Tags: magnetrainer, Magnetrainer Extended Range Mini Exercise Bike, mini exercise bike
Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike
I have to laugh and almost cry at the same time when I take a look at the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike. You see, my last job was very boring and while my boss made sure that we were glued to our chairs for 40 hours per week, I was lucky if I worked a little more than half that time. So, I had plenty of time for thinking. Maybe I was watching too much Billy Mays but I always thought that because I had been so physically active (cycling, powerlifting, bodybuilding, and nutrition), my mind was made up that I could come up with a product or better product than what I was seeing on those infomercials. I won't go into the details of all of the products that I came up with (most of which would be looked at as useless by 99.999% of the population) but between my calf extension machine (under the desk), springs create the resistance, which builds up the calf area for bodybuilders and an under the desk riding machine to burn off calories while stuck at that dreaded job, I was sure that I had a great product. Course I had these ideas and did nothing about them before. Hmmm... wish I would have thought of the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike.
Kinda like that guy who I remember reading about who ran into another gentleman maybe 30 years ago at the airport. Now I may not have this story exactly right so please bare with me. As they were waiting for their luggage to show up, the gentleman made small talk and and asked what each other did for a profession. One gentleman said that he was a photographer. "Neat said the one guy". The other guy said that he was an inventor. "I've always wanted to do something like that" said the other guy. The inventor spoke up and told the photographer that he could be an inventor. He just had to think of an existing product and figure out how to make it better. So, as they were waiting for their luggage, the inventor asked the photographer to figure out 5 ways to make a suitcase better. So, the photographer said he would start out by making it easier to move the suitcase #1 (put rollers on the suitcase), once rollers were on the suitcase there must be an easier way to move it so #2 (put a telescoping handle on the suitcase). Now that the suitcase be more easily moved, wouldn't it be nice to #3 (have an expandable suitcase). Was there a reason why suitcases didn't have #4 (a combination lock), and if it had #5 (a hard back) the suitcase wouldn't get so banged up upon transit. So, the inventor now told the photographer to go patent the ideas and he would be a multi-millionaire. Only years later the photographer looked back on that moment he met the inventor and came to realize that suitcases now had each of those 5 options available. Only the photographer couldn't claim credit because although all of those inventions came to pass, he did not have anything to do with a single one of those inventions. So, what are my ramblings all about? Just that I envisioned nearly the exact product that I am reviewing today. The Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike.
Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike Can Be Used At Work
So here is the deal. The Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike (also called Magnetrainer Extended Range Mini Exercise Bike) allows you to literally bike indoors while you watch TV, talk on the phone, read a book, work (ugh), or play on the computer. Use it in the home or take it to work. Yes, you can practically ride this Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike just about anywhere you can think of, maybe with the exception of sitting on a bar stool, driving, or while in an airline seat. With the optional ergo handle, you can keep your arms, back, and shoulders in shape by simply putting this device on a table. You will find that the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike (some call it the under desk exercise bike) lists for $189 but you can often find it for much less over at Amazon (when it is not sold out).
Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike Product Features
* Genuine Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike
* Smooth, Quiet, Adjustable Magnetic Resistance. Widest resistance range (up to 160W).
* 1-year warranty on All parts.
* Enhanced base support for maximum stability.
* Sturdy Steel Frame, with added support.
Specifications for Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike
Dimensions
Description Distance
Crank Arm Length 5"
Height of Crank Shaft Center 10"
Height of Bike with Display 18"
Height of Bike without Display 15.5"
Length of Bike Fully Extended 20"
Weight 22 lbs.
So what are some options that we can get for the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike?
# Large Pedals with Velcro Straps
PC Interface
The PC Interface is arguably the most useful accessory for the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike.
It comes with software that automatically logs your exercise progress.
It can also be used to interact with driving and racing games and even explore Island Worlds™ virtual reality software.
Just install the software, plug it into your USB port, and it's ready to go.
View your PC Interface Exercise Progress
Use the progress viewer to see your time, speed, distance, approximate calories burned and a plot of pedal motion
for any day that you've used the bike.
Interact with Games and Island World (purchased separately)
The PC Interface gives you the ability to explore virtual worlds and play driving and racing games using the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike.
Your pedal speed controls your character speed.
#Interacts with NetAthlon2 bike racing software (purchased separately) (requires PC Interface).
# Explore Island Worlds (requires PC Interface)
Explore virtual worlds alone or with others using your Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike.
Your pedal motion controls your character motion; the faster you pedal the faster you go.
Your character can be a person, a hovercraft, a helicopter and more.
Adjustable Magnetic Resistance
The resistance of the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike comes from magnets. I am a big believer in this type of indoor cycling as can be seen by the name of my website. As an added benefit, you can ride the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike either forward or reverse. To change the resistance, just adjust the knob on the front of this unit.
The resistance adjusts from just about zero to 160 watts and provides a smooth and quiet pedaling motion.
The Magnetrainer ER Mini Exercise Bike was given 62 reviews and an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars (as of 1/11/2011) by those that reviewed the mini exercise bike on Amazon.
Lets see what people reviewing the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike had to say on Amazon.
Pro:
you can barely hear the unit as you pedal along. all you need is enough clearance for your knees and you will start pedaling throughout the day.
It seems quite sturdy and well designed. It is VERY quiet, almost inaudible even in a quiet room.
Fantastic buy, worth the money
I bought this for upper body exercise after rotator cuff surgery. The adjustable resistance allowed me to start off with an easy workout and increase the difficulty as my shoulder got stronger. It is a high quality product, well designed and easy to use. I could not be more pleased.
Cons:
First of all, the only way I could get it not to slide around was by having it directly adjacent to my subwoofer on a carpeted floor; even then with each pedal motion it rocked back and forth a little.
The main issue is that the resistance doesn't go nearly strong enough. Even at the max, it felt like riding a bike in one of the lowest gears.
What I found out is that most people felt that the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike provided adequate resistance. In fact, the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike has nearly twice the resistance adjustment range as any other mini exercise bike. What I like is that there is a digital display (two AA batteries are required and included) which shows you speed, distance, time, and calories burned. There are optional pedals that you can purchase. One is a larger pedal with velcro straps and the other is an ergonomic handle so that you can pedal this bike using your hands.
Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike Final Thoughts
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Final Thoughts: I sincerely wish that I would have thought of creating this mini exercise bike before the folks over at Magnetrainer. When doing some research on this product, you will find out that first and foremost at 22 lbs., the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike is a quality piece of equipment. When the weather is bad outside, you will find me riding my magnetic trainer but the Magnetrainer ER options up a whole new range of possibilities. It also has a wide base which is not found on similar mini exercise bikes. This helps it to be more stable. The Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike provides magnetic resistance and at this time it has the highest pedaling resistance (as well as adjusting down to near zero resistance) available of any mini bike trainer on the market. What this means is that it offers 160 watts of resistance whereas similar trainers offer 100 watts. This means that for most folks, it will give them a very good workout while either at home, at work, or in a hotel while on the road. Combined with the optional accessories and you cannot go wrong with the Magnetrainer Mini Exercise Bike.
