Ellipticals vs. Exercise Bikes: Which is Best for You?

When it comes to choosing the right cardio machine, two of the most popular options are ellipticals and exercise bikes. Both provide excellent low-impact workouts, help improve cardiovascular health, and support weight-loss goals — but the best choice depends on your space, budget, and personal fitness priorities.

At The Fitness Outlet, we’ve spent over 30 years helping customers compare machines and find the one that fits their lifestyle. Below, we’ll break down the key differences in calorie burn, joint impact, space needs, cost, and target muscles — plus share our top elliptical and bike recommendations to help you decide which is right for you.

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Calorie Burn & Weight Loss

• Ellipticals: Because ellipticals engage both the upper and lower body at once, they can burn 500–800 calories per hour, depending on intensity. The moving handlebars let you involve your arms and chest, while the incline and resistance options challenge your legs. This makes ellipticals an excellent choice for those prioritizing fat loss and efficiency.

• Exercise Bikes: Bikes typically burn slightly fewer calories, averaging 400–700 calories per hour. However, because cycling is often easier to sustain for longer sessions, many users still achieve excellent calorie burn. Bikes also excel at interval training (HIIT), where short bursts of speed and resistance can torch calories and build stamina.

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Joint Impact

• Ellipticals: Known for their smooth, gliding motion, ellipticals put minimal stress on the knees, hips, and ankles. For users recovering from injury or those who want to avoid high-impact movements, ellipticals are a joint-friendly option that still mimics the feel of running.

• Exercise Bikes: Bikes are equally low-impact but in a different way — because you’re seated, your body weight is supported. This reduces stress on the joints even further, making bikes ideal for rehabilitation, seniors, or anyone managing joint discomfort.

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Space & Footprint

• Ellipticals: These machines generally require a larger footprint and ceiling clearance, especially for models with long stride lengths or incline functions. They’re best for users with a dedicated gym space or larger rooms.

• Exercise Bikes: Compact and versatile, bikes are easy to fit into tighter spaces. Upright and spin-style bikes take up minimal floor space, while recumbent bikes offer a comfortable reclined position without demanding a big area.

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Cost & Investment

• Ellipticals: Typically a higher upfront investment due to their size and moving parts. Commercial-grade ellipticals offer premium features like incline, stride adjustment, and interactive consoles.

• Exercise Bikes: Often more budget-friendly, especially for entry-level or mid-range models. Even high-end bikes remain more affordable than top-tier ellipticals, making them attractive for cost-conscious buyers.

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Target Muscle Groups

• Ellipticals: Deliver a full-body workout, engaging the legs, glutes, arms, chest, and core. Adjustable incline and resistance allow you to shift focus to different muscle groups, making them versatile for strength and conditioning.

• Exercise Bikes: Primarily lower-body focused, strengthening quads, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. Upright and spin bikes emphasize power and endurance in the legs, while recumbent bikes provide a gentler but still effective workout.

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Feature	Ellipticals	Exercise Bikes
Calorie Burn	500–800 calories/hour (full-body)	400–700 calories/hour (lower-body focused)
Joint Impact	Very low impact; smooth, gliding stride	Very low impact; body weight supported by seat
Space Needs	Larger footprint; requires more clearance	Compact, fits smaller rooms or offices
Cost	Generally higher, especially commercial models	More budget-friendly; wide range of options
Target Muscles	Full-body: legs, glutes, arms, chest, core	Lower-body: quads, hamstrings, calves, glutes
Best For	Weight loss, total-body fitness, joint-friendly training	HIIT, rehab, small spaces, affordability

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Which Is Best for You?

• Choose an elliptical if you want:

  • Total-body workouts

  • Higher calorie burn in shorter sessions

  • A running-like motion without joint strain

  • A versatile machine for endurance and intervals

• Choose an exercise bike if you want:

  • Compact equipment for smaller spaces

  • A budget-friendly cardio option

  • Joint-friendly training with maximum comfort

  • HIIT or long endurance rides focused on the legs

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Top Picks from The Fitness Outlet

Ellipticals

• BodyCraft E1000 Elliptical – Commercial-grade performance, natural stride, ultra-tight pedal spacing for joint-friendly motion.

• Spirit XE195 Elliptical – Durable steel frame, 20” stride, easy-to-use console — great for everyday home training.

• Echelon Elipse El-8S – Sleek, connected training experience with 15 incline levels and a 22” HD touchscreen.

Model	Stride Length	Resistance	Console / Features	Footprint (L x W)	Price Range
BodyCraft E1000 Elliptical	23” natural stride	Eddy Current Magnetic	Whisper-quiet brake, Bluetooth, space-saving design	66” x 29”	$$$$ (premium)
Spirit XE195 Elliptical	20” stride	20 levels magnetic	7.5” LCD display, heart rate monitoring	71” x 29”	$$ (entry-level home)
Echelon Elipse El-8S	20–22” adjustable stride	15 levels magnetic & incline	22” HD touchscreen, connected training	73” x 31”	$$$ (light-commercial)

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Exercise Bikes

• BodyCraft SPX Indoor Cycling Bike – Whisper-quiet, heavy flywheel design built for serious spin and HIIT sessions.

• Spirit XBR25 Recumbent Bike – Comfortable step-through design, reclined seating, and easy console for low-impact cardio.

• Echelon EX-8s Indoor Cycle – Light commercial-grade durability with advanced console feedback and ergonomic comfort.

Model	Resistance	Drive System	Console / Features	Footprint (L x W)	Price Range
BodyCraft SPX Indoor Cycling Bike	Friction brake, micro-adjustable	Belt drive	Commercial-grade steel frame, smooth + quiet ride	43” x 24”	$$ (mid-range)
Spirit XBR25 Recumbent Bike	20 levels magnetic	Belt drive	7.5” LCD screen, heart rate grips, Bluetooth	57” x 30”	$$$ (comfort-focused)
Echelon EX-8s Indoor Cycle	32 levels magnetic	Belt drive	24” HD touchscreen, live & on-demand classes	58” x 20”	$$$ (connected training)

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Both ellipticals and exercise bikes deliver excellent cardiovascular training, low-impact movement, and long-term fitness benefits. The best machine for you depends on your goals: if you want calorie-torching, full-body workouts, an elliptical may be the winner. If comfort, simplicity, and space efficiency matter most, an exercise bike could be the perfect fit.

At The Fitness Outlet, we’ll help you test, compare, and select the right model for your needs — whether you’re building a compact home gym or outfitting a full training space. Visit us online or in-store, and let our team guide you toward the cardio machine that will keep you motivated for years to come.