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The LCD screen is basic, but it shows all your key stats, and there are eight training programs, plus the option to set your own workouts. The fan does generate significant noise, but this may or may not bother you. Life Fitness are one of the out and out best fitness equipment suppliers on the market and whilst their ICG range is pretty pricey for someone needing a spin bike for home use, the IC2 is an affordable entry level option to this level of bike. What Life Fitness deem as entry level is however many echelons above what the more budget models will offer and with the IC2 you are getting an absolute top end machine at a reasonable price point.
But is buying a spin bike worth it? What is the best spinning bike for a beginner? What is the diffe It’s also worth noting that the trainers are British spin instructors from the boutique Boom Cycle studio in London, which may be more palatable to those who find Peloton's earnest instructors and affirmations a bit cheesy. However, Apex would be more suited to class cyclists and spin fanatics than to those looking for indoor performance training. There are no options for simulated outdoor rides (yet), nor is there much scope for free-riding.
What are the benefits of spinning?
In testing, we found this to be one of the smoothest rides and most comfortable bikes in terms of adjustment and ergonomics, although the seat is not quite as comfortable as their higher end models. The Apex is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled and works perfectly in sync with the app. The only downside is that at the time of writing the app is only compatible with Apple iOS and so its a no-go for android users. We have it on good authority that Apex are working on an Android app though so watch this space – (edit – Android has now launched so everyone can access the brilliance of the Apex App). You can sync your data with Strava and Apple Health which is also a nice touch.
The HFC spin bike is made from a heavy duty steel frame and as such it can hold a maximum user weight of 123kg. Pretty impressive given the lowish price point of this bike and it really does feel stable when in use. It’s also worth pointing out that as someone who prefers spin to outdoor cycling, I’m not exactly Wattbike’s target market. And if you’re like me, you may find Wattbike a little heavy-handed on the performance data. But there are enough training programmes to suit every type of rider, from simulated hills to HIIT sessions.The bike itself has some nifty features, including a phone holder that also charges your phone wirelessly if your phone is suitably equipped (although we found large phones such as the iPhone 12 Pro Max don’t work), and by USB if it isn’t. The flywheel is only 4kg, but it still runs smoothly and, in our experience, provides a good challenge for even fit users, with 30 levels of magnetic resistance. Sporting a 20kg flywheel that is driven by a strong but smooth actioned rubber belt, the IC300 PRO features a whole host of adjustable components and has a clear focus on user comfort as well as high performance. There is magnetic resistance that is easily adjustable thanks to a turning dial which controls the distance the magnet sits from the flywheel and thus increases resistance the closer it is. We found the levels of resistance to be ample and although you don’t get a set number of resistance levels it is easy enough to set the resistance level and the range of difficulty between the highest and lowest setting is quite considerable. Let’s take a look at the important stuff though – the Apex Smart Bike looks incredible and rides even better. It has a magnetic resistance, protected flywheel that affords a super smooth and quiet ride. It can take a maximum user weight of 140kg, measures up at 2ft x 4ft and weighs in at 45kg. You can use SPD or standard trainers thanks to the Shimano 50/50 pedals that are included as standard and the app gives you access to 100’s of live and on-demand fitness sessions specifically designed for the bike. It even has a charging point for your device and wireless phone charging.
If you are looking to improve your stamina or just want to use a spin cycle for a HIIT workout then it is the perfect piece of exercise equipment for those purposes. The main issues with spin bikes surround overuse. The bikes themselves will have no issues with being used every day but the human body does need rest and so unlike brisk walking which is a great form of cardio, hard core spinning should not be performed every day of the week. Instead, you should aim for a weekly routine of 3-4 spin sessions per week at the most and then supplement this with a lighter form of cardio such as walking. Will I Lose Weight By Spinning? Interval training is the best way to burn maximum calories in a small amount of time. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. Interval training involves short bursts of intense exercise spaced between longer intervals of less intense exercise. Spin bikes are one of the most effective cardio tools we can use and for us cardio is something that is generally better achieved outside of the gym. Whether that is running, cycling, walking etc. is up to you, but we prefer to use the gym for strength training which you should look to incorporate alongside your cardio training. If you have a home setup for strength training then you could even lose the gym membership altogether thus saving you money in the process. With such a solid frame, it comes as no surprise that this exercise bike is a heavy bit of kit, weighing just over 41kg. For those worried about how to maneuver it around, it is still possible thanks to a pair of wheels mounted at the front. Just tip it onto its front end and it can easily be guided to the other side of the room. When it comes to storage, the Apex Bike doesn’t fold up, but it is pretty compact considering, measuring 120x160x117cm.
At the moment, there isn’t the range of sessions available from Apex as there is on Peloton, but that’s understandable given the young age of the system. And bear in mind that this will expand as the system develops. Apex says it’s developing a free ride system for those times when you want something a little different, and live classes are set to start in February. More expensive bikes have a veritable arsenal of built-in technology that can help take your workout to the next level. Riding using just the digital display feels decidedly old fashioned – think exercise bike in a tired local authority gym – but it’s pretty accurate. To enjoy anything more interactive you’ll need to connect to the Schwinn app (which essentially just saves the data from the bike, rather than offer any classes or targets), Zwift, Explore the World or Peloton. Not all home spinning bikes have transportation wheels, which can make moving it around a real hassle if you're someone who will need to move your bike from storage into your workout space, or from room-to-room.
First up is this indoor stationary bike from Home Fitness Code. This is one of the cheapest spin bikes we tested and is the cheapest to make the cut on our top 11 list – but we haven’t included it just for its low price point. Measuring up at 99cm (l) x 51cm (w) x 100cm (h) it is also one of the smallest bikes we tested, so although we wouldn’t recommend this model to anyone over 6′ 1″ tall, it is ideal for home use thanks to its compact design. For those under 6′ 1″– this spin bike offers a comfortable ride, is well made and has plenty of challenge thanks to its infinite magnetic resistance. Rant aside, this next-generation iteration of the Atom adds new cadence and crank sensors to give you a bigger data hit post-ride, making it ideal for those looking to work on every minute aspect of their technique and training regime. It also throws in an electromagnetic resistance system to offer better resistance changes when synced up with virtual training apps such as Zwift, saving you from manually turning knobs or pressing buttons to change the difficulty mid-ride. Not only is this more convenient, but it also helps you keep focused on your pedalling technique, rather than worry about making sure you've got the right resistance setting in place. I particularly enjoyed the themed music rides, but there are plenty of others to choose from ranging from 15 minutes to an hour. There are also strength, mobility and beginner-friendly classes available. You don’t quite get the range of Peloton, which has a bank of thousands to choose from, but as Apex is new to the market, this will improve with time. Despite its relatively low price compared with other smart bikes currently on the market, the Apex Bike still boasts a pretty impressive design and build. Right from the get-go, it’s clear this lump of metal is made from some quality materials, feeling sturdy and looking nice and sleek at the same time. The frame measures up at 104cm (l) x 54cm (w) x 116cm (h) and it has all the adjustability of the other models we tested. The design is very good with the water bottle holder in the ideal position and the centre console being optimally placed for perfect line of sight. It has a larger display than all of the other models we tested and the basic functionality of this is excellent – this does get covered up when you place a device in the holder though so you will need to use the dedicated apps rather than just watching your favourite TV show (which we wouldn’t recommend for spinning anyway).
The best spin bikes you can buy in 2023
You'll also have unlimited access to studio workouts, all led by a coach, you can even pair your smartphone or tablet to this bike to see beautiful sights as you follow along with your training session. As with all our favourite JTX machines, we found this a pleasure to use. It was extra sturdy thanks to the heavy-duty steel frame, with no mid-session wobbling, and the padded seat successfully prevented sore bums. The grippy handles were great when our hands got sweaty, and the adjustable features allowed us to get into the optimal position. Resistance levels are super easy to change and this is controlled using a dial with no individual resistance steps. The range of difficulty between the highest and lowest setting is pretty vast and means this spin bike is suitable for all ability levels. Once you start a class you can see the stats from your connected bike on screen. Power, cadence and resistance are displayed along with the current suggested cadence and resistance level ranges from the instructor. I found these mostly mirrored the instruction given, but in most classes I tried there were a couple of small errors in the on-screen instructions, so you do need to pay attention to what the instructor is saying. Last but not least, have someone there to help you! Assembling a spin bike, and any other exercise machine for that matter, almost always requires an extra pair of hands. So, make sure you have someone to turn to whenever you need some help and, in general, it’s good to have an assistant because it moves things along. I recommend you don’t wait until you need help; have someone there from the beginning.
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