Wednesday, November 29th
2023 Exercise Bike Reviews
LifeSpan Fitness
- One-of-a-kind options like a boxing/biking combo and under desk bikes for work and school
- Better-than-average warranty coverage
- Free shipping in continental US
LifeSpan wants to help you embrace a healthy lifestyle, whatever your age or current fitness level. For more than 20 years, the company has strived to provide fitness equipment that addresses some of the challenges to weight loss - especially the sedentary nature of most workplaces.
Extremely basic exercise bikes
In the Home Fitness Bikes category, LifeSpan has four fairly traditional options: two recumbent cycles and two uprights. Neither of the upright bikes have the studio styling (with the wheel in the back), but that won't be important to a lot of home users. At the time of our review, the two bikes designated as "commercial" were both sold out; the available models were the C5i upright at $1699 and the R5i recumbent at $1899. None of these bikes have anything exceptional to report: they actually seem fairly overpriced for what they offer (or omit). The console is generic, the machines aren't compatible with wireless devices like Fitbit watches or fitness apps on your phone, and your only connectivity option seems to be the proprietary LifeSpan Club app. You also won't get any fitness classes on demand here.
Biking and boxing at the same time
But, there are some novel options sold by LifeSpan that we're pretty sure you won't find with most other exercise bike retailers. The first one to take a peek at is the Cycle Boxer: an upright bike...with a punch pad! Yes, pull on your gloves and get ready for an all-body workout as you pedal and punch at the same time. Have you ever played Whack-a-Mole...while biking? Now's your chance! Various targets on the pad light up and you hit them as you ride. This unique boxer-cycle is priced at $2499.
Equipment overview:
- Type of exercise bikes: Upright, recumbent, combo, under desk
- Price range: $1699 to $2499
- Different models: 5+
- Can stream live/pre-recorded workouts: No
- Financing available: Yes
- Weight capacity: Up to 300 or 400 lbs., depending on model
- Return policy: 30 days, customer pays return shipping of $250-$300
- Warranty: Lifetime frame, 5 years parts, 2 years labor
- Shipping: Free in lower 48 United States
Bikes for multitasking at home or office
The fun isn't over! What a lot of people come to LifeSpan to buy are their "Office Wellness" fitness machines. C'mon, you know you've always wanted a bike desk! We encourage you to visit the LifeSpan site to see what is actually in stock at the time you'd be making a purchase: there's lots to choose from, but they've spiked in popularity as working (and learning) from home has become more prevalent. And, as you'd guess, that leads to more things being sold out. Some of the choices you'll want to consider are the under desk bikes, all-in-one bike and desk combos, and even the Unity Kids' Bike Desk.
30 days on returns, great warranty
There are some upsides to buying an exercise bike from LifeSpan. All models come with free shipping and a 30-day trial/return policy. The warranty coverage is better than most, with a lifetime benefit on the frame, 5 years on parts, and not 1 but 2 years on labor.
Mixed, limited feedback from customers
How about reputation? There's not a ton of feedback on LifeSpan exercise bikes or the company overall, but what we found was mixed at best. On a positive note, their parent company (Park City Entertainment, based out of Utah) had an "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB, with just 9 complaints registered in the last three years. But, we also found a few comments from customers describing lots of delays, not just with deliveries but also in getting parts and repairs made under warranty. LifeSpan doesn't have a lot of customer buzz either way, though, so it's not a huge factor in their ranking here.
Better for work-and-ride than general fitness
LifeSpan gets a thumbs-up for having exercise bikes we didn't even know to dream of, let alone to shop for, and for offering longer warranty protection than a lot of equipment out there. However, for most fitness enthusiasts looking for a more traditional exercise bike with all of the techie bells and whistles, this store isn't going to have as much to offer when considering all of the options out there.
More Exercise Bike Reviews
The 13 Best Exercise Bikes
Where Can You Find the Best Exercise Bikes?
Fitness equipment is more popular now than ever, with so many people working, learning and doing just about everything from home. It can be challenging to find anything in stock near you, with no idea of when your preferred exercise bike will be available to buy.
Naturally, that's where the internet comes in, making it a lot easier to get the type of bike you want most. Looking for live and on-demand fitness classes on a machine that automatically increases and decreases resistance - or that even allows a coach to remotely shift your settings to give you an extra push (or a break!)? Shopping online gives you access to not just one company but several that offer that boutique-style workout experience.
Exercise Bike FAQ
Continued from above...
Or, maybe your doctor has told you that you can't do high-impact exercise anymore, but you still need something to stay healthy. Recumbent bikes to the rescue! There are plenty of models available from internet retailers, from basic models under $500 to high-tech designs with plenty of features for over $2,000.
There are even exercise bikes designed for use under your desk or with a tabletop/desk built in: no more using work as your excuse for not working out! Your coworkers can get in on the fun if you choose a model that has three bikes at the same round table, too.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed when you start your search for the exercise bike that's right for you. Studio style? Recumbent? Touchscreen or basic console? Fortunately, there are several criteria you can use to narrow down your options and find something that fits:
- Number of Exercise Bikes. How many models does the retailer sell? The more bikes in their inventory, the more likely it is that one of them will have the features you're looking for - and that it will be in stock when you're ready to buy.
- Features. Think about what features are most important to you when using your fitness equipment. Is it connectivity with your smartwatch or fitness apps? A weight capacity that accommodates each member of your household? Interactive displays with games and leaderboards to keep you motivated? It's not impossible to get a bike with everything you want, if you know what's on your must-have list.
- Value. Is the exercise bike you're considering a good value for the money? That's not just a matter of price: some lower-end models actually offer a lot, while some of the most expensive models don't give you nearly what you'd expect.
- Customer-Friendly Policies. Can you get a free trial with your exercise bike? How long do you have to return it if it's not working out? Is delivery free and/or will it include professional set-up? How about warranty coverage?
- Reputation. It's a good idea to consider what customers have said about the particular bike you want and the company itself. Can you count on getting fast, friendly help from the customer service department if anything goes wrong? Even the most promising warranties aren't worth much if the retailer doesn't follow through on them.
TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked the best online retailers of exercise bikes available today. We're confident that this information will help you get the indoor ride you've been hoping for!
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