If you’re going to buy a recumbent exercise bike for your home, it needs to be comfortable and supportive enough that you’ll actually use it, challenging enough to keep being useful as your fitness improves, and durable enough to use day after day. That is what attracted me to the Best Fitness BFRB1B Recumbent Bike by Body-Solid.
As a Personal Trainer and Health Coach who has worked with women for more than 20 years, I’m not just looking at the longest list of features. I’m more interested in whether those features make the machine comfortable, straightforward and effective for regular exercise, and whether the price point is justifiable.
The Body-Solid recumbent bike is a high quality and easy-to-use recumbent bike. It gives you eight levels of magnetic resistance, a supportive seated position, an easy step-through frame, heart-rate monitoring and basic workout tracking without surrounding you with dozens of complicated settings. For a lot of women, particularly those who simply want an accessible way to keep cardio in their routine at home, I think that simplicity is actually one of its strengths.
So, is the Body-Solid BFRB1B recumbent bike worth buying? Here’s what I like about it, what you need to consider, and who I think will get the most value from it.
Body-Solid’s Best Fitness BFRB1B at a Glance
The BFRB1B is a residential recumbent exercise bike from Best Fitness by Body-Solid.
Its key features include:
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance
- Supportive recumbent seating position
- Adjustable seat
- Lumbar-supported backrest
- Easy step-through design
- Contact heart-rate monitoring
- Five-window easy-to-read LCD display
- Tracks time, speed, distance, calories and pulse
- Front transport wheels for easy maneuvering
- Compact residential design
- Approximate weight: 73 lbs
- Approximate dimensions: 52″ L × 26″ W × 39″ H
What I Like About the BFRB1B Recumbent Bike
The Supported Riding Position
This is probably the biggest reason someone chooses a recumbent bike over an upright bike. Instead of sitting on a narrow saddle with your body positioned above the pedals, you sit further back in a wide seat with your legs extending forward.
The Best Fitness BFRB1B by Body-Solid also includes a lumbar-supported backrest, which gives you significantly more support than you would get from a traditional upright exercise bike. That can make a real difference if comfort is one of the main things preventing you from doing cardio consistently. For older users, or those with injuries who require more stability and control, this can be a significant advantage.
For those who struggle with exercise motivation, this bike is also a good fit – if a more comfortable seated position means you cycle three or four times a week rather than avoiding the bike altogether, the more comfortable machine makes more sense.
The Step-Through Design Makes Sense
I also like the open step-through design of this bike and it can be largely advantageous for those who struggle with mobility as it makes the bike easy to get on and off. There isn’t a large central frame that you have to swing your leg over before sitting down. You can approach the seat, step through the open area and sit.
That sounds like a relatively small feature until you compare it with mounting a traditional stationary bike. For women who prefer or require easier access – whatever their age – this design makes the bike much more convenient to use. And convenience matters when we’re talking about equipment that you want to use regularly for years.
Eight Resistance Levels Keep Things Simple
The BFRB1B gives you eight levels of easy-to-adjust manual magnetic resistance. More resistance settings don’t automatically create a better workout, and eight levels give you enough room to start at an easier intensity and progressively increase the resistance as your cardiovascular fitness and leg strength improve.
You simply get on the bike, choose the resistance you want, and cycle. If you want a highly interactive exercise bike with dozens of programs, classes and technology features, this probably isn’t the model I would choose. However, if you want a straightforward home cardio machine, the simplicity is part of its appeal.
You Can Monitor the Basics While You Exercise
The BFRB1B includes an easy-to-read five-window LCD display that shows the relevant workout information:
- Time
- Speed
- Distance
- Calories
- Pulse
You can therefore monitor how long you’ve exercised, track distance and keep an eye on your workout intensity without needing a subscription service or separate screen. It also includes contact heart-rate sensors on the handlebars so you can monitor your heart rate and workout intensity.
It’s Relatively Compact for a Recumbent Bike
Recumbent bikes are naturally longer than upright exercise bikes because of the riding position. The BFRB1B measures approximately 52″ long × 26″ wide × 39″ high. That still requires a dedicated area in your home, but it’s not an enormous cardio machine.
It also has front transport wheels, which make repositioning it easy if you don’t want it sitting in exactly the same place permanently.
SHOP THE BEST FITNESS BODY-SOLID BFRB1B RECUMBENT EXERCISE BIKE
Why I Like Recumbent Bikes for Women
There isn’t a particular age at which women suddenly need to switch from an upright bike to a recumbent bike. A fit woman in her 60s may love an upright bike, while a woman in her 30s may simply prefer the comfort of a recumbent one.
What does tend to change for many women as we get older is what we value from exercise. In our 40s, 50s and later years, exercise may increasingly be about staying cardiovascularly fit, maintaining strength, managing body composition, continuing to move well and building habits that we can realistically maintain for the long term.
A recumbent bike can fit very nicely into that kind of routine. It gives you a controllable form of cardiovascular exercise that you can do in your own home, regardless of the weather, without needing to drive to a gym or arrange your day around a fitness class. And because the Best Fitness Recumbent Bike provides a supported seated position, it may appeal particularly to women who simply don’t enjoy the feel of a traditional upright exercise bike.
Is the BFRB1B by Body-Solid Good for Women Over 50?
Yes – if a recumbent bike suits the type of exercise you enjoy. But I wouldn’t recommend it simply because somebody has turned 50. Age isn’t the deciding factor. An adult can use this bike at any age.
I would recommend looking at a recumbent bike if you:
- Prefer a larger, supported seat
- Like having back support while exercising
- Prefer steady low-impact cardiovascular workouts
- Want easy access on and off the bike
- Don’t particularly care about standing pedaling or a spin-bike style workout
- Want a straightforward piece of cardio equipment for home use
Those preferences can apply at age 35, 55 or 75.
Is the BFRB1B Recumbent Bike Good for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause?
Absolutely. Cardiovascular exercise has a ton of benefits for women in midlife, and using this bike can form part of a well-rounded fitness routine during perimenopause, menopause and the years that follow.
For women in this stage of life, I look at fitness as a combination of strength training, cardiovascular exercise, everyday movement, mobility, flexibility, and appropriate nutrition and recovery. The Best Fitness BFRB1B Recumbent Bike by Body-Solid can certainly cover the cardiovascular side of that equation.
I would still encourage women to include resistance training rather than relying on cycling alone, particularly because maintaining muscle, bone health, and strength becomes increasingly important as we get older.
How Challenging is Body Solid’s Best Fitness Home Recumbent Bike for Women?
This at-home exercise bike delivers enough intensity to challenge any fitness level. Its eight magnetic resistance levels allow you to adequately challenge yourself and adjust how hard you’re working out, so you can keep progressing and improving your fitness.
For example, you could use lower resistance for:
- A gentle warm-up
- Longer steady rides
- Easier recovery workouts
And higher resistance for:
- Shorter challenging intervals
- Higher-effort cardio
- Increasing the muscular demand on your legs
You can also manipulate cadence – how quickly you’re pedaling – rather than relying entirely on resistance. That means even a relatively straightforward bike can give you several different workout styles.
What Kind of Workouts Can You Do?
You don’t have to perform the exact same 30-minute ride every time you use an exercise bike. You can mix things up to help keep your workouts varied and engaging, and continue to challenge your body in different ways.
For example:
Steady Cardio Workout
Choose a resistance that feels manageable and maintain a consistent pace for 20–60 minutes.
Resistance Interval Workout
Alternate between a moderate resistance and a more challenging resistance every few minutes.
Short Interval Workout
Alternate periods of faster cycling with easier recovery periods.
Progressive Ride
Start easy and gradually increase the resistance throughout the workout.
Easy Movement Day
Use a comfortable resistance and cycle at a relaxed pace when you simply want to get some movement into your day. This is especially useful if you’re feeling tired or lacking energy – doing something is better than doing nothing.
Having several workout formats makes it considerably easier to keep using the same machine without every session feeling identical.
Does the Best Fitness Recumbent Bike by Body Solid Work the Lower Body?
Cycling primarily uses the lower body, including the muscles around your hips, thighs and lower legs – even your ankles. Increasing the resistance generally increases the muscular demand of the pedaling action.
While you can achieve an effective lower body workout along with cardiovascular exercise, I wouldn’t regard cycling as a replacement for a lower-body resistance-training program. If maintaining or building strength is one of your goals, combine your cycling cardio with strength exercises as well.
Does the BFRB1B Have Heart-Rate Monitoring?
Yes. There are contact heart-rate sensors built into the handlebars. When you grip them, your pulse information can be displayed on the console. This is useful feedback, and can help you workout more safely and effectively. However, how you feel, your breathing and your ability to sustain the effort are also useful ways to judge exercise intensity.
Does This Exercise Bike Need Electricity?
No. The BFRB1B uses manual magnetic resistance, rather than electronically controlled resistance, which adds to the simplicity of this bike – and doesn’t effect your utility bills! You also don’t need Wi-Fi, an app subscription or an enormous touchscreen just to get your cardio done.
Body-Solid’s Best Fitness BFRB1B Pros and Cons
What I Like
✓ Supportive recumbent seating
The larger seat and backrest make it appealing if comfort and stability matters to you.
✓ Easy step-through design
Getting on and off is straightforward.
✓ Eight magnetic resistance levels
Enough variety for different workout intensities without unnecessary complication.
✓ Simple workout tracking
Time, speed, distance, calories and pulse are all easy to see.
✓ Contact heart-rate monitoring
Useful if you like monitoring workout intensity, and need to stay within a certain range.
✓ Compact for a recumbent bike
It doesn’t require the footprint of a large commercial cardio machine.
✓ Transport wheels
Makes moving the bike around your room easy.
✓ Established fitness-equipment manufacturer
This home fitness bike is part of Body-Solid’s highly regarded Best Fitness range rather than being an anonymous piece of equipment with no recognizable manufacturer behind it. It also comes with an impressive warranty for extra peace-of-mind.
Things to Consider
✗ Only eight resistance levels
If you specifically want dozens of very small resistance increments, another bike may suit you better.
✗ No large interactive touchscreen
If you’re looking for an entertainment-heavy Peloton-style experience, this isn’t it.
✗ Recumbent bikes take more length than upright bikes
The supported riding position naturally creates a longer machine.
✗ You can’t stand and pedal
If standing intervals are important to you, choose an upright bike instead.
✗ It’s designed for straightforward cardio
That’s a positive for many people, but someone wanting extensive built-in programs may find it too simple.
How Much Space Do You Need?
The manufacturer’s listed dimensions are approximately 52″ L × 26″ W × 39″ H. Before ordering, I would measure the space where you’re planning to put it and leave some additional room around the bike so you can comfortably get on and off.
How Heavy Is this Residential Exercise Bike?
This home exercise bike is approximately 73 lbs. That gives it enough substance to feel like a real piece of exercise equipment while still remaining movable with the help of its integrated front transport wheels.
What Warranty Comes With the BFRB1B?
The Best Fitness Premier Warranty includes:
- Frame: 5 years
- Parts: 1 year
- Electronics: 1 year
- Wear parts: 3 months
- Labor: 90 days
Who Should Buy the Body-Solid BFRB1B?
I think this bike makes the most sense for someone who:
- Wants to exercise at home
- Prefers a secure recumbent riding position
- Values comfort and back support
- Wants easy step-through access
- Likes straightforward equipment
- Doesn’t need a huge touchscreen or subscription service
- Wants adjustable resistance for both easier and harder rides
- Wants a cardio machine she can realistically use several times a week
Who Probably Shouldn’t Buy It?
I’d look at something else if you:
- Want spin-style workouts
- Want to stand while pedaling
- Want dozens of electronic workout programs
- Want a large interactive touchscreen
- Have extremely limited floor space
- Prefer the feel of traditional cycling
In those cases, an upright bike may be a better fit.
Is the Body-Solid BFRB1B Worth Buying?
For someone looking specifically for a comfortable, stable, easy-to-use home recumbent bike, I think the BFRB1B is the ideal machine.
It provides a comfortable and supportive riding position, adjustable resistance, useful workout feedback and an easy way to exercise consistently at home. I particularly like the combination of the easy step-through design, lumbar-supported backrest, and variable magnetic resistance levels.
And at $425 from Tenacity Fitness, the price point is both affordable and excellent given its durable design that’s built to last. This is a very worthy investment in your health. For the woman who wants to maintain or excel her fitness level and values her quality of life, I think this bike is an excellent home cardio option.
Shop the Body-Solid BFRB1B Recumbent Bike
The Body-Solid / Best Fitness BFRB1B Recumbent Bike is available from Tenacity Fitness for $425, with free U.S. shipping.
✓ Free U.S. Shipping (excludes Hawaii and Alaska)
✓ Estimated Delivery: 3–8 Business Days
✓ 30-Day Returns
SHOP THE BEST FITNESS BODY-SOLID BFRB1B RECUMBENT EXERCISE BIKE