Exercisebike-Reviews.co.uk

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Hi I’m Alex and welcome to exercisebike-reviews.co.uk the unbiased exercise bike reviews site. Here you will find independent reviews of the top exercise bike brands & models, from Reebok Fitness, Vision Fitness, Life Fitness, NordicTrack, Horizon Fitness and many many more.

I used to work as a service engineer for a major sports company so know a lot about the mechanics of exercise bikes and other equipment. I’m also an avid runner and have a real passion for fitness.

NordicTrack GX3.2 Upright Cycle Review

Nordic Track GX3.2 upright exercise bikePrice: £299
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

Ratings
Overall rating: 4
Build quality: 3.5
Ease of use: 4
Console features: 4
Comfort: 4
Value for money: 4

For under £300, the NordicTrack GX3.2 cycle is exceptional value for money. What I really like about the NordicTrack bikes is their innovation and the GX3.2 is no exception to that rule. So if you want an indoor bike that delivers plenty of variance and motivational workouts, I definitely recommend this one.

This bike is designed for pretty much all users, whether you’re a regular fitness enthusiast or a beginner. But that doesn’t mean it’s basic. Not at all. With a 10kg flywheel, there’s plenty of resistance, going up to level 20 and it’s very solid with an overall user capacity of 130kg. A very good overall package.

Fantastic motivational workouts

NordicTrack are well known for being innovators in the industry and this machine is packed with plenty of ways to bring diversity to your training. In total, there are 23 workouts – not many offer that much variety! And what’s impressive is that each one has its uses, depending on your fitness goals. You can use the personal trainer programs, there’s a heart rate control option and lots more. Really great if you either want to track your goals more easily, boost your motivation, or just try some new things to prevent getting in a cycling rut.

Another key selling point for this bike is its iFit SD compatibility. You can buy different iFit SD cards for under £20, all offering different workouts, such as weight loss, wellness, etc. I tried out iFit Circuit Training Level 1. It includes 24 bike workouts, which I think is great value for money. You may also be interested to know that it also includes 24 treadmill and elliptical workouts too. Listening to the certified personal trainer, I was talked through my workout from start to end. This is a great option if you work out harder when a bit of pressure is put on you.

Comfortable training

This bike offers a very smooth workout. I was surprised by just how smooth it was actually. Compared to other cycles in this price range, I would definitely say it peaked in terms of comfort. My only slight bug bear was with the seat. I ride outside (when the weather’s good!)  and for me, the seat was quite wide and big compared to my outdoor bike. However, my wife didn’t agree at all and preferred the wider seat as she felt it made it easier to balance and catered for body movement during her workout. So perhaps it’s just me.

The seat is adjustable and padded, so overall delivers on comfort, allowing you to find your ideal position.

My only other slight criticism would be about the backlit screen, which I feel is a little too bright. Just a small thing though in an overall very good quality bike.

The standard warranty is 1 year parts & labour. However, you can get this extended free of charge to 2 years if you register it with Nordic Track by warranty card or via their website within 28 days.

Summary

Overall, a really good value exercise bike in this price range, offering comfort and an exceptional range of workouts to vary your workout. At this price, it’s one of the best on the market.

Price: £299
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

Vision Fitness E3200 HRT Upright Cycle Review

Price: £599
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

Ratings (out of 5)
Overall Rating:
4.5
Build Quality: 5
Console Features: 3.5
Comfort: 5
Value for Money: 4.5

 

The E3200HRT is the top specification model of upright cycle from the Vision Fitness home range.  An award winning model packed with features and manufactured to the usual high standards.  For the majority, choosing an indoor cycle will involve several considerations but comfort should be at the forefront as without this the motivation to use it will be considerably lessened.

The good news here then, is that the Comfort ARC™ gel filled seat is both large and extremely soft. Perfect for those with a larger build. The seat is height adjustable and if you are within the average parameters height wise (between 5ft – 6ft 4) then the lack of a forward and backward adjustment won’t be a concern as the distance between saddle and handlebars is designed to provide the optimum riding position whether you choose to “sit up and beg” or adopt a more aggressive, racing style.

The elbow supports on the handlebars ensure this riding position is particularly comfortable.  The pedals are self levelling with easy-adjust straps and the combination of an ECB-PLUS™ motor-operated permanent magnet, QUIET-GLIDE™ supersilent poly-V belt and 24lbs balanced flywheel means that the 16 levels of resistance available are smooth and responsive whilst providing a challenge for all fitness levels.

The console provides clear, well displayed feedback via a large LED profile display and separate windows for time, speed, calories and heart rate. Programs include several heart rate control options, interval training with Sprint 8 anaerobic training and even user custom programs if required. The console is polar chipped and a wireless polar strap is included for more accurate hear rate monitoring in addition to the telemetric pulse grips on the handlebars.

A fairly standard size for an upright cycle with a footprint of 104cm L x 66cm W x 142cm H and a total weight of 47kg, the frame feels solid and more than able to handle the 135kg maximum user weight capacity. Vision have backed their sterling build quality with their usual market leading warranty, covering the frame and brake for the lifetime of the cycle and the remaining parts for 10 years with 5 years of labour thrown in for good measure.  Great for peace of mind and a genuine reflection of the quality of this bike.

 

PROS

  • Fantastic build quality
  • Very comfortable seat
  • Value for Money

 

CONS

  • Lacks any entertainment facility compared with other premium brands

 

SUMMARY

In summary then, the E3200 covers all bases for those in the market for an upright cycle with great comfort and build quality and enough options to keep the majority motivated and challenged. Other prestige brands may offer the latest technical gadgetry in console options with ipod docks and online training facilities but pound for pound this bike more than holds its own.

Price: £599
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

NordicTrack C7 ZL Exercise Bike Review

NordicTrack-C7ZL-Exercise-BikePrice: £299
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

Ratings (out of 5)
Overall Rating:
3.5
Build Quality: 3
Ease of use: 3.5
Console Features: 4
Comfort: 3
Value for Money: 4

The C7 ZL is the premium model from the NordicTrack range.  It is designed for both regular fitness enthusiasts and beginners alike.  Packed full of features, at the £300 price point it can currently be found at, it provides stiff competition to the alternatives in the mid range of home exercise bikes.

Starting with the 12kg true balanced rotating flywheel and the electronic, magnetic braking system, there is an ultra smooth feel to it and loads of resistance.  There are up to 25 levels in all which will provide a challenge for even the fittest individuals.  The C7 is a solid unit, weighing in at 50kg with a fairly typical footprint of 100cm length by 70cm wide.

Transportation wheels on the front stabiliser and a lifting handle on the rear make this cycle a portable option and it feels capable of handling the maximum user weight of 130kg.  The seat is quite large and gel filled although perhaps a little hard when compared to the Vision Fitness E1500 or the York C301 Diamond bikes which are the alternatives at this level from a price perspective.  The seat is fully height adjustable and can be moved forwards and backwards although the locking mechanism on the height adjustment was a bit fiddly to use.

The handlebars can be tilted along with the entire console as one unit which is great if you intend to adopt a lean forward race riding position.  The console is where Nordic Track’s innovation really shines through.

NordicTrack-C7ZL-Exercise-Bike-ConsoleThere are 24 programs including 8 heart rate and 3 watts controlled options.  Perhaps the only criticism here would be that despite the numerous preset options, there is no facility to set your own time or distance targets.

The lack of user data entry also reduces the accuracy of the feedback provided.  These are small gripes however as there are so many preset options which will probably cater for the majority.  Heart rate is measured via pulse grips or the included wireless heart rate strap.

The LCD screen is back lit and clear with all the basic feedback displayed.  There are integrated speakers with mp3 connectivity for those who dislike using headphones and of course, i-Fit SD capability for those requiring more motivation or structure to their workouts.  It’s this kind of innovation which keeps Nordic Track at the forefront of exercise equipment technology.  The warranty of 2 years parts and labour is Nordic’s standard cover for all of their products.

PROS

  • Innovative console features with plenty of choice
  • Bags of smooth resistance
  • Good levels of adjustment

CONS

  • Slightly hard seat which can be awkward to adjust
  • Console misses some of the more basic features provided by competitors

In summary then, if you love gadgets and technology and want bucket load of resistance at a reasonable price then the C7 ZL will definitely qualify.  If a little more refinement and build quality are higher on your agenda then there are better suited models out there like the C301 from York or the E1500 from Vision Fitness.

Price: £299
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

York Diamond C301 Upright Exercise Bike Review

York C301 Exercise BikePrice: £299
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

Ratings (out of 5)
Overall Rating:
4
Build Quality: 3
Ease of use: 3
Console Features: 5
Comfort: 4
Value for Money: 5

The C301 is an entry level exercise bike from York’s Diamond range.  Rated as a class A ergometer, the 301 is electronically calibrated so that the amount of effort you use can be accurately measured.

As with all exercise cycles, comfort is of paramount importance so the large, ergo, extra padded saddle provided is a welcome addition and will easily cater for users of all sizes.

It is full height adjustable with York’s rapid adjust mechanism and can also be moved forward and backwards to provide the optimum desired riding position.  The pedals are one touch, self-levelling and include ratchet style straps for easy adjustment.  The handlebars are also adjustable with a full tilt rotation, using a simple locking mechanism.

It is a fairly typical size for a mid range cycle at 106cm long by 59cm wide and at just 36kg in weight, the C301 is portable too, utilising the transport wheels positioned on the stabilisers at the front of the bike.  The product’s robustness hasn’t been comprised as a result either with a class leading 150kg (23.5 stone) maximum user capacity.

The resistance system is computer controlled magnetic braking, with 16 levels available which should present a challenge to all but the fittest individuals.  The console is loaded with features, presented in a large 3 colour, backlit LCD display.  Feedback of time, speed, distance, calories, heart rate, watts, even BMI/body fat and room temperature is shown although the accuracy of the BMI/body fat calculator is debatable.

York-C301-Exercise-Bike-ConsoleThere are 22 programs including 12 preset, 4 heart rate control, 1 user defined, fitness tests and up to 9 user profiles.  Heart rate is measured by hand grip pulse sensors or an optional Polar T31 wireless chest strap can be purchased for more accurate feedback. Finding this level of sophistication supplied on a bike at this level is impressive and I cannot imagine that even the most motivational challenged individuals will run out of options.

There is even a towel rail, book stand and water bottle included for good measure.  The all round build quality seems pretty good, and is reflected by York supplying an extended 3 year parts and labour warranty once you have registered the cycle with them.

PROS

  • Very adjustable
  • Comfortable and robust
  • Loads of console features

CONS

  • Not a huge amount of resistance for fitter individuals

In summary then, you will be hard pressed to find an exercise bike with more features included at this price.  The C301 is comfortable, adjustable and compact which will tick all the right boxes for most.  If you are a fitness enthusiast then you might consider the higher spec model C302 from the same range which has an EMS braking system to supply significantly more resistance.

Price: £299
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

Vision Fitness E1500HR Exercise Bike Review

Vision-Fitness-E1500HR-Exercise-BikePrice: £329
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

Ratings (out of 5)
Overall Rating:
4
Build Quality: 5
Ease of use: 4
Console Features: 2.5
Comfort: 4
Value for Money: 5

 

 

The E1500 cycle is the entry level upright bike from the Vision fitness range.  Selecting the right exercise bike is really all about one simple factor, comfort.  Ultimately if the seat isn’t comfortable and the riding position cannot be adjusted to suit the individual riding position required then motivation to use it will dwindle pretty quickly.

As the majority of exercise bikes operate using magnetic braking systems in one form or another these days, most cycles will be quite smooth and quiet so the other considerations when choosing the right cycle will be based on build quality and how sophisticated the console needs to be in order to keep workouts varied and interest levels up.

Vision-Fitness-E1500HR-Exercise-Bike-ConsoleThe E1500 features a Comfort Arc seat which is specifically contoured to reduce pressure on soft tissue areas and provide maximum comfort during your workout.  It has a large surface area which will suit almost everyone but especially those with a larger posteria.  Being a larger than average seat also increases the feeling of stability when cycling, however some users who cycle on a traditional bike saddle regularly may find that the larger saddle on the E1500 restricts movement by comparison.  The seat is also only height adjustable with no forward or backward movement so taller users could find their knees a little close to the multi positional handlebars and therefore be better suited to the E3100HR model which is slightly larger.

There is a friction free, ECB magnetic resistance system with no wearing parts providing durability and maximum performance.  An optimally weighted 9.5kg flywheel, three piece cranks and premium sealed roller bearings means the transition between the electronically controlled 16 levels of resistance is incredibly smooth. Vision use a Poly-V belt which reduces tension, creates an almost silent workout and increases the lifespan of the belt and the entire drive system.  They back this up with not only an industry leading 10 year parts and 5 year labour onsite warranty but a lifetime warranty on the frame and braking system.

A compact cycle at just over a metre long (102cm Long and 66cm Wide)  capable of holding users upto a maximum weight of 21 stone, this is a sturdy bike. The console is very simple with just seven preset programs available and the feedback is displayed clearly on a blue backlit LCD.

Heart rate monitoring is provided, although an optional Polar chest strap would be required for the telemetric option.  The program profile is shown and there is a quick start option for those who just like to get on and go.

PROS

  • Very comfortable seat
  • Fantastic build quality with a great warranty
  • Excellent value for money

CONS

  • Seat only height adjustable not forward and backward
  • Basic console

In summary then, for a price of just over £300 it is hard to argue a case against the E1500. There are alternatives which will offer more console features and seat adjustment at this price but there is no comparison if build quality and comfort are your primary concerns.

Price: £329
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore