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Millions of people around the globe struggle with a daily battle to lose weight. Aside from dieting, the biggest component of weight loss is intense physical activity. This usually requires visiting a gym to utilize their equipment. However, over the last few years, we’ve seen at-home exercise equipment that surpasses even what you would find in the best of gyms. The BowFlex VeloCore bike is a great example.
Let’s face it. Working out at home can be pretty boring. Riding a stationary bike often pales in comparison to the real thing, yet most people don’t want to actually ride five miles through town on a bicycle. That’s where “connected” workout equipment comes into play.
Connected equipment like the VeloCore brings the gym experience as well as the outdoor riding experience into the comfort of your own home. You can ride along with on-demand workout videos, live instructor-led classes, and even enjoy a virtual stroll down some of the world’s most iconic trails.
Equipment like the VeloCore has helped revolutionize how people exercise at home; making it easier for people everywhere to lose weight and stay healthy. Here’s what you can expect with this review.
- We’ll discuss exactly what this equipment can do.
- We’ll cover its most important features and specs.
- We’ll look at its cost and related expenses.
Let’s dive right in.
What is the Bowflex VeloCore?
Chances are, you’re already familiar with the Bowflex brand. They have been manufacturing and selling home fitness equipment for decades. Some of the most popular and efficient home gyms carry the Bowflex name.
The VeloCore is the latest stationary bike made by Bowflex. But it’s not just a shiny upgrade over last year’s bike. This stationary bike includes new, revolutionary features that many people haven’t seen before. The two most notable are its connection with the Peleton app and its “lean mode”.
Peleton is definitely new and highly-effective, but it has been seen with other equipment over the past year. What’s most impressive about the VeloCore is its leaning mode. This is the first stationary bike on the market to include a feature like this and it makes working out at home an entirely new experience, especially when compared with the virtual scenery of the Peleton app.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of this latest innovating from Bowflex:
How Does The “Lean Mode” Work?
As the name implies, the leaning mode lets the bike lean and rake as you ride. It produces a new level of immersion that can make an at-home workout feel like an outdoor adventure. At the same time, it also helps activate muscle groups that aren’t normally active during stationary cycling.
This feature has attracted a lot of interested customers. According to a survey conducted by YouGov, 60 percent of customers claimed they would prefer a stationary bike that was capable of replicating the way it feels to ride outdoors (https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005595/en/Nautilus-Disrupts-Home-Fitness-Dual-Mode-Indoor-Cycling). If you’re in the group of people who want to bring the outdoor experience into the living room, then this is a great investment.
What If You Want A More “Traditional” Ride?
What happens when you wake up at 5 am and want to do a quick cycle for work? You’re tired and you don’t feel like leaning and swaying as you burn a few calories. All you need to do is engage the “lockout” mode. It only takes a few moments and your VeloCore is no longer rocking as your ride.
The ability to quickly transition from leaning mode to a traditional stationary mode is a very important feature. Leaning mode is great and helps with immersion, but sometimes it can feel unwanted. For example, when you’re trying to watch your favorite show on Hulu using the 22-inch console. Leaning and swaying can make it difficult to focus on a show and escape the moment.
When locked down, the bike behaves just as you would expect a high-end stationary bike. It’s perfectly sturdy and you would have no idea that it normally leaned and swayed.
Does it Work With the Peloton App?
Peleton has been making big waves in the at-home fitness industry over the past year. Their live and on-demand streaming services have brought the gym into the living room. It makes it possible to follow along with trained and certified professionals without ever leaving your house. This results in more efficient workouts overall as well as a more enjoyable experience.
Bowflex has partnered with Peleton on a few different pieces of equipment. The VeloCore bike is one of them. It can also connect with several other fitness apps if you prefer more than what Peleton has to offer.
Of course, it can connect with the Bowflex JRNY app. This app includes free and paid membership options. However, if you’re interested in the best possible workout experience, then you’ll want to invest in the paid membership. It includes premium videos, customized workouts, and dynamic coaching options.
The dynamic coaching option is really what sets the JRNY app apart from the competition. The app creates customized workouts based on previous workouts and other relevant data. During your workout, you’ll hear live feedback, coaching advice, and a few strong motivating words. It makes it much easier to push through that last mile and burn those unwanted calories.
Key Features
This is a high-end exercise machine. As such, it comes loaded with all of the best and most advanced features in the industry. It’s easily one of the most feature-rich stationary bikes on the market today. Here are some of its most impressive features.
- 100 Magnetic Resistance Levels: Customize your workout with the intensity you need to get results. Or lower that intensity when you just want to cycle and relax.
- Lean Mode: Enable this mode to lean and sway as you cycle. This activates multiple muscle groups and creates a more immersive riding experience.
- Lock-Down Mode: This is your traditional stationary mode. If you get tired of leaning, enter lock-down mode and enjoy your ride in a more traditional style.
- HD Touchscreen: The console can be either 16 or 22 inches. It’s touchscreen-enabled and comes loaded with apps like Peleton and Netflix. No need to bring your tablet.
- Media Rack: For those of you who do prefer your own tablet, there’s a media rack.
See all of the features and specs at the Bowflex website.
Price: How Much Does it Cost?
The VeloCore bike comes in two different options with varying price tags. The only major difference between the two options is the size of the console. The first option is a 16” console and the second is a larger 22” console.
- Cost of VeloCore w/ 16” Console – $1,699
- Cost of VeloCore w/22” Console – $2,199
As you can see, that’s a pretty significant price difference for a few extra inches on your screen. Screen size aside, the two machines are completely identical. There will be some additional fees if you choose to use the available fitness apps.
- Monthly Cost of Peleton App – $12.99
- Monthly Cost of JRNY App – $19.99
The Bowflex JRNY app is slightly more expensive, but the dynamic coaching option is excellent. It is certainly worth a few extra bucks if you’re interested in a customizable workout experience.
Review Summary: Where to Buy the VeloCore
This is a great time to consider investing in home gym equipment. Connected technology is making it easier than ever to workout from home with the help of professional trainers. There are even opportunities to compete or stay social with others who are exercising at home.
The VeloCore is as good as it gets when it comes to connected stationary bikes. And thanks to the new “lean mode” you can make it a little less stationary than before.
Right now the only place to buy the Bowflex VeloCore is at their website…compare the two models below:
