I’m unfamiliar with the bikes so please forgive me for not answering your exact question. It sounds like you can get up and walk a bit, and that your legs/knees do work. So I’m wondering if you’ve ever tried an elliptical, or if it sounds like it could be an option. Far less impact (zero?) than a treadmill, and your arms will get involved. If part of your goal is to be a bit stronger on your feet, this might be something to consider. I have both a treadmill and ellipticals, and the ellipticals are the ones I use due to knee issues.

I've tried them at the gym and don't like them. Compared to a regular bike or exercise bike (or even standing up!) where your legs are in a normal parallel and downward direction from your torso, with recumbent models, your legs are up at maybe a 90° angle to your torso to reach out for the pedals. ("Recumbent" simply means reclining or lying down).

I find that position pulls uncomfortably on my lower back, where I have chronic issues that are well managed and not a problem when I'm careful about my movements.

Those devices work counter to being careful to avoid troublesome positions or movements, they're not for me. I'd suggest doing a workout or two on one and see how your feel afterwards, before buying one. Or, get one with a generous return period.

I know nothing about exercise bikes so have no suggestions for you. But your question did raise a question in my mind. A search brought up this site, which I found interesting and informative.

Rusty

ETA: Just remembered some equipment I was required to use when I spent a month in physical therapy rehab last year. It was very similar to the recumbent bike in the article. I found the relaxed seated position very comfortable. It wass easy to use.

FTA: ”Recumbent bikes are easier on the lower back. They offer a supportive seat back that encourages better spinal posture and support for those who experience lower back pain.”

That is more in line with my understanding, of course proper adjustment and technique matter no matter what type of bike you’re on. But everyone is different so I agree with tryijg things out before investing.

Another thing I ”understand” is that the added support lessens the core workout. If true, that would lower appeal to me.

But any exercise is a lot better than no exercise, so finding something that works for YOU is what’s important.

As you suggest, opinions vary. What is the source of this? Is it marketing material from a company that sells them?

For people with lower back problems, I more often hear (and say) "I need to stand up, I can't sit so long" (which for me is to straighten legs to align with the torso) than "I need to sit down, my back is hurting me"

When I sit down and lean forward, I feel a pull on my lower back. That's the same as lifting a leg up to and then higher than a 90° angle to the torso. That's what happens on a recombent bike when pedalling. That can't be a matter of opinion.

Well as someone with multipe herniated discs I understand needing to stand up after sitting, but I equally understand needing to sit after standing. Frequent changing position is key for me.

I think your 90° claim for the recumbent bike is oversimplified. It would depend on the ergonomics of the equipment itself, and the adjustment. I just pulled up the first video that popped up for me, and the guy‘s legs stop before 90. If the back reclined more, it’d be a looser angle. Seat position, back angle, crank length, body proportions all come into play when determining the angles. This isn’t opinion, it’s geometry.

It’s also not opinion that every degree your back is reclined relieves a certain percent of your upper body weight from your lumbar. Very roughly 4% for every degree. That’s why lying down straight is easier on the back than standing up straight. Physics.

Of couree I won’t argue what makes YOU more or less comfortable. But that may or may not be relevant to the OP. We don’t know a thing about what’s causing her conditions.

" I think your 90° claim for the recumbent bike is oversimplified. "

I think your STEM background is showing. It was my impression of what the problem is. Who knows?

If you want to do experiments or otherwise get to the bottom of it, let me know what you find.

Hopefully we’ve all given buckos4vr some things to consider.

I ride them at the gym, so I asked AI:

Are recumbent bicycles bad for your back?

No, recumbent bicycles are generally excellent for your back and are significantly gentler on the spine than traditional upright or road bicycles. By placing the rider in a reclined, ergonomically supported position, they distribute body weight over a larger surface area and eliminate the forward-hunched posture that causes neck and lower back strain. [1, 2, 3, 4]Why They Benefit Your Back

• Built-In Lumbar Support: The full-length backrest cradles the lumbar spine, taking the pressure off your vertebrae and allowing muscles to relax while you pedal. [1]
• Reduced Spinal Compression: Pushing the pedals forward rather than downward shifts muscle engagement away from the psoas (hip flexor) muscles, which directly reduces tension and compression on the lower spine. [1]
• Zero Upper-Body Fatigue: Because your back and shoulders are fully supported, your neck, arms, and wrists do not bear your upper body weight. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
• Nerve Space Decompression: The slightly reclined position opens up the joint spaces where nerve roots exit the spine, making it highly beneficial for individuals with spinal stenosis or sciatica. [1]

Potential Risk Factors to Watch ForWhile inherently safe, a recumbent bike can cause back discomfort under specific conditions: [1, 2]

• Incorrect Seat Distance: Sliding the seat too far back forces you to overextend your legs, causing your pelvis to rock and strain the lower back. [1, 2]
• Slouching: Sliding your hips forward away from the backrest arches the spine abnormally and jams the spinal joints. [1]
• Stiff Hip Flexors: The forward-pedaling position keeps your hips in a continuous state of flexion, which can tighten the hips and pull on your lower back after you get off the bike. [1, 2, 3]

Tips for a Back-Safe Ride

1. Flush Alignment: Ensure your lower back and buttocks are completely flush against the backrest before you start pedaling. [1]
2. The 90-Degree Rule: Adjust the seat distance so that when your leg is extended on the farthest pedal, your knee still maintains a slight 10-to-15-degree bend. [1, 2, 3, 4]
3. Post-Ride Stretching: Perform a standing hip flexor stretch immediately after riding to open up the hips and neutralize lower-back tension. [1]

I don't have an indoor recumbent bike.

What I do have is a recumbent trike for outdoor riding. It's a tadpole with two wheels in the front. Love it! It's a SO.MUCH.FUN to ride, and there is zero pressure on hands or wrists nor poor posture or back fatigue from riding on a bike. It's like rolling down the trail in a lawn chair LOL! (the incline is adjustable, I prefer to sit more upright).

NiCOZ5 ,

I think the information you found was fine but it differs from my own experiences. Which, in my comment, I was careful to point out what I'd found and what MY reactions were. It may be different for others, no problem.

My back is happiest when I sit upright. There's nothing more comfortable for me than a straight back wooden chair. Recliners - are uncomfortable and I avoid them. Office chairs where the back can pivot backward while the seat remains unchanged - I can't sit in one unless I can lock the back in a permanent upright position. Car seats - always nearly perpendicular to the ground, no reclining lean at all. Couches that are low (which push my legs upward to sit on them) or with angled backs or big fluffy pillow backs that offer only reclining positions - I can't sit on them.

All for the same reason - not sitting upright and with my legs with no more than a 90 ° to my back, hurts my back. As do recumbent bikes at the gym. ;-)

@Elmer J Fudd.....I got it. :0) Buuuuuut....I'm riding a recumbent at the gym. If it's bad for "my" back ....maybe I should stop....so I looked it up. Always ready to learn something new....and THIS wasn't. The AI explanation also tells why YOU might be having back trouble when on a recumbent.

We're all different. The few times I tried it, it hurt.

Maybe it's a lack of core strength? Or something else? I don't know. It doesn't matter.

My objective is to get exercise, not to use a specific type of equipment as a priority over using something else. I can get pedaling exercise more comfortably on a standard, upright model. And so it goes.

This is what I have. After my little ”cardiac event” and stent, I went through cardiac rehab. Because of issues with my back as a result of a long-ago auto accident I cannot do the treadmill and regular exercise bikes are not comfortable, either. But the cardiac rehab facility at the hospital had several of the NuStep recument cross trainers, so that’s what I used each time. I liked it so much that I bought one. There are several different ones, but this was this only one that didn’t require electricity to run, and since I wanted to put it in an area where plugging something in would be impossible, this was it. I love it. There are many adjustments you can make, and the seat swivels fully making it easy to get on and off. The very first word in my response is a link to the NuStep website for this machine.

My brother had major back surgery and had to give up his bicycle. As soon as he was healed enough, he bought a recumbent bike and joined a group of retirees who go out for group rides a few times a week. His doctor was all for it and my brother loves it. He's in Orlando where the hot weather forces them to ride early in the day. The fact that my brother willingly gets up super early on biking days says a lot! Also, most of them ride bikes with electric assist, so you don't have to be in super good shape to start.