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Apex Rides Smart Exercise Bike - bluetooth enabled indoor fitness bike - PLUS one month app membership

£9.9£99Clearance
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About this deal

So the simple answer is that spinning can help you to get in to a calorie deficit but only as part of a well balanced nutritional plan (we don’t like the word diet). Naturally, you can also view home workout statistics and metrics on its front-mounted computer, with time, distance, speed, pulse and calories all monitored, along with support for the Peleton Digital, Bitgym and Aaptiv apps.

The centre console gets an upgrade too and takes on a much more elegant look with added bluetooth functionality. This allows connectivity to the iConsole app which brings with it a plethora of new features. This worked well for us although some people have had connection issues with the app with other bike models – the IC400 PRO worked well for us when connected to the app though.

Jack Greaves

The ride quality of the Tour SP is excellent and it all starts with the impressive belt driven 25kg flywheel. This provides one of the smoothest spin rides we have ever had the pleasure to experience and not only that, but it does so almost silently. The pedals have a dynamic anti-slip design with adjustable straps above to keep everything nice and secure mid-spin. The saddle is easy to adjust and has 9 levels of vertical adjustment which promise to provide the ideal height no matter your size. The saddle is not the comfiest we have tested and so it could be worth purchasing an additional gel saddle cover if you are aiming for regular 30-60 minute spin sessions.

With dual sided pedals, users can choose between SPD cycling shoes or standard trainers and this level or versatility is great to have. Every touch point on this bike feels robust and comfortable, with 4 levels of adjustment at your disposal to find the most comfortable riding position. In professional cycling terms, an echelon occurs when the peloton is disrupted by a crosswind. As strategies go it’s pretty blatant, so much so that Peloton Interactive Inc. is currently suing Echelon Fitness LLC for "imitating the Peloton Bike experience." But you’re not here to read about legal wrangling, you want to know whether the considerably cheaper Echelon bike is any good. Does it actually disrupt the peloton? The frame measures up at 104cm (l) x 54cm (w) x 116cm (h) and it has all the adjustability of the other models we tested. The design is very good with the water bottle holder in the ideal position and the centre console being optimally placed for perfect line of sight. It has a larger display than all of the other models we tested and the basic functionality of this is excellent – this does get covered up when you place a device in the holder though so you will need to use the dedicated apps rather than just watching your favourite TV show (which we wouldn’t recommend for spinning anyway). You can simply create your own interval workout and go at it solo on a spinning bike, but it’s much easier to summon and maintain the motivation to push through a HIIT class when you have an instructor leading you through it, whether that’s through a prerecorded or live session. The LCD screen is basic, but it shows all your key stats, and there are eight training programs, plus the option to set your own workouts. The fan does generate significant noise, but this may or may not bother you.Despite its relatively low price compared with other smart bikes currently on the market, the Apex Bike still boasts a pretty impressive design and build. Right from the get-go, it’s clear this lump of metal is made from some quality materials, feeling sturdy and looking nice and sleek at the same time. It’s also worth noting that the trainers are British spin instructors from the boutique Boom Cycle studio in London, which may be more palatable to those who find Peloton's earnest instructors and affirmations a bit cheesy. However, Apex would be more suited to class cyclists and spin fanatics than to those looking for indoor performance training. There are no options for simulated outdoor rides (yet), nor is there much scope for free-riding.

Though they get less press than their brawnier siblings, exercise bikes are often where most fitness progress is made. Unlike treadmills, rowing machines and even cross trainers, exercise bikes are an ideal way to get a sweat on at any ability level. Whether you're considering slotting an exercise bike into your home gym or just your front room, there's no telling what kind of fitness buff you are: everyone from absolute beginners to Tour De France participants can get a lot from this simple piece of equipment. The centre console is very basic but displays all the key data including time, speed, distance, calories burned and also your pulse rate. The pulse rate sensors are built in to the handles and work effectively. The Apex is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled and works perfectly in sync with the app. The only downside is that at the time of writing the app is only compatible with Apple iOS and so its a no-go for android users. We have it on good authority that Apex are working on an Android app though so watch this space – (edit – Android has now launched so everyone can access the brilliance of the Apex App). You can sync your data with Strava and Apple Health which is also a nice touch. Despite these niggles, I am a fan of the Apex bike. It’s well made and looks great, the ride feel is superb, and the classes and integration with the app are beyond reproach.

How do I choose a spin bike?

As I mentioned before, most spin bikes come pre-assembled to some degree. Usually, the chain, crankset, and flywheel will be already installed on the frame. That means you must focus on installing the seat, handlebars, display console, base stand, and pedals. Spin bikes are one of the most effective cardio tools we can use and for us cardio is something that is generally better achieved outside of the gym. Whether that is running, cycling, walking etc. is up to you, but we prefer to use the gym for strength training which you should look to incorporate alongside your cardio training. If you have a home setup for strength training then you could even lose the gym membership altogether thus saving you money in the process.

Despite being one of the more affordable bikes on this list, the JLL JF150 still provides a solid cardio workout, thanks to eight levels of magnetic resistance and a quiet belt-driven 5kg flywheel. Best of all, for those who are already signed up to the likes of Apple Fitness+ or Peloton's own workout app, there's a tablet holder to level up your training with the help of an on-demand instructor… or just sneak the weekend's Premier League highlights while you’re frantically pedalling away. That's right — you don't always need to cycle along to an overly-eager spin class coach. There's nothing wrong with pedalling away to your favourite shows or a film every now and then. Calories burned are calories burned, regardless of what you're watching. Each 30 minute spin session will likely burn between 200 and 300 calories, so if you spin for one hour per day that will be 400 to 600 calories you have burned that you might otherwise have done. However, if you then decide to eat 3 chocolate biscuits as a reward then you have just added on around 300 calories. If you then eat a chocolate bar in the afternoon because you feel good about your spin session you have completely negated your workout. Most mid-range spin bikes come with a display screen of some sort that shows speed, total distance travelled and the estimated calories you've burned.Peloton's newer Bike+ introduces a new ‘Auto-Follow’ resistance system that scales based on your target metrics, adjusting itself based on what your instructor is telling you to do. Compared to manually having to increase or decrease the resistance, this is an absolute godsend for fans of convenience. Having said that, if a session sees the resistance change to something that's too hard or too difficult, you can still manually dial things up or down as you see fit. Phew. Finally, if you were hoping for open access to the bike’s various sensors, you’re going to be disappointed. The Apex bike currently only works with the Apex app – third-party software and hardware won’t work with it. Put it this way – if your body expends 2500 calories on an average day and you usually consume 2500 calories then you are not going to gain or lose weight. If you still consume the 2500 calories but add a spin session to your usual day that means you are likely to be expending 2900 to 3100 calories – which is putting you in a calorie deficit of 400-600 calories – in this case, yes you will lose weight. Why Buy A Spin Bike For Home Almost every type of indoor bike offers adjustable seats and handlebars. Different style bikes offer variable degrees of adjustability. It's generally not much of an issue as most bikes offer the ability to adjust a seat vertically as well as horizontally. The new Apex Bike aims to take advantage of this new wave of interest in home fitness, but it’s much more than a straight exercise bike: like popular rival Peloton, it aims to bring the experience of studio-based exercise-bike classes into the comfort of your own home.

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