Sit back, relax... and PEDAL!!!
Written: Aug 09 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Comfortable, good for mild to moderate exercise
Cons: Not so good for vigorous exercise
The Bottom Line: The bottom line will take a lot less punishment on this model of exercise bike
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| captaind's Full Review: Stairmaster Momentum 3800rc |
The StairMaster Momentum 3800 RC is a recumbent exercise bike. No that doesn’t mean the bike itself is recumbent, but you are recumbent while using it. What this means, boys and girls, is that you’re not sitting upright on a saddle that cuts into your behind and forever challenging your right to comfortable bowel movements in later years. The saddle on the 3800 is much wider, more like a proper seat really. It never cuts into your nether regions and for this alone can be recommended.
Other than that, the bike really has no real differences to the upright 3400 CE model. There is a built-in entertainment system that I’ve never used due to using it in the gym, sp I can’t tell you if it’s any good. The display shows you various useful bits of information, such as the distance you’ve travelled, number of calories you’ve burned, your present speed (in KM/h and RPM), calories per hour, METS*, and elapsed time. There are monitors on the handlebars that also let you monitor your heart rate (in BPM). The display is clear and easy to read, the colour scheme isn’t bad, and due to the design there is a slight hood over the display which means there’s little chance of it reflecting too much light and obscuring the screen.
Many of the pros and cons of this particular model more or less cancel each other out, but overall I think the pros do outweigh the cons. It really depends what will be more useful to you.
Pros
It’s much more comfortable than most exercise bikes.
It’s therefore much easier to keep going on it for longer. It would be the perfect thing to just toddle along on burning a few calories per minute while you watch a film.
Cons
It’s rather bigger than the upright models, meaning you might need a bit more planning if you’re planning to get it.
The comfortable design doesn’t make working out aggressively a realistic possibility, so if you’re looking for something to burn calories quickly then this isn’t the thing.
RRP is £2,999, the same as the 3400CE model, and as with that model you will be able to get this for a bit under $1,000. All other things being equal, I prefer this one but it’s not the right choice for you unless you want something for more relaxed rather than vigorous exercise. One thing that might recommend it to many is that it’s a better design for those who might not be actually disabled but have some problems with posture on the upright machines. However it would have been even better with a back rest to avoid inadvertently putting too much pressure on your spine.
As exercise bikes go, this is probably my favourite even though I don’t use it very often as I prefer to really push myself when working out. Whether it would be any good for you will, I hope, be apparent from reading this review.
* One MET is defined as the energy it takes to sit quietly. For the average adult, this is about one calorie per every 2.2 pounds of body weight per hour someone who weighs 160 pounds would burn approximately 70 calories an hour while sitting or sleeping.
See Also:
StairMaster Momentum 3400 CE exercise bike (upright)
Reebok Body Trec Elliptical Trainer
Reebok Body Peak Elliptical Trainer
Life Fitness 9500 HR Cross Trainer
Top Ten Reasons to Join a Gym
Recommended:
Yes
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