Sears is one of the largest department stores in the United States, and carries a wide variety of merchandise, from clothing to cooking utensils and fitness machines. Between its bricks-and-mortar department stores and online store, Sears sells dozens of different brand name upright stationary bikes, recumbent exercise bikes, and bike accessories.
Top Selling
The NordicTrack Upright Exercise Cycle GX2.0, Schwinn Airdyne, ProForm XP Whirlwind 280, ProForm XP 185 U and Diamondback Fitness Apex U6 are five of the top-selling exercise bikes at Sears, and all sell for less than $700 as of 2011. The Schwinn Airdyne was named a best upright exercise and a top five exercise bike by Bestcovery.com. ProForm, an exercise equipment manufacturer, produces a variety of well-reviewed mid-to-low priced exercise bikes.
Top Rated
The list of top-rated bikes sold by Sears has more variety and includes equipment at multiple price points. The BH Fitness SK 9900 is a top-of-the-line recumbent bike with many features, including an ergonomic design, 40 programs, 20 resistance levels, on-board computer and TV monitor. The NordicTrack Recumbent Exercise Cycle GX4.0, called "a high-performance, sophisticated bike" by Galt Home Buying Guides, is iFit compatible, has 24 programmed workouts and 20 resistance levels. The Weslo Pursuit CT 3.8 R is a budget recumbent bike with two preprogrammed workouts and adjustable resistance levels. The Stamina Products Magnetic Recumbent 1350, manufactured by a company that produces very well-reviewed budget exercise bikes, uses magnetic resistance to provide multiple levels of difficulty. There are two Life Fitness recumbent bike models on Sears’ list of top-rated bikes: the R3 and Club Series. The R3 is a self-powered bike with 10 programmed workouts and 20 levels of resistance. The club series has 19 programmed workouts, seven personalized workouts and 400-lb. weight capacity, making it an appropriate bike for a larger folks.
What to Look For
A 2008 "Consumer Reports" survey found that roughly 40 percent of people with home exercise machines use the equipment less than they had planned. When buying an exercising machine, Sears offers models with dozens of features costing into the thousands, as well as machines with a handful of features costing less than $1,000. If you’re buying a machine for a family, consider a bike with a variety of different features, including preprogrammed workouts and multiple resistance levels. For a single user, the weight capacity should be at least the weight of the user. For a family, choose more durable equipment with a weight capacity of between 300 to 350 lbs.
Extended Warranty
Sears sells some of the best exercise bikes on the market with top-notch warranty programs. For very expensive bikes or equipment with a sub-par warranty, Sears’ offers a comprehensive extended warranty. NordicTrack Upright Exercise Cycle GX2.0, a top-selling Sears bike, offers a one-year warranty on parts and labor and a lifetime warranty on the frame. The ProForm XP 185 U offers a five-year warranty on the frame and 90 days on parts and labor. In 2011, a $50 Sears extended warranty covers in-home service for two years and $70 covers in-home service for five years. Carefully evaluate your warranty needs, suggests "The New York Times." In 2008, the average cost for repairs to exercise equipment not covered by a warranty was $100. Consumers who purchased an extended warranty paid about $118 for the additional coverage.
References
- "The New York Times"; Exercise Machines Gathering Dust; Tara Parker-Pope; Jan. 5, 2009
- “The New York Times"; Rating Home Exercise Equipment; Tara Parker-Pope; Jan. 8, 2008
- Sears: Exercise Cycles
- Galt Home Buying Guides; Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes; Mar. 10, 2011
- Bestcovery; Best Exercise Bike under $500; Jeff Wilson; Dec. 28, 2009
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