| Unit | Dimensions | Supported weight | Flywheel weight | Resistance | Console programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cycle Boxer Check Discounted Price | L:43.6" W:27" H:74.5" | 300 lbs | 13.2 lbs | Eddy current, 16 levels | 2 workout modes, Bluetooth, Cycle Boxer app |
The Cycle Boxer is one of the exercise bikes released by LifeSpan Fitness in 2019. It’s quite different from your average upright exercise bike because it comes with an interactive punching pad. This feature not only offers the possibility to involve more muscle groups during your workout, but it also keeps you focused on the actual workout, and ultimately renders each workout more challenging and entertaining.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 43.6L x 27W x 74.5H inches (111L x 69W x 189H cm)
- Assembled weight: 121 lbs (55 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 13.2 lbs (6 kg)
- Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Resistance: Eddy current, 16 levels
- Console: 2 workout modes, Bluetooth, Cycle Boxer app
- Extras: Boxing gloves, HR chest strap, accessory holder
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 1 year / Labor 1 year
Frame construction
The LifeSpan Fitness Cycle Boxer features a frame construction similar up to a point to the LifeSpan C5i. However,
it has an H-shaped which is a bit larger. The bike’s frame combines oval, cylindrical, and rectangular tubing in its construction, for improved sturdiness and aesthetics. All the steel tubes are double-coated with an abrasion-resistant and corrosion-resistant paint finish, black in color.
Of course, the bike also incorporates a few non-metallic parts. The most notable ones are the covers of the drive and resistance elements, the casing of the punching pad, and the covers of the seat horizontal slider. These are made of heavy-duty ABS material.
The bike does not take too much space. Its footprint is only 43.6″L x 27″W (111 x 69 cm). However, LifeSpan fitness recommends a clearance of three feet at the rear of the bike, two feet at the front, and on each side of it, for easy access and safe usage.
The bike is also fairly heavy. Its net weight is 121 lbs (55 kg). However, once the bike is fully assembled, it can easily be moved by only one person. Its front base features a set of wheels that facilitate its relocation. Also, the base frame of the bike features adjustable levelers.
Seat, handlebars, and punching pad
The LifeSpan Fitness Cycle Boxer is equipped with a large saddle. It is constructed on a heavy-duty nylon shell 
with a thick layer of padding. It is contoured for more comfort and also has a small handle at the rear so you can easily lift the bike and lean it forward on its transport wheels when you need to relocate it.
The seat is four-way adjustable (up, down, front, back). Its post has multiple adjustment positions, while its horizontal slider adds several inches of front-to-back adjustment. This being said, the bike should be able to accommodate users between 5’1″ and 6’6″ (155 – 198 cm). It is also rated for a maximum user weight limit of 300 lbs (136 kg).
The bike’s punching pad consists of a large casing made of ABS material with four spring elements at the rear which reduce some of the shock generated during punching. At the front, it has five distinct areas which light up randomly and you have to punch them as they light up, to register a higher score.
The punch pad comes already attached to its tube which has several vertical adjustment positions. However, it does not have a horizontal slider for front-to-back adjustment, as the seat. Its top reaches 74.5″ (189 cm) above the floor when it is at its highest position, and approx. 63″ (160 cm) when at its lowest.
The handlebar horizontal tube is directly welded to the punch pad vertical adjustment tube. Thus, when you adjust the height of the pad, you also adjust the height of the handlebar. The bike’s handlebar has a pretty simple construction with only one set of grips. They have foam sleeves for improved contact. They do not have pulse sensors or any other controls.
Drive and resistance
The LifeSpan Cycle Boxer is equipped with an eddy current magnetic resistance system. This means that it requires
an external power source and an adapter (which is included). It also means that you can only adjust the resistance from the console.
The bike’s resistance system consists of a small servo motor and a magnetic brake. The motor makes the connection between the magnetic brake and the console. When you select a certain cycling difficulty level from the console, it will adjust the magnetic brake accordingly, changing the magnets’ pull on the flywheel for a higher or a lower workout load.
The magnetic resistance system comes with a few advantages. First of all, the magnets do not touch the flywheel so the resistance is very smooth and quiet. And second of all, since there is no internal friction between the resistance elements, you don’t have to worry about their lubrication or wear and tear.
The bike makes available 16 resistance levels. The first few levels provide a light pedaling difficulty which makes them great for recovery training and muscle toning. Conversely, the top resistance setting is considerably higher promoting a high-level cardio workout.
The LifeSpan Cycle Boxer is equipped with a 13.2 lbs (6 kg) flywheel. It features a perimeter-weighted construction for improved inertia and stability. It is also bi-directional, so you can pedal in reverse if you want. However, coasting is not possible on this bike.
The crankset is pretty sturdy. It features flattened durable arms with pedals made of aluminum alloy. The pedals do not have SPD clips, but they do have toe cages in case you want to secure your feet. And finally, the bike’s drive system uses a poly-v belt. This being said, you don’t have to worry about transmission lubrication.
Console and accessories
The LifeSpan Cycle Boxer is equipped with a 7-inch display console featuring a touchscreen display with LED 
backlight. It is quite different than the average exercise bike console as it focuses more on the punching workout than on the pedaling. It indicates punching accuracy, reaction speed, total punches, RPM, distance, speed, calories, and heart rate. It has Bluetooth connectivity and a Bluetooth heart rate chest strap is included with it.
The console doesn’t have standard pre-set workout programs like other bikes, such as “Rolling Hills”, “Ride Through the Park” etc. It has two workout modes. These are Quick Start and User Challenge. Each one will prompt you to select a difficulty (Easy, Medium, or Hard) which reflects how the contact areas on the punch pad will light up. For each difficulty, there is a tutorial that explains how you have to punch the pad.
Each program is split into rounds which by default are 3 minutes long. After a round of 3 minutes, the console will pause and show a workout summary. For the User Challenge program, you can select the resistance, the number of rounds, and the speed at which the punch pads will light up.
The console’s Bluetooth function also allows it to sync with your phone or tablet via the Cycle Boxer app. This app is available for both iOS and Android devices. It offers the possibility to send the workout data on the console to the app, so it can save to your workout history. It also offers the possibility to create a workout and send it to the console.
In terms of accessories, the most notable ones are the boxing gloves and the accessory tray. The boxing gloves are similar to the MMA hybrid sparring gloves. They are not fully closed so you have your fingers free for holding the bike’s handlebar or accessing the console. The accessory tray is attached to the main frame tube; it is large enough to accommodate most hydration bottles.
Assembly and Maintenance
The bike’s main body, as well as the punch pad, come pre-assembled. So, for the assembly, you will basically have to connect the base frame to the main body of the bike, add the pedals, the seat, the punch pad, the console, and connect all the wires. This may take more than an hour but the process is not too complicated. The manual provides clear assembly instructions and there is a QR code in the manual that will take you to an assembly video. All the necessary tools for the assembly are included.
For maintenance, you only have to keep the bike clean, and periodically check for loose bolts and parts. The internal parts do not require periodic lubrication.
The Pros
- Heavy-duty construction, superior user weight capacity (300 lbs);
- Adjustable stabilizers on both bases;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Large, padded, and contoured seat;
- Transport handle integrated into the saddle;
- Interactive punch pad with 5 contact areas;
- Shock absorption system on the punch pad;
- The height of the punch pad is adjustable;
- Aluminum alloy pedals with straps;
- Eddy current resistance system (16 difficulty levels);
- 7-inch display console that punching accuracy, reaction speed, total punches, RPM, distance, speed, calories, and pulse;
- Two workout modes;
- Workout summary feature;
- Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility with the Cycle Boxer app (for iOS and Android);
- Bluetooth heart rate chest strap included;
- Open-finger boxing gloves included;
- Accessory tray included;
- Fairly easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- No standard cycling programs on the console;
- No SPD clips on the pedals.
Summary
The LifeSpan Fitness Cycle Boxer is an exercise bike made for home use. It is equipped with an interactive punch pad, a 16-level eddy current resistance system, a 13.2-lb internal flywheel, and a Bluetooth console with two workout modes. The console also has a workout summary feature, shows a wide array of workout metrics, and is compatible with the Cycle Boxer app. In all, it’s a versatile fitness machine, offering the possibility to perform punching exercises along with cycling in order to engage more muscle groups, burn more calories with each workout, while keeping a maximum focus.