| Reviews of recumbent exercise bikes like them | | | | the 213, which is a much better buy. |
| because they are more comfortable which in | | | | |
| turn means a longer, and therefore, better | | | | The Schwinn 213 recumbent exercise bike costs |
| workout. There's no disputing the benefits of | | | | around $450 and comes with a lot more |
| cycling in a reclined position; recumbent | | | | features than the 212. You get an incredible |
| bikes are more ergonomic. Manufacturers are | | | | 23 workout programs including; 3 Heart rate, |
| refocusing their design programs away from | | | | BMI Measurement, Time Trial, Recovery Test |
| the bike towards the consumer. And what | | | | and Fitness Test. An adjustable fan is built |
| they've realized is that their machines are | | | | in to the console and the machine has bottle |
| mainly used by older people, or overweight | | | | holders and trays. The console gives a lot of |
| people, or people who've have never done any | | | | motivational feedback, including: Time, |
| form of exercise: for these groups the | | | | Interval Time, RPM, Watts, Distance, Pulse, |
| recumbent is the best model of bike to get a | | | | Speed, Calories, Resistance and Alpha-numeric |
| good cardiovascular workout. | | | | prompts. This machine would give all but the |
| | | | most serious athlete a great strenuous |
| Schwinn, like everyone else, makes various | | | | workout. |
| models of recumbent bikes. Here's what's | | | | |
| currently on offer, what features each has | | | | The two most expensive machines are the 230 |
| and which ones are worth considering and | | | | and 231. They're the best looking, with |
| which are not. | | | | rounded edges and an overall sleek |
| | | | appearance. They retail for around $450 and |
| The cheapest model at around $350 is the 203 | | | | $550 resp. If you've only got $450 to spend |
| recumbent exercise bike. It has 16 levels of | | | | you are as well buying the 213 as the 230 |
| magnetic resistance that can be adjusted | | | | offers no real extra features. |
| while cycling. There's a generous list of | | | | |
| preset workout programs; 17 in fact - 12 | | | | The 231, on the other hand, might be worth |
| Preset, 4 Heart Rate, 1 User Defined. There | | | | taking a closer look at. It comes with a |
| are heart rate grip monitors and the console | | | | BioFit seat with dual-position lumbar support |
| readout displays Time, RPM, Distance, Pulse, | | | | and high inertia from a 22 lb. steel flywheel |
| Calories. For an entry-level bike it's a very | | | | and computer-controlled drive system. The |
| good buy with very little to be said against | | | | workout programs included are; 10 preset |
| it. However, if you already own a bike then | | | | & 10 profile courses with Calorie Goal, |
| you're probably looking to upgrade, so this | | | | Time Trial, Fitness Test, BMI Measurement, |
| model isn't going to be suitable. | | | | Recovery Test, Results Mode, Quick Start |
| | | | & 1 Manual Model. It's a nice bike, but |
| At $400 the 212 is the next model up. While | | | | quite frankly, I'm rather disappointed with |
| looking quite different from the 203, it has | | | | it. It doesn't really offer very much more |
| most of the same features. However, you do | | | | than the 213 but it costs a lot more. Also, |
| get some programming options; 1 Manual + 6 | | | | this is Schwinn's most expensive recumbent |
| Profile Courses with Calorie Goal, BMI | | | | bike; I would have expected more features |
| Measurement, Recovery Test, Results Mode and | | | | (even if it meant paying more) from one of |
| Quick Start. It's not a bad piece of kit but | | | | the industry's biggest players. |
| if you spend another $50, you can get hold of | | | | |