Cycling is one of the best ways to blast through calories. In fact, a post from Harvard University says that an average person cycling at 10 to 12 mph will burn seven calories per minute.
That’s a lot of calories, especially if you’re doing a one hour session.
If you’re in the market for an exercise bike (and you probably are if you’re reading this), there are plenty of reasons why you should invest in a great system like the MYX Plus.
In this review, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the MYX Plus. It’s a non-biased review, so I will go over pros and cons.
I’ll also give you alternative choices at the end in case you want some other options.
Features of a Great Exercise Bike
There are a lot of exercise bikes out there. To be honest, they all do the basics – allow you to pedal.
However, there are reasons you should invest in a good one instead of a cheap one. Here is what you should look for.
Quality
An exercise bike is something you’ll be using for a long time, so you should get a high-quality bike the first time around.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with a piece of broken junk on wheels and you’ll end up spending money to replace it often.
One of the best ways to determine the quality of an exercise bike is by the weight of the bike.
Cheap products are made from cheap materials and cheap materials are lightweight. If a bike doesn’t weigh at least 70 pounds at a minimum, it’s made from cheap material.
Comfort
The comfort of an exercise bike is extremely important. One of the main areas of comfort that you should focus on is the seat.
In the past, exercise bikes were made with these small, slender seats that were only suitable for thin people.
If you didn’t have a small bottom, it could be extremely uncomfortable to sit on a seat like that for an extended period.
These days, many bikes have larger wider seats. However, lower-end (cheap) bikes may still have the small, slender seats.
The adjustability of the bike also falls under comfort. The seat of an exercise bike is always adjustable. At a minimum it can go up or down.
Some of them are four-way adjustable meaning they can also move forward or backward. On some bikes, the handlebars can also adjust.
This gives you the most flexibility in setting the bike up in a position that’s comfortable just for you.
Technology
The technology that a bike uses can range anywhere from none to futuristic.
Some technological features that a bike can have include high definition screens, Bluetooth capabilities, speakers, pre-set programs, and more.
It may have USB ports to charge your devices, auxiliary ports for headphones, touchscreen capabilities, and more.
I recommend having at least some basic tech on your bike. This helps to keep you entertained while you’re working out. It will motivate you and can make your workout fun.
The MYX Plus by MYX Fitness
Now that you’re familiar with the qualities of a great exercise bike, I can dive into the MYX Plus. It’s one of the best bikes I’ve come across in a long time.
It’s sturdy, built with precision, comfortable, and has a good bit of interesting technology.
It’s more than just an exercise bike. It’s a whole system that comes complete with a 6-piece weight set and other accessories.
With a full system like this, you can do just about anything from cardio to strength-training.
MYX Plus Pros:
- You get more exercise equipment than just a bike.
- There are two color choices.
- There is an at-home fitness membership that goes along with the purchase of the bike.
- The display is Wi-Fi enabled.
MYX Plus Cons:
- It’s very expensive.
- It only has a 12-month warranty.
Features and Benefits of the MYX Plus
Quality and Build
The MYX Plus is extremely sturdy and durable. This is one bike that is going to last you a long time.
I’m usually a little cautious about products that offer short warranties, but the quality of the bike puts me at ease.
Not only does it look strong, but it feels strong. If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of using a cheap exercise machine, you know what I’m talking about.
Those cheap machines wobble, shake, and make a lot of noise. You won’t have that problem with the MYX. It will be firmly planted on the ground.
It’s made from a high-grade of steel and is expertly welded in all the right places. The steel is powder coated so it’s not going to rust or degrade. It’s a solid machine and a good investment.
The bike is amazingly comfortable and great for larger-sized people. It has a four-way adjustable seat and a two-way adjustable handlebar rack.
It can support users up to 350 pounds. The bike measures 54″L x 21″W x 47″H. It weighs 134 pounds and has a 41 pound flywheel.
Large, Touchscreen Display
The display on this bike is particularly exciting. It’s a 21.6-inch touchscreen display that can be used with or without the bike.
It has wi-fi connectivity or you can connect to the internet through an ethernet cord.
The display is more of a tablet than a simple display.
It connects to the MYX network and allows you to use all its features in full HD. It’s full of apps that help you with cycling exercises as well as other exercises.
The display is on a 360-degree swivel so you can turn it to the side if you aren’t on the bike.
Keep in mind that in order to stream MYX content you need a minimum download speed of 10-15 mbps.
Lots of Equipment and Accessories
I stated before that you get more than just the bike.
This is a complete system that provides you with workout tools to target every muscle. It comes with:
- Polar OH1 Heart Rate Monitor
- 6-piece weight set with kettlebell
- Oversized exercise mat (48″ x 72″)
- EVA foam roller (24”)
- Resistance band
- Stabilizing Mat
By getting the MYX Plus, you’re essentially getting an entire home gym.
Alternative Choices to the MYX Plus
The MYX Plus is an excellent fitness bike, but you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket.
There is nothing wrong with checking out some alternative bikes, especially because the MYX Plus is on the more expensive side.
The three bikes below aren’t quite on the same level as the MYX Plus when it comes to features and accessories, but as a tradeoff, they are a lot more affordable.
They don’t come with all the extra equipment, but you can always purchase those items separately.
Bluefin Fitness TOUR SP Bike
Bluefin Fitness is a newer, UK-based company that is doing an excellent job of carving out their space in the fitness equipment market.
On average, the Bluefin Fitness TOUR SP Bike costs a third less than the MYX. However, the bike has many of the same features as the MYX Plus so it might be a better value.
The Bluefin Fitness bike has a four-way adjustable seat as well as a four-way adjustable handlebar rack. It has a 55.1 pound flywheel which is nice.
The heavier the flywheel, the more resistance you’ll get.
The bike also has caged aluminum pedals and a fitness app that can be used with any smart device.
Their app isn’t as in-depth as the MYX app, but it’s has plenty of features to keep you entertained on your cycling journey.
The display is where it’s severely lacking compared to the MYX Plus. However, it’s a typical display for bikes of this price range, so you’re not missing anything.
It’s a small console with a small LCD window that displays your stats.
The Bluefin Fitness TOUR SP Bike display is backlit and there is a media shelf that will hold your tablet so you can get that HD experience (depending on how good your tablet is).
Bluefin Fitness TOUR SP Bike vs. MYX Plus
| Bluefin Fitness TOUR SP Bike | MYX Plus |
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Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike
The Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike is a budget-priced bike, but it’s sturdy, strong, and will give you a great workout. In the budget category, it’s at the top.
The seat on this bike is four-way adjustable while the handlebar rack is two-way adjustable. It has caged pedals and a brake cover.
Unlike the MYX, it has a water bottle holder. That’s a big plus.
For the other features, keep in mind that this is a low-priced option, so they aren’t going to be as good as the MYX.
The single-button console is basically a giant stopwatch. It gives you simple stats so you can keep up with your workout.
The Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike has a media shelf to hold your tablet, but it doesn’t connect with any apps.
One thing I’m not crazy about with this bike is the weight; it weighs 69 pounds and has a 35 pound flywheel. I discussed lightweight bikes earlier.
However, you can expect a lightweight frame on a budget bike. Needless to say, this isn’t a suitable exercise bike for heavier people.
Although the manufacturer says it’s suitable for users up to 270 pounds, I wouldn’t go over 220 pounds.
Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike vs. MYX Plus
| Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike | MYX Plus |
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Bowflex C6 Bike
Bowflex is a name you know you can trust when it comes to fitness equipment. They offer top-quality products at mid- to high-range prices.
The Bowflex C6 Bike is expensive, but it’s much less than the MYX. In my opinion, it’s fairly priced for what you get.
The frame on the Bowflex C6 Bike is incredible strong and well-made. In fact, it may rival the frame of the MYX.
The bike weighs 106 pounds and has a 40 pound flywheel. It’s heavy-duty and can support up to 330 lbs.
The bike has caged toe pedals and a manual resistance knob. You can choose from 100 micro-levels of resistance so you can fine-tune your workout.
It’s complete with a water bottle holder, a pair of 3 lb. dumbbells (the bike has holders for the dumbbells), and a brightly lit metrics console.
The Bowflex C6 Bike has Bluetooth capabilities and can work with almost any device. It can also connect to the Peloton® app, the Zwift app, and the Explore the World™ app.
It’s truly a great buy and this would be my second choice over the MYX.
Bowflex C6 Bike vs. MYX Plus
| Bowflex C6 Bike | MYX Plus |
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Final Thoughts on the MYX Plus
In all honesty, any of the exercise bikes discussed in this review would be a solid choice. The MYX Plus is so expensive because of the display, but it’s comparable to the Bowflex.
Even the Bluefin Fitness is right on its tail.
I’m not taking away from having a fully interactive, large HD touchscreen on an exercise bike. That certainly makes your workout worthwhile and I say if it’s in your budget, go for it!
In fact, if you’re ready to add the MYX Plus to your home gym, or you want more information on it, click here.
