Try it Out Thursday

I’m finally going to share my experience with my exercise bike (No this isn’t a sponsored review)!! I’ll be honest and say that I feel it’s important to use something with a price tag like this for a while as well as explore all the capabilities before sharing a complete review. So here goes…

Product: Proform Studio Bike Pro

Initial Thoughts: I did a ton of research prior to purchasing. I felt like after going back and forth between 2 and speaking with folks that had actually purchased either, this was the best option. I was just excited to have something that would help take some of the pressure I experience on my knees off, but would still provide me with an opportunity to get in a great workout. I felt like it was also something I could add in to my daily life routinely since it would be in the house, but wouldn’t have to wait on the hubby so we could do together ( the hubs is my workout partner).

How’s it Going: No one mentions the learning curve with the bike seat. LISTEN….that thing was absolutely insane. My butt felt terrible, it had me walking funny, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it work. We did end up getting a cushion seat cover and some padded shorts to help with the transition. Thankfully, I didn’t allow the temporary discomfort make me stop. I had lots of support from bike riders letting me know that you do eventually get used to it and they were correct. I’ve had the opportunity to complete 2 or 3 programs, but many times I get on I just do a manual ride and work on riding technique or just ride for time without any coaching so I can focus on watching the television. Yesterday (9/29/21) I completed my first live class and it was much better than my expectations. I especially enjoyed the shout out by the teacher. Definitely a cool concept that I can’t wait to explore further as I grow as a rider. I have a long ways to go in regards to getting in “shape”, but the hardest part right now is getting “out of the saddle”. My legs are seriously the strongest part of my body and attempting to peddle while out of the seat requires another level…and I’m going to work hard at getting better at it.

Was it Worth it: Yes!!!! If you know me or are apart of my social media then you know my usual cardio is indoor walking/jog. Doing that often meant that my feet took a hit. This bike has changed that a lot so it means I can go longer without stopping which helps with endurance as well as overall output. Closing my rings daily on my Apple Watch is important so trust me when I say this matters. Based on value and price, I feel like I won the lottery with this gem.

PROS: 

- iFit: This is something that works under a few different brands so even if I get another piece of equipment, as long as it’s under the umbrella I can use my current account. This is cost effective and means that I’m not stuck to one brand. The two most known brands are Proform and NordicTrack. IFit is also available in app form so you can use it on the go. 

- Value: The particular bike I purchased came with a lot of incentives. The biggest is that I have an iFit subscription for 3 years!!! If you’ve ever searched for equipment with a program you know that these programs have monthly fees associated with them. Most range between $30-40/month. Once you add everything up, it only made sense to take advantage of not having another bill for 3 years…LOL. For about $1800 I was able to get the bike, 3 years of maintenance, 3 years of iFit, and we paid for expedited shipping. I don’t care how much you look at other things, NO ONE else is offering a deal like that. I will be honest and say that because of a lot of people I’m connected to having a Peleton, it was hard not getting one (hubby wouldn’t have cared if I chose this option either). Here’s why I decided against it. For the bike I would have chosen, I would have only had a bike and a few accessories with no all access to the programs. Paying for that for 1 year plus the bike would have totaled a little more than what I spent. Financially it just didn’t make sense to pay more just to be able to do it with friends, but I definitely get the appeal.

- Music: I know this sounds silly, but whoever is in charge of the lineup hit a home run. I keep mine set to 90s Hip Hop and I have yet to be disappointed. 10/10 would definitely recommend the station

CONS:

- No ability to do elevation change: This isn’t something that bothers me personally because my riding is purely for exercise purposes versus training. I recognize this could be a huge deal breaker for someone else so if that’s something you desire you should chose the NordicTrack. The only reason I’m aware of this is because of its mention in the live class I participated in. In order to mimic this, I just increased my resistance. 

Are you currently considering getting any exercise equipment or what do you currently have?