Stationary, but action-packed

For years, the only exercise bike with push-pull handles that worked the upper body and legs was the Schwinn Airdyne, which debuted in 1978. Now, with time-crunched adults craving more bang for the buck, other upper/lower-body machines are hitting the market, offering a superb, all-around workout for everyone -- hard-core athletes, novice exercisers, the elderly and the disabled.

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Multiple personalities

First Degree Fitness Fluid Cycle XT: Two machines in one: a recumbent bike and a hand cycle.

Likes: Variety. It works your legs in bike mode, then converts in seconds into an upper-body ergometer via a release lever that lets you swing the pedals from floor- to chest-height. It has a smooth feel and pleasant “whoosh” sound due to use of water resistance (not conventional magnetic or friction resistance), which involves pushing a pedal-powered propeller through a water tank. An adjustment lever makes resistance harder or easier.

Dislikes: Though info-packed and easy to read, the digital readout isn’t as fun or as motivating as a modern dot-matrix screen.

Price: $2,599. (206) 285-5219 or www.firstdegreefitness.com.

State of the art

SportsArt XT10 Xtrainer: High-end recumbent bike with linked arm handles.

Likes: Great workout. Your upper body gets an extra-tough challenge because the arm handles can move sideways as well as forward, requiring more balance and muscle recruitment. You can pedal without the arms, use arms alone, or use both with varying degrees of emphasis. The handles have built-in controls, so there’s no need to remove your hands to change resistance. The club-quality machine feels rock-solid and includes a heart-rate monitor and many programs.

Dislikes: The price.

Price: $5,200. (800) 709-1400 or www.sportsartfitness.com.

The original, updated

Schwinn Airdyne Evolution Comp: Upright, exercise bike with arm action.

Likes: Superb, smooth workout action for beginners or super athletes. Pedals and handles propel a caged-air fan blade, which increases or decreases resistance -- and a cooling breeze -- as you pump faster or slower; the harder you work, the harder the workout. Comfortable, contoured seat. Can work only arms by putting feet on posts near the wheel. Great price.

Dislikes: Simple display (LCD windows showing distance covered and calories burned) and lack of programs may disappoint those used to more.

Price: $799. (800) 864-1270 or www.schwinnfitness.com.

Step, not spin

NuStep TRS 4000 Recumbent Cross Trainer: Unique recumbent stepper with safety features for seniors.

Likes: Effective workout for all ages and abilities. Technically not a bike, it is a seated, recumbent stepper. Seat swivels 90 degrees sideways, allowing easy entry for crutch users, the overweight, and those in rehab. Linked arm- and leg-action allows weak legs to get movement and circulation during arm action, while heel cups on the footplates keep them in place. Adjustable resistance keeps super-athletes happy.

Dislikes: Limited electronic feedback. Old-fashioned digital readout, not a dot-matrix screen, measures your watts, calories, steps per minute, heart rate, but lacks programs. For the price, you expect more modern visual bells and whistles.

Price: $3,295. (800) 322-2209 or www.nustep.com.

-- Roy M. Wallack