Exercise Bike Reviews 2012 » Exercise Bikes Over $2000 Review

Life Fitness Club Series Recumbent LifeCycle Bike Review

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:20:26 +0000

The Life Fitness Club Series Recumbent LifeCycle Exercise Bike is health club prime quality and has a price tag to match it, reaching to $3000, this is serious money that allows you access to a serious recumbent exercise bike.

It is extremely comfortable and it has motivating workout programs, with features built around a design based on ergonomics, biomechanics and comfort in mind. Its main features are: wireless and LifePulse digital contact heart rate monitoring system, self powered and doesn’t require any cords or outlets, contoured high back pad for extra comfort, front and die handlebars, oversized dual accessory tray and built in reading rack.

Life Fitness Club Series Recumbent LifeCycle Exercise Bike Specifications

Dimensions- 54’’ L x 26’’ W x 51’’ H
Weight- 134 pounds
Resistance- Self contained alternator, 20 levels
Display- Red LED’s
Warranty- Lifetime frame, 3 years on parts, 1 year labor
Max user weight- 400 pounds

Quality, reliability and durability

The programs on the Life Fitness Club Series Recumbent LifeCycle Exercise Bike would take a whole review on itself. From classical workouts like Hill or Sport Training, HeartSync workouts like fat burn, heart rate hill or interval, and special workouts like Around the World or Kilimajaro. These programs won’t let you get bored and will take you to your limits of cardio fitness.

It has 19 pre programmed workout programs, 7 personalized workouts and 5 HeartSync workouts that adjust resistance to keep you at your target heart rate. All of this while delivering a fantastic performance, smooth and quiet and with comfort from a natural and efficient riding position.

The resistance is done by a self contained alternator and can deliver 20 levels of challenging resistances that will fit all of the above mentioned programs and can be smoothly controlled manually by you, adjusting to your own workout needs.

The heart rate monitoring system monitors your pulse through Lifepulse contacts built in the handlebars and an included Polar wireless HRM chest strap. The self leveling pedals are wide and with straps.

The quality of this machine is amazing and won’t disappoint you for pending so much money on it. For everyone else that can’t afford it, there are other models with the same quality of this one, only less features and options of programs.

Life Fitness Club Series Recumbent LifeCycle Exercise Bike at a Glance…

Pros:

Workout programs
Comfortable and stable
Self powered

Cons:

Expensive
Display type

The Life Fitness Club Series Recumbent LifeCycle Exercise Bike is one of the most expensive fitness bikes that you will find in the market. It is a bit overpriced, it does deliver the same quality of a health club bike, but it is efficient as many other that do not pack so many programs and are less expensive.

Life Fitness Club Series Recumbent LifeCycle Bike Review is a post from: Exercise Bike Reviews

Smooth Fitness UB4 Upright Bike Review

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:38:49 +0000

You can kiss your gym card good bye, because the Smooth Fitness UB4 Upright Exercise Bike will give you the same health club quality workout that you get in your local gym. And, the bike that you only use to ride on weekends and when it doesn’t rain, well, the Smooth UB4 Upright Bike can also replace that one.

The heavy fly wheel gives you a free friction workout feeling, it is comfortable and almost like a real outdoor bike. The resistance has 16 levels, so it will be a challenge for you to get on this indoor bike. The wide pedals increase comfort, and the whole package of the Smooth UB4 Upright Bike is meant to make you feel great.

Smooth UB4 Upright Bike Specifications

Foot print- 43.5 L x 22.4 W x 55.6 H
Weight- 120 pounds
Max user weight- 300 pounds
Display- 2 color backlit display
Programs- 12 preset programs, 4 user defined programs and 5 hear rate control programs
Resistance- Magnetic with 16 levels
Warranty-Lifetime frame, 3 years parts, 2 years labor

Health club quality

One unique feature in the Smooth Fitness UB4 Upright Exercise Bike is the Body Fat Testing, after you input age, gender, height and weight, while you press your hands in the heart pulse sensors, the computer will calculate your body fat percentage, body mass index and basal metabolic rate, which is the number of calories your body burns while at rest. Based on this data the computer will recommend you a workout program; how cool is that?

If the Body Fat testing didn’t sell you, then these features will. Comfort is the game for the Smooth UB4 Upright Bike, the seat is extra wide and disperses pressure to ensure more comfort, and the height can be adjusted and can accommodate any user up to 6’6’’.

The magnetic resistance is smooth and quiet, with 16 challenging levels that will fit into the programs outlines of workout sessions. The wide platform pedals have adjustable straps to allow you to produce the maximum torque as you pedal.

The body fat and body mass index calculator are great helpers to keep you within target and gives feedback on progress for weight loss and muscle toning. It is just like having a personal trainer ready to inform you to go faster or keep it up at the same rhythm.

Overall, the Smooth UB4 Upright Bike is a great indoor bike that will replace any other bike fitness equipment that you may have. Has transport wheels to be moved easily and fits nicely in any room of your house.

Smooth UB4 Upright Bike at a Glance…

Pros:

Roomy seat and wide pedals
Body Fat and BMI calculators
Body fat Testing program

Cons:

Quite Expensive

Smooth is the best brand for home fitness equipment, and the Smooth Fitness UB4 Upright Exercise Bike is a great choice for under $1000 price. It has the quality of any health club bike and brings it to your home at an affordable price, with durability and confidence in a brand that delivers again an excellent product.

Smooth Fitness UB4 Upright Bike Review is a post from: Exercise Bike Reviews

Tunturi E80R Recumbent Bike Review

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:32:55 +0000

Tunturi is known for stylish, ergonomically designed, and quality built machines. The Tunturi E80R Recumbent Bike shows why the Scandinavian manufacturing has earned renown around the world and has strong market presence in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

Among the many things Tunturi does right, the fact that they have a focus on ergonomics makes the Finnish company stand out in a world market which has many dominant manufacturies coming from almost every continent.

The E80R offers stability, performance, features enough for 2 machines, and even a decent sense of value that comes through despite the price tag that has been known to cause sticker shock.

Tunturi E80R Recumbent Bike Specifications:

Seat Adjustments: Recumbent, adjustable angle and distance from pedals
Type of Resistance: magnetic
Resistance Levels: 30-600 Watts, user defined settings
Dimensions: 67″ x 28″ x 46″
Product Weight: 134 lbs
Max User Weight: 330 lbs
Display: Full color Graphic LCD
Programs: 10 Preset, 100 User Defined
Warranty: 20 years Frame and Motor, 3 years Parts and Electrical, COMMERIALLY: 1.5 years parts, Frame and motor

Yes, that was over 100 programs and yes they are all different. It is important that the machine is operable in 8 languages and saves the profiles of 20 users. I don’t want anyone to miss how gorgeous the machine is, just beautiful.

The Tunturi E80R Recumbent Bike is designed from an ergonomic focus and even has what Tunturi calls the ergometer which measures KCal/ Watts to help track efficiency of energy output. The cushioned and formed pedals are meant to relief back and ankle stress common with stationary bikes.

To ad style and class, the E80R has a built in MP3 player with music produced exclusively for Tunturi to set proper cadence for varying types of workouts.

You can also play your own music through the machines integrated speakers by simply inserting a memory stick, no Ipod required.

Style And Class

The first thing that strikes you the first time you see this machine is that it is a thing of beauty.

With sleek lines, a touch of minimalism, and a color pallet designed to actually be appealing to the eye the E80R is a striking recumbent bike. There is an obvious sense the the aesthetic of the machine was highly planned by designers who knew and cared about appearances.

Tunturi carries this extremely evident planning and forethought over into the mechanical, electronic, and construction elements of the machines.

Made exclusively with 8 and 10 gauge steel, the frame is designed to last a lifetime and warrantied to last 20. The frame delivers a firm and solid stance to the machine and allows it to boast stability which remains with the machine even as it ages.

Comfort and true quality experience attend the actual use of the machine. The programs are entertaining and are designed to help the user meet their goals and accomplish what they set out to.

A built in Trainer feature even sets up workouts for you to meet fitness goals in the long term.

The only major draw back is that there is no labor covered in the warranty in the United States. The warranty Tunturi offers varies from one market to another and currently a labor warranty has not been extended to the US consumer.

Other than that, the machine is more than most expect, even at $2,200, and delivers a truly enjoyable workout.

A Lot Of Finish Provided By The Finnish

Puns aside, the E80R above all leave the user and reviewer with a sense that everything we see and don’t see has been planned. More than having a few great features, there are many I didn’t mention, this recumbent bike delivers features, durability, ergonomics, and enjoyability in the prettiest packaging you are likely to see in a piece of fitness equipment.

The Tunturi E80R Recumbent Bike is a machine which is as enjoyable to use as it is to look at, and it is a VERY pretty machine.

Tunturi E80R Recumbent Bike Review is a post from: Exercise Bike Reviews

Precor 846I-R Recumbent Bike Review

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:26:47 +0000

There is no doubt about it, Precor is the name on the tip of the tongue of most consumers when they think about the highest end of the fitness equipment spectrum.

Not necessarily known as a value, or well priced brand, Precor delivers features, design, and quality that do do deliver value contrary to what most may think. A large price tag does not have to mean an over priced product, Precor proves this with the 846I recumbent bike.

The Precor 846i Recumbent Exercise Bike is a self powered recumbent excercise bike which takes full use of technology with a strong back-up rechargeable battery and efficient power generation as you exercise.

Styling attends the console, overall design and even the pedals and ergonomic seat. The idea that something beautiful needs to be uncomfortable can be thrown out and replaced with all is possible when all is planned.

The Precor 846I-R is just that…planned.

Precor 846I-R Recumbent Bike Specifications

Seat Adjustments: Ergonomic Adjustable Recumbent Seat with longetudinal adjustment
Type of Resistance: no contact magnetic generator
Resistance Levels: 20
Dimensions: 57″ x 24″ x 48″
Product Weight: 160 lbs
Max User Weight: 350 lbs
Display: LCD/ LCD TV
Programs: 12
Warranty: Lifetime Frame, 10 years parts, and 1 year labor

Beyond a console which speaks for itself and a power system as advanced as they come, the Precor 846i Recumbent Exercise Bike provides a great deal of finishing details that hare easy to over look. First, Although the pedals provided are quite nice, comfortable and all that, the 9/16″ crank arms accept any standard mountain or road bike pedal.

This is a huge thing for serious cyclists, being able to use their real pedals on a quality crank is a huge value not offered with most machines.

A Lot Of Machine For The Money

Classified as a home use machine, the Precor 846I-R is actually purposed as a light to moderate use commercial machine.

It provides durability which will give the home user the ability to exercise as much as they please and still not wear out a machine which carries one of the best warranties on the market.

Precor, long considered top quality, continues to dominate the the high end home fitness markets with machines like this one which are both refined and evolved. The integration of features is so seemless that things like confort and style, usually exclusive items are melded to give remarkable finish to a quality machine.

This is a remarkably versatile machine which is great for the casual user who is looking to firm and tone, people looking for serious weight loss and improved health, and the individual who is a serious athlete looking for a machine which will take the strenuous workouts and long hours of use common with intense training.

Besides price tag, there is not much users complain about. Function is smooth and quiet and the aesthetic value of the machine is undeniable. Simply enjoyable to use and great to have in your home gym.

At over $3,000 it would be nice to get more than 1 year of labor warranty, but what the warranty does cover is impressive all the same.

Is the Precor 846I-R Worth It

Overall, this is a machine which needs to be used to be appreciated.

Solidly constructed and filled with quality features, expected at this price range, the Precor 846i Recumbent Exercise Bike provides a sense of enjoyments which seems to go beyond the tangible. It is an investment and one worth making for either your home of your athletic facility.

Precor 846I-R Recumbent Bike Review is a post from: Exercise Bike Reviews

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Life Fitness C9i Upright Lifecycle Review

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:24:23 +0000

Life fitness is the #1 brand of fitness equipment in health clubs world wide.

These machines are also available for home use, the C9i is one of the machines which is made for home use but makes you feel as though you are sitting in the club.

The strong heritage Lifecycle has makes people expect a lot from any machine which carries that name. The C9i is a very solid, quality machine which lives up to the reputation of its brand. A strong performer loaded with features and perfected over 30 years of improvements.

Life Fitness C9i Specifications and Features:

Seat Adjustments: 13 positions
Type of Resistance: self contained alternator
Resistance Levels: 20
Dimensions: 48″ x 24″ x 54″
Product Weight: 215 lbs
Max User Weight: 400 lbs
Display: Red LED
Programs: 19
Warranty: lifetime frame, 3 years parts, and 1 year labor

The EZ incline/ resistance features allow the user to gradually adjust resistance to reduce the shock of a strenuous workout. Also boasting exceptional smoothness and a comfortable seat, the C9i stands out as one of the most enjoyable exercise bikes on the market.

One Evolved Machine

Carrying over the original aims of the life cycle from the early days when they were only sold to health clubs at a premium home buyers could not imagine affording, the current LifeCycle line is an exceptional line of exercise equipment.

The C9i has 19 enjoyable workout programs, one of Life Fitness’s strong suits, and features a 13 position seat which can help make working out on this stationary bike much more comfortable than using the real thing.

In addition to programs the C9i monitors and displays important vitals such as heart rate, target heart rate, speed, distance, calories and Watts. The measure of watts, not included on most machines, allows athletes, or even casual users to look at their sustained output of power.

As a cyclist, this is an important feature of this machine and the fact that is included elevates my opinion of the machine.

The Complaint I will always have with Life Fitness until they fix it exists with this machine, as valuable as the machine is it is still warrantied for a shorter period of time than the machines that cost half as much.

Other than that, the price tag of around $2,500 and the weak warranty are more complaints

Exercise Bike Enjoyable Enough To Own

Designed to offer unparalleled features and ride quality, the LifeCycle C9i from Life Fitness is a strong competitor in a very competitive market.

Worth the cost to most people who own it, the C9i does offer features you will not find a lower priced brands. Simply a great exercise bike if money is not an issue in your buying decision. Let me finish by sharing what one customer had to say:

“Don’t buy anything less; this machine is solid, comfortable, and if exercise can be pleasurable this thing does it. I’m delighted with the purchase and guarantee you’ll be satisfied. Just be prepared for some assembly time; nothing serious but maybe 20 minutes to get it working. This one is the best.”

Check out the Life Fitness C9i Upright Exercise Bike now

Life Fitness C9i Upright Lifecycle Review is a post from: Exercise Bike Reviews