Indoor Cycle Trainer by ProForm -Keep in Shape at Home

While I prefer cycling outdoors, I found that working out in the extreme heat of summer is really not for me. Without a decent piece of indoor fitness equipment, I find that I tend to convince myself not to get out and exercise at all, and those days can quickly turn into weeks.

After coming to the conclusion that I wanted to purchase a good indoor cycler, I did quite a bit of research and ended up buying the ProForm 290 SPX Indoor Cycle Trainer for about $300. It turned out to be well worth the money as I use it quite a bit more than I thought I would, even complementing some of my outdoor workouts with another indoor workout while watching television at night.

I have little patience for putting together anything too complicated, but the illustrated instructions for assembly were simple and I’m sure I could have done it without a problem; however, this is a very heavy piece of equipment at over 100 pounds, so if you aren’t a big strong guy you’ll probably need some help putting this together.

Fortunately, I have access to a guy with enough strength to do this. The trainer comes with all the tools needed for adjustment and all that is required is attaching the pedals and handles. It was completed assembled, including adjustments for my height, without issue in less than an hour.

Before purchasing the trainer I was aware that this was a no-frills piece of equipment. It does what it needs to do without a lot of extra bells and whistles, but the bargain price was a decent tradeoff for me. The trainer does not come with a workout DVD, and there is no monitor console on which to follow your stats. If that is a concern, you might consider looking at a more advanced model.

I like that the trainer has built-wheels that makes moving it around easy. I’m the type of person who is frequently rearranging the furniture in the house and also appreciate the ability to move it to a location near the TV or to a private room in the house if I need to.

The trainer offers a challenging, fat-burning cardio workout in a short amount of time. It has a water bottle holder, which is a nice feature, and both the seat and handlebars are easily adjustable.

One of the main reasons I decided to purchase this trainer was because so many of the users said it was very comfortable. Let’s face it, if it’s uncomfortable or painful to exercise, most of us won’t exercise as often as we should. I’m in agreement with the majority that the ProForm 290 SPX Indoor Cycle Trainer is quite comfortable and offers a smooth ride. The slight drawback for some may be the slight vibration noise it makes while riding it, but this really didn’t bother me at all.

If an exercise bike or spin bike is not for you, then you might consider a treadmill instead. Both can give you a good exercise routine right in your own home.

The workout does just what it’s supposed to do. The bike seems very stable, and is able to handle up to 250 pounds. It’s easy to change the resistance, increasing the intensity of your cardio workout a little at a time.  I add some interval training by doing a standing-hill climb, which really gets your heart rate up.

If you haven’t used a spin bike before, it might be a good idea to watch one of the many videos online offering basic instruction, but it’s very easy to learn. There are also other user reviews to tell you more about the bike and how to use it successfully.

• Cycle trainer is designed to provide users of all fitness levels a challenging, fat-burning cardiovascular workout in as little time as possible
• Adjustable, nonslip handlebars and padded seat that adjusts horizontally and vertically enable you to quickly set custom riding position
• Chain drive system delivers smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride, and conveniently placed water bottle holder helps you stay hydrated
• Includes built-in transport wheels to accommodate moving from place to place, and has 250-pound maximum weight capacity
• Limited five-year manufacturer's warranty on frame and limited 90-day manufacturer's warranty on parts and labor
• Measures 48.6 by 19.9 by 46.5 inches (L x W x H)

The ProForm 290 SPX Indoor Cycle Trainer provides the excellent indoor workout I was looking for at a bargain price. After several months of use I’ve not experienced any problems, nor have I suffered any knee pain or other injuries – and I use it frequently. I highly recommend this for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money and aren’t concerned with having lots of gadgets to play with.