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Sunday, November 10th
Life Fitness is a well-known manufacturer of fitness equipment, commonly found in fitness centers and home gyms. Among their offerings, their exercise bikes stand out as a high-end choice, known for their impressive features and quality.
Large number of models to choose from
There are a whopping 14 different models to choose from at Life Fitness, though it's not easily clear what separates all 14 in terms of cost and features. Many come across as very similar in style and cost, which may be confusing for customers. On the bright side, it appeared that all of the models (even sub-models) were in stock at the time of this review. However, we were researching during a seasonal promo period, so this may just reflect a well-stocked warehouse prepared for higher-than-average order numbers. Generally, we typically have found that finding exercise machines actually "in stock” at Life Fitness can be a bit of a struggle.
Equipment overview:
Basic model: C1 Lifecycle
The base model at Life Fitness is the CI Lifecycle exercise bike. This model starts at $1,471 and goes up to $1,951 depending on if you choose the Go Console ($1,471) or the Track Connect 2.0 ($1,951). One of the main benefits of the CI Lifecycle is that it's a lightweight and compact bike: easy to move around. You have the option to choose from console features, including the upgraded Track Connect 2.0 which offers better connectivity and seamless integration with your favorite devices, or the simpler Go Console which has a more straightforward experience. Key features that come on both models include heart rate monitoring with contact hand sensors (Track Connect) and a wireless heart rate monitoring system (Go Console). Both offer a natural upright riding position for a comfortable workout, and non-slip, self-balancing pedals with ratcheting straps. You can connect your Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch, as both sub-models are Bluetooth heart rate compatible. Plus, you can enjoy the peace of mind with a 3-year warranty.
Top-tier model: Platinum Club Series Recumbent Lifecycle
The most expensive bike at Life Fitness is the Platinum Club Series Recumbent Lifecycle which comes in one sub-model: the SE3 HD. The price for this bike is $6,284, which delivers better entertainment and engagement options to keep you motivated during your workout journey. The open, step-through design makes it easy for you to get on and off. Key features include heart rate monitoring and Lifepulse Digital Heart Rate Monitoring. Resistance controls on stationary arms make it simple for you to adjust intensity during your workout, and the adjustable pedal straps offer different sizes for multiple users. There is easy connectivity with your Apple or Samsung Galaxy Watches, as the bike is Bluetooth-compatible. The biggest change from the low-level picks is a 16" HD touchscreen that allows you to stream video and music apps like Spotify, access Life Fitness On Demand Workout Classes, explore interactive Lifescape Courses, browse the internet, and choose from up to 25 preloaded workouts. However, this model only has a 2-year warranty compared to its less expensive counterparts.
No more free shipping
While Life Fitness does offer free shipping for some merchandise like small extras (towels or dumbbells) there's no offer for free shipping on their large exercise machines. So, you'll be stuck paying for shipping on the bikes. Since some of the top brands in our review offer free shipping, it's more noticeable that Life Fitness chooses not to. And considering that Life Fitness used to offer free shipping and recently chose to do away with it makes them far less competitive than other brands out there.
Limited returns within 15 days
Life Fitness also has a fairly limited return policy. The company only allows returns within 15 days, and those returns are only valid for bikes that are defective or damaged in transit. So, if you're worried about not liking the bike, you might want to shop for a different brand because once you get your exercise bike, a refund is no longer an option.
Some concerns about their customer service
Life Fitness generally has a reasonably positive reputation. The brand currently has a "B" rating from the Better Business Bureau, and the majority of the brand's bikes have a customer rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars on the Life Fitness website (though three of them are completely unrated). However, Life Fitness doesn't do as well on third-party review sites. For example, Trustpilot rates the company at only 2.4 out of 5 stars. According to recent reviews, customers regularly have issues like malfunctioning machines, monitors failing within a few weeks, and sluggish responses from customer service in addressing these concerns. Given the comparatively high cost of Life Fitness exercise bikes compared to other brands, one would anticipate superior quality and service.
Average bikes but solid variety
Granted - Life Fitness has a wide variety of exercise bikes available. However there isn't anything super special about these bikes and they're a bit higher-priced than some competitors. With that in mind, Life Fitness definitely doesn't stand out as a top brand. Given that there are concerns about customer service, limited returns, and no free shipping, it's hard to argue for Life Fitness over other more customer-friendly brands. However, they do have a wide variety, which helped bring up their score. But unless Life Fitness picks up the slack, they're likely to slide even further down in our rankings in the future.
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.
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.
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!
Select any 2 Exercise Bikes to compare them head to head