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Product Description
Product Features
- Cycle trainer is designed to provide users of all fitness levels a challenging, fat-burning cardiovascular workout in as little time as possible
- Adjustable, nonslip handlebars and padded seat that adjusts horizontally and vertically enable you to quickly set custom riding position
- Chain drive system delivers smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride, and conveniently placed water bottle holder helps you stay hydrated
- Includes built-in transport wheels to accommodate moving from place to place, and has 250-pound maximum weight capacity
- Limited five-year manufacturer's warranty on frame and limited 90-day manufacturer's warranty on parts and labor
- Measures 48.6 by 19.9 by 46.5 inches (L x W x H)
- Adjustable Seat with Padding: Work out in comfort with this padded seat. Adjust it horizontally and vertically to find the perfect fit.
- Pedals with Toe Cage: Designed to keep your feet in place, these pedals are built with toe cages to increase stability. For added intensity and advanced users, the pedals can be used with the opposite side up.
- Adjustable, Non-Slip Handlebars: These non-slip handlebars are ergonomically designed to cut down on fatigue and prevent discomfort.
- Chain Drive: The ProForm 290 SPX uses a chain drive system to deliver a smooth, quiet and comfortable ride.
- Transport Wheels: Easily move the bike from place to place with the built-in transport wheels.
- Water Bottle Holder: Conveniently store your water bottle with the built-in holder.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 250 pounds ProForm 290 SPX Alt. Angle
- Dimensions: 48.6 by 19.9 by 46.5 inches (L x W x H)
- Warranty: 5 years on the frame; 90 days on parts and labor
Despite the competition from trendy new fitness inventions, exercise bikes continue to be popular options for home exercise. They offer the same aerobic benefits of riding a bicycle at any time, in any weather, without leaving the comfort and safety of home. Exercise bikes don't take up much space, and can provide an effective workout for all levels of users, from beginners to serious competitors. For many people, having convenient access to quality exercise equipment is critical to sticking with a long-term exercise program.
About ProForm
In its early days ProForm revolutionized the treadmill industry with its now-world-famous SpaceSaver foldaway design. ProForm continues its tradition of quality and innovation today, with cutting-edge advances in cushioning, electronics, and reliability. Fortunately, ProForm wasn't satisfied with treadmills, unveiling a complete line of exercise bikes, elliptical machines, weight benches, and more--all geared to providing the most effective workout available.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By Steve Bowman "Stevie B" (Canyon Country, California)
19July 2010: I purchased this item in mid-June, and have owned it for several weeks. I got it as a replacement for the used StairMaster PT4400 I had and loved, but it broke down on me. I paid $1200 and did not want another used one at +$4K, so I looked for other options. I never even considered a "spin" bike, because I did not know what they were! However, I wanted to keep costs under $400. One day in a Sports Chalet, I tried one---BLADEZ FITNESS JET, a solid bike. I exercised for about 5 minutes and knew the spin bike would meet my need for cardio. However, the JET was $599, over my budget.
RESEARCH: I did a LOT of research on the internet, and boy, these spin bikes have been falling like rocks! I finally found the Proform 290 SPX at a store called the Sports Authority for $299 (regularly $399). They just put one together that was not even on the floor yet, so I had to go in the back to test it. After a couple of minutes, I again saw that a spin bike would work, so I purchased it. My experience at some spin classes at 24 Hour Fitness taught me that the standard seat would be too uncomfortable, so I also purchased an old-school wide seat with jell padding, which turned out to be a good decision.
ASSEMBLY: I am NOT a mechanically inclined guy, and this thing was easy for me to put together. The only things to attach were the handlebars, peddles, and the feet, and the tools were all supplied, although I used my ratchet wrench because it was faster.
WORKING OUT: The bike is pretty stable. My weight was about 250 when I started out, and the Proform 290 SPX is rated at a max weight of 250lbs, but I know items like these have a "safety factor" and can take more weight than 250lbs. I get a great workout with this bike.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SPX 290 AND THE STAR TRAC AT 24 HOUR FITNESS: I am comparing the SPX with a more expensive bike, the STAR TRAC, because for those who are new buyers (like me) it will show one does not have to spend big money to get an effective spin bike.
The Startrek is an outstanding bike made for commercial use. The big difference is the Startrek has more resolution in changing resistance; in other words, it takes more turns to vary the resistance. On the Proform 290 SPX, as I turn the knob where I can feel resistance, I only have about a half turn to get to the maximum resistance, and I cannot turn the knob anymore. However, this is not a problem. The main point is that the user knows the "sweet spots" of resistance settings for the bike.
Once I get going, I only turn the resistance knob in one quarter to eighth inch increments throughout the entire exercise, and I easily maintain 77-81% of my heart rate. Other differences between these two bikes is the because the Star Trac is a commercial bike, it will take a 350lb person, and the cabling on the Star Trac is covered by the frame, so getting sweat on the cables and fasteners is greatly minimized. I overcame this by putting clear RTV over the screws and foot pedals (not the handlebar) and I put a hole in a small towel and put it over the resistance knob to keep my sweat off the break cabling. This is important, for water and salt from sweating will eventually corrode the fittings. On a final note, the STAR TRAC SPINNER PRO is about $1000 compared to the price of $299 I paid.
SETTING THE PACE: I have seen reviews on these bikes where people say it should have a computer. Well, that's fine, but this will add to the price. All I use is a clock, the countdown timer from my watch, and a heart-rate monitor (the most important tool). The clock I use to track my workout time. I have the countdown timer on my watch set to repeat every 90 seconds. Moreover, the heat-rate monitor I use to pace myself.
THE FIRST TEN MINUTES, I go in 90 second intervals, alternating between sitting and standing, increasing the resistance in eight-inch increments.
THE REST OF THE EXERCICE, I go in 10 minute stretches. I maintain an even pace at 70-75% of my heart rate. At the end of the 10 minutes, I do another interval standing up and pedaling (also known as a standing hill climb) for 90 seconds with more resistance and get my heart rate up to +85%, then level back down to 72-75%.
Thus, in a 45-50 minute routine, I start with a 7-10 minute segment of intervals increasing the resistance to get my heart rate going. After that, I do 2-3 segments of 10-minutes each at a constant pace, and end each of these segment with a 90 second standing hill climb. The final two minutes I wind it down.
MINOR ISSUE: The only thing about this bike (not enough to rate it lower), is that there is a high-pitched "hum" I get from the flywheel, but it disappears after after about half-way through the exercise while I maintain an even pace. The "hum" has no effect on the flywheel operation or resistance settings.
TRAINING: It benefited me to go to spin classes at 24-hour fitness to learn how to setup and ride the bike. They offer a week free trail, so it is a great low-cost way to learn. In addition, YOUTUBE has some great videos on how to ride spin bikes. Just type in "spin bike setup," and a bunch of videos will pop up.
GOOD ON THE KNEES: Although I loved my StairMaster PT4400, there were many times my knees felt a bit weak, but never enough to force me to stop using it. However, there is NO issue with the knees on the SPX 290. At my age (51), this means a lot!
CONCLUSION: This review was long because I know there are people out there seeking information. I have benefited greatly from the many reviews on various products, and wanted to get my "two-cents" in. This bike is a great buy, and one does not have to spend +$800 for the high-end bikes to get a good workout.
