A recumbent bike is ideal for a low impact workout at home and the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike is a great piece of equipment to invest in.
If you’re interested, take a look at our review as well as our guide to help you understand what you should look for in a quality exercise bike.
Things to Consider before Buying a Recumbent Bike
Deciding on a recumbent bike can take some time considering all that’s offered on the market.
However, there are some key factors to think about that will help you narrow down your options and choose the best product for your workout goals and household needs.
Size
As with any exercise equipment for the home, size is always an important factor to keep in mind.
If space is an option, then consider a recumbent bike that’s more compact in size. This way, you can leave it in place without it taking up too much room.
User-Friendly Design
Easy-to-use equipment can always take unnecessary stress away from a workout. So, consider a quality recumbent bike that’s comfortable and easy to manage.
For starters, it helps if there’s some amount of adjustability. The seat should slide a certain amount to adapt to users of various heights.
Furthermore, with the seat, it may benefit your comfort level if it’s large and padded.
This way, you won’t feel fatigued just by sitting for long periods of time as you exercise. It’s also useful in providing much-needed support, especially for those of you with back issues.
When it comes to ease of use, consider recumbent bikes that have a simple console where the information is straightforward and fast to read.
Resistance
Various resistance levels are useful when it comes to adapting your workout to suit your particular fitness level.
So, consider looking for recumbent bikes that have a good range of levels so you can increase or lower the intensity as you see fit.
Console and Programs
Nowadays, many recumbent bikes feature an LCD screen that helps you keep track of all your progress. Some of them are even backlit now so you can view the screen in low light conditions.
Also, you may want to check out what exercise programs a recumbent bike has. For one thing, many of them have heart-rate trackers on the handlebars so you’re always aware of your pulse.
Several bikes also have pre-programmed workouts so you can vary your routine now and then.
Others might also have companion apps so you can keep track of your workouts through your phones or tablets.
Introducing the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike
Compared to many high-end exercise bikes, the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike is an affordable option that still offers all the beneficial features you need to have an effective workout.
It boasts a simple design that’s easy to use.
There are even several resistance levels to cycle through based on your fitness goals and skill level, and it features a console with pre-programmed exercises installed.
All in all, the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike offers a smooth, successful exercise that various users can take advantage of.
Pros
- Wide, comfortable seat that’s straightforward to adjust
- Pedaling is smooth and quiet
- Quality console with built-in programs
Cons
- Flywheel is a bit lightweight
- Frame could be sturdier
- No compatibility for other online fitness apps
Features & Benefits of the XTERRA Fitness SB150
There is much to unpack with the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike.
Despite its space-saving design, this recumbent bike holds plenty of features that can benefit your workout routine.
Walkthrough Frame
Perhaps one of the first factors anyone notices when looking at the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike is the solid frame design.
It features a walkthrough setup so that you can easily get in and out of the machine with no difficulties.
This might be helpful for those of you who need to use the bike for recovery or strengthening purposes.
Quality Seat
Another standout feature of the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike is the seat.
It’s extra-wide, and such a good width is ideal so that various users may find comfort with it.
Also, the entire seat, including the backrest, is properly padded with foam material. This cushioning can provide a helpful supportive layer so there’s no strain on your back.
This seat is also adjustable.
All you have to do is use the turn and pull knob under the seat and move it forward or backward to the height level you need.
It’s a quick and easy process that gives you great control over the distance of the bike to the pedals.
LCD Display
The XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike features a straightforward LCD screen to keep up with your progress. It’s 3.7in., and it’s blue-backlit for reading in low light conditions.
The screen features only the necessary information: calorie count, distance, pulse, time, resistance level, rpm, and program profile.
Quiet System
With a flywheel and belt drive system, the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike operates rather quietly.
So, you can exercise with others in the house without disturbing them or have the TV turned on without having to raise the volume levels too high.
This friction-free magnetic resistance also allows you to pedal smoothly for a workout that isn’t hard on your joints.
As for the flywheel, it’s only 11lbs. Such a size means that even with the various resistance levels the bike offers, it never gets too intense because of how light in weight the flywheel is.
Heart Rate Monitor
On the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike, there are four handles.
Two are near the console while the other two are by the seat.
The ones by the seat have built-in pulse sensors that are well-made and easily detect your heart rate so that it shows on the screen.
Various Resistance Levels and Workout Programs
For a more thorough and versatile exercise experience, the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike has 24 different resistance levels.
This may also benefit different users at various fitness levels.
Additional flexibility is found via the workout programs.
There are 12 pre-set programs that you can get into right away.
Alongside that, there are four user-defined programs, one body fat program, five heart rate programs, and more.
Using these allows you to diversify your workout more so you don’t remain static.
The resistance levels and the workout programs work in sync with one another too since you can adjust the resistance via the console.
So, as you go through programs, the resistance automatically changes so you don’t have to worry about fiddling around with it.
Adjustable Strap Foot Pedals
The pedals on the bike have adjustable foot straps built-in.
Not only do those help keep you safe, but they also aid in users of different sizes the ability to use the bike without issues.
More so, the pedals have a non-slip surface to further secure your feet as you exercise.
Additional Accessories
There are a few extra perks that come with the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike.
The machine features a built-in audio jack as well as a speaker so you can plug in an MP3 player and listen to your tunes.
Also on the console is a built-in reading rack so you can place a book or a tablet on and not have to worry about it slipping.
What Others are Saying About the XTERRA Fitness SB150
We may recommend the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike for quality low impact exercises at home, but you don’t have to just take our word for it.
Check out some comments from reviewers just like you, and these may help you decide whether the bike is worth adding to your home.
Review #1 – Sarah
This reviewer praised the ease of assembling the bike and the height adjustability as she mentioned how well a shorter person used it. They also enjoyed the wide seat and that it didn’t cause a strain to the back.
Review #2 – patticake
This user appreciated the quiet and smooth pedaling process as well as the design of the seat. They also liked the accuracy of the heart rate monitor, but they did mention that the machine may not be made to handle slightly more intense pedaling without the frame shaking.
Review #3 – Lori G
With this reviewer, they enjoyed how simple it was to put together. They also mentioned movement in the frame while pedaling, but praised the quietness of the machine and that it’s most ideal for beginners or for people who just need something simple to use.
Alternatives to the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike
Despite the benefits we feel the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike has to offer, we won’t leave you without some alternatives to consider if you don’t feel the bike is right for you.
These three bikes are top-rated exercise machines that generally sell at similar or lower prices than the XTERRA Fitness SB150.
Maxkare Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Maxkare Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike features various levels of resistance so you can adapt from low impact to higher intensities as you see fit.
It has extra-wide pedals with adjustable straps, and an ergonomically designed cushioned seat for comfort and support.
There’s an adjustable seat lever to change the height, and when you need it out of the way, moves with ease on the transport wheels.
To keep track of your progress, you can view the LCD monitor, and you can even use the tablet holder to watch your shows and films as you exercise.
Maxkare Recumbent Exercise Bike vs. XTERRA Fitness SB150
- Simple LCD monitor (not backlit)
- Large cushioned ergonomic seat
- Pulse grip handlebars
- 8-level adjustable resistance
Vanswe Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Vanswe Recumbent Exercise Bike is a fully adjustable bike that offers more than a dozen resistance levels to go through.
You can adjust the stride length with the quick-release seat lever, and changing the resistance is done by a simple turn of the tension knob.
There’s a wide LCD screen that displays all the necessary information, and it also boasts Bluetooth Smart Technology compatible with Android and iOS systems.
It even has a free fitness data app for better tracking, and there’s a tablet support stand built into the bike so you can look at your device with ease.
Vanswe Recumbent Exercise Bike vs. XTERRA Fitness SB150
- 16 resistance levels
- Fully adjustable seat
- LCD computer screen (not backlit)
- Bluetooth Technology and free companion fitness app
- Thick, cushioned seat
EXERPEUTIC Recumbent Exercise Bike
The EXERPEUTIC Recumbent Exercise Bike is built with pulse sensors so you can readily keep track of your heart rate along with other features on the LCD display like the distance and calories burned.
For comfort, it has an oversized cushioned seat.
It also features textured pedals with secure straps for safety. The bike is lightweight enough to pick up and move on the wheels if you need to store it.
EXERPEUTIC Recumbent Exercise Bike vs. XTERRA Fitness SB150
- Small LCD display (not backlit)
- Textured pedals
- Pulse sensor handlebars
- Oversized seat cushion
- 8-level resistance system
Final Thoughts
There is much to enjoy about the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike.
It’s well-made with multiple levels of resistance so you can adapt your exercise accordingly.
The seat is comfortable and supportive thanks to the wide design and the foam padding.
Also, it’s built with a walkthrough frame so you can step in and out with no difficulties. But you don’t just have to take our review into consideration.
Feel free to take a look at the XTERRA Fitness SB150 Recumbent Bike to learn more about the product. From there, you can decide if you want to include the bike with your home equipment.
