Life Fitness IC4 Exercise Bike

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Introduction to the Life Fitness IC4 Exercise Bike From The IC (indoor cycle) Range

If you’ve read the reviews of Life Fitness’s earlier models, whether they excited you or put you off, you’re in the right place. Life Fitness always do a great job of expanding and advancing on build designs and features that set their exercise bikes apart from the rest, and the IC series is the best example of this over the years.

Previous entries of the IC series saw high grade mechanical components be improved handlebar assisted adjustment type development, and the advancement of the much sought after poly v belt drivetrain system. And now, with IC4 group exercise bike we can look into their intuitive designs and well known bike range have evolved once more.

With everything from aesthetics being built upon to create an even sleeker design to improved adjustment functionality, the IC4 is a giant step forward for those who love exercise bikes, and those who love bikes from Life Fitness.

If it’s the idea of an exercise bike that puts you off, rather than the IC series designs, exercise bikes are among the most popular gym equipment in the world.

Let’s find out why.

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Specifications

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KEY FEATURES

• Aluminium evenly weighted rear flywheel
• Poly-V belt drivetrain (magnetic resistance not just magnetic brake system)
• 4-way saddle adjustment -pop pin vertical and horizontal
• Wide Multi Grip PVC Handlebars with pop pin horizontal adjustment and ‘User-Assist’ vertical adjustment
• Handlebar device tray
• Dual-sided SPD and toe cage pedals
• Aluminium posts
• Sweat guard
• Unisex padded sport saddle with opening
• Double water bottle holders
• Stretch plates
• Oversized stabiliser bars
• Levelling feet
• Transport wheels
• User weight 23.5 stone (150kg)
• Size L x 132cm W x 52cm H x 120cm (52” x 20.5” x 47.2”)

 

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Warranty 

It offers 5 years on the structural frame, 3 on mechanical components, and a year on other parts and labor.

*Warranty may be subject to change without notice and may differ between retailers – please check carefully before making a purchase.

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Pros and Cons

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Overall Verdict:

There’s a lot to say about this machine, but as an evolved edition of one of the best exercise bike lines, it’s well worth the step up.

It looks great, it feels great, it moves great and the way I benefit from the straight forward hassle free design is exactly the kind of thing a lot of athletes should be on the lookout for. We all like technology to be included in our equipment to some degree, well most of us anyway, but I honestly found no detriment to having this machine tech free and spinning fast.

Now, the transport wheels are great, and a testament to this design is all focussed on build quality and ease of use. Fitness solutions like this are perfect for those who may be older, tired, or have limited space and need reorganise a lot so please bare that in mind. If you move it around a lot, the matte slate frame hides scuffs and scratches well, which also makes it a good choice for group cycling classes.

The sturdy steel frame helps with this too. A solid frame like this means you can push hard and change speeds quickly without stressing it, and it’s quiet too. That isn’t always the case, so it’s worth considering when you buy.

In summary, this is the kind of evolution you’d expect from Life Fitness, and the range keeps getting better.

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What I Liked About This Exercise Bike

So, the specifics…

The new vertical and horizontal adjustments give you extra options for a safe, secure position. The flywheel speed is very fast, and it’s been designed to be quiet too. Another part of why that’s ace is the poly v belt drivetrain which you should compare to as the like the development of the motor engine itself.

It’s described as an entry-level machine, but its adjustment, comfort, frame strength, smooth torque, dual water bottle holder and overall design give it a more professional feel.

With a great design, long lifespan and a virtually maintenance-free build, sensible choices like avoiding oversized frame stabiliser bars make it a very convenient bike.

The material choice is good too. Solid steel makes for an extremely comfortable ride, and with the build shape potentially transferring extreme levels of stress then you can’t fault Life Fitness’ decision to use this. Gym equipment needs to be strong before its anything else, and the modern design with great looking aesthetics makes this strong, sturdy and reliable on all fronts.

Things That Could Have Been Better

However convenient it is, the lack of technology is still a drawback here. Yes, with the right models in this range you can buy some technology and add to your workout experience. But to see no default tech with this installment… It feels like Life Fitness could be missing a trick, especially considering the price tag they’ve fixed to it.

Having no technology won’t bother everyone, but data and fitness tracking are becoming more important across competitors’ machines, so it may feel dated in a few years.

The newer multi position horizontal user assist adjustments are great too. But that doesn’t mean they’re enough for all. I still feel like the adjustments available can limit certain tall riders. If you’re close to 6 feet tall, check buyer reviews on fit before you buy.

Assembly has been noted to be a little tricky sometimes too. With the pedals being a little hard to attach for some users, it may be best to find a bike that’s noted for its ease of construction, if you think you may struggle that is. Some buyers have found this difficult, so it’s worth knowing before you order.

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FAQ’s

What’s the downside of not using high grade mechanical components?

The downsides can be plentiful, it’s not all about a sleek matte slate colour machine’s frame is integral to its survivability, comfort (stress levels) and over all quality. From the material of the LED/LCD display to the material of the grip – all of these design decisions are heavily considered, so if you’re reading about a cheaply made machine with material quality being sacrificed then it doesn’t just reflect badly on the bike but it can reflect badly on the manufacturers too (better have a good manufacturer’s warranty if it’s the case)

Vertical and horizontal adjustments should be a given, why should I trust a brand who’s only just put them in with the IC4?

Designers make certain choices for a reason. It won’t be through neglect that these adjustments may have been sidelined prior to the IC4 but very much a carefully weighed up decision to make sure their priorities were decided upon.

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