| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Apps | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fitness Reality 210 Check Discounted Price | L:33" W:21" H:52.2" | 275 lbs | Magnetic, motorized | 21 | 1 year limited |
The Fitness Reality 210 upright exercise bike is basically the same bike as the IRONMAN Fitness H-Class 210. At the beginning of 2017, Paradigm Health & Wellness has rebranded some of their products, which now available under the name of Fitness Reality.
The Fitness Reality 210 is one of the most affordable upright bikes with a motorized magnetic resistance. Although it’s not Bluetooth enabled, nor it does have online connectivity, it does have 21 pre-set workouts.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 33L x 21W x 52.5H inches (84L x 54W x 114H cm)
- Assembled weight: 53 lbs (24 kg)
- Supported weight: 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Handlebars: Fixed, with pulse sensors
- Seat: 2-way adjustable
- Pedals: With adjustable straps
- Resistance: Magnetic, motor-assisted, 24 levels
- Progress tracking console: 21 workout programs
- Amenities: Tablet holder, bottle holder
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Frame construction
Most of the bike’s frame is made of steel tubing, the only PVC parts within its construction are the drive system’s covers, the caps of the base stabilizers and of course, the console. All the steel
bars feature a silver powder coating finish, resistant to scratching and corrosion.
The bike’s frame is not foldable. However, it’s not extremely heavy either. It’s fully assembled weight is approx. 53 lbs (24 kg). Therefore, just about anyone should be able to assemble it or transport it without too much difficulty. Also, its front base tube is equipped with a set of wheels, meant to facilitate its relocation, once you’re done with your workout.
This exercise bike isn’t extremely large. It has a small footprint, similar to the Marcy ME708 or Universal U10. It takes 33″L x 21″W (84 x 54 cm) of floor space when fully assembled. But despite its small base, the bike is remarkably stable, as its center of gravity is pretty low to the ground. The bike’s stability is enhanced by the adjustable stabilizers with rubber caps integrated by the rear base.
Seat and handlebars
The Fitness Reality 210 features a standard bike seat, which doesn’t deliver extreme comfort. However, it does integrate a thin layer of padding and is larger than the slim seats present in most bikes for spinning workouts, such as the Sunny SF-B1516, for example. Therefore, we can
say that it delivers optimal comfort and stability. However, since it’s a standard seat, replacements for it are widely available. Also, its comfort can be increased by a gel seat cover.
The seat is vertically adjustable, offering multiple positions, with approx. 1″ between the adjustment holes. The bike is actually designed to accommodate users between 5′ and 6’4″ (153-193 cm) comfortably. However, even taller users should be able to use this bike, but due to a longer inseam, they won’t benefit from a complete leg extension.
The handlebars are pretty simple, padded with rubber foam material for superior comfort. They’re non-adjustable, but they do supply multiple grip positions and workout postures. They’re equipped with EKG, metallic pulse sensors so the bike’s exercise console can monitor your pulse.
One last aspect to mention here is that a bottle holder is supplied with this upright exercise bike. This accessory attaches to the handlebar post, being quite easy to reach. It can accommodate just about any type of bottle or container, except the extra large ones.
Drive and resistance
The Fitness Reality 210 upright exercise bike is equipped with a belt drive system. Due to this fact, its operation is pretty much silent. The belt also doesn’t require any lubrication as a bike chain would. It is a heavy-duty, stretch resistant belt made to last for many years of use.
The bike’s flywheel isn’t an extremely heavy one; however, it’s perimeter-weighted which means it delivers a smooth and steady pedaling motion.
The bike’s crankset, although it features solid steel crank arms, it’s not made for stand-up pedaling. However, it is solid enough to support the user’s weight. The included pedals feature a weighted design; they’re made of a durable nylon material, and feature adjustable straps with 5 adjustment settings each.
Since the bike uses a belt transmission, the pedaling motion is smooth and quiet. Thus, this machine is perfect for apartment use.
The Fitness Reality 210 upright bike features a motor-assisted resistance system. This being said, you can only adjust resistance from the control unit. Also, in order to generate any resistance, the bike must be connected to a power circuit. An adapter with cable is supplied with the bike, which plugs into the frame at the rear, just above the base bar.
The bike’s resistance system involves a small servo motor and a magnetic element. As you select a certain resistance level from the console, the servo motor changes the magnets’ pull, generating more or less drag for the flywheel.
This bike offers 24 levels of resistance. In case you’re wondering, this bike does offer quality resistance. Even the medium resistance levels are not exactly light, while the top resistance levels simulate a steep climb. Differently put, the bike offers the possibility to undergo high-intensity cardio workouts, for stamina development and a consistent calorie burn.
Control unit
Although the bike’s console isn’t a very advanced one, it does offer much more than the basic fitness meters equipped on bikes with manual magnetic resistance, such as the FitLeader UF4, for example. To begin with, it features a large display with blue LED backlight and large digits,
easy to read even in low lighting conditions.
The console can keep track of several workout statistics, including distance, time, calories, watts, speed, and pulse, also having an odometer function. It has 3 computer goal workout settings for time, distance and calories burned; thus, you can set up a target for each one of these values, in order to meet for each one of your workouts.
This console unit is not Bluetooth enabled, so you cannot sync it with any online fitness app. However, it does have its own 21 pre-set programs, which cover a wide array of workouts, from light to intense. When using one of the pre-set workouts, the bike will automatically adjust its resistance.
The console is not telemetric. This means that it cannot read pulse via an HR chest strap transmitter. To benefit from a pulse reading, you will have to hold on to the stainless steel pulse sensors integrated into the handlebars. However, there’s a Recovery function which provides an evaluation of your heart rate recovery.
The bike’s console unit is very easy to operate. It features 6 buttons: one for recovery, one for navigation, one for selection, two keys (up / down) for resistance adjustment, and Start / Stop keys for commencing or pausing your workout.
Finally, the console features a media holder on its bottom part, and you can place your phone or tablet on it, in order to watch your favorite shows as you exercise.
Assembly and Maintenance
The parts that would be most difficult to put together, such as the flywheel, resistance elements, pulley, and belt, come already assembled, connected to the frame and enclosed by the plastic shrouds, forming the whole body of the bike. Therefore, when it comes to assembly, all you have to attach to the main body, are the bases, the seat and handle bar posts, the seat and the handlebars themselves, and the console. The manual supplied with the box provides comprehensive guidance for assembly, and the tools required are also included. The whole assembly shouldn’t take more than 20-30 min.
The maintenance required for this bike is minimal. You basically have to wipe the dust and perspiration from the frame, and that’s about it.
The Pros
- Sturdy construction, elegant design;
- Small footprint;
- Comfortable seat, vertically adjustable;
- Automatic resistance system, 24 levels;
- LED backlit display, easy to read;
- 21 pre-set workout programs;
- 3 goal workout settings;
- EKG pulse sensors in handlebars;
- Bottle holder included;
- Media tray included;
- Quiet and smooth drive;
- Basically maintenance free.
The Cons
- A tablet placed on the console’s media holder may block the access to the controls.
Summary
The Fitness Reality 210 is not a commercial upright bike model, but it has much more to offer than a basic upright bike. It features an automatic resistance system, with 21 workout programs, 3 goal settings, and 24 resistance levels. The resistance provided is quite consistent, therefore it’s not just a bike for toning muscles and performing cardio workouts, it can also serve for medium range workouts, for the strength of leg muscles and overall stamina. Finally, it’s one of the most affordable upright bikes with a motor assisted resistance system, offering an exceptional price/value ratio.