Exercise bikes help you get in your dream shape, no question, but the high-quality models are awfully expensive.
Well, except the Reebok ZR9!
Made by a popular brand, Reebok, this exercise bike offers plenty of cool functions while remaining easier on the wallet. The exercise bike boasts a 9 kg flywheel, 32 levels of magnetic resistance, self-levelling pedals, transport wheels, and adjustable handlebars. It’s also very easy to set up.
Ready to see all the bike’s key features, specs, pros, and cons? Keep reading our Reebok ZR9 exercise bike review.
Contents
About Reebok
Reebok is a company that’s been around for decades. It was officially founded in 1958 by Jeff Foster and Joseph William but only started to become a household name in the 1980s when the brand began to specialise in workout gear and activewear.
In the years that followed, Reebok collaborated with big names, and also developed a range of exercise equipment, including exercise bikes, cross trainers, and treadmills.
Reebok’s bikes are known for their 7-10 kg flywheel, LCD display with workout programmes, pulse grip handlebars, integrated wheels, and other outstanding functions.
Reebok ZR9 Exercise Bike Review
Overview
The Reebok ZR9 exercise bike is a great value bike that excels in tension range, adjustments, and smooth riding.
It has an impressive 32 levels of resistance that lets you adjust your workout based on your needs, as well as adjustable seat and handlebars, and built-in tech that monitors your progress.
The bike also features a 9 kg flywheel that offers a smooth rotation and accommodates a rider up to 120 kg.
Specifications
Specifications
- Height: 133 cm
- Weight: 52 cm
- Length: 92 cm
- Bike Weight: 32.5 kg
- Max Weight Limit: 120 kg
- Flywheel Weight: 9 kg
- Transport Wheels: Yes
- Feedback includes: Time, Speed, RPM, Distance, Calories, Pulse, Watts
- Heart Rate Measurement: Via Hand Pulse Sensors
Reebok ZR9 Exercise Bike: Pros and Cons
PROS
- Totally compact
- Smooth cycling motion
- Ergonomic handlebars
- Easy assembly
- Highly customisable riding position
- Large screen
CONS
- The flywheel emits noise during operation
- The seat can be hard to sit on for extended periods
Product Design
The pedals, handlebars, and seat on the Reebok ZR9 exercise bike are designed to provide a comfortable workout every time.
Pedals
The self-levelling pedals eliminate the hassle of constantly trying to access the pedals after you have climbed onto the ZR9 exercise bike. Not only that, the anti-slip insert keeps your feet from slipping off the pedals; hence, maximising your riding comfort and efficiency.
Pulse Sensor Handlebars
The handlebars can be adjusted to allow a riding position that’s easy on your back. According to a 2016 study, low handlebar heights can contribute to low back pain. The exercise bike’s adjustable handlebars are, therefore, a nice touch that you shouldn’t undervalue.
Moreover, the handlebars are fitted with sensors that detect your pulse to give you a measure of your heart rate. This is a great feature to have especially when you want to exercise and train in the heart rate zone that’s best for you. To get the required reading, you need to grip both sensors firmly with both hands.
Seat
But while Reebok designed the handlebars to be ergonomic, the seat isn’t that comfortable to use during long rides and endurance workouts. For this reason, you may need to purchase a bike seat cover. This will not only cushion the bike’s seat but also make it a bit wider.
Setup Process
Reebok wants the ZR9 exercise bike’s setup process to go as smoothly as possible, so it supplies a numbered IKEA/LEGO format of construction. The setup process should take around 30 minutes to finish.
The exercise bike is mains powered, which is something to note when thinking about placement as you’ll need access to an outlet.
Product Performance
Smooth ride and variable resistance are exercise bike basics, and the Reebok ZR9 exercise bike doesn’t disappoint there.
9 kg Flywheel
Like the rest of the ZR family, this one boasts a 9 kg flywheel, giving you an exceptionally smooth ride. Though this is not as massive as the flywheels of other exercise bikes, it’s competent enough to provide you with that much-needed stability so that you don’t experience jerky movements during the more intensive sessions.
Unfortunately, the flywheel makes noise during operation so you may have to soundproof your workout space to avoid waking up the whole house.
Magnetic Resistance
Throughout your workout, you’ll probably want to adjust the intensity. This bike allows you to do just that and choose between 32 levels of magnetic resistance. So whether you’re a newbie or a pro, you can easily switch to the level that’s right for you.
After lengthier workouts at high intensity, the Reebok ZR9 exercise bike seems to produce noise. So if you like to watch TV while you cycle, the noise can get a bit distracting.
Keep reading our Reebok ZR9 exercise bike review, and explore its other features.
Other Features
LCD Display
Your metrics – including time, speed, RPM, distance, calories, pulse, watt – are displayed on the two-colour LCD screen, allowing you to see what you’re doing at all times.
Part of keeping yourself motivated will come from seeing the progress of your current workout, and this exercise bike assists with that.
Transport Wheels
What’s great about this exercise bike is that it has transport wheels. This feature is especially helpful if you exercise on the bike in a different location from where it’s stored. There’s no need to lift the 32.5 kg – just unlock the wheels and move it around freely!
Workout Programs
Reebok ZR9 exercise bike features 12 pre-set programs that challenge your body in a number of ways including cardio, fat burning, interval training, and more.
Recovery Test Function
The added benefit of the pulse grip sensors is the recovery test function. This straightforward fitness test enables you to see how well you recover from exercise.
After an exercise session: press the recovery button on the console and grip the handlebars for 1 minute. The computer then calculates the rate at which your pulse rate returns to a resting state over the minute. Your fitness rating can be 1-7, where 1 is considered the highest rating.
Reebok ZR9 Exercise Bike Review: To buy or not to buy?
Reebok ZR9 is a great exercise bike for the average home user. It’s adjustable to allow proper positioning on the bike, has a 9 kg flywheel, has self-levelling pedals, has transport wheels, has pre-programmed workouts, and has 32 levels of magnetic resistance. Also, the bike has a two-colour LCD that shows time, speed, RPM, distance, calories, pulse, and watts.
The drawbacks are that some users may find the seat uncomfortable during long rides, and the flywheel can be a bit noisy during operation.
Beyond that, we still feel the Reebok ZR9 is a very reasonably priced and convenient option to consider. So, if you’re looking for an accessible alternative to the gym that won’t break the bank, there’s no reason you shouldn’t go with the Reebok ZR9.
