BODYPOWER SP.IC14 Indoor Studio Cycle

Product Information

We know the difference that a treadmill can make in your life – expanding the capacity of your heart and lungs, while at the same time building up strength in your legs. It’s not just a case of running at one pace for an extended period of time either – there are plenty of ways you can tailor your workouts to deliver different results and keep things interesting. 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.

The flywheel is perhaps the most important aspect of any spin bike and the one on this Body Power model does not disappoint. It is smooth, well balanced and is heavy enough to provide a good challenge and fluid ride. The compact nature of the Bodymax B2 means it’s suitable for most home fitness spaces. It also comes with very handy transport wheels too should you want to move it or put it in storage (hopefully not).The flywheel is one of the lightest to make our top 11 list and weighs just over 8kg. This is certainly at the lower end of what we would be happy to recommend but to be fair it performs well and offers a smooth and fluid ride. When using this bike it is very quiet in operation so there should be no issues with using it while other members of the household are in bed or if you have neighbours to consider. It is compatible with Polar heart rate straps and can be used in conjunction with third party apps if you wish although this is great as a standalone unit. This indoor cycling exercise bike is quite easy to assemble. It comes mostly assembled and includes all the tools needed for installation and a manual with easy to follow instructions. It takes users about 20 minutes to finish setting it up. The Apex Smart Bike is one of the most innovative pieces of home cardio equipment that we have had the pleasure to test in the last 12 months or so. In a space that is dominated by large interactive screens (that add hundreds and sometimes thousands to the price) it is sometimes hard to judge a bike on what it is truly designed for – but the Apex Smart Bike looks to put things right.

The Cyclo 3 features an infinite number of resistance levels as this is increased the faster and harder you pedal. You can also adjust the resistance manually to have an easier or more challenging starting point as well as to mimic hill climbs and inclines. This is is a feature that really impresses on this particular bike. This spin bike comes with a magnetic resistance, which is a huge improvement from the typical frictional brake-assisted resistance found in most models. Magnetic resistance bikes tend to last longer and require less maintenance since there’s no rubbing together of components to damage any parts. They also run smoother and quieter than frictional resistance bikes. Flywheel and Drive Belt– The flywheel and drive belt are key components of any spin bike and as such you should look for bikes with high quality flywheels and smooth but strong drive belts. Flywheels come in a variety of weights but it is not always the case that the heaviest flywheel is best (although this is a good rule of thumb) so always look for something that is smooth running and ideally not too loud. The same applies to the drive belt which can either be a belt or chain. Chain belts tend to be stronger but are often noisier whereas standard belts are smoother and quieter. This is a good option if you like the sound of the EXP 14i, but would rather a cheaper, slightly smaller option. Verdict With a heavy gauge steel construction and a 22kg flywheel, the Cyclo 6 is a pretty heavy duty option that is both stable and secure as well as incredibly smooth in operation. This unit measures up at 124cm (l) x 54cm (w) x 122cm (h) and has more adjustable options than any of the other products we tested on this list – with the addition of handlebar distance (as well as height) from the seat – this makes this indoor studio cycle one of the most adaptable for users of all heights. The maximum seat to pedal height is 107cm and the minimum is 78cm which means taller and shorter users alike get on well with this model.Spinning, like most forms of exercise will help you burn calories but that in itself will not necessarily be enough to help you lose weight. If you are looking to burn fat then you should look to be in a calorie deficit – in other words you need to be eating less calories than your body is burning as energy. The SB700 has an impressive 22kg flywheel that powers a smooth and fluid ride. Even when used at high speeds this bike provides a smooth ride and with a dial based multi-level friction pad resistance there is more than enough to test even the most hardcore of users. It is also perfect for beginners thanks to the wide range of resistance you can choose from. The frame of the SB500 is solid and when you sit on this bike it feels very sturdy. It is designed to be used by users of a maximum weight of 125kg which is pretty decent considering the price tag – if we compared that to the 100kg max user weight of the SB350 then the SB500 certainly inspires a little more confidence.

There are an infinite number of resistance levels with the Cyclo 6 and this is intuitively implemented the harder you pedal. But for those who like to be able to control the starting level of difficulty there is a resistance dial that can be used to find the right starting range for you. The bike has been built to a high standard. Stainless steel not only offers good stability for your ride, but it’s also a highly durable material that will last you a long time. The Bodymax B2 also comes with a fairly weighty 13kg flywheel, which makes for a smooth and efficient ride, although we have seen heavier flywheels. The company behind the IC300 PRO exercise bike is one of the biggest suppliers of fitness equipment all over the world. This company has made some of the most revolutionary fitness equipment available on the market today by using the latest technology and some of the strongest materials. 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. That is me running steady state at 10kph. This isn’t even particularly slow – plenty of people would take longer to complete a 10km run!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. The biggest selling point of this bike is its performance. It is at the top of its class thanks to the following key features: OneTwoFit’s offering is very smart, though. It features a very nice LED display with smartphone app connectivity. It can connect to the FitShow app on your phone via Bluetooth, through which it can keep tabs on your progress, including all your biometrics and health markers and your performance data (including speed, time, calories, distance, steps, and so on). The Echelon Connect Sport is one of the most impressive budget spin bikes we have tested. It compares incredibly well on price to other models on this list and has access to class leading software and has some of the most advanced hardware at this price point. There are a couple of concessions you need to make compared to their pricier models (mainly there is no touch screen or SDP pedal compatibility) but if you are just on the lookout for a high quality bike that will last for home use then you needn’t look much further than the Connect Sport.

There are two models of the IC400 and the Pro is the top level model sitting just above the Elite model in terms of price and functionality. JLL are a UK based fitness equipment manufacturer and they have developed a good reputation for building equipment that is highly functional and built to last. The IC400 Pro is no exception to that and the first time you see it you will be able to get a good grasp of the high build quality and skilled workmanship that has gone in to its creation. It’s a reassuringly big piece of equipment as well, measuring 202L x 89W x 150H cm. This is a well built, solid machine that will last you a very long time, as you would expect for the money that it costs. It weighs 114 kg, so bear this in mind when you have it delivered – you will need help moving it into position. If you have a specific type of saddle you wish to use then this is replaceable and is made in line with standard road bikes. The pedals are also replaceable but the ones that come supplied are SPD compatible and they also have straps which means you have the best of both worlds and replacing the pedals (or saddle for that matter) really isn’t required. The Cyclo 3 Indoor Racer Bike (to give it its full title) is an impressive looking spin bike considering its relatively low price point. In fact, at the time of writing it was even more affordable thanks to a sale that JTX were running (linked below) – in fact they often have some of the most competitive prices for this level of bike. Don’t be fooled in to thinking this is a cheap imitation of the more expensive Cyclo-6 though, as the Cyclo-3 more than holds its own and isn’t something we would describe as cheap from a quality point of view. It was designed to do what it says on the tin – it is a largish pad area designed to let you walk. It is compact and light, easily storable, so can be used and stored at home or in the office far more easily than a hefty conventional treadmill.

What to Consider When Buying an Exercise Bike

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. A really neat little feature is the integration of Google Maps, so you can choose where in the world you are going to go for a run. All seven continents are loaded on there, so you could run through midtown Manhattan, the Sahara Desert or even Antarctica. The level of adjustability really is impressive with this bike as it means that no matter how tall or short you are there is likely to be the perfect setup available for you. There are even adjustable straps on the pedals to complete the focus on comfort and it is worth pointing out that the pedals feature a good amount of grip and are pretty robust. Although the SP.IC14 is sturdy at low speeds, as you increase the intensity you do start to find it can wobble a little. Let’s get in to the nitty gritty now – what it is actually like to use the Cyclo 3. If we start by talking about what the Cyclo 3 isn’t… it isn’t an interactive or well connected bike (in terms of app connectivity) in any way – and it’s not trying to be. So, if you are looking for a Peloton type experience you aren’t going to find it here. But you also aren’t going to find the Peloton type price tag either.