Although a heart rate monitor is included with the Schwinn IC4, I opt to use my Apple Watch to track my heart rate and calories during workouts on the bike, as well as log my workout in Apple’s Activity app. The Bluetooth-enabled bike also pairs with the Peloton app, so you can track your cadence on-screen as you ride. There are some additional costs to keep in mind, like spin shoes, a tablet if you don’t already own one, and the price of the fitness app you choose to use with the IC4. For example, I pay a monthly subscription fee of $12.99 to use the Peloton app for workouts on my Schwinn IC4 bike. It’s a fairly low price to pay, considering that Peloton bike users fork over $40 a month for access to the same content.
Many people enjoy using exercise bikes as part of their regular exercise routine. In addition, using an exercise bike helps strengthen and tone leg muscles. The main console sits right in the middle of the handlebar, making it extremely accessible as you ride. The handlebars are thick and sturdy, so you can prop up a tablet or phone to follow along with a workout or as an entertainment source. huffy beach cruiser The handlebars offer multi position use, pulse tracking, and easy access to entertainment and digital monitor functions, and the wide range of adjustment makes them useful for people of many different types. The Schwinn AC Power spin bike uses high-quality, six-magnet magnetic technology for the AC Power flywheel, allowing users to adjust infinitely depending on your resistance and desires.
Like the IC4, the IC3 has double-sided pedals so you can use sneakers or clips, and it’s fully adjustable. One big difference between the two is that, instead of magnetic resistance, the IC3 uses flywheel resistance. It’s louder, but not so loud that it’s a distraction, and I actually kind of like the feedback of the slight whirring sound it makes when you really push yourself. We bought an exercise pad to go under it that also dampens any noise and makes that area of our bedroom feel like a tiny gym.
Even so, we felt it was easy to follow the instructors’ call-outs on effort and manually adjust the resistance — which delivered an exhilarating cycle studio experience using the app. The Zwift app integrates well with the Schwinn IC4, and it was easy to view cadence and heart rate. The app has a game-like design that’s targeted toward cyclist training and free rides as opposed to instructor-led classes. Overall, we felt using the Zwift app with the Schwinn IC4 would best suit performance-oriented and competitive cyclists. Most important is that the SC7 rarely makes noise and offers a smooth and comfortable experience.
Exercise bike alternativesYou can still cycle without a bike — in a sense — with these top-rated workout essentials. Here are other indoor exercise bike alternatives worth considering adding to your home gym in 2021. The latest mongoose bicycles EX5S Bike model comes with a 21.5-inch HD touchscreen that flips 180 degrees for live streaming workouts. It’s equipped with adjustable handlebars and has been outfitted with a new motor for more precise resistance levels.
I’m glad to see they have released the Schwinn IC4, which is an upgrade from the brand’s first iteration, the IC3 bike. With the IC4, you get magnetic resistance instead of the friction pads of the IC3 and technology to connect with apps like Peloton and Zwift. I started Garage Gym Reviews to give people my honest opinion and the facts they need to find the best home exercise equipment. All Schwinn AC™ indoor bikes come standard with Double Link pedals with SPD and toe-clip combinations to accommodate both cycling cleats and regular athletic shoes. The bikes are also compatible with the Schwinn Triple Link™ pedal upgrade.
Pre-pandemic, I was doing most of my spinning on a free communal Peloton bike in my building’s workout room. When that was no longer an option, I tried a handful of apps and streamed classes in things like strength training and yoga. But after a few months, I really missed working out on a bike and started doing some research. While Peloton bike owners are locked into a monthly $40 subscription fee, Peloton app users like myself can enjoy quite the savings at just $12.99 a month. It’s not the same immersive experience, but with the right setup , you’ll still come out spending less than you would for a Peloton—and get the same sweaty, calorie-burning workouts. Do you want the feel of an indoor spin class or need the lower back support of a recumbent bike?