Spin Bikes to Help You Maintain a Summer Body All Year Long
Image: @ProForm
Stationary bikes have been around since the 60s. But it was only in the early 90s when South African ultra-distance cyclist Johnny Goldberg and entrepreneur John Baudhuin first introduced the world to commercial spinning bikes and the concept of group fitness cycling. Since then, the heart-pumping fitness fad has exploded with state-of-the-art spin studios cropping up around the globe.
Spinning has seen many developments over the decades, growing in popularity with fitness companies such as Flywheel and SoulCycle producing cult-like followings. The fitness trend has an A-list fanbase from Hollywood to the White House, including Victoria Beckham, Madonna, Beyonce and Michelle Obama, to name a few.
The celeb following helped propel the industry forward, creating a legion of spin enthusiasts around the world. Like so many other industries, indoor cycling has seen a further evolution in the wake of COVID-19 with fitness chain Flywheel Sports filing for bankruptcy in September 2020. In response to the pandemic, SoulCycle closed all 99 studios in March 2020, pivoting to at-home cycle classes in partnership with the digital platform, Variis. The partnership was announced in 2019, but shipping only began in May 2020 by which stage Peloton had already taken market share.
Peloton, a high-end indoor bike and streaming service, launched back in 2013 so it's hardly a newcomer, but the advent of COVID-19 saw the company soar to new heights. Whilst the bike is not yet available in Australia, there are already several cutting-edge indoor cycling products and services hot on Peloton’s trail.
To help you crack a sweat and get that heart racing, we have rounded up 3 of the best luxury spin bikes to complete your home gym:
Echelon Connect EX3 Bike
Image: Echelon
The Echelon Connect EX3 Bike is a first-rate indoor bike and service that lets you take classes from the comfort of your own home. The bike itself has many unique design features including ergonomic handlebars, 32 levels of precise magnetic resistance, Bluetooth connection to any smartphone or tablet, clip-in and cage pedals, competition-style seat, adjustable levers and two bottle holders.
By becoming a member, riders can join up to 16 live classes each day or enjoy thousands of on-demand classes with world-class trainers. Members can also access unlimited scenic rides, track fitness progress and compete on community leaderboards.
Bundles start from $2,059 and include the Echelon Connect EX3 Bike, 1 x month Echelon subscription and app membership with access to the Echelon Fitpass for yoga and pilates, kickboxing and more.
Echelon offers a similar experience to Peloton while being slightly more affordable if you exclude the screen.
NordicTrack Commercial S10i Studio Bike
Image: NordicTrack
This at-home bike comes with a list of impressive features including a 10-inch Smart HD Touchscreen, ergonomic padded saddle, AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan, non-slip, multi-position handlebar, 22 digital resistance levels and inertia-enhanced flywheel.
Priced at $2,499, the NordicTrack Commercial S10i Studio Bike does not come cheap, but its list of inclusions makes it well worth the splurge.
This bundle includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® Family membership, live interactive training where instructors can automatically adjust your incline and resistance, thousands of on-demand workouts, full rotating display as well as two 3-pound dumbbells.
ProForm Smart Power 10.0 Cycle
Image: Proform
Finally, the ProForm Smart Power 10.0 Cycle with features including a 10-inch Smart HD Touchscreen Display, 22 digital levels of resistance, padded seat, adjustable handlebars and ProForm patented SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance. The latter ensures a silent but intense ride without interrupting anyone around you.
On sale for $1,699, this bundle includes iFit® Coach Enabled, 1-Year Family Membership with interactive studio classes where instructors can adjust resistance and connected fitness tracking to check your progress. It also has a lifetime frame warranty and two 3-pound dumbbells to bring upper-body exercises to your workout.
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