Collection · Fitness · 12 models
Best of Fitness: every folding bike and adjustable dumbbell we recommend, by situation
Every pick from our two Fitness shortlists, six folding exercise bikes and six adjustable dumbbell sets from Bowflex and five smaller makers, grouped by the flat and the lifter each suits, with the maker's or listing's key figure and the Amazon link for each.
Every model below comes from a Fitness shortlist on this site, where it is compared with its rivals on the figures each maker or listing gives. Here each one appears once, under the situation it suits best, with the figure that decided it and the Amazon link.
Cardio: a brand, a backrest and an app
brand, backrest, app
Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Folding X-Bike
- Resistance
- 14 levels, magnetic
- Max user weight
- 135 kg
- Positions
- Upright and semi-recumbent with backrest; arm bands
- App
- Bluetooth, SunnyFit
- Folds
- Yes, with transport wheels
- Footprint in use
- 97 × 56 × 134 cm
Check price on Amazon
14 magnetic levels, mesh backrest, arm bands, Bluetooth, 135 kg limit.
Strengths
- A maker's page and a UK presence behind it
- Backrest and bands for a seated session
- 14 levels, Bluetooth app
Limitations
- 23.5 kg is a lot to fold and wheel away
- Maximum user weight quoted differently in the UK and US
Good for
- a flat with somewhere to wheel it, and a rider who wants back support
Look elsewhere if
- anyone who needs to lift it into a cupboard
Cardio: a heavier rider in a small room
heavier rider, small room
Yosuda EB4 5-in-1 Folding Bike
- Resistance
- 16 levels, magnetic†
- Max user weight
- 172 kg†
- Flywheel
- 3 kg†
- Positions
- Upright, recumbent, arm bands (5-in-1)
- Folds
- Yes, about 70% less floor space
- Footprint in use
- 66 × 45 × 122 cm†
Check price on Amazon
16 levels, 172 kg limit by the listing, 66 by 45 cm in use.
Strengths
- 172 kg limit, by the listing
- Smallest footprint in use here
- Five positions including bands
Limitations
- The 3 kg flywheel is light; expect a less smooth pedal than the heavier bikes
- Weight not published
Good for
- a heavier rider in a small room
Look elsewhere if
- anyone chasing a road-bike feel
Cardio: a shared bike for mixed heights
shared bike, mixed heights
Merach MR-S14 4-in-1 Folding Bike
- Resistance
- 16 levels, magnetic†
- Max user weight
- 136 kg†
- Positions
- Upright, recumbent, arm bands (4-in-1)†
- User height
- 132–185 cm†
- App
- Merach app†
- Folds
- Yes†
Check price on Amazon
16 levels, 136 kg, riders from 132 to 185 cm, four positions.
Strengths
- 16 magnetic levels, the most here
- Stated user height range, 132 to 185 cm
- Four positions
Limitations
- No maker page for this model code
- Weight not published
Good for
- a shared flat with riders of different heights
Look elsewhere if
- anyone who wants a figure they can check with the maker
Cardio: long seated sessions
long seated sessions
Leikefitness 2280 Folding Recumbent Bike
- Resistance
- 12 levels, magnetic†
- Max user weight
- 150 kg†
- Positions
- Upright, recumbent, arm bands (3-in-1)†
- Folds
- Yes, to about 47 × 25 × 134 cm†
- Weight
- 18.5 kg†
Check price on Amazon
12 levels, recumbent position, 150 kg, folded size stated.
Strengths
- Twelve levels, between the 8s and the 16s
- Folded size stated
- 150 kg limit
Limitations
- No maker page
- Recumbent position needs the full 134 cm length
Good for
- someone who wants to pedal while reading, with a backrest
Look elsewhere if
- a room where 134 cm of length is the problem
Cardio: simple and light
simple and light
Ultrasport F-Bike (8-level)
- Resistance
- 8 levels, magnetic†
- Max user weight
- 130 kg†
- Positions
- Upright
- Display
- LCD: time, speed, distance, calories, pulse†
- Folds
- Yes
- Footprint in use
- 87 × 43.5 × 118 cm†
Check price on Amazon
8 levels, 130 kg, 15.5 kg, wide saddle.
Strengths
- Light at 15.5 kg, easy to fold and lean against a wall
- Wide padded saddle
- The simplest bike here
Limitations
- Eight levels, manual dial
- No backrest, no bands
- Listing-only figures
Good for
- gentle daily cycling in a small flat
Look elsewhere if
- interval training or anyone over 130 kg
Cardio: a bike that lives in a cupboard
a cupboard bike
Evoland X-813 Folding Bike
- Resistance
- 8 levels†
- Max user weight
- 120 kg†
- Positions
- Upright
- Folds
- Yes, about 0.13 m² folded†
- Footprint in use
- 65.5 × 40.5 × 110 cm†
- Weight
- 14.3 kg†
Check price on Amazon
8 levels, 120 kg, 14.3 kg, about 0.13 m² folded.
Strengths
- Lightest full bike here at 14.3 kg
- Folds to a very small footprint
Limitations
- 120 kg limit, the lowest
- Listing is unclear whether resistance is magnetic or friction
- No maker page
Good for
- a bedsit or a bike that lives in a cupboard
Look elsewhere if
- heavier riders or hard sessions
Strength: one dumbbell for everything
one dumbbell for everything
Bowflex SelectTech 552i (single, 2–24 kg)
- Weight range
- 2–24 kg
- Settings
- 15 (1 kg steps to 5, then 2–3 kg)
- Adjustment
- Dial at each end
- Sold as
- Single dumbbell
- Length
- 43 cm
- Weight
- 24.8 kg
Check price on Amazon
2 to 24 kg in 15 dial settings, 43 cm, the maker’s figures in a manual.
Strengths
- Fifteen settings with 1 kg steps at the light end
- Maker's figures published and consistent
- Quieter than plate dumbbells
Limitations
- Sold singly here; a pair is two purchases
- 43 cm long at every weight, awkward for curls at 2 kg
- Plastic housing does not like being dropped
Good for
- one serious dumbbell for a flat
- progressive training from 2 to 24 kg
Look elsewhere if
- anyone who will drop weights
Strength: a heavy pair on a budget
a heavy pair on a budget
Hakeno Adjustable Dumbbells 2 × 24 kg (pair)
- Weight range
- to 24 kg†
- Settings
- 15†
- Adjustment
- Rotate the handle, double lock†
- Sold as
- Pair
- Length
- 43 cm†
- Weight
- 48 kg†
Check price on Amazon
Two dumbbells to 24 kg, 15 settings each, docks; listing figures.
Strengths
- Two 24 kg dumbbells in one box
- Fifteen settings, like the Bowflex
- Listing offers three years
Limitations
- No maker page; listing facts only
- 43 cm long at every weight
- Coated plates and a plastic handle
Good for
- a heavy pair on a budget
Look elsewhere if
- anyone who wants a maker's figure to check
Strength: short and compact
short and compact
Eisenlink Adjustable Dumbbell 4–20 kg (single)
- Weight range
- 4–20 kg†
- Settings
- 9, in 2 kg steps†
- Adjustment
- Twist handle, plates snap together†
- Sold as
- Single dumbbell
- Length
- 26.5 cm†
- Weight
- 20 kg†
Check price on Amazon
4 to 20 kg in 2 kg steps, square plates, 26.5 cm, no base needed.
Strengths
- Short: 26.5 cm, not 43
- No base, stands anywhere
- Steel plates, not plastic housings
Limitations
- 2 kg steps, no 1 kg
- Single dumbbell
- No maker page
Good for
- curls and presses where a short dumbbell matters
Look elsewhere if
- someone who wants 1 kg steps
Strength: a beginner pair with fine steps
beginner pair, fine steps
Yagud Adjustable Dumbbells 12.5 kg (pair)
- Weight range
- to 12.5 kg†
- Settings
- 11†
- Adjustment
- Twist the handle†
- Sold as
- Pair
- Length
- 40 cm†
- Base
- Storage dock included†
Check price on Amazon
Eleven twist settings to 12.5 kg each, docks included.
Strengths
- Eleven settings, fine steps
- Pair with docks
Limitations
- Listing does not make clear what the 12.5 kg figure refers to
- 40 cm long at every weight
- No maker page
Good for
- a beginner pair with small jumps
Look elsewhere if
- heavier lifting
Strength: the cheapest light pair
cheapest light pair
EnterSports Adjustable Dumbbells 2–12 kg (pair)
- Weight range
- 2–12 kg†
- Settings
- 5: 2, 4.5, 7, 9.5, 12 kg†
- Adjustment
- Turn the handle†
- Sold as
- Pair
- Length
- 36 cm†
- Weight
- 24 kg†
Check price on Amazon
2 to 12 kg in five settings by turning the handle, trays included.
Strengths
- A pair in one purchase
- Five steps covering the light range most people use
Limitations
- Big jumps of 2.5 kg between settings
- 12 kg is the ceiling of this variant
- No maker page
Good for
- a beginner pair for upper body work
Look elsewhere if
- squats, rows or anyone past 12 kg
Strength: the quietest pair
quietest pair
LifePro PowerFlow Plus Adjustable Dumbbells (pair)
- Weight range
- 2.5–12.5 kg†
- Settings
- 5†
- Adjustment
- Slide selector†
- Sold as
- Pair
- Length
- 35 cm†
- Weight
- 11.34 kg†
Check price on Amazon
2.5 to 12.5 kg, encased plates that do not roll or clatter.
Strengths
- Encased plates: no clatter, no rolling
- Pair in one purchase
Limitations
- Five steps, 2.5 kg apart
- 12.5 kg ceiling
- No maker page
Good for
- a quiet beginner pair for a flat
Look elsewhere if
- anyone who will outgrow 12.5 kg
Sources
Facts checked 23 October 2026
- Sunny Health & Fitness — Full Body Foldable Magnetic X-Bike Pro SF-B223012 product page — Manufacturer documentation, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (Sunny Health & Fitness) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (YOSUDA) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
- Yosuda — folding exercise bike (EB4) product page — Manufacturer documentation, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (MERACH) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (leikefitness) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (Ultrasport) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (EVOLAND) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
- Bowflex UK — SelectTech 552i single dumbbell page and BD552i owner's manual — Manufacturer documentation, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (Bowflex) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (HAKENO) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (Eisenlink) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (Yagud) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (EnterSports) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
- Amazon listing (Lifepro) — Retailer listing, checked 23 October 2026
What should I buy first?
Adjustable dumbbells: whole-body strength in a shoebox of space, and strength is what most people lack. A folding bike second, for the winter.
Which of these have a maker's figures?
Bowflex publishes a manual; Sunny and Yosuda have product pages that confirm some figures. Every other bike and dumbbell here has a listing and nothing else, and their facts are flagged accordingly on each product.
Related reading
Shortlist · Fitness
Best folding exercise bikes for a flat: six X-frame bikes compared on levels, weight limit, footprint and weight
A folding exercise bike is the gym kit that fits a British flat: it stands behind a door when folded and is quiet enough for a neighbour below. The figures that matter are the resistance levels, the maximum rider weight, the footprint in use and folded, the bike's own weight, and whether there is a backrest. Six X-frame bikes, from a 14 kg budget fold-up to the 23.5 kg Sunny with an app.
Shortlist · Fitness
Best adjustable dumbbells: six sets from a 12 kg beginner pair to the Bowflex 552i, on range, steps and length
An adjustable dumbbell replaces a rack you have no room for. The figures that matter are the weight range, how many settings sit inside it and how far apart they are, how the weight is changed, how long the dumbbell is at its lightest setting, and whether the listing is one dumbbell or two. Six sets from Bowflex and five smaller makers, from a 12 kg beginner pair to a 24 kg dial dumbbell.
Guide · Fitness
A home gym in a flat: footprint, floor loading, weight limits and noise, with the figures that matter
Exercise kit for a flat is chosen by three constraints that never appear on the box: the floor space it takes in use and folded, the weight it puts through a floor shared with a neighbour, and the noise it makes at seven in the morning. This guide works through each with the makers' figures for a folding bike and adjustable dumbbells, and says what to buy first.
Review · Fitness
Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Folding X-Bike review: the 23.5 kg folding bike with a backrest, bands and an app
The one folding X-bike on our shortlist with a maker's page behind it: 14 magnetic levels, a padded seat with a mesh backrest, resistance bands clipped to the frame, Bluetooth to Sunny's app and a 135 kg rider limit, in a frame that weighs 23.5 kg. This review is about what the backrest and bands add, what 23.5 kg means for folding it every day, and what Sunny states and the listing supplies.