Wednesday, December 11th
2024 Exercise Bike Reviews
CAROL
- Priced $2,595+
- 1 model in stock
- 1- to 2-year warranty on frame
- 100-day trial period
- AI-backed workouts
- Free shipping and returns
- Average 4.7 stars from reviews
If you're looking for an exercise bike that claims to improve your fitness fast, you'll want to take a look at CAROL. Promising noticeable improvement in less than 9 minutes of exercise is the hallmark of the CAROL brand with its innovative exercise bike system.
Scientifically timed changes
The CAROL machine offers a variety of exercise styles including sprints at an intensity three times higher than your typical HIIT cycling class, with scientifically-timed changes to resistance. So in the same time you spend on another workout, you're getting a lot more out of your CAROL exercise bike. The only downside? CAROL only offers one bike option, though thankfully that bike was in stock at the time of this review.
Equipment overview:
- Type of exercise bikes: Upright
- Price range: $2,595+ (you can add warranties and assembly)
- Different models: 1
- Can stream live/pre-recorded workouts: Yes
- Financing available: Yes
- Weight capacity: 330 lbs
- Return policy: 100-day home trial
- Warranty: 1-2 years (choice is up to you)
- Shipping: Free
Only model: CAROL Bike
The CAROL bike is one of the most technologically advanced bikes on our list. The CAROL brand prides itself on providing a bike experience backed by science. The bike starts at $2,595; however, there are some extra costs involved. For example, if you want to add an extended warranty (2 years instead of 1), you'll have to pay an additional $150. And, if you'd like your CAROL bike assembled for you, that costs $199 extra. As if that wasn't enough, you also need a CAROL membership to use all of the features of your bike. This costs $15 a month. So, if you get all the possible features, the already pricey bike will cost around $2,959 (including one month of a CAROL membership).
AI determines your optimal resistancec
So what makes CAROL worth all that money? The bike uses AI to personalize your workouts by determining the optimal resistance that pushes you to your limits without overdoing it. This AI adapts as you get fitter so you always work at your maximum potential and don't plateau in your workouts. The company notes that their research indicates that with just three 5-minute sessions a week, you can improve by 12% in 8 weeks. The bike allows you to link to various streaming services like Peloton, Zwift, YouTube, Netflix, and more (but we're not sure how much watching you'll get in with just a 5-minute workout!).
For best use you'll need the membership
One thing customers may not like is having to commit to a monthly membership to use the CAROL bike. Now, you don't have to have a membership, but without it, you don't have access to any of the AI features. You still have access to important features, like non-personalized resistance settings, individual performance metrics, and six scientifically-backed workouts, but the whole benefit of this high-priced bike is its AI workout features and personalization. If you do go with the membership, the AI optimization calculates your optimal resistance, including 20 scientifically proven workouts and fitness tests. The home membership allows access for up to eight riders to have personalized dashboards. Plus, CAROL Bike automatically updates with new features and performance improvements through over-the-air software updates.
100-day trial period
To help you decide if the CAROL bike is right for you, the brand offers a 100-day risk-free trial. This means you can return your CAROL bike within 100 days from the date it's delivered to you. According to the CAROL website, if you live in the US, Canada, or the United Kingdom, you don't have to pay anything to return the CAROL bike if it doesn't work out for you. This means you can test it worry-free and only pay the cost of the bike itself. And if you make the return, that will be refunded too.
Customers who've used it are fans so far
CAROL is relatively new in the market; in comparison to brands with hundreds of thousands or even millions of fitness enthusiasts, CAROL's community appears relatively small. Beyond the handful of testimonials on the CAROL website, just over 200 customer reviews were found on third-party review sites. While the majority of these reviews were positive with a 4.7-star average on Trustpilot, particularly regarding CAROL's exceptional customer service and the efficiency of the bike's programmed workouts, we aren't able to gauge the reputation beyond the few reviews out there. There's no page for the company on the Better Business Bureau yet, but if the reviews continue the way they're going currently, CAROL has the potential to be a fan favorite.
Expensive but extremely unique technology
CAROL introduces a unique element to the exercise bike landscape, offering a kind of workout bike we haven't seen before. With the inclusion of AI assistance in your workout, you can get maximum fitness with minimum pain. However, the AI features come at a price. The bike is expensive and you have to pay for a separate membership. Given that many bikes from other brands do a lot of great fitness work for less than half the price of CAROL, we're on the fence in terms of value. But no matter how you feel about the cost, it's a brand worth keeping an eye on, especially as it continues to receive feedback and potentially garners more praise over time.
More Exercise Bike Reviews
The 10 Best Exercise Bikes
What's the Best Brand of Exercise Bike Out There Today?
If you're looking for a versatile machine easily accessible for a home gym, exercise bikes are a top choice. Exercise bikes offer motion that's ideal for individuals with sensitive joints, sore backs, bad knees (shout out to the crunchy knees gang), or other conditions that make high-impact exercises hard or impossible to do.
On top of being low-impact, one of the popular points for exercise bikes is the all-season approach. Picture this: you get to sweat it out whenever it suits you. No gym crowds, and no clock-watching. Convenience is your new fitness buddy. Plus, no more worrying about how you look or comparing yourself to others. Or whether the sweaty guy before you wiped down the bike seat (ew!). Basically, you get all the pros of a spin class without any of the ick of a public gym.
Exercise Bike FAQ
Continued from above...
For athletes (especially you biking enthusiasts) who don't want to lose their form during the winter, nabbing an exercise bike can change your winter fitness regimen to more closely fit your regular training. But if you're not a tri-athlete (like many of us aren't), having an exercise bike at home is still a huge plus.
As you start browsing the different exercise bike brands, you'll realize that there's a lot of variety to choose from. Many modern exercise bikes come with cool features like built-in screens for virtual classes, fitness app hook-ups, and even virtual outdoor rides. So, exercise bikes aren't like one of those creaky metal contraptions from your grandma's basement anymore. They've got all the bells and whistles to upgrade your workout.
Imagine pedaling through scenic routes without leaving your living room or gamified paths to keep you engaged. These bikes aren't just tools; they're like your personal fitness sidekick, cheering you on and giving you all the stats you need to track your growth and celebrate your fitness level-ups. There are even exercise bikes designed to fit under your desk or that feature a built-in tabletop/desk, so you can work and work out at the same time.
But there's a lot to look at when you're shopping for the perfect exercise bike. Starting your search for the right exercise bike can be overwhelming. Studio style? Recumbent? Touchscreen or basic console? Fortunately, we've gone through the best options out there and put together some criteria to help you narrow down your choices and find a bike that suits you.
- Number of exercise bike styles. The more models a brand has in their inventory, the higher the chances of finding one that fits your fitness needs. Also, keep an eye on which brands actually have their bikes in stock.
- Features. Consider what features matter most to you. Is it connectivity with your smartwatch or fitness apps? Weight capacity that accommodates all household members? Interactive displays with games and leaderboards for motivation? Identifying your must-have list makes it possible to find a bike that meets your preferences.
- Price vs. value. Price isn't the sole factor; some lower-end exercise bike models provide significant features, while some pricier options may not deliver as expected. So, make sure you get the perfect balance of value for your money. The most expensive model might not actually be the best, whereas the cheapest out there might be missing some features you need for your fitness.
- Customer-friendly policies. Check if you can get a free trial, the return policy duration, and if delivery includes a professional setup. If a company doesn't serve customers well, it's hard to feel comfortable purchasing their expensive fitness machines.
- Reputation. Tied into the customer policies, you'll want to take into account customer reviews and Better Business Bureau scores to make sure you're buying from a reputable brand. A reliable customer service department is crucial, even if the warranty is promising, to make sure you'll get fast and friendly assistance if anything goes wrong.
To make sure that your fitness journey takes off, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best exercise bike brands available online today. We hope this will help you curate your perfect home gym and get back to the ride of your life on your new exercise bike. Pedal on, friend!
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