Best Reviewed
Exercise Bikes
- Best recumbent exercise bike Schwinn 240 *Est. $440
- Budget recumbent bike Marcy ME 709 *Est. $150
- Best upright exercise bike Schwinn Airdyne *Est. $625
- Budget upright exercise bike Stamina 5325 *Est. $200
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- Sturdy construction
- Comfortable seat and ergonomics
- Lots of programming and workout options
- Excellent warranty
- Very expensive
Consumer Reports includes the Life Fitness Lifecycle C3-5 in its testing of eight exercise bikes. A version of this bike is also tested by Which? magazine - another publication that bases its ratings on rigorous testing. We found a more casual evaluation at ConsumerGuide.com, but it's unclear how well the Life Fitness C3-5 was tested.
The Life Fitness Lifecycle C3-5 is an upright exercise bike; the recumbent version is called the Life Fitness Lifecycle R3-5 (*est. $1,800). Reviewers like the club-quality features, including a heart-rate monitor and automatic resistance changes (20 levels) to keep you in your desired heart-rate zone. There are 10 programmed workouts. Reviews say the bike is sturdy, and that's backed up by a 400-pound weight limit (the highest we found) and excellent warranty (lifetime on frame, three years on parts, one year on labor). Although the Life Fitness Lifecycle C3-5 is top quality, it's expensive. In the budget price range, we found good reviews for the Schwinn 230 (*est. $450), a basic recumbent bike with just the essential features and a much lower price.
| Life Fitness C3 Upright LifeCycle with Advanced Console | |
(2 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
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| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  546 store reviews | In Stock. | $1,305.00 | See It |
 |  0 store reviews | In Stock. | $1,709.00 | See It |
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Consumer Reports thoroughly tests and rates eight exercise bikes, although three have since been discontinued. The Life Fitness Lifecycle C3-5 is among those tested, but you'll need a subscription to see the ratings chart.
Review: Exercise Bikes Offer a Safer Ride, Editors of Consumer Reports, Feb. 2006
2. Which? magazineDetails/Subscribe
Which? is a British publication that's roughly the equivalent of Consumer Reports. Editors don't specifically evaluate the Lifecycle C3-5, but they do test the higher-end Life Fitness Lifecycle C7i, which is noted as a Best Buy for "unfit beginners to serious exercisers" because of its comfort.
Review: Exercise Machines, Editors of Which? magazine, May 1, 2007
Consumer Guide reviews 16 exercise bikes, giving Best Buy or Budget Buy awards to 10 of them without explaining testing methods. Features are well described.
Review: Expert Review: Life Fitness C3 Upright, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Nov. 8, 2007
Exercise Bikes Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
Schwinn 220 Recumbent Exercise Bike (model year 2009)
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