AFG 7.3AR Recumbent Exercise Bike

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Workout programs	Warranty
AFG 7.3AR Check Discounted Price	L:65" W:26" H:48"	300 lbs	Eddy current	23	Frame: 10 years Parts: 1 years Labor: 1 year

The AFG 7.3AR is a recumbent bike similar in specs and features to the Diamondback 510SR, however, is doesn’t have an adjustable backrest, nor it has online connectivity. But on the other hand, it costs approx. $200 less than the Diamondback model. In all, it’s a heavy-duty exercise bike, with a frame construction similar to some of the commercial models, automatic magnetic resistance, and excellent ergonomics.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 65L x 26W x 48H inches (166L x 66.5W x 122H cm)
• Assembled weight: 108 lbs (49 kg)
• Flywheel weight: 8.8 lbs (4 kg)
• Weight capacity: 300 lbs (136 kg)
• Seat: Cushioned, adjustable
• Backrest: Mesh, non-adjustable
• Pedals: With adjustable straps
• Resistance: Magnetic, electronically assisted, 20 levels
• Console: 23 workouts
• Amenities: Sound system, bottle holder, reading rack
• Warranty: Frame 10 years / Parts 1 year / Labor 1 year

Frame construction

This exercise bike has a frame construction similar to the IRONMAN H-Class 410, being made of steel tubing. The main chassis is actually one long, flattened and ovalized steel tube, providing excellent sturdiness to the overall construction of the bike.

The frame doesn’t fold. It has a step-thru design, thus taking position onto the seat is fairly easy, great aspect for users with various disabilities.

The base tubes are equipped with rubberized, adjustable stabilizers. The front base also has silicone transport wheels which ease the bike’s relocation once it’s assembled. The bike is fairly heavy, weighing 108 lbs (49 kg), a weight that also plays an important role in its overall stability.

The AFG 7.3AR recumbent bike is not one of the largest fitness machines. Some elliptical trainers or treadmills, for example, are over 80″ long. This bike only takes 65″L x 26″W (166 x 66.5 cm) of floor space, which means it should fit even in a smaller room.

Most of the frame is coated with corrosion and scratch resistant black paint, this being the only available color so far. The rail of the seat has a chrome finish though. Also, the frame has several plastic covers, but these only fulfill a cosmetic role, without having any impact onto the overall sturdiness of the bike.

Seat and handlebars

This Advanced Fitness Group recumbent bike features a contoured and padded seat, approx. 16″ (40 cm) wide, which offers excellent comfort. The backrest has a mesh structure, similar to the one on the Bladez Fitness R300, with a curvature in its lower part, to provide optimal lumbar support.

The fitness machine has a maximum weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg), which is a term set basically by the backrest. The frame and the seat adjustment mechanism could probably withstand even more weight.

The seat is adjustable. It can move along its rail, closer or farther from the pedals. Differently put, the bike can accommodate users between 5′ – 6’5″ (152 – 195 cm) with no problem. The backrest itself is not adjustable. In other words, you cannot adjust its angle or height in relation to the seat. However, it’s attached directly to the seat and moves along with it on the rail.

The AFG 7.3AR recumbent bike features two sets of handlebars, one set on the console mast, one attached to the seat. The seat’s handlebars integrate stainless steel pulse sensors, thus the console can track your pulse if you hold on to them. They’re placed approx. 2″ above the seat, at a comfortable grip distance. Both sets of handlebars feature rubber foam grips, to protect the hands from any damage during prolonged workouts.

Drive and resistance

This AFG recumbent exercise bike features a belt drive system, using a heavy-duty v-belt, supplying a smooth and quiet pedaling motion. It integrates a steel-made, 8.8 lbs perimeter-weighted flywheel, which adds stability and a consistent momentum to the pedaling motion.

The bike’s crankset is extremely sturdy, featuring solid steel arms, with a narrow, comfortable Q Factor. The pedals have standard threads; they’re made of durable PVC material, with a ribbed surface for superior adherence and adjustable straps.

The AFG 7.3AR is equipped with a motor-assisted magnetic resistance system. This means it requires to be connected to a power circuit in order for the resistance on the pedals to become available. Also, resistance can only be adjusted from the machine’s console.

The main elements of the resistance system are a small servo motor and a metallic sheet with magnets attached to it, in other words, the bike’s resistance pad. As you select a certain resistance level from the bike’s console, the magnetic resistance pad will change its position in relation to the metallic flywheel, increasing or decreasing drag.

Resistance can be adjusted manually, as you pedal, or it can adjust automatically if you select one of the console’s pre-set workouts. There are 20 distinctive resistance levels. The first ones offer a light workout, great for recovery training, or for users with disabilities. The top resistance levels, on the other hand, offer more intense workouts, great for consistent cardio training or weight loss.

Last but not least, this fitness machine offers reverse pedaling possibilities. However, since it’s an exercise bike, you cannot coast on it. When pedaling in reverse, the resistance on the pedals remains the same, given the selected difficulty level on the console.

Console unit

This AFG exercise bike features a mid-range console unit. It has a 5″ LCD display, with blue LED backlight, which promotes an excellent readability even in poor lighting conditions. The display indicates distance, time, speed, calories, pulse, RPMs, Watts, and the current resistance level. It also displays distance as a track, divided into 32 segments, each segment corresponding to a distance of 12.5 m (41 ft). Distance is indicated only in miles, while speed only in MPH. Pulse can only be monitored via the sensors integrated into recumbent handlebars of the bike. The unit cannot read pulse from chest strap transmitters.

The console unit has 22 pre-set workout programs, plus the Manual mode, which gives you the possibility to adjust resistance freely, as you pedal. The 22 pre-set programs are divided in 3 distinctive categories. These are:

Calories – including 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 calorie burn workouts. You setup the starting resistance, and calories burned are calculated depending on the selected resistance level.

Distance – includes 10 workouts: 1 mile, 2 miles, 5k, 5 miles, 10k, 8 miles, 15k, 10 miles, 20k, and half marathon.

Climb – offers 6 climb workouts, including: Hollywood Sign (1708 ft vertical distance), Empire State Building (1250 ft vertical distance), Gateway Arch (630 ft vertical distance), Space Needle (605 ft vertical distance), Diamond Head Crater (570 ft vertical distance), Washington Monument (555 ft vertical distance).

The console also integrates two amenities: sound system and tablet holder. The sound system consists of two speakers, placed at the base of the console. It’s compatible with most MP3 players, tablets and smartphones. The console has buttons for adjusting volume. The tablet holder (or reading rack) is placed above the speakers. It’s wide enough to accommodate any tablet.

The console unit is easy to operate. Resistance can be adjusted gradually from the + / – keys, but there also are quick adjustment keys for the 2,4,6,8,10,12,16,20 resistance settings. The program categories have their own suggestive keys. There’s also a GO / Pause button, great to have when alternating bike workouts with other workouts, and a Stop / Reset which stops the machine and resets all the values.

Finally, the unit has a sleep mode in which it will enter after 15 minutes of inactivity on the bike.

Assembly and Maintenance

The AFG 7.3AR recumbent bike comes with a very comprehensive step-by-step assembly manual. Most of it comes assembled though, you only have to add the base tubes, console mast, console, seat and backrest. This shouldn’t take longer than one hour. The tools required for the assembly are also included.

Maintenance requires a periodic check of the machine’s joints, and re-tightening if it’s the case. Also, keep water or perspiration away from the console. It’s not waterproof.

The Pros

• Sturdy construction, similar to commercial grade bikes;
• Step-thru design;
• High user capacity (300 lbs);
• Padded and contoured seat;
• Flexible mesh backrest, providing excellent lumbar support.
• Adjustable seat, accommodating users between 5′ – 6’5″;
• Automatic, magnetic resistance, with 20 available settings;
• 22 pre-set programs;
• Handlebars with pulse sensors;
• Sound system included;
• Bottle holder included;
• Tablet holder included;
• Smooth and quiet drive;
• Basically maintenance free;
• Excellent warranty.

The Cons

• No cooling fan;
• A tablet placed on the media holder may cover the program keys on the console;
• No online connectivity – other bikes in this price range offer features of this type.

Summary

The AFG 7.3AR is not one of the most affordable recumbent exercise bikes. However, it does have the frame construction of a commercial model. It features an electronically assisted magnetic resistance system, with 20 levels and 23 workout programs. It’s great for users of all levels, supplying cardio, interval, stamina and weight loss training possibilities. It comes with an excellent warranty plan, and a decent price / quality ratio.