As someone who’s super into fitness, I’m constantly being told that I should head to the gym, but truth be told I’ve always enjoyed working out from home.
It’s made a lot easier by the fact that there are a lot of good exercise machines on the market.
Recently, I discovered the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike and I’ve got to say, I’m pretty impressed.
It’s got all the features needed for getting a decent workout like you would in a gym setting.
What to Look for in an Exercise Bike
Exercise bikes are a pretty common way for people to complete their cardio and leg workouts.
Most exercise bikes have multiple settings that allow users to exercise as lightly or as heavily as they want.
They’re also considered to be low impact machines, which means that the physical force you place on the bike is more evenly distributed, resulting in less stress on your body.
This makes it an excellent choice for people who want to avoid pain from exercise and those with physical impairments.
When it comes to which features are important to look for in exercise bikes, there are a couple things to keep in mind.
The most typical indoor exercise bikes (upright bikes) are usually designed with a sustainable level of light to moderate exercise in mind.
They’re generally good at getting your body into shape without too much hassle.
Of course, not all bikes have the same features, which is why it’s a good idea to look out for the following:
Good Display
Keeping track of exercise statistics is going to be invaluable for seeing your progress.
LED displays usually come with programs that track your distance traveled, speed, and level of resistance.
These can help determine how strong you’re getting and how your endurance is being tested.
Displays also sometimes come with a count of calories burned during a workout to assist in monitoring weight loss.
Heart Rate Monitoring
To figure out how successful your cardio routine is, you’re going to need access to heart rate monitoring.
It’s common for there to be heart monitoring equipment attached to exercise bikes, usually on the seat or the handlebars.
However, these have a tendency to be inaccurate, which is why it’s best to look for exercise bikes that offer a chest strap heart monitor.
Workout Modes
Having to do the exact same workout over and over again can be a bit monotonous.
It’s not an issue for everyone, but having built-in workout programs that spice up your routine is going to keep things interesting.
Programs vary in terms of distance and resistance, while usually have fluctuating levels of difficulty throughout a workout session that mimics the effects of an outdoor bike ride.
The Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike
With a design geared toward ease of use and reliable exercise programs, the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike promises to give users a thorough, but nonetheless relaxed exercise experience at a reasonable cost.
The bike has several adjustable parts that can easily accommodate people of different heights and body types, with substantial enough gripping to ensure a smooth workout experience every time.
On par with NordicTrack in terms of customizability and comfort, the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike has a more casual user base in mind.
Its shape is arranged in such a way that it’s easy for people to get on and off the machine, making it a good choice for people of varying ages and physiques.
The Horizon Fitness Comfort U also has lots of accessories that provide entertainment options when working out.
Overall, the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike is a great choice for those interested in a decent workout to meet moderate fitness goals, although it’s not necessarily the best choice for people who practice a hardcore exercise routine.
Pros
- Relatively inexpensive
- Easily adjustable features
- Versatile design
- Advanced heart rate monitoring
- Diversity of exercise programs
Cons
- Not great for intense workouts
- Odd warranty
- LED display is hard to see
- Level of resistance doesn’t go as high as other exercise bikes
What Makes It Such a Good Option
Although the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike isn’t appropriate for every demographic, the reality is that it comes with all sorts of advantages which allow it to surpass the competition.
It’s not the greatest machine for testing the physical limits of individual users, but it does have plenty of features that maximize comfort, allow for customization, and make maintenance easy.
Design Is Appropriate for All Types of People
One of the most prominent features of the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike is how it can be easily used by pretty much anyone.
It has a ton of adjustability options that guarantee you’ll be able to work out in the most optimal way possible.
The Horizon Fitness Comfort U has an adjustable seat which can be moved either vertically or horizontally to accommodate people of different heights and body lengths.
Handlebar positions can also be changed relatively easily to avoid arm strain or gripping issues.
The machine’s frame is quite wide and not cumbersome, with a limit that can support up to 300 lbs. of weight.
Most users will find it simple to get on and off the machine, with little issue staying comfortable while using it.
Gives a Lot of Useful Information
The attached LED console provides lots of useful info regarding exercise performance.
It comes with the usual measurements of speed, time, and distance traveled, but also displays information not commonly seen such as RPM and watts generated.
Although one of its better features is heart rate monitoring.
The Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike offers users multiple avenues by which they can measure their heart rate, including the use of a chest strap, a wrist strap, or through a thumb pulse reader on the handlebars.
Heart rate information is then uploaded to the LED where it appears in the form of a cardio compass display, which is a circular graph that shows users how hard their heart is working during exercise.
The cardio compass is particularly useful for measuring how well your cardio training is going over time.
Spacing and Weight Are Pretty Good
One of the biggest concerns people have when purchasing exercise machines is that whatever they get is going to be super bulky and cumbersome.
Fortunately, the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike is relatively lightweight, only weighing about 77 lbs., and possesses a slender frame.
The lack of outward facing features and its rather slim dimensions (47 in. long, 22 in. wide) means the Horizon Fitness Comfort U is easy to store in tight spaces and users don’t have to find wide open spaces in order to use it properly.
As a result, the machine can be placed in any number of environments without any hassle.
Has All Sorts of Nice Extras
Due to its more casual nature, the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike comes with a bunch of features that users can enjoy when doing exercise.
The machine has an attached water bottle holder so that you don’t have to get up for a drink when fully engaged in your exercise routine.
It also has a tablet holder just below the LED display that lets you surf the web or watch shows and videos while you exercise.
The Horizon Fitness Comfort U also has built-in speakers that you can connect to an MP3 system to blast music or podcasts when using the machine.
Additionally, there’s an energy-saving mode you can enable that prevents excess energy waste when the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike is plugged in, but you’re not using it.
Generally Quite Comfortable
The overall shape of the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike is designed so that users can lean forwards or backwards to their liking while maintaining a smooth degree of use.
Much of this is aided by the addition of a gel comfort seat that prevents pain during workouts.
The pedals are self-correcting and have rubber gripping that prevents your feet from slipping when in movement.
Similarly, the handlebars have an ergonomic coating that accomplishes the same function.
Combined, these features guarantee a pleasant exercise experience from start to finish.
Other Reviews of the Bike
As expected from its long list of attractive features, the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike appears to have developed a satisfied pool customers:
Review #1 – Denise
“We love this bike. It has a small footprint (so important for us). It’s also comfortable and has enough programs for us. We use it regularly.”
Review #2 – Suzanne
“The bike is easy to get on and off due to the comfort U styling. It’s also quiet and easy to put together.”
Review #3 – Paul
“Quality built. Quite comfortable. Great exercise equipment for the home.”
Other Bikes to Take a Look at
Although the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike is a pretty good exercise bike, its design and highlighted features aren’t going to be suited for everyone, which is why I’ve compiled a list of comparative brands that can get similar results.
Nautilus U618 Upright Bike
The Nautilus U618 Upright Bike is in many ways a more technologically advanced version of the Horizon.
It comes with a lot of the same features and has a similar weight capacity.
Its more notable features include Bluetooth connectivity and a display with an application that simulates users cycling through trails that can be found in interesting global locations.
If you’re a techy kind of person and don’t mind the extra expense, then the Nautilus U618 Upright Bike might be a good purchase.
Otherwise, the Horizon will probably have all that you need.
Nautilus U618 Upright Bike Highlights
- Has a more advanced display
- Is more expensive
- Identical heart rate tracking
- Is more cumbersome
- Has more training programs
- Has fewer entertainment options
XTERRA Fitness UB120 Upright Bike
The XTERRA Fitness UB120 Upright Bike is an exercise bike that is designed to be compact, comfortable, and simple.
It’s an extremely low-cost option that can provide users with all the features they would need to do a basic cardio routine.
The XTERRA Fitness UB120 Upright Bike is a good option for those who aren’t super into fitness, but still want an exercise machine that’s cheap, simple to use, and easily storable.
If you’re thinking about buying an exercise bike, but you’re not sure if it’s for you, then the XTERRA Fitness UB120 Upright Bike would be a good product to test the waters with.
XTERRA Fitness UB120 Upright Bike Highlights
- Is much smaller
- Is less expensive
- Doesn’t have nearly as many features
- Has fewer resistance levels
- Has a comparatively limited warranty
- Has a lower weight limit
LifeSpan C5i Upright Bike
Compared to a lot of brands, the LifeSpan C5i Upright Bike is an absolute behemoth.
It’s suitable for everything from light to intense exercise, is built to last, has numerous built-in programs, and has an advanced display.
For users very much interested in a complete exercise bike experience, the LifeSpan C5i Upright Bike brings almost everything you would need to the table.
If you want a hardcore fitness experience, then you can’t really go wrong with the LifeSpan C5i Upright Bike, although keep in mind that it’s kind of bulky and is much more expensive than most exercise bikes on the market.
LifeSpan C5i Upright Bike Highlights
- A lot more programs
- Provides more exercise data
- Has a higher weight limit
- Has a more extensive warranty
- Is much more expensive
- Is heavier
- Is more bulky
- Has the same number of resistance levels
- Isn’t as customizable
Final Thoughts
Home fitness isn’t always easy, but the Horizon Fitness Comfort U Upright Bike is an excellent way to get all your cardio and leg exercise needs met.
It’s an easy to use option that takes up very little space, has enough variety to keep things interesting, and provides a lot of entertainment options when you work out.
Still, if you find that it’s not to your liking, there are still a plethora of options out there that can help you meet your exercise needs.
