I knew I had a weight problem the first time I told my kid, in between gasps of air, “No, mommy’s too tired to play another round of tag with you.”
That was a telling moment.
Before then, I always brushed my expanding waistline off as if it were something purely visual. I told myself this happens to most women my age. I told myself that it was normal.
Well, normal doesn’t mean healthy. I knew I had to make a change.
And that’s why I invested in a recumbent bike that would take the pressure off of my sensitive back and upper body while providing a killer workout.
Today, I’ll be reviewing the XTERRA Fitness SB500 Recumbent Bike.
Along the way, I’ll teach you about recumbent bikes, why they’re awesome, and how to select the best model.
Without any further ado, let’s dive in!
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Recumbent Bike
Most are familiar with the standard upright stationary bike they see at the gym.
On an upright model, the seat is positioned directly above the wheels, positioning the rider similarly to how they would pedal on a road bike.
For many, this just isn’t possible: Upright bikes are great, yet they may put unnecessary pressure on your upper body and joints.
By contrast, recumbent bikes feature a seat that’s placed far back and slightly above the wheel.
The rider pedals from a reclined position that serves to stabilize the back while providing a low-impact, aerobic workout.
Most recumbent bikes allow the user to adjust the seat and pedal position, making it a suitable and safe machine for those of most heights.
The resistance level can typically be adjusted through a magnetic, weighted flywheel system.
Essential Questions to Ask
Before going out and buying a recumbent bike, you should ask yourself these key questions:
- What budget can I set aside for purchasing new exercise equipment?
- Do I have any physical limitations that would prevent me from getting the most out of an indoor cycling machine?
- What are my primary goals, motivations, and concerns around getting a new bike?
- Would a recumbent bike help me to improve my athleticism or road cycling regimen?
Make sure to think about why you want a recumbent bike and what it could do for you.
If you have any physical impairments, we suggest first reaching out to your primary care doctor to discuss if it’s right for you.
As always, a recumbent bike will only give you what you put into it!
The XTERRA Fitness SB500 Recumbent Bike
Reader, meet the XTERRA Fitness SB500 recumbent bike.
Featuring cushioned pedals and convenient workout monitoring, the XTERRA Fitness SB500 provides a super convenient, pain-free, heart-pumping workout.
The bike is equipped with a 22-pound weighted, all-metal flywheel that provides smooth, fluid motion.
It delivers high pedal action while ensuring minimized stress on your hips, knees, and back.
Entry and exit are made even easier through the walk-through frame design, accommodating for users with limited mobility.
All your favorite workout metrics are displayed on a blue backlit, 6.5″ LCD screen, displaying information like heart rate, rotations per minute (RPM), time, and distance traversed.
You can even listen to music or podcasts through the pre-included audio input jack and surround-sound speaker system.
Moreover, the bike features several unique workout programs, including seven presets; two user-customized, two heart rate controlled, and one manual option.
If you want to burn fat and build muscle simultaneously, this is the indoor bike for you.
Pros
- Builds muscle and burns fat through low-impact resistance
- Features tons of pre-set workout programs for switching up your daily routine
- Adjustable mesh seat is very ergonomic, sweat-wicking, and super breathable
Cons
- Backlit screen does not dim for night time mode, which may bother some users
- Some complain the LCD screen monitor is difficult to get used to
- May not work for users under 4’6″
Features and Benefits of the XTERRA Fitness SB500 Recumbent Bike
Below, I’ve drawn up a brief list of the XTERRA Fitness SB500 Recumbent Bike’s most compelling features for both athletes and beginners.
Pre-set Workout Programs
The XTERRA Fitness SB500 Recumbent Bike is replete with tons of customizable workout programs that it’ll take years to get tired of.
The programs include two user-adjusted, seven presets, two heart-rate control modes, and one manual mode for instant pedaling.
The programs provide variable benefits based on the type of workout you’d like to achieve.
Some emphasize fat burning while others are meant for building strength, fine-tune endurance, and staying in a healthy heart rate zone.
Great Construction
The XTERRA Fitness SB500 Recumbent Bike is made with high-quality, all-metal components that ensure it’ll last years of use and abuse.
The 22-pound weighted flywheel provides smooth and virtually noiseless performance at all levels of resistance.
An adjustable mesh-backed seat provides a super comfortable workout. The seat is ergonomically molded, helping to reduce the pressure on your lower and upper back.
The seat can be adjusted both forwards and backward to accommodate for users of a variety of heights. This bike is suitable for both teens and adults to use, making it fun for the whole family to get involved.
The bike purchase also comes with a wireless heart rate chest strap, allowing riders to effortlessly (and more accurately) monitor their pulse throughout the entire workout session.
Owing to its heavy and sturdy construction, the bike can support riders up to 300 pounds (136 kg) in weight.
What Do Buyers Think?
Like any curious consumer, I made sure to peruse the web looking for reviews concerning the XTERRA Fitness SB500 recumbent bike.
Review #1
“After the assembly, the bike functions perfectly. The display is illuminated for easy reading at any time of day. Not only is the XTERRA SB500 great looking and robust – the support team gives me the confidence that, if I ever have a question or need help, it will be handled in a professional and timely manner,” one reviewer mentioned.
Review #2
“My entire family really enjoys this bike. It’s very quiet and doesn’t interfere with family events, like conversations, television, or reading. It’s also exceedingly comfortable and the seat adjusts easily,” another stated. “Assembly was super easy and trouble-free. Though the operations panel isn’t that intuitive, I would very much recommend this bike!”
Review #3
“Me and my wife love this bike. It was very easy to assemble and get started with right away. There are also a ton of programming options to choose from, which offers a greater variety of exercise experiences,” yet another claimed.
On the whole, buyers are very satisfied with the XTERRA Fitness SB500 Recumbent Bike. Most claim that it’s easy to assemble and rich with a ton of entertaining exercise options.
Popular Alternatives to the XTERRA Fitness SB500 Recumbent Bike
Not certain the XTERRA recumbent bike is the right one for you?
No worries, I’ve outlined some popular alternatives that are not only budget-friendly but are also feature-rich for the most demanding athletes’ needs.
Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike
Fully adjustable and featuring soft handlebars, the Marcy magnetic recumbent bike is both price-friendly and highly customizable.
The bike includes eight preset, adjustable levels of tension that are supported through a magnetic flywheel system.
This offers the smoothest possible workout experience, helping to minimize vibration-caused noise.
In fact, the bike is quiet enough to work well in nurseries, dorms, bedrooms, or noise-conscious working spaces.
A bright, backlit LCD computer screen tracks your distance traversed, speed, time, and calories burned all at the touch of a button.
This makes it easy to monitor your level of exertion and pump up the workout as necessary.
Easy transport wheels on the bottom allow you to easily stow the bike for long-term storage. No heavy lifting is required to get it in and out of your central living space.
Pros
- Includes transport wheels for easy portability and storage options
- Uses magnetic flywheel resistance to ensure consistent, quiet workout every time
- Allows for eight levels of adjustable tension
- Very budget-friendly bike
Cons
- Some complain that the resistance doesn’t go any higher
- Will not accommodate for users less than 4’11” in height
Sunny Health & Fitness Recumbent Bike SF-RB4876
At half the price of its major competitors, it’s difficult to go wrong with the Sunny Health recumbent bike.
Like any standard stationary equipment, the Sunny bike features a bright LCD monitor, displaying metrics like speed, time, distance traversed, calories, odometer, heart rate, and scan.
Users can even place their mobile devices on the included media rack for streaming their favorite Sunny Health Fitness training videos.
The resistance can be personally adjusted for up to eight different levels, making it easy to perfect your workout at any stage in your fitness journey.
The bike accommodates users up to 220 pounds, owing to its sturdy, all-metal frame that’s built to last.
The seat is easily adjustable in two ways, providing the perfect fit for most teen and adult riders.
Like other models, the Sunny recumbent bike features a comfortable, ergonomically molded seat that alleviates back pain.
Moreover, the pedals are self-leveling and feature an adjustable strap for slip-free pedaling.
Pros
- Includes comprehensive workout metric monitoring and heart rate sensor on the seat handles
- Features two-way adjustable seat and self-leveling pedals for maximum comfort
- Provides consistently great performance at a low price point
Cons
- Some users complain that bike components begin to squeak after a few months of use
MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Indoor Bike
Offering eight levels of magnetic resistance, the MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Indoor Bike is built for both trained athletes and new cyclists.
The resistance can be adjusted on the fly using a no-slip grip tension knob, ensuring the smoothest and quietest performance possible.
The multi-functional LCD screen tracks your calories burned, distance traversed, time, speed, scan, and heart rate information.
The central console also includes a media device rack, allowing you to watch movies or entertainment during your workout.
Designed with an ergonomically molded seat, the MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Indoor Bike seat is completely adjustable and made from high-density foam padding.
The seat can be moved back or leaned forward for virtually any teen or adult user.
Users appreciate the convenient, textured pedal and an extra-wide strap that provide an extra degree of stability during the workout.
The solidly built bike can accommodate users up to 300 pounds, ensuring long-term use with almost no maintenance.
Pros
- Features many adjustable components that fit riders with broad range of heights and weights
- Very easy to assemble and most components arrive pre-assembled
- Covered by generous manufacturer warranty program when purchased from authorized retailer
Cons
- Some complain the bike doesn’t have enough resistance settings
Final Thoughts
The XTERRA Fitness SB500 recumbent bike is a very impressive (and cost-friendly) model.
Featuring tons of pre-programmed workout programs and a heavy weighted flywheel, it’s hard to go wrong with such a high performer.
Whether you’re just getting started on an indoor cycling or you’ve been at it for years, the XTERRA Fitness SB500 Recumbent Bike is packed with features anyone can enjoy.
