. The ACCC explains that when a product has a major problem, for example, it's unsafe, or it can't do its normal job and can't easily be fixed within a reasonable time, you can choose a refund or a replacement. 

For a minor problem, the seller must at least repair it for free. A change of mind isn't covered, and neither is finding the same product cheaper elsewhere, although a seller's own change-of-mind policy has to be followed. So try a bike before you buy if you can. If you can't get to a showroom, ask for the exact dimensions and adjustment ranges first.

Exercise bikes are heavy and bulky, and some sellers deliver heavier items to the kerb only. At Trojan Fitness, anything over 20 kg is delivered to the kerb, so plan how you'll get the carton inside and who will help you assemble the bike. If you're outside a major metro area, confirm freight costs before you order. Our shipping policy has the details.

Find the Right Bike for Your Home

Lists of the best exercise bikes in Australia only take you so far. The best home exercise bike is the one that fits you, fits the room and still feels good in month six. Trojan Fitness stocks upright, recumbent, spin and air bikes, with delivery Australia-wide and a showroom in Joondalup, Western Australia, if you'd like to try one first. 

You can browse our full range of exercise bikes for home and check each model's specifications online, or call the team on 1300 876 526 if you'd like a second opinion before you decide.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or you're unsure what's safe for you, check with your GP or physio before starting a new exercise routine.

FAQs

Which Type of Exercise Bike Is Best for a Beginner?

An upright or recumbent bike is the easier place to start, because both let you ride at an easy pace without learning a new position. Pick a recumbent if you want back support, and an upright if floor space is tight. Spin and air bikes can also be ridden gently, but they suit people who already know they want hard intervals.

Is an Exercise Bike Good for Weight Loss?

It can help, but a bike alone isn't a weight-loss plan. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing says being active helps maintain a healthy weight, and riding is one way to be active. What you see depends on how often you ride and on your overall habits.

Are Magnetic Exercise Bikes Quieter?

Generally, yes. Magnetic resistance has no pad rubbing against the flywheel, so there's less noise than with friction, and air bikes tend to be the loudest because of the fan. Noise also depends on the drive and the build, so ask about it if you share walls with neighbours.

Do Exercise Bikes Need to Be Plugged In?

Not always. Some bikes run without mains power, while others need it for the console or electronic resistance. Check the specifications for the model you're considering.

How Long Should I Ride an Exercise Bike Each Day?

Start with a length you can finish comfortably and build up. The Australian guidelines for adults mention 30 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous activity on most days, which is a reasonable thing to work towards.

How Do I Look After an Exercise Bike?

Wipe off sweat after each ride, check that the seat and handlebar clamps are tight before you start, and follow the maintenance schedule in the manufacturer's manual.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on this website is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or medical advice. We make every effort to ensure the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. Always consult a qualified professional before making any significant changes to your diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle. We are not responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from the use of, or reliance on, any information provided on this website.