I ordered this after having a total knee replacement. It is perfect. It's light enough that I can lift it around myself, but heavy enough to be durable. I use every morning to make sure my new joint is in and still working right. I started at .5 miles and now up to 3 miles a day. I pull one of my rolling office chairs up to it. It was easy for my hubby to put together. It's very quiet, if on carpeting or a rug it doesn't slip. I feel like this has been a big part of my good recovery. It, along with my comfy chair has made my recovery so much faster and easier. It's super easy to use. It can also be placed on a table for shoulder recovery. Read more
I just got this, so this initial review is based on assembly and first impressions. For reference I got the magnetic version that doesn't have to be plugged into an electrical outlet to operate. I read in the description of the plug-in version that it would stop after 30 minutes or so of continuous use, which won't work for me as I plan to use it for longer than that. First impressions are very good - the unit seems quite sturdy and well-made. There are very few parts to assemble - just the two "legs" and two pedals. It took less than 5 minutes to assemble, but more on that below. First impressions of the pedal action and resistance after assembly: I'm very pleasantly surprised. I intended to use this on light resistance for several hours every morning while working at my computer, and I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to find the right level of resistance. This isn't the case - I find that my ideal setting is a few clicks from the highest setting, which leaves room either way for adjustment. I don't think I'll be able to build giant leg muscles with this machine - even the highest level is pretty tame, however for boosting my heart rate I think it's perfect. My goal was to replicate a somewhat brisk walking heart rate: mission accomplished. I'll edit my review after using the machine for a while. Regarding the assembly: Upon opening the package, I took one look at the provided "tools" and immediately threw them in the garbage. I used my own open-ended wrenches and adjustable crescent wrench for the largest nut with zero difficulty. I say zero difficulty because I READ THE DIRECTIONS. They clearly state you have to thread the LEFT pedal on COUNTER-clockwise. This is the opposite of how you'll try it without reading the instructions, and I believe this accounts for 99.9 percent of the difficulty other reviewers complain about. So if you have your own wrenches (13mm, 15mm, and a large adjustable/vise grip/channel-lock type), AND ARE WILLING TO READ the instructions, you will not have any trouble putting this thing together. Read more
My son assembled this without too much difficulty. Using the two tools provided at the same time to tighten the pedals seemed a bit wonky to me but my son figured it out okay. If I were to return it, disassembly would be cumbersome. My son just grunted when I asked him if he would take it apart and put it back in the box. The battery powered monitor/mode selector was comprehensive and prevents the need for a power cord to plug into the wall. That's a good thing. Just don't drop the batteries inside the unit as they'll be a little tricky to get them out. The unit is definitely sturdy enough for daily use. The tension settings are what you would expect for the elderly user. Make user you line the unit with your chair so you get the smoothest pedaling out of it. I am 65+ and used it to tone my legs without a hitch. It really isn't for heavy muscle building. I thought it was a good piece of equipment. Read more
I should use this exercise equipment more than I do. I have sometimes gotten it to be a daily habit, but other times it is little more than a footrest or tripping hazard. I usually keep it right in front of the couch. I found that it was easier for my 4'2" sister to pedal with the bike turned the wrong g way with the bigger end right up against the couch. She usually isn't interested in exercising, but she seemed to enjoy it at least once. I am about 5' tall. I usually put pillows behind me if I want to pedal while sitting on the couch. If I don't have pillows behind me I tend to lean back in a way that is probably not great fir my back I stead of sitting up straight. Sometimes I just pedal a little off and on while watching TV. It is pretty easy if I have the bike right there to remind d me. I should be getting more exercise in general. This is an easy way to at least get some, even if I can't leave the house or don't have much free time. I can exercise while hanging out with my sister even if her wheel chair is not available to take her for a walk. When she was littler I used to take her for walks more, but she doesn't tolerate as much walking as she did years ago, and still can't be left home alone. I like this model because I can use it for either my hamds and arms or my feet and legs. I had been having problems with.my shoulder when I got it. After an experience with Covid I had more sciatica and eventually found out I had spinal stenosis in my lumbar and cervical parts of my spine. This is a reasonably gentle form of exercise that probably helps both those parts, or at least doesn't hurt as much as some things. My dad was not a big fan of this model because he doesn't feel like the resistance levels are different enough. He tends to crank up the resistance, sometimes as high as he can. I prefer it on a lower resistance level so I can keep going longer. It is nice that it is easy to adjust the resistance. My brother said he had tried some less expensive similar bikes. He found that they moved around too much on his smooth wood floor. This one is heavy enough to stay put when you want it to, and the rubbery feet help avoid sliding or floor damage. I can also pick it up by the handle and move it if it is in the way or I want to use it in a different place. I took it to my brother's house when he and his wife were out of town and we stayed with thir kids. I think kids are not supposed to use this, but we let them try it with supervision. The ones who were not as tall as my sister found creative ways to make it work for them. They seemed to like it a lot. I think.it really works best if I sit on a stable firm stationary chair that is the right height for me to reach to.pedals easily. It is possible to adjust for leg length a bit by moving the bike closer or farther from the chair. If the chair is too high, it won't work. But it can work with a chair that is lower than you normally sit on. I have tried using this one for my arms when it is on a table. I even put another one under the table so I could exercise my kegs at the same time. I don't do that often though. I am usually too lazy to clear a space and pick the thing up to put it on the table. I would also want to clean it because I don't think my feet and the floor are as clean as the table and my hands. It is nice to have the option though. Read more
