- The Best Power Towers: Top 10 Model Reviews - July 30, 2022
- Noom vs Weight Watchers: Which is Better? - July 30, 2022
- 7 Best Total Gyms for Home Use - July 29, 2022
The Bowflex VeloCore equipment is a smart indoor workout bike that’s more expensive than the Bowflex C6 model although many people say its price is justified. Unlike other indoor bikes, the VeloCore model targets a wider range of muscle groups. So, with it, you can engage in a full-body type of workout.
Another great advantage of this bike is the fact that allows users to sway from one side to the other as they ride. Based on first impressions, this fitness tool looks like a very interesting and efficient indoor bike. Your core will be fully engaging during your exercising sessions. Simply put, the VeloCore bike doesn’t resemble your average indoor cycle.
Meet the indoor bike that's thoughtfully engineered with leaning mode to create a wildly immersive riding experience. You'll rock, sway, and bend to life down winding roads. Tilting gently from side to side as you sprint like a banshee toward the finish line.
Contents
Bowflex VeloCore Bike Review – What It Is
Bowflex VeloCore might look like a stationary bike (and it can be named that way) but it isn’t always stationary. It is a versatile and adjustable home workout tool.
Probably its most impressive feature is the Lean Mode that allows you to incline your body to either your right or you’re left so that you can strengthen your oblique and core muscles.
This bike operates as quietly as a whisper and the ride will feel delightfully smooth. Most of the parts are easily adjustable and the touchscreen display is big and beautiful. The package comes with a heart rate monitoring armband included that has Bluetooth connectivity.
In many aspects, VeloCore resembles the Bowflex C6 model in terms of frame, accessories, armbands, dumbbells, and hardware. But, the bike I am reviewing today offers some extra features like the Lean Mode and the JRNY subscription that I will discuss in more detail later on.
Who Is Bowflex VeloCore Suitable for?
This indoor cycle was created with two main categories of individuals in mind:
- People who’re really into interactive workout elements that were created and launched by indoor cycling studios;
- More experienced cyclists who want an alternative to train indoors whenever the weather doesn’t allow them to do so outdoor or during off-season periods.
Bowflex VeloCore Bike Review – Main Features
Let’s take a look at some of the most important features of the Bowflex VeloCore bike.
Design and Dimensions
The design of this bike, which is a mix of two colors (red and black), reminds me of the Peloton cycle. VeloCore has a weight of 175 pounds and it’s very portable due to its two front wheels. The frame is both sturdy and compact and measures nearly 60 by 24 inches.
There are two options available in terms of height: the first one (the 16-inch model) measures 52.6 inches, whereas the second version (the 22-inch model) has a height of 55.3 inches.
Where Should You Place This Bike?
The area where you will place this indoor bike should have a width of at least 48.4 inches so that the equipment’s Lean Mode can be easily accommodated. Moreover, your house’s ceiling must be 16 inches higher than you or the person in your household who’s the tallest.
Although the manufacturing company recommends we place the bike in a room that has a hard surface, many riders use this machine on the carpet. As long as the carpet isn’t too thick, you should be fine.
The Two Magic Knobs
All the bike’s levels of magnetic resistance and very quiet and you can control them manually, by activating a knob. The bike also features a crank arm that measures 170mm and it’s non-adjustable.
Both handlebars, as well as the seat, are adjustable; the flywheel weighs 33 pounds and the tool comes with a rack where you can place your tablet or smartphone.
What’s interesting is the fact that the knob has two purposes; besides enabling you to adjust the resistance level, it also works as a brake that you must push down when you want to stop the pedals. One more thing you should know: the big knob has a smaller knob in front of it.
That smaller knob is the lock for the bike’s Lean Mode. All you have to do is press it down to unlock that feature and engage in the Lean Mode. By pulling back up the knob, you will lock the equipment in a stationary position. Pull it up till you hear the sound of a click.
Meet the indoor bike that's thoughtfully engineered with leaning mode to create a wildly immersive riding experience. You'll rock, sway, and bend to life down winding roads. Tilting gently from side to side as you sprint like a banshee toward the finish line.
What about the Pedals?
Unlike many other indoor cycles that require users to wear special cycling shoes, the Bowflex VeloCore bike has dual-sided pedals. So, you can use them with or without clip-ins. One of those sides features an adjustable toe cage that secures your feet so that you can wear regular workout sneakers.
The second side of the pedals has toe clip-ins that are compatible with SPD. You can even replace these pedals with standard ones but make sure you choose the proper size (9/16 inches).
The Screen
The Bowflex VeloCore bike comes with a screen that can be tilted up or down. However, you cannot rotate the screen to one side or the other. For me, personally, that doesn’t represent a real issue since the JRNY platform won’t stream workouts or classes off the bike.
Assembly and Setup
The VeloCore bike is very easy to assemble. You can even do it yourself. Another option is to choose the in-home assembly service offered by the company when you’re doing the checkout but that requires you to pay a fee of $199. It’s true, however, that the assembly process requires two people because certain elements of this bike are cumbersome and pretty heavy.
I personally wouldn’t feel very comfortable doing this alone so I would probably ask for my husband’s help. And, if we cannot go through the process together, I would request the company’s optional assembly service. The bike is delivered in two boxes; one box contains all the bike’s parts while the other box has only one single item, the screen.
It’s great that they have these two separate boxes because the screen is more sensitive than the other elements. The setup process can be tedious at times.
Therefore, if you want someone from the company to come and do that for you, there’s something you should know: you must call them to make an appointment.
Technicians will put all the parts together, place the bike where you want it to be, plug it in, and not leave until they check if the whole thing works or not.
After that, you must connect the equipment to your Wi-Fi network and install the required software update in order to create a new JRNY profile.
You’ll be able to opt for a maximum of three fitness goals that you will find on a list: lose weight, tone up, maintain your current fitness level, improve your health, improve performance, increase your energy, etc.
The platform also allows you to establish other goals such as distance, time, and consistency.
JRNY Interface
On The JRNY interface, you will see three different tabs located at the bottom of the screen: Profile, Workouts, and Journal. The Workouts tab includes the following sections:
- Just for You – here, you will find customized workouts that suit your specific goals as well as your workout history and fitness level;
- Explore the World – users can browse through scenic rides captured in picturesque locations such as the French Riviera, Shangri-La, and Zion National Park;
- Favorites – all the workouts that you mark with a heart icon will be saved in the Favorites section;
- Programs – here, you can see all the adaptive workout sessions by duration;
- Learn – in this section, you will find a short video that explains many of this indoor bike’s key features and an even shorter video that discusses the Lean Mode;
- Videos – in this section there are all the cycling classes that are led by trainers and they are grouped based on every user’s fitness experience, from newbies all the way to the Challenge Me mode.
The Journal Tab is the place where you will see all your previous workouts recorded, as well as other metrics like consistency, calories burned, distance goals, and overall progress.
To view these statistics, you must click on one of your recorded workouts. Stats include distance, heart rate, resistance, cadence, and more.
The Profile Tab helps users to easily manage their subscriptions and goals. From there, you can also log out, change the current password, set the date and time, restart the bike, or even send feedback to Bowflex.
Interactive Training
The company has created many streaming training options that are specific to the VeloCore bike. These workouts are featured directly on the bike’s screen due to its built-in JRNY app. Moreover, as a user, you can connect your bike to other famous fitness apps such as the elite Peloton.
The interactive training feature will also allow you to compete against other cyclists on the Zwift platform. However, data connectivity can vary based on which app you’re using.
Resistance Levels
The VeloCore bike comes with no less than 100 resistance levels that are all micro-adjustable. So, you can easily fine-tune your desired resistance and then ramp up the challenge gradually, to boost your progress. The rides are all quiet and smooth due to the fact that the resistance is magnetic.
Bowflex VeloCore Subscription Cost
I am sure you’re wondering how much the subscription costs for the VeloCore bike. Regular workout classes can come with expensive monthly subscriptions.
Purchasing this indoor bike brings an important perk: a free trial to JRNY that’s available for two months. Many other brands provide shorter trial periods such as two weeks or one month.
To sign for the JRNY platform, you must cover a monthly fee of $19.99. But the ideal option is to choose a full-year membership that costs $149. That would bring your monthly fee down to only $12. Apparently, the company plans to add some extra features and classes to the JRNY app in the following months.
Warranty and Guarantee
It seems that the company has changed its warranty policy over the years and clients aren’t happy with that. The VeloCore bike might be tech-heavy fitness machinery but its warranty is surprisingly short. You will get 2 years for the bike’s frame and a one-year warranty for the labor.
All the electronics and other parts also have a warranty of two years. However, it still beats other popular companies such as Peloton and Stryde, both of which only provide a one-year warranty. You can also purchase extended warranties.
Bowflex VeloCore Bike Review – Pros and Cons
It is time to find out the most important pros and cons of the VeloCore bike.
Advantages
- This bike features the Lean Mode due to which you’ll be able to engage and tone your upper body and core area;
- The pedals are dual-sided and they are suitable for either regular athletic sneakers or clip-in cycling shoes;
- You can sync this bike with numerous apps and platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+;
- The bike’s functional system relies on magnetic resistance which is very quiet;
- Both Zwift and Peloton apps are compatible with this indoor cycle;
- It supports both heart rate monitors and Bluetooth headphones.
Disadvantages
- It is pretty expensive;
- You won’t be able to access any leaderboards or live classes;
- If you also want the JRNY membership, you will have to pay extra;
- The Lean Mode comes with a limited number of exercising videos.
Bowflex VeloCore Bike Review – Main Alternatives
Let’s now look at some good alternatives to the Bowflex VeloCore bike.
Echelon EX-5s
All the fitness products made by this brand are high-end workout gear. The EX-5s bike is compact and offers a smooth riding experience. It weighs only 123 pounds which means you can easily move it around your house or store it in the garage when you’re not using it. The design features an elegant V shape that makes this bike suitable for many spaces.
The Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX5-S is designed with thirty-two resistance levels with new indexing resistance adjustment and easy to use resistance knob, this smart exercise bike stays in one place as you pedal, but it'll take your at-home workout to new heights. This bike is designed for anyone and every home.
Schwinn 170
The Schwinn 170 indoor bike comes with ergonomic handlebars and an adjustable seat. There are integrated heart monitors. This item is highly portable due to its wheels. It is a pretty affordable at-home fitness solution. The brand is a leading one, with a great reputation. It features an LCD screen that has 29 exercise routines.
Bring the many health benefits of cycling right into your home with the Schwinn 170 Upright Bike. Designed for a fluid, comfortable ride, it moves you quickly towards your goals with 22 workout programs, Bluetooth connectivity and free app-based tracking tools like the Ride Social App.
MYX Plus
The MYX Plus stationary bike is the ideal option for you if you enjoy on-demand classes rather than live training. This bike provides you with in-depth heart rate insights. All its features are created in such a great way that they help you challenge yourself and measure your progress.
This bike has a sturdy design with a heavy flywheel of 41 pounds. The structure is, however, compact so, you shouldn’t have any problems in placing it anywhere in the house.
Your customized heart rate zones are easy to follow and help you adjust your effort to your trainer’s guidance. Moving and challenging your body in different ways is the key to progress and long-term health.
Bowflex VeloCore Bike Review – Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Should You Buy the Bowflex VeloCore Indoor Bike?
Answer: Is this fitness equipment worth it? I am sure many of you are asking themselves this particular question. The answer is definitely yes! There are many home fitness bikes out there and most of them offer decent workouts. However, the VeloCore stationary bike can truly help you challenge your entire body.
It is a very dynamic fitness tool that enables you to perform a wide range of exercises, including sprints and recovery rides. The bike is sturdy and it won’t move under your body. It provides you with more spinning positions compared to other similar products.
Question: Are VeloCore Workout Classes Any Good?
Answer: Most users are happy and eager to subscribe to VeloCore virtual classes as well as to all the other entertainment offerings that the company provides. These services include over 75 on-demand videos, freestyle riders, and virtual coaching.
Their so-called “destination” rides feature over 50 different locations from all over the globe that users can cycle through. So, yes, these workout classes are good and engaging. But, if you prefer Peloton classes or any other YouTube playlist, you can have those in front of you by accessing them from your tablet.
Question: How Does the Bowflex Bike Compare to the Peloton Bike?
Answer: Peloton is more expensive and it is a very popular option among those who can afford it. Still, the Bowflex bikes are great alternatives that offer pretty similar features. Both products have 100 levels of magnetic resistance. In fact, Bowflex is much more versatile and flexible, if you ask me.
For instance, with Peloton, you must use the special type of shoes that they recommend, while with Bowflex, you can wear any shoes you want.
Bowflex VeloCore Bike Review – Bottom Line
Meet the indoor bike that's thoughtfully engineered with leaning mode to create a wildly immersive riding experience. You'll rock, sway, and bend to life down winding roads. Tilting gently from side to side as you sprint like a banshee toward the finish line.
VeloCore is an amazing indoor bike but it isn’t for everyone. Some cycling enthusiasts who’re just looking for recreational indoor workouts might find this equipment a tad hardcore. But, if you want to truly challenge yourself, this tool is definitely worth considering.
