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