Customer Reviews

LifeSpan Fitness R3 Recumbent Bike

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have back problems and had rode a recumbent bike during physical therapy. I was looking for a very sturdy and comfortable bike. This one meets all expectations. It does not move while riding and it is very very quiet. I can easily watch TV while riding. The book holder is great also when reading books or I use it as a paper holder for reading the paper when riding. My husband is around 300 pounds and it supports him very well as well as my children who are like monkies climbing around on it. The back support is very comfortable and it is easy to program. To me this is a great bike. I had looked at Schwins, but they didn't seem near as sturdy. I also like this bike as the bar tilts down from the seat to the front of the bike so it is easy to step over. I highly recommend this bike.

I researched the internet for two months before deciding on this recumbent bike. I was going to buy a treadmill, then an elliptical - because I am overweight and have had two knee surgeries I needed something that would be easy on the knees and back. Look no further - this product is everything and more for the person with bad knees, bad back and excess weight that needs to be lost in a comfortable and healthy manner. Unfortunately, I ordered it and Amazon then had to cancel as it went out of stock. Then I went to another place and it was cancelled for being out of stock. I called up the company directly to ask about the R2 and was told that they had one R3 left. I got it for 699 including shipping. I received it within 6 days. I put it together in less than an hour and the ride is smooth, quiet and I work up a good sweat - look no further - this is the product you want.

UPDATE:

I'm updating this on August 1, 2008
I started using the bike 2 times a week, then 3 times a week, now I use it every other day and working up to 6 times a week. I started using it for 10 minutes and have now worked my way up to 35 minutes a day. I'm losing weight and inches. (I'm also watching what I eat and drinking lots of water) This bike is worth the money so invest in yourself and buy this one.

THIS R3 RECUMBENT I SAY IS THE BEST ON THE MARKET FOR THE MONEY. I AM 350LBS AND I NEEDED STURDY AND DURABILITY. NO ROCKING OR SWAYING OF ANY KIND WHEN I OPERATE THIS BIKE. THE PROGRAMS ARE GREAT, JUST THE MOTIVATION I NEED TO LOSE THE WEIGHT. THIS IS THE SAME STYLE OF BIKE THAT THEY USE IN GYMS AND CLUBS. I HAVE NO WORRIES AT ALL.

The bike is super quiet and the computer gives you a great workout. I parked it right in front of my TV and use it while I watch my shows every day. It has 4 easy steps to program it, which are listed right on the display. Set it and forget it.

A great bike with an easy to understand assembly design. Very comfortable and sturdy (due to the elongated frame design) for larger guys like me. The quality of construction suggests this could be used in a commercial gym without a problem. I've used it every day (for 90 minutes at level 12 resistance) for two weeks and it's rock solid.

Been using for 4 weeks now. Only recumbant that has support for laptop computer. I watch DVD's and read email while cycling away. Excellent choice of programs, resistance, duration. Very quiet. Can actually ride quietly in bedroom without awakening partner. Strong construction. Aesthetic appearance. Would definitely recommend ! Quality of gym models.

The Lifespan R3 is just what we had hoped for. Quiet and solid. It hasn't required any repairs or adjustments in the 2 years we have owned it. All I can say is I wish our other excersize equipment were built with the same quality.

This bike is smooth and solid for the price. My only significant complaint is that the seat back gets a little squeaky, particularly when riding at the higher levels, due to increased force and body movement. The heart rate monitor is not very useful, as it counts up slowly to the final rate over a period of a minute or so, as opposed to giving an immediate readout. Otherwise, I think this is a really awesome, well-built bike for the price.

Sturdy and smooth.
Many exercise bikes have one thing in common - they flex and creak way too much. This one does not. It will slightly flex when giving it high RPMs at very high resistances, but it's not more flex than an actual bicycle would give you. The resistance and action feels very smooth.
NO BS.
No bells and whistles. A couple of programs displayed on a small screen with four buttons. No stupid computer fans, elaborate magazine racks, sporty graphics, memory or any of that crap.

Appropriately comfortable.
Many exercise bikes have seats that look like they would stink from soaking up your sweat. They're too thick, feel like a couch. You need firm support that's easy to clean and won't make you go numb - and this seat does that. Excellent lumbar curve, and if you grip the back of the handlebar, you can maintain proper posture during sprints.

Bottom line:
It feels almost as good as the commercial one I use at physical therapy - and that is a $4,000 machine. It also feels a million times better than the common ones like schw___ and naut____. This is one of those rare occasions where you will get more than you paid for. If this bike proves to last more than a year of heavy use, I would say that it's worth the price. However, I'm thinking it's going to last at least 5 before it needs replacement parts.

Oh yeah - it looks good too. It's the simplest, cleanest design out there. Get an equipment mat and put it in your living room - it won't look bad.

I ordered this bike to help my wife rehabilitate from 4 months in the hospital. Being a recumbent makes it easier and more comfortable to sit in than a regular exercise bike.

Putting it together was somewhat difficult as I was doing it by myself. If you have some help it should be no problem.That aside all the parts were in separate labeled packs that matched a different area of the bike. No parts were missing. All tools needed were included (screwdriver, hex wrenches, etc.). The bike has built in leveling devices for use on a hard surface. The bike is well constructed and is absolutely silent when in use (after about a month of daily use by my wife and myself).

The bike features an electronic program for various difficulty levels and terrain. No matter what shape you are in you will be able to push yourself or take it easy if need be. The screen shows calories burned, speed, time and levels.

The heart rate meter is in the handle bars next to the seat. It's OK but you need to get sweaty before it works well.