The Schwinn Active 10 is the best exercise cycle in terms of value for your dollars, and this is one of the easiest yet most effective types of home exercise you can do. Cycling is an excellent aerobic workout, though you need to ensure you're within your target heart rate zone (60-70% of your maximum), so a unit with a heart rate monitor is a must. If you're just gently pedaling along and hardly breaking a sweat you won't get optimum benefits. Ideally you should work out in your target heart rate zone for a half hour or more, and many users then transition into a strength workout or other form of exercise. Of course you could get a real cycle, but a home cycle can be used rain or shine, in front of the TV or while listening to music, and it's simply less of a commitment to hop on the saddle and go, so if your willpower is on the low side, this may be for you. A cycle can really improve cardiovascular health, and it has been described as the most space efficient piece of home exercise equipment you can own.
Schwinn is one of the most popular names in exercise cycles, and though there are some slightly cheaper models, we like the Active 10 best as it is relatively inexpensive yet chock full of features. You can spend a lot more on a cycle, but we wouldn't recommend going much less, as you really will miss out on the extra features.
The Schwinn Active 10 cycle relies on magnetic resistance for a whisper quiet operation. If you've only seen an exercise bike years ago like one of those fan-driven models, you'll be amazed by the noise reduction. There are an impressive 11 user programs and eight levels of resistance. At the toughest settings, a beginner will barely be able to move the pedals, so there's plenty of room to grow for new and experienced users alike.
Workouts include six preset profiles, one manual, three heart rate control, and one target heart rate. We found the heart rate programs the best, as they tailor your workout to ensure you get the maximum aerobic calorie-burning benefit. We can't emphasize enough how important it is on this or any cycle to stay in the optimum training heart range--too much and you'll burn out and push into less efficient anaerobic exercise, too little and you won't be getting the main calorie or cardiovascular benefits.
The monitor displays time, speed, distance, calories, pulse, and RPM. The pulse sensor is handily located on the handgrips for easy reading--no silly ear clip as on so many cycles. The calorie counter on the bike has no way of setting in your weight so you have no idea how many calories you are actually burning, a common flaw among exercise equipment unfortunately. About all that's missing is a cup holder, and that's hardly a deal breaker.
The Schwinn Active 10 has an adjustable, padded seat and will support users up to 275 pounds. It weighs a hefty 58 pounds and its footprint is surprisingly trim at 40 x 20 x 53 inches, but it is not collapsible.
Prices: The Schwinn Active 10 Series Exercise Bike DVD retails for $299, but you can get it at a discount on Amazon for around $250.
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