Life Fitness R3 Recumbent LifeCycle with Advanced Console Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After owning a Life Fitness 5500R for 15 years (bought in 1995), I decided to upgrade to the the current "R1" (with the optional advanced console).While I was in the showroom, the salesperson convinced me to pay the extra $600 for the R3, primarily to get a seat with an adjustable back rest.While the seat looked better in the showroom (and felt better to sit in), when you get home and start a vigorous ride on the bike, your back presses into the mesh seat back, where there is a horizontal steel bar (inside the backrest that goes across the seat) which begins to dig into your back.If I could do it over, I would have bought the R1.

The R3 also has an internal generator that means you don't have to plug the bike into an electrical outlet, but that wasn't a significant factor in my decision.

I like all of the other aspects of the bike, especially:
1. Routines that work with a heart monitor (it changes resistance to take you between 65%-80% of your target max heart rate)
2. Allows for 2 user profiles, which keeps track of your calories burned cummulatively
3. Very solidly built -- feels like the bikes in the gym

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Product Description:
Combining the ultimate in comfort with exceptional attention to detail, the Life Fitness R3 Recumbent LifeCycle provides a smooth, quiet ride as well as a reclining seat with a breathable mesh fabric back. And the self-powered R3 model doesn't require cords or outlets, so you can place it anywhere in your home. Pair the R3 with the Advanced Workouts Console for added workout variety and advanced programs to better help you reach your fitness goals. The R3 offers 20 resistance levels, 10 workout programs, and a maximum user weight of 400 pounds.
It includes both wireless and contact heart rate monitoring technology to keep you in your target heart rate zone--a Polar wireless chest strap is included--and the LifeCycle includes five HeartSync heart rate controlled workouts designed to keep you in your target heart rate zone. Other features include an integrated reading rack and accessory tray, front and side-mounted handlebars, reclining feature on the recumbent seat with 20 degrees of range of motion, and a heavy-duty welded steel frame.
Specifications:

The Advanced Workouts Console.
Resistance System: Generator
Power Requirements: Self-powered
Resistance Levels: 20
Seat Adjustments: 13 positions
Frame: 1.5 x 3-inch welded steel frame
Pedals: Enhanced cushioning, non-slip, self-balancing pedals with straps
Electronic Readouts: Level, Time, Speed (mph/kmh), Distance, Heart Rate, Target Heart Rate, Calories, Watts, METs
Display Type: LCD with blue background and white characters (4 x 6 inches)
Workout Profile Display: 9 x 24 segments
Workout Feedback Display: 16-character message center
Unit Dimensions: 57 x 26 x 54 inches (L x W x H)
Unit Weight: 147 pounds
Maximum User Weight: 400 pounds

Manual.

Hill.

Random.

EZ Incline/Resistance.

Sport Training.

Fat Burn.

Cardio.

Heart Rate Hill.

Heart Rate Interval.

Extreme Heart Rate. Programs:

Manual: Gives you complete freedom to choose your own speed and incline levels.
Hill: Challenges you with intervals of multiple hills and valleys with each hill becoming progressively more difficult.
Random: Includes many different motivating combinations of hills and valleys.
EZ Incline/Resistance: Slowly and progressively increases resistance so you're less aware of the building demands.
Sport Training: Simulates outdoor training with a rigorous workout that features hundreds of different hills and valleys with a wide range of high and low levels of resistance.
Fat Burn (HeartSync): A great workout for beginners or for those days when you need a lighter workout. Automatically adjusts resistance to maintain your heart rate at 65 percent of your theoretical maximum.
Cardio (HeartSync): Maximizes caloric burn and boosts your energy level. Automatically adjusts resistance to maintain your heart rate at 80 percent of your theoretical maximum
Heart Rate Hill (HeartSync): An interval workout made up of three hills with each hill becoming progressively more difficult based on your heart rate goals The first hill is 70 percent of your maximum heart rate (HRMax) and gets harder with subsequent hills. The valley is always defined as 65 percent HRMax. Similar to training for sports activities such as hockey, basketball, and soccer.
Heart Rate Interval (HeartSync): Climb a series of alternating hills (80 percent HRMax). The number of times you climb each hill depends on your fitness level. Similar to training for endurance activities such as triathlons and running.
Extreme Heart Rate (HeartSync): Quickly raises and lowers resistance to get your heart rate up to 85 percent HRMax and down to 65 percent as quickly as possible. Similar to training for sports activities such as tennis, racquetball, football, and sprinting.
Goal Workouts: Determine your workout goal--including distance, calorie-burn, or target heart rate--and exercise until you reach it.
Custom Workouts (includes 2): Create and replay a favorite program with specific speed, incline, level, and target heart rate changes.
Race Mode: Challenge yourself by racing against a computer simulated pacer.
Cool Down Mode: Based on your workout's specific time, incline, and heart rate level, this customized cool down ensures that your heart rate properly returns to normal level.
Warm Up Mode: Participate in a pre-determined warm-up period before you begin your workout.
User Profiles (includes 2): Perfect for multi-user households, user profiles save your vital statistics, preferences, and custom workouts.

Manufacturer's Warranty
Lifetime warranty on frame, three years on parts, one year on labor
About the Warranty
This Life Fitness product is intended for home use only. Your warranty will be void if this product is used in a commercial setting.
About Life Fitness
What started as one man's pursuit to improve his own physical condition, eventually turned into a global fitness revolution. That man was Keene P. Dimick, the mastermind behind the legendary Lifecycle® exercise bike. The story of Life Fitness began when two young entrepreneurs, Ray Wilson and Augie Nieto, saw the promise of Dr. Dimick's invention. Even though it was slightly ahead of its time, they believed the Lifecycle exercise bike could help generations of athletes, trainers, exercisers, and people everywhere live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
Wilson and Nieto bought the rights to the Lifecycle bike from Dr. Dimic
k, perfected it, and sold it out of a motor home to health clubs across America. Despite the overwhelming odds and initial unpopularity of the Lifecycle exercise bike, the two passion-filled pioneers turned a two-man operation and a seemingly impossible vision into a prosperous reality. Along the way, they shaped the future of Life Fitness as well as the fitness industry, bringing cardiovascular training into the mainstream and helping ignite the health club boom.
Today, Life Fitness is the global leader in designing and manufacturing a full line of reliable, high quality fitness equipment for commercial and consumer use. It is the number one brand of fitness equipment in health clubs worldwide.

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