Table of Contents
I decided to purchase the Fitness Reality R4000 Recumbent Exercise Bike as I exercise every day for better fitness and wellness. I typically jog every day, but occasionally, I don’t want to if it’s gloomy or too hot outside. I use the exercise bike to replace my jog when the outdoor environment is not enjoyable, or it’s late at night, and I’m trying to get some extra exercise. In this review, I’m looking at the lovely R4000 recumbent exercise bike. As you keep reading, find out what I love and hate about it, and if I recommend the Fitness Reality recumbent bike.
(Fitness Reality R4000 Magnetic Tension Recumbent Bike with Workout Goal Setting Computer)
| Quality: |  (4.5 / 5) |
| Value of money: |  (4.6 / 5) |
| Ease of use: |  (4.4 / 5) |
| Average: | (4.5 / 5) |
Price
Most exercise bikes nowadays are recumbent rather than upright. I do remember a time when they were mainly upright. However, I picked up this Magnetic Tension Recumbent Bike at under $200, which is an excellent price. It seems that most exercise bikes start at around $400 or $500 for the decent ones, and at least $900 or $1000 for the outstanding ones. However, I was on a budget, and I’m not a big-time athlete, so I consider this a reasonable investment.
If you’re starting out or on a budget like me, the Fitness Reality R4000 is an excellent choice. But if you’re looking for a bike like you would find at a gym, or if you know a seasoned athlete’s bike, this isn’t it. However, for under $200, this is a perfect bike I’d have to repeat. It initially retailed for $250 or $300 at different places, and then it was on sale, and I wanted an exercise bike, so I just had to get it.
Computer Display
The bike has been with me for a couple of weeks now and I have used it quite a few times, so let me give you a closer look at the features of the recumbent bike. To begin with, it has a handy display so you can view the time and distance as you run or the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the flywheel as it turns. Fitness R4000 has some other readings, but those are the main and most important ones.
Tension Setting
The tension setting on Fitness Reality R4000 Recumbent Exercise Bike with Workout Goal Setting Computer starts from the weakest up to the strongest amount of tension. It’s got 14 different settings on the tension knob. The display also tells you an estimation of how many calories it thinks you’re burning. However, I am very skeptical regarding the calculated calories burned. The index for the lowest and highest tension at the same RPM of voltage tends to remain at the same level.
From the lowest tension setting up to the highest tension setting, you can definitely experience the difference. One minor thing is that when I first got the bike, I put it together and was experimenting with the different tension settings, I noticed that I really couldn’t recognize much of a difference. That was strange as I expected to sense a significant difference in tension between the highest and the lowest level. I was like, “Okay, did I resemble it wrong or what? What’s going on?”
Well, however, after riding it a few times, I was adjusting the tension again, just playing with it while I’m riding the bike. All of a sudden, the higher tension settings kicked in. I’m not sure what I can conclude from that. Maybe it’s a manufacturing flaw or maybe something slid into place as I’m using it, I don’t know that, but it’s perfect now. I can tell a big difference between the low and the high setting, so there’s no question now that the recumbent exercise bike gives me the proper tension in the highest settings.
Fittings And Frame
Next, the plastic fittings seem a little bit flimsy. It is not a really big deal, though, since I think it is more than made up for by the frame. The frame on the Fitness Reality recumbent exercise bike is solid metal. The flywheel also feels nice and stable. As I use it, the bike is really quiet, pleasant, and durable, and most importantly, it doesn’t shake at all even when I’m roaring while cycling.
This Fitness Reality bike also got this handy beer holder. Wait, don’t drink alcohol while you’re exercising, bad idea. That is for your water Gatorade or whatever drink you typically drink when you exercise. The straps with the pedals have a basic quality with essential functions that you would want.
One con is that on the right pedal, the foot strap keeps coming off no matter how many times I put it on there. However, it doesn’t affect the Fitness Reality recumbent exercise bike in a functional way at all, so that’s not much of a con. I’d say the biggest burr in my saddle so far is the rear feet. There are these little plastic rear feet on the end on the back of the R4000 Bike, which pops off anytime I move it. Anytime I slide the bike, both of them pop off. Again, this is not a major con as I can fix this myself by gluing them on.
Seat And Seat Height
Finally, the seat on Fitness Reality R4000 is effortless to adjust. It accommodates people with heights starting from 5’ and then going up to 6’. It’s nice to have a wide range of accommodations for height. The seat is extremely comfortable for such an inexpensive bike. It’s padded and made from leather, which is easy to wipe off and clean.
So far, the Fitness Reality R4000 has its pros and cons but generally speaking, the pros surpass the cons. This is an excellent exercise bike for the price, and I don’t think you can go wrong with a bike like this. Thank you for reading my reviews; good luck with your work out and see you next time!
