Best Exercise Bikes for Small Spaces in Australia

If you are in the market for an exercise bike for small spaces, the most important specification is not necessarily resistance level, flywheel weight or the number of workout programs. 

Rather, it is how easily the bike fits into your room and your routine.

For apartments, bedrooms, spare rooms and compact home gyms, a folding X-bike generally takes the least storage space. 

Upright bikes are the next step up, offering a relatively small footprint without requiring folding. 

Spin bikes can provide a more substantial training setup but usually need more permanent floor space. 

In contrast, air bikes and recumbent bikes are generally harder to accommodate in a small room.

The right choice depends on your priorities. Do you prioritise storage, quiet operation, training intensity, comfort or ease of access?

Fitbiz's exercise bike collection includes upright, spin and recumbent options, so you can choose the format that best matches the space available in your home.

Which exercise bike takes up the least space?

For most small rooms, you can rank exercise bikes from most space-efficient to least space-efficient like this:

However, this does not mean a folding bike is automatically the best option. 

A compact upright bike can be a better long-term choice if you plan to use it frequently, while a recumbent bike may make more sense when comfort and easy access are more important than floor space.

Make sure you consider both the operating and stored footprints.

A bike that looks compact in product photos can still become awkward in a small room once you allow enough space to get on and off, move around the handlebars and pedal comfortably.

Folding X-bikes: the best choice for the smallest rooms

A folding exercise bike is usually the first format to consider when floor space is severely limited.

An X-bike uses a hinged frame that folds inwards after training. This can substantially reduce the amount of floor space required for storage. 

For example, the PFlex Folding X-Bike measures 46cm x 92cm x 100cm when assembled and folds to 46cm x 36cm x 128cm. It weighs 14kg, has eight resistance levels and supports users up to 110kg.

This bike’s dimensions make it useful for a bedroom, apartment or multipurpose room where the bike cannot permanently occupy the floor.

Magnetic resistance is another advantage. The PROFLEX uses eight levels of magnetic resistance and is designed for quiet operation, making this style more suitable for shared living environments than louder resistance systems.

The compromise is stability and riding position. Folding X-bikes are designed around compactness, so they generally do not feel as substantial as larger upright or spin bikes during hard efforts.

They are best for:

• Casual to moderate cardio

• Shorter home workouts

• Apartments and bedrooms

• Users who need to store the bike after every workout

• Buyers prioritising minimum storage space

If you will use the bike for demanding cycling sessions several times a week, consider whether the additional stability of an upright or spin bike is worth the extra storage space.

Upright bikes: the compact all-rounder

An upright bike is often the best middle ground between a folding bike and a larger training machine.

The riding position is relatively upright, and the frame is generally narrower and shorter than a recumbent bike. Unlike an X-bike, an upright bike usually stays assembled, and its footprint can still be manageable in a small home gym.

The S Series Ninja Shuriken Motorised Magnetic Upright Bike measures 104cm x 60cm x 140cm. It has 32 levels of motorised magnetic resistance, a three-way adjustable seat, transport wheels and a maximum user weight of 150kg.

This combination makes an upright bike worth considering when you have limited floor space but still want a more substantial machine.

The Bodyworx ABX450AT Upright Bike is another upright option. It measures 102cm x 52cm x 140cm and supports users up to 150kg. It also has transport wheels, an adjustable seat and 24 levels of automatic resistance.

The narrower 52cm width makes this bike worth considering if you are trying to fit equipment into a particularly tight area.

Upright bikes are a strong option for:

• Regular home cardio

• Shared households

• Users who want more stability than a folding bike

• Progressive training with adjustable resistance

• Small home gyms where the bike can remain assembled

Spin bikes: compact enough, but designed to stay put

Spin bikes can have a relatively compact footprint compared to other cardio machines, but they are less practical if you need to put the bike away after every workout.

The difference is not simply the dimensions. Spin bikes have a more substantial frame and cycling position, which is useful for harder training but can make them less convenient in a multipurpose room.

If you want a compact but more performance-focused cycling setup, explore Fitbiz's spin bike collection.

A spin bike makes more sense when you have a dedicated corner of a home gym, bedroom or garage where the equipment can remain assembled.

It is generally a better fit for users who prioritise training over storage convenience.

For a more detailed comparison between cycling formats, check out our guide on exercise bikes vs spin bikes vs recumbent bikes.

Air bikes: effective, but not usually the first choice for apartments

Air bikes use a large fan rather than relying exclusively on a conventional magnetic or friction resistance system. As you pedal harder, the fan creates greater resistance.

This makes an air bike useful for interval training and full-body conditioning, but the fan also produces substantially more audible airflow than a magnetic exercise bike. For a small apartment, this matters.

If you train early in the morning or late at night, a magnetic upright or folding bike is generally easier to live with. An air bike can still work in a compact home gym but is better for buyers who value high-intensity conditioning over quiet operation.

Recumbent bikes: comfortable, but the largest footprint

Recumbent bikes are generally the least attractive option when floor space is the primary concern.

Their longer horizontal frame and reclined seating position require considerably more room than a compact X-bike or upright bike.

The Matrix R50 Recumbent Bike is a good example. Its assembled dimensions are 160cm x 65cm x 123cm, and it weighs 78kg. It supports users up to 159kg and is designed for users between 150cm and 193cm tall. This is a considerable footprint compared to a folding X-bike.

However, you are exchanging space for comfort and accessibility. The Matrix uses a step-through frame and reclining seatback, which can be appealing for users who find an upright riding position uncomfortable or want easier access to the seat.

For an older user, someone prioritising comfort or a household where longer, lower-intensity sessions are common, the extra floor space may be worthwhile.

Exercise bike footprint comparison

When comparing models, look beyond the headline dimensions. Here’s how the footprint can change between formats.

For a genuinely small room, the difference between a 36cm-wide folded X-bike and a 65cm-wide recumbent bike can be significant.

How resistance affects noise and maintenance

Resistance type is another important consideration when choosing an apartment exercise bike.

Magnetic resistance

Magnetic resistance is well-suited to home use because it can provide smooth resistance without the direct contact associated with some friction systems.

It is also useful when noise matters. The PROFLEX X-Bike uses magnetic resistance with quiet operation, while the Shuriken uses motorised magnetic resistance and is designed for silent operation.

Prioritise magnetic systems if your bike will be used in a bedroom, living area or apartment.

Friction resistance

Friction-based systems use physical contact to create resistance. They can offer a familiar cycling feel, but the contact between components means they may require more attention to wear over time.

For a small apartment, your concern should be less about which system is universally superior and more about whether the bike has the combination of resistance, noise level and maintenance requirements that suit your environment.

Air resistance

Air bikes create resistance through a fan. They are useful for intense intervals, but the fan produces more sound as effort increases. This makes an air bike less suitable when keeping noise to a minimum is one of your main requirements.

Which small exercise bike is right for you?

Best for casual cardio

A folding X-bike is the most practical option if you want to cycle while watching television, add some low-impact cardio to your week or fit short workouts around a busy schedule.

You do not need a large permanent training area, and the ability to fold the bike away can make it easier to keep a multipurpose room usable.

Best for hard training

An upright or spin bike is generally more appropriate if you expect to train regularly at higher intensities.

A larger frame can provide a more substantial riding platform, while a wider range of resistance and more extensive adjustment options can make the bike ideal for harder training sessions.

Best for a shared household

Prioritise a magnetic upright bike if several people will use the machine.

Look for a broad seat adjustment range, adjustable handlebars and a high user capacity. The Shuriken has a three-way adjustable seat, adjustable handlebars and a 150kg maximum user weight.

Best for older users

A recumbent bike can be worth considering when ease of access and riding comfort are more important than having the smallest possible footprint.

The step-through design of the Matrix R50 makes it easier to climb compared to a conventional upright or spin bike. The trade-off here is that you will need more floor space.

Best for the smallest room

Choose a folding X-bike if storage is the deciding factor.

The PROFLEX folds from a 92cm-long operating footprint to a 36cm-wide folded unit, making it much easier to store against a wall or in another suitable area when you are not using it.

Do not choose a bike based on footprint alone

A very small bike is not necessarily the right bike for every rider.

Before buying a compact exercise bike, check the adjustment range carefully. 

Seat height is important, especially for taller riders. Seat adjustment and handlebar positioning can also affect how natural the riding position feels. 

A bike that technically fits into a small room may still be uncomfortable if you can’t achieve an appropriate leg position. The same applies to heavier users. Always compare the manufacturer's maximum user weight with your own weight and consider the frame’s stability during harder sessions.

This is one reason an upright bike can sometimes be a better small-space purchase than the absolute smallest folding model.

You are not just buying a machine that fits the room. You are buying one that needs to fit you.

Apartment exercise bike checklist

Before ordering, measure more than the space immediately around the bike. You should also:

Measure the operating footprint.

Measure the length and width of the area where you will actually use the bike. Leave enough room to mount the bike comfortably and move around it.

Measure the storage footprint.

If you are buying a folding exercise bike, measure the space where you will store it after use.

Check both the width and height of the folded unit. For example, the PROFLEX Folding Magnetic Bike is only 36cm wide when folded but reaches 128cm high.

Check doorways and lifts.

In an apartment, the available space inside the room is only part of the equation.

Measure doorways, hallways and lift access if you live in an apartment, since the bike needs to fit through the building.

4. Think about noise.

For a shared wall or upstairs apartment, prioritise magnetic resistance if quiet operation is important.

Consider impact noise too. Even a quiet exercise bike can transmit vibration through a hard floor, so a suitable equipment mat can help reduce movement and protect the flooring.

5. Consider when you will use it.

If you train early in the morning or late at night, noise becomes a critical factor.

A quiet magnetic exercise bike is generally a more practical choice than an air bike if the noise will affect neighbours or other household members.

6. Check the rider, not just the room.

Confirm the bike's maximum user weight and adjustment range before buying.

If multiple people will use it, choose a model that accommodates the tallest and heaviest intended rider rather than selecting the smallest model based solely on its footprint.

Find the right exercise bike for your space.

Ultimately, the best exercise bike for small spaces is the one that fits both your room and training methods.

If storage is the overriding concern, a folding X-bike is the obvious place to start. 

If you want a compact bike that remains assembled while offering more adjustment and training capability, look at upright models. 

Spin bikes suit users who can dedicate permanent floor space to training, while recumbent bikes make more sense when comfort and accessibility take priority over compactness.

Before making your choice, compare the operating footprint, storage requirements, user capacity, adjustment range and resistance system.

Check out our full range of home exercise bikes, compare different formats and find a model that works with the space you actually have, rather than trying to make your room work around the bike.