Exercise bikes are one of the easiest ways to do cardio days.
They provide a low-impact workout that blasts calories away. Getting a great bike like the LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike can make your workout a lot more comfortable.
Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the LifeSpan is a high-quality bike that will last a long time. This review will tell you all about exercise bikes and why the LifeSpan R5i is a great choice.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Exercise Bike
Types of Bikes
There are three types of exercise bikes.
The difference is in the way they’re made. It’s important to know these differences because not all of them are suitable for everyone.
The one you pick will depend on your fitness goals and your physical health.
Spin Bikes
If you’ve ever seen people pedaling away in a spin class, then you know what a spin bike looks like. They can sometimes be called a cycling bike.
These bikes have high, narrow seats and the handlebars are a good distance from them. This causes you to either stand while pedaling or hunch over if you choose to sit.
These bikes are great for people who want to go hardcore and burn a lot of calories quickly.
These are geared towards more “athletic” people which is why they mimic competitive racing bikes.
These are not a good choice if you have back problems or joint problems.
They’re also not designed to hold heavier people (250+ lbs.) unless you invest in a commercial grade spin bike.
Upright Bikes
An upright bike is somewhat like a spin bike except for a few minor details. The seat would be slightly lower and wider for comfort.
The handlebars would be closer to the user so no hunching over is required. Because of the design, these bikes aren’t meant for you to stand while pedaling.
However, you could if it’s not too uncomfortable for you.
The design makes this a much better choice for people with joint problems because it takes a lot of the pressure off the knees and back.
It’s suitable for everyone from a beginner to a professional cyclist.
Recumbent Bikes
Recumbent bikes, like the LifeSpan R5i bike, are great for everyone no matter what you fitness level is.
The seat of a recumbent bike looks more like a chair because it has a back part and the seat is wide.
This provides you with support and takes the pressure off your lower back. The seat sits lower than the other two so it’s easy to get on a recumbent bike.
The pedals extend out in front of the seat instead of being up under it. This also relieves pressure from the legs and joints.
These type of bikes are great for elderly people, people with mobility issues, and overweight people who need more room and bigger seats.
These bikes usually have the highest weight capacities out of the three types.
However, they aren’t only for these people mentioned – everyone can benefit from a recumbent bike because they provide an excellent lower body workout.
Keep in mind that these bikes don’t work your upper body.
There are dual-action versions that may come with built-in rowers, arm bands, etc. These obviously push up the cost of the bike.
Resistance System
There are two types of resistance systems that an exercise bike can have.
Friction systems use parts that rub together to create resistance. The harder they rub or push together, the more resistance you get.
These cost less up front but require more maintenance in the long run.
Magnetic systems don’t have any parts that rub together to create resistance.
That means that the parts will last a lot longer since they don’t have the wear and tear from friction.
However, these bikes cost more upfront.
Drive
The drive of the bike is what connects the pedals to the flywheel.
A chain drive is what old school bikes used. It’s literally a chain that goes from the pedals to the flywheel, just like regular outdoor bikes use.
It’s rare that you’ll find newer model bikes with this kind of drive because they require a lot of maintenance.
However, they keep the cost of the bike very low.
A belt drive bike is what most manufacturers sell these days. It’s more reliable, quieter, and low-maintenance.
These are more expensive, but they aren’t the only thing that determines the cost of the bike so you can still get an affordable one if you’re on a budget.
The LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike
Now you’re an exercise bike expert. It should be easy for you to see why the LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike is one of the best on the market.
It’s extremely comfortable, very sturdy, and has a lot to offer as far as programs and resistance levels.
With an ultra high weight capacity and a frame that’s been manufactured with precision, this is one of the most supportive bikes around.
Pros
- Can support up to 400 pounds.
- Doesn’t need electricity.
- Lifetime warranty on the frame.
- Pedals are self-balancing.
- Transport wheels make it easy to move the bike around.
Cons
- Your device will cover the screen because the media holder is located right below the screen.
- No Bluetooth connectivity.
Features and Benefits of the LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike
Heavy-Duty Construction
The construction of the LifeSpan R5i is probably the best part about the bike. It’s going to last you a very long time and you probably will never need that lifetime warranty.
For the bike to be able to support 400 pounds, it has to be strong and it is.
The frame has an all-steel construction which is why the bike is so heavy. The legs are wide and slightly curved to provide extra stability.
To make things even better, it’s easy to assemble despite having all these heavy-duty parts.
Comfort
As I stated before, recumbent bikes are the most comfortable of the three bike types and the LifeSpan R5i is a perfect example of that.
The seat is over-sized so you don’t have to squeezed into it. It’s a molded high-quality foam that is ergonomically shaped.
The back of the seat is flexible and has a mesh design that allows for breathability. It’s a high-back chair so you have a lot of back support.
The arms of the chair, which are also padded, have built in heart rate sensors. This means that you don’t have to subject yourself to uncomfortable stretching just to get a reading.
Programs and Resistance Levels
The LifeSpan R5i has Bluetooth connectivity so you can use it with fitness apps. However, this bike has every program you could ever need already programmed into it.
It has 34 exercise programs including 4 heart rate programs and two custom user programs. You can also save profiles for two different users on the bike.
It has less resistance levels – 16 to be exact. However this is still more than enough to challenge yourself as you workout.
Console
With so many functions, it’s amazing to see that LifeSpan has designed a console that’s sophisticated and easy to read.
The console is so neatly laid out and has minimal buttons so it’s not too busy. The LCD screen colors are bright, bold, and crisp. It grabs your attention in a good way.
The one hiccup about the console is the media holder. It’s not the best I’ve seen (it’s not the worst either).
For one, it’s made of plastic so it’s not as durable as the rest of the bike. The second reason is that whatever media you put in it will block the entire LCD screen.
If LifeSpan could change this one little hiccup, they’d have a perfect machine.
What Others are Saying About the LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike
Review #1 – Thomas C.
R5i Recumbent Bike
“My wife and I are 70 and we stopped going to the local gym due to Covid 19, so I ordered this bike. It was not difficult assembling and easy to move around. Twenty minutes on the bike while using light hand weights and a 30 minute walk gives me a great workout.”
Review #2 – S.H.
Very Satisfied!
“We bought this bike because a recumbent seems to work best for my wife’s knee problem. She loves it. I assembled it, and as others have said, there are times when an extra pair of hands helps, but it went together just fine. I had one problem (I did not connect one of the wires as well as I should have). I contacted the company by phone, and I was gratified by how well I was helped. Excellent bike, great service from the company, fair price.”
Review #3 – Rodney R.
R5I RECUMBENT BIKE
“My R5I IS EVERY THING i hoped it would be. I used a recumbent bike at the gym that I belong to. I used the recumbent at the gym for two years and found out that there was no diffrence. I am totally satisfied with my R5i.”
Alternative Choices to the LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike
Maxkare Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Maxkare Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike is great for people who are on a tight budget or need something compact.
It’s very inexpensive so it won’t have as many features, but after reviewing several budget bikes it was clear that this was the best quality in that category.
It doesn’t have preset programs but it does have eight levels of resistance. The LCD screen is very small.
Maxkare Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike | LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike |
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3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Exercise Bike
The 3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Exercise Bike is around the same price range as the LifeSpan R5i because it has a great heavy-duty build and plenty of features to offer.
It doesn’t have as many programs, but the ones that it has are great programs that can be adjusted for any fitness level.
The whole machine is ergonomically built. It’s compact without being cramped. It has a lifetime warranty on the frame.
3G Cardio Elite Bike | LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike |
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Merax Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Merax Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike is like your bare-bones bike, but not so bare that it can’t offer you a great workout.
The machine has excellent construction and the padding is extremely comfortable.
It doesn’t have any preset programs but it has the ability to connect to fitness apps through Bluetooth.
The LCD display is small, but I like the fact that the media holder is on top of it so your devices won’t cover the screen.
Merax Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike | LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike |
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Final Thoughts on the LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike
Recumbent bikes are supposed to be built for comfort, durability, and efficiency. The LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike is all of those things.
Sure it’s a bit expensive, but that’s because it’s worth buying. In fact, it’s a solid investment.
This bike is suitable for everyone from beginner’s to athletes who need a good lower body cardio workout.
With the expansive number of programs it has, it’s not hard to find what you need to take your fitness to the next level.