Enjoy the Silence with the Smoothest Pedalling Action Yet!
I lead a busy lifestyle, which means that after I eat, go to work, then come back home and throw myself on the couch in exhaustion, there is not much time left for anything else. Since I would like to be able to take better care of myself, this “drive-thru” living mode is in stark opposition to it. I can’t afford to waste time going back and forth between my home and the gym. I needed something that is more accessible so I decided to get myself a home workout machine, to help me stay fit without losing too much time in the process.
Since I am a person who doesn’t rush into buying things, assuming that the most expensive ones are the best, I had my work cut out for me. Not only because of my lack of expertise on home exercise bikes, but because of the staggering selection of different types, makes and models. I had to do some serious digging. I ended up reading about indoor cycles and to my surprise, it turned out to be more than insightful.
On my website, I have dedicated a lot of space to traditional stationary bikes, but this time around, I will take a closer look at the Stamina 4825 Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike.
Why Go Recumbent?
Before going any further, I would like to provide you with an explanation on what a recumbent bike is. As opposed to a traditional upright bicycle, a recumbent bike keeps your body in a semi-reclined position, therefore reducing the stress to your back muscles and joints and distributing the pressure more evenly on your entire body. Such bikes are particularly helpful for those who suffer from back problems and who find it hard to exercise in an upright position.
Assembly, Size and Weight
The Stamina bike has dimensions of 56 x 26 x 33.5 inches when fully assembled, and weighs 71 pounds. This is quite heavy so to make it easier to move around, transport wheels have been added, which means you can simply push the bike around without having to lift it up.
As for putting it together, the entire process doesn’t take more than 30 minutes, but make sure to use your own tools instead of the ones that came with the bike. Even though you have everything you need in the box, it’s best to use your own wrenches and screwdrivers, since theirs are not that efficient.
Magnetic Resistance
Once of the things this particular bike has going for it is the magnetic resistance system, which provides you with smooth, silent pedaling action. The last thing you want is to buy an indoor bike with the purpose of working out in the comfort of your own home, only to have that comfort ruined by the racket made by an exercise bicycle. Thankfully, that’s not the case here.
The resistance levels on the Stamina 4825 are adjusted through a tension knob which moves the magnets closer or farther away from the flywheel, depending on your needs. The closer the magnets, the bigger the tension and the harder it will be for you to pedal, because you need to put more effort into the workout. It’s up to you to adjust the tension, depending on how many calories you want to burn in a single session.
Central Console Unit
The bike’s console is small but well-positioned, being mounted low enough so you can watch TV, for instance, without any obstructions. The monitor displays your heart rate, calories burned, speed, distance and time. The pulse is measured via fingertip pulse sensors built into the handrails.
Another interesting thing about this console is that it features a pace guide. This means that if your pace drops too much, be it because you got carried away watching TV or playing video games, the console will inform you promptly of the drop.
The 4825 recumbent bicycle comes with a total of 6 pre-set workout routines, featuring various levels of difficulty, depending on how hard you want to push yourself. This also introduces good flexibility to your workout and helps you avoid plateauing, which happens if you don’t vary the speed and the resistance every so often.
Ergonomics
While there’s very little use for a padded seat on a traditional outdoor bike, that’s not the case with its indoor counterpart. Not only is the seat on the Stamina 4825 generously padded, but it’s also adjustable, allowing you to find a comfortable position for yourself. However, those of you that are less than 5 feet tall might have difficulties using the seat, because it’s mounted too forward compared to the backrest.
The key is to move it as close as you can to the pedals and use a cushion if possible, until you find the right position. Pre-drilled holes make it easier for you to reach the pedals, regardless of your height. Speaking of pedals, the fact that they are oversized and weighted means that you are safe from slipping and injuring yourself while pedalling.
The Wrap-up
The 4825 Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike is a great recumbent bike for those who are looking for a smooth workout with various degrees of workout intensity, while still being able to watch their favorite shows on TV as they burn away calories.
Put your preconceived notions aside and give recumbent bikes a shot. If you are serious about buying the Stamina 4825, drop by Amazon and find one at a discount price today. What are you waiting for?
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