Nowadays, it’s not so easy to get outdoors for bike riding or join up with a crowded cycling class.
The Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle is the next best thing as it gives you a great cardio exercise right at home.
Read up on our review if you’re interested in learning more about the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle.
Also, check out our guide below to find out what features you should look for in quality stationary bikes.
Things to Consider before Buying a Cycling Stationary Bike
A stationary bike designed to simulate cycling gained immense popularity thanks to famous cycling classes.
But now, you can bring all that cardio and sweat into your home.
Before you do, take care to check out some key aspects that can help narrow down your options.
Comfortable Seating and Pedal System
What good is a stationary bike if you don’t feel at ease using it?
One of the first features to look at is the seat. Is the bike designed ergonomic overall? If so, the seat will more than likely feel natural to sit on.
Also, it may have some sort of padding for cushioning.
Take a look at the pedal system too. They should be wide enough so that you can slip your feet in without a struggle.
It further helps if it includes straps, preferably adjustable, that properly secure your feet.
Display Console
Although some cycling stationary bikes don’t include a console, these displays can be beneficial if you want to keep track of your progress.
These consoles should display basic feedback such as distance, speed, and calories. Some may even display heart rate if there are integrated pulse grips on the bike’s handlebars.
If there is a display, check if there’s a section like a media tray.
This lets you set up your phone, tablet, or even a book so you don’t have to put the bike directly in front of the TV or hold onto your device in your pocket.
Adjustability
A quality stationary bike is one that adapts to various users.
For one thing, it helps if you can adjust the seat horizontally and vertically, letting you reach the pedals and handlebars better.
Another area of adjustability you want to look at is the resistance system.
Not only should you be able to change how much resistance you feel, but this process should be seamless so that you don’t have to disrupt your exercise.
Alongside this, speed should obviously be readily changeable to adapt to your specific workout routine.
Smooth Belt Drive System
You want an exercise bike to be challenging at times, but only because you’ve increased the intensity. Not because it’s difficult to pedal.
A comfortable pedaling system is important, and this comes down to a bike having a quality belt drive system. This makes pedaling natural and smooth.
Durable Construction
A well-built cycling stationary bike should last you a long time. Consider ones made from durable steel frames with a drive system that requires minimum maintenance.
Another good aspect to look at is the weight capacity as this limitation may indicate just how stable the construction is.
Lastly, look for a warranty. Warranty can vary by section such as frame and parts, so always look at the support available and the timeframe that support has.
Introducing the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle
The Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle is a high-quality stationary bike meant to be a more affordable option.
It is balanced well by having a heavy flywheel and a lightweight frame.
With a compact design and built-in transportation wheels, it can be a wonderful addition to any home gym as it won’t get in the way.
At the same time, it offers an effective, powerful cardio experience.
Pros
- Bright, easy-to-read LCD
- Smooth resistance adjustments
- Heavy-duty steel, stable frame
Cons
- Only a 1-year labor warranty
- Uncertain if the friction brake will last long
- People may need to adapt to the harder road-style saddle seat
Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle
Features & Benefits
There is a lot of good to be found with the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle that may make it a wonderful fit for beginners and those who want a simpler, straightforward cardio exercise via cycling.
Let’s check out some of these beneficial features.
Heavy Flywheel System
The Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle is made with a 48lb flywheel. With it being heavier in weight, there is a good sense of stability added to the exercise bike that can make you feel more secure.
The friction brake resistance system is precision-engineered to offer a smooth experience that attempts to resemble real-road cycling.
With that said, the friction brake design also makes this bike more manageable for simple to moderately intense exercises rather than anything too demanding.
Resistance Levels
With a tension control knob, you can utilize micro-adjustments on the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle to change the resistance of the exercise bike while you’re pedaling.
The change is intended to be smooth so you don’t feel any sort of abrupt increases or decreases.
Adjustable Handlebars
One of the many features that make the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle user-friendly is the handlebar feature.
The handlebars are designed with a 3-position setting. This way you can move them according to your specific needs and comfort.
Also, thanks to the curved layout of the handlebars, you have a better chance of getting the grip you desire.
On the handlebars is also an integrated heart rate monitor so you can keep additional track of your progress.
Pedal Cage Design
The pedals are designed in a cage style that you slip your feet into, and there is even a toe strap to go along with them.
Thankfully, the straps are adjustable to better suit various users.
The Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle also provides you room to change out the pedals if you’d like.
Road-Style Saddle Seat
With the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle, you get a road-style saddle seat. This ergonomic construction better resembles a cycling bike for the ultimate realistic experience.
LCD Console
With a bright 5in. LCD console, you can easily view your workout feedback. It displays calories, speed, distance, time, RPM, heart rate, and battery life.
Additionally, the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle features Advanced Glow Ride 3-color lighting that goes through three separate phases of riding for interval training.
This is yet another design that helps the bike simulate real-road cycling.
Workout Programs
To adapt your fitness routine, the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle comes with pre-set workout programs: speed intervals, heart rate intervals, and HIIT.
Steel Frame Construction
Besides the heavy flywheel anchoring the bike, the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle also features reliable steel construction.
The exercise bike is also meant to support users up to 286lbs.
Also, the bike only weighs 97lbs, and with the transportation wheels, it isn’t difficult to lift it and move it aside.
Warranty
Horizon Fitness gives the GR3 Indoor Cycle a 10-year warranty for the frame and a 1-year warranty for the parts and labor.
What Others are Saying about the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle
To give you a more thorough idea about the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle, take a look at some of these other comments we’ve found from users:
Review #1 – Jocelin H.
This user praised the exercise bike and that it was easy to put together, but they did state the need to change the seat out because it felt too hard for them.
Review #2 – Helen M.
Giving a little more in-depth of a review, this consumer compared the bike to their experience in a spin class and enjoyed how good of a workout they get from it. As a side note, they claim it’s a touch noisy but it doesn’t bother them.
Review #3 – Heather L.
This is another user that mentioned it can be noisy, but they also enjoyed the small footprint it had that is ideal for apartment use. They also say it’s easy to move around.
Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle Alternatives
On the off-chance that you still aren’t completely sold on the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle, we offer you three additional stationary bikes to consider.
Check out our brief reviews on each of the bikes to see how they stack up to the GR3. From there, you may better decide which is right for your home.
YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike Stationary
Built with a steel frame, the YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike Stationary features a smooth belt drive system that also offers ideal stability to keep you secure while you exercise.
You can personalize the bike from the seat and handlebar settings to the resistance levels. It features a digital monitor for workout feedback and a built-in flat bracket to hold your device.
YOSUDA Indoor Cycling vs. GR3 Indoor Cycle
- Horizontal/vertical seat adjustments | 2-way adjustable handlebars
- Infinite resistance levels
- 35lb flywheel system
- LCD monitor
- 270lb user weight capacity
- 12-month parts warranty
Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
The Schwinn IC4 indoor cycling bike is made with fitness apps in mind as it can work with both the Zwift and the Peloton app programs so you can stream a countless amount of classes as you exercise.
This features quiet and smooth magnetic resistance, a backlit, full-color LCD, and it even comes with a pair of 3lb dumbbells that are cradled on the bike and a Bluetooth heart rate monitor.
IC4 Indoor Cycling vs. GR3 Indoor Cycle
- Bluetooth connectivity with popular apps
- Wide full-color backlit LCD
- Dual link pedal system
- Magnetic resistance | 100 micro-adjustable levels
- USB charging station | media rack
- 330lb user weight capacity
- 10-year frame warranty | 3-year mechanical/electrical | 1-year labor
Related: Click here to read our full review of the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike.
XTERRA Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle
The XTERRA Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle is a versatile stationary bike that features a balanced flywheel to offer smoother, consistent performance.
Changing resistance is fast too thanks to the lever design.
This stationary bike features a simple electronic console to display key functions. For comfort, the seating is high-density and contoured.
MBX2500 Indoor Cycle vs. GR3 Indoor Cycle
- 48.5lb precision-balanced flywheel
- 8-level resistance | lever adjustments
- LCD console
- Adjustable seat/handlebars
- 300lb user weight capacity
- Lifetime frame warranty | 1-year parts/labor/brake warranty
Related: Click here to read our full review of the XTERRA Fitness MBX2500 Indoor Cycle.
Final Thoughts
The Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle is a quality stationary exercise bike for beginners and casual users who want something that’s easy to use.
It features a heavy flywheel that provides a smooth ride and near-seamless transition between resistance levels.
We further recommend the Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle for its bright, color-lit LCD that keeps you on-track and further motivates you during interval training.
Take a look at the cycling stationary bike to learn more.
