Obsession Fitness | Exercise Equipment, Home Gyms » Exercise Bikes

Home Indoor Spin Cycling | Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Stationary Exercise Bike

Steve — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 03:54:49 +0000

Spinning classes are great for a vigorous workout but sometimes it’s difficult to find time to get to the gym. The Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike lets you spin at home without a huge investment. When compared to bikes in the $1000+ range, nothing about it feels cheap, other than the price.

This entry level spinning bike is solidly built, comfortable and stable. Key features include a fully adjustable seat, fully adjustable handlebars, 40 lb flywheel, adjustable resistance and a chain drive mechanism for smooth and quiet workouts.

The bike ships almost fully assembled. You just need to unpack and attach the front and rear bases, pedals, handlebar, and seat. All required tools are included. The flywheel and brake system (the bike uses cantilevers and pads with dense fabric) are already attached.

Compared to other spin bikes in the same category, the Sunny has among the heaviest flywheel. There’s a wide range of tension to play with, to the point where you can’t move the flywheel.

With a spin bike, once you get the flywheel turning you can’t coast or pedal backwards like a regular bike. Extreme cyclists prefer this because it improves their cadence. There is a convenient handbrake if you need to stop the flywheel quickly.

Like most spin bikes, this model does not include a monitor or any electronics. Also, the seat is not as comfortable as that of traditional upright exercise bikes. It’s narrow and relatively hard to stay on for long periods. You might want to upgrade to a slip-on gel bike seat if planing to use the bike for extended workouts.

Maximum user weight is 275 pounds. Includes transportation wheels for easy portability. Assembled dimensions: 48.5L X 20W X 46.5H inches.

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Motorized Stationary Exercise Cycle | Paradigm 7101 ACTIVcycle Computer Desk Workout Bike

Steve — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 19:41:06 +0000

Those of us who spend the majority of each day sitting at a computer desk risk compromising lower body muscle tone, balance and blood circulation. The Paradigm ActivCycle accommodates a low-impact workout without disrupting your busy work day.

If you’re looking for a strenuous cardiovascular workout, this product is not for you. It’s intended for light exercise or physical therapy and injury rehab. The ActivCycle is often recommended for people with Multiple Sclerosis or other disabilities.

The ActivCycle works your leg muscles while seated in front of a computer, watching TV, or just relaxing in a chair. It also can be placed on a desk or table and used for arm and shoulder workouts.

The motor driven feature makes this bike unique. The motorized cycle has adjustable speeds and an overload protection feature. It can also be used without the motor for greater resistance.

The multi-function LCD console displays speed, distance, time and calories burned. The comfortable pedals include an adjustable foot strap.

The ActivCycle ships fully assembled and ready to use and comes with a non-skid floor mat. The cycle includes built in carry handles for easy transport or relocation. It measures 16“ x 16“ x 13” and weighs 12.5 pounds.

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Recumbent Exercise Bike Review | Schwinn 240 Low Impact Home Cardio Cycle

Steve — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 23:02:14 +0000

An upgrade to the bestselling 220 and 230 models, the Schwinn 240 is a feature-rich, high-quality recumbent bike with among the highest consumer satisfaction ratings we’ve seen in a stationary exercise bike.

The Schwinn 240 is an uncommonly quiet recumbent bike with a compact design, smooth, comfortable ride and a perimeter weighted flywheel simulating the feel of a more traditional outdoor bike.

Features include a 20-pound flywheel, 16 resistance levels, 17 programs, adjustable seat, and both telemetry and contact heart rate monitoring. Schwinn Advantage workout tracking lets you easily set fitness goals and measure your progress right on the console.

This is a sturdy, well-built piece of equipment that’s not easy to move from room to room — choose your workout spot before unpacking and assembling. Assembly will take about two hours.

Another minor criticism is that the written instructions are not very detailed and programming the various functions may require some guess work.

A recumbent bike of this quality is a good investment for those with with back problems and other conditions that require comfort and a padded ergonomic seat with lumbar support.

Schwinn 240 Recumbent Exercise Bike Product Features

Recumbent home exercise bike with 16 resistance levels and 20-pound flywheel
17 workout programs, including 8 course profiles, target heart rate, 2 user profiles with custom workouts
Telemetry-enabled, integrated grip heart rate system for easy fitness monitoring
300-pound maximum user weight; 5-year warranty on frame, 1 year on parts and electronics
BioFit Comfort Seating system with padded ergonomic seat and dual-position lumbar support
Perimeter weighted flywheel for a true road feel, and smooth, consistent workouts
Oversized stabilizers and levelers that are built-in for a solid workout platform
Eddy Current Brake (ECB) resistance system
Adjustable handlebars and console
Backlit, multi-color console for easy viewing
Water bottle holder and reading rack
Maximum user weight: 300 pounds

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2010 Exercise Bike Best Buy | Nautilus (Bowflex) R514 Recumbent Bike Review

Steve — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:13:42 +0000

The Nautilus R514 offers a rare combination of quality construction, unique features and affordability from a trusted brand. It’s our Recumbent Bike Best Buy for 2010.

The R514 features a biomechanically-correct design, extra comfort features, enhanced programming, and an integrated Polar heart rate monitoring system.

Recumbent bikes are designed to ease strain on the back with ergonomic seat positioning. The R514 includes adjustable lumbar support for added comfort.

The convenient step-through design makes it easy to get on and off the bike, the seat is well-padded, comfortable, and easily slides forward or backwards to suit users of multiple heights.

Like most Nautilus equipment, the R514 Recumbent is solid and well-built. There are 16 levels of resistance available on a hefty 20-pound flywheel and the electronically controlled magnetic resistance provides a smooth and efficient workout.

The blue backlit LCD console is relatively complicated but includes more features than most will ever use. There are 7 profile courses, 2 programmable user profiles and 20 total programs to track your progress and compete against yourself.

There are 4 Polar heart rate monitoring programs, with telemetry, grip and chest belt (included). Polar is unquestionably the premier heart rate monitoring brand and makes a perfect complement to this well-engineered, feature rich recumbent bike.

Although marketed as “compact” this is not a small piece of equipment — it measures 67 x 25 x 52 inches (L x W x H), so plan your workout space before purchase.

Assembly takes 1-2 hours but the instructions are clear and straight-forward. There are some addenda to the assembly instructions printed on separate sheets. We recommend downloading the most updated assembly instructions.

Nutilus R514 Recumbent Bike Product Features

Feature-rich recumbent exercise bike
16 resistance levels and 20-pound flywheel
Blue backlit LCD display with an easy to read console
7 profile courses, 2 programmable user profiles, 20 total programs
4 Polar heart rate programs, with telemetry, grip and chest belt
Eddy Current Brake (ECB) resistance system
Multi-point seat and console adjustments
Oversized deluxe pedals
Powerful fan and built-in storage basket
300-pound maximum user weight
10-year warranty on frame, 2 years on parts, 1 year on electronics

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Indoor Cycling Spining Bike | BodyCraft Tour Trainer with Adjustable Suspension

Steve — Fri, 07 May 2010 01:09:47 +0000

The BodyCraft Tour Trainer provides a remarkably realistic indoor cycling experience. The adjustable suspension system responds to riding motions with a side-to-side pivot that lets you lean into turns and grind up hills just like on a road bike.

The 46-pound precision flywheel can spin three times faster than traditional direct-drive cycles and uses German-made SKF sealed bearings for a smooth ride.

With many quality components, assembly is relatively complex and time consuming. The assembled bike measures 30″ X 47″ X 50″ with a 300 pound weight capacity on a stable, heavy-duty steel frame.

Premium features include real bicycle handlebars, a brake lever, a high quality Velo saddle, aluminum alloy pedals with toe straps, a stainless-steel seat post and handlebar stem with engraved scales, three-piece Cro-Moly cranks, carbon-steel axles — and of course, a water bottle holder.

See all Spinning Bike Reviews.

BodyCraft Tour Trainer Product Details

Realistic indoor spinning cycle
Adjustable suspension system that responds to user Side-to-side riding motions
46-pound precision freewheel with German-made SKF sealed bearings for smooth performance
Real bicycle handlebars and brake lever
Heavy-duty steel frame with stainless-steel seat post
High quality Velo saddle

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Folding Upright Exercise Bike | Body Champ XRB100 Compact Magnetic Resistance X-Bike

Steve — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:51:53 +0000

The XRB100 is a minimalist bargain bike with a nice folding feature for those with limited space. Although not suited for serious cardio training, for the price, this bike provides a solid workout.

The construction is solid and sturdy and the push-pull arm design engages the upper body to a limited extent, a feature not usually seen on upright bikes.

Features include adjustable tension control, adjustable seat height, long padded handlebars and smooth, quiet magnetic resistance.

The electronic console panel displays time, speed, distance and calories.

Space-conscious users will appreciate the folding feature that lets you tuck the assembly away in a closet, under a bed or other out-of-the-way place.

Also see the Confidence Folding Stow Away Bike for a comparably priced compact upright bike.

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2010 Schwinn 140 Upright Exercise Bike | Affordable, Compact and Feature Rich

Steve — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:52:46 +0000

The 2010 Schwinn 140 is a compact, well-built and whisper quiet exercise bike available at an exceptional value.

Distinguishing features of this model include a perimeter weighted 20-pound flywheel for a road-like, smooth, consistent motion and oversized, ergonomic, dual density pedals for efficient and comfortable pedaling.

Other key features include 16 resistance levels, 17 programs, and both telemetry and contact heart rate monitoring.

The workout programs include 8 course profiles, target heart rate, 2 user profiles plus custom workouts. Multiple user profiles can be saved to avoid re-entering personal information before each session.

While the handlebars are adjustable this model is not ideal for tall users as longer legs may bump the handlebars while pedaling.

The instruction manual is relatively clear and assembly will take 30 to 90 minutes. All the required tools are included.

Schwinn 140 Upright Exercise Bike Product Features

Upright exercise bike
20-pound flywheel
Eddy Current Brake (ECB) resistance system
Backlit, multi-color console for easy viewing
Adjustable handlebars
17 workout programs
Telemetry-enabled, integrated grip heart rate system
Oversized, ergonomic pedal design with dual density
Extra wide, comfortable seat
Water bottle holder
Magazine rack
300-pound maximum user weight

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PCGamerBike Mini Exercise Bike | Workout While Playing PC Games

Steve — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:23:31 +0000

Mini exercise bikes save space, can be used with a regular chair and are an affordable alternative to traditional upright or recumbent exercise bikes.

The PCGamerBike interacts with any PC game, allowing precise control of your onscreen character. Pedal forward and the character walks forward, pedal in reverse and the character moves backward.

The bike easily connects to a PC using USB and works best with first person shooters and other games that control a single character. In many games the character will walk while pedaling slowly or run while pedaling faster.

The assembly is well-constructed and uses magnetic resistance for a smooth ride while offering a wide range of resistance levels.

You’ll need adequate leg space to pedal freely without hitting your knees against a desk, while maintaining access to the keyboard and mouse.

The package includes exercise monitoring software to track your fitness progress.

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Fluid Indoor Bicycle Trainer | Kurt Kinetic Stationary Road Machine

Steve — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:58:10 +0000

Kurt Kinetic is the official bicycle trainer for the USA Cycling Team, producing indoor trainers that fall at the high end of the quality and price spectrum.

Indoor trainers securely attach to the rear end of an outdoor bike for cycling indoors. They are ideal for the rainy season, or when you just don’t feel like leaving the house.

The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer uses a sealed fluid chamber and magnetically coupled driveshaft for a smoother and more realistic ride. Powertap calibrated, the fluid trainer automatically adjusts resistance as you change speed. The experience simulates riding on the open road and provides a very good workout.

One drawback to a fluid trainer is that resistance fluid may begin to leak over time. Kurt Kinetic claims that this model is leak proof.

For its high quality components, stability and smooth and quiet ride, this trainer can be compared to the bestselling CycleOps Fluid 2 Indoor Bicycle Trainer. For a much cheaper but lower quality option, check out our Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer review.

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Bicycle Trainer Product Details

6.25-lb flywheel for realistic coast down
Powertap calibrated resistance unit
Patented sealed fluid chamber with magnetically coupled driveshaft
Thermodynamically stable, silicone resistance fluid
80 cooling fins to dissipate heat
23″ x 21.5″ x 9″ inches
31 pounds

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Stamina 4545 Magnetic Fusion Stationary Recumbent Bike | Low-Impact Aerobic Home Exercise

Steve — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:28:13 +0000

When compared to traditional upright stationary bikes, the reclined position of a recumbent offers more comfort and ergonomic back support while reducing strain on the arms, back and neck.

Stamina Fusion bikes represent a new category of exercise bike that combines the conventional feel of an upright with the comfort a recumbent.

The Stamina 4545 is smooth and quiet and focuses on comfort with a plush, oversized seat and seatback, oversized pedals and a walk-thru design. The seat slides at a 45 degree angle so your feet, legs, and hips are aligned correctly.

The oversized monitor is easy to read with one button control and tracks speed, distance, time, calories and pulse rate. The pulse sensors are built into the handrails. The computer retains settings from the previous workout session.

While the Stamina 4545 does not compare to top of the line recumbent bikes, it’s sturdy and reliable and the price is significantly lower than similar units offering the same features.