I used Flexbike+ for a month, and here’s how it fits into my health regime

Flexbike+ attempts to recreate the experience of riding a bike in a home studio through an internet-connected bike that features a 22-inch touchscreen console, easy-adjust seat, and access to on-demand classes. I still work out in the morning, but I also love working out on the Flexbike+ at home at a time that suits me without going to the gym or an exercise class.

Here is my review of the connected cycle.

Flexbike+ retails for Rs 59,999 including delivery and setup. When you purchase a Flexbike+, you are eligible for a free all-access membership to access Flexnext content; more on that later. You can buy Flexbike+ as a stand-alone unit or in a bundle with accessories that increase its cost. For my review, I will focus only on Flexbike+.

Flexbike+: Delivery and commissioning

I received a phone call from the company to arrange a date and time, and to confirm which floor of the house I would like to install the bike on. Delivery and setup are part of every Flexnest bike purchase. Once I scheduled my delivery date, a guy came to my house and assembled the bike in front of me in about 40-odd minutes. Once the bike was assembled, it took another 10 minutes to set up my Flexnext account and log in before I could ride. Don’t worry; the guy will help you navigate the interface and explain the basics of the bike.

Flexbike+: Quite compact

Mine is a bit of a big room, so it wasn’t a big deal to place the Flexibike+ in the corner of my bedroom. The bike doesn’t take up much space and plugs into a wall socket. It has wheels so you can move it. However, the bike is heavy and I wouldn’t recommend changing the position of the bike or moving it unnecessarily from room to room. Make sure not to leave the bike on the balcony or where there is a possibility of it being damaged by water or other elements.

The Flexnest offer consists of the classes and the bike itself. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Flexbike+: Hardware

The bike frame is made of steel and is completely black, giving it a premium look. A horizontal bar connects the two rear legs, and from the center of this, a tube runs diagonally up to the handlebars. Between the legs of the fork is the flywheel, from which a belt runs back towards the connecting rods, which are fixed through the mentioned diagonal tube. The bike also comes with an adjustable seat. It was easy enough to adjust the height of the seat, thanks to the simple adjustable knobs.

At the front of the bike is a plastic water bottle holder. At the front of the handlebar array is a massive 22-inch adjustable HD touchscreen, used for streaming classes (more on that later). The monitor has built-in speakers and you can also connect a pair of headphones via Bluetooth. A large resistance knob, as with most indoor sport bikes, is there to increase or decrease the resistance mechanics of the bike. The good thing is that it is placed in such a way that it is easily within your reach. To be clear, the handlebars cannot move back and forth, nor can they be tilted in any way.

A resistance knob sits in the center between the handlebars. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/indian express)

Flexbike+: on-screen interface

The main attraction of the Flexbike+ is not the hardware but the software. The Wi-Fi enabled giant HD screen separates the Flexbike+ from the more affordable standard Flexbike. But why do you need an indoor bike attached monitor? Well, it’s not a gimmick, but the most important aspect of a premium bike: the classes. Upon turning it on, you will be greeted with a login screen like a computer.

Flexnext allows you to create multiple profiles depending on how many people in your family want to use the bike. Enter the login screen and you will see a dashboard with classes. You’ll find tons of classes here (more on that in a bit), instructors, challenges, etc. On-demand streaming classes and the rider can compete with other participants and get a snapshot of a cardio workout (BTW, I like the way a live leaderboard ranks riders based on “result”).

Attending a session is simple: simply press the power button on the attached screen, connect to available Internet, and choose a live session or one from the library. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Flexbike+: Ease of use and classes

I tried Flexbike+ for more than a month, averaging 3 classes per week. He didn’t rely solely on a bike to stay fit like many others, as he already got some exercise every day. But yes, I struck a good balance between connected indoor cycling and running outdoors. It took me two to three days to get used to the bike, but once the muscle soreness was gone, I enjoyed working out on the bike. Changing the resistance of this bike is very easy. The physical resistance knob works best for on-demand classes with specific metrics.

For me, what worked with a device like a connected indoor bike is that there is no commitment like in a gym, where I have to go no matter how busy I am. It’s easy to get on a bike, exercise for 20 or 30 odd minutes (depending on your stamina), and still be home. There were days when I was already exhausted from running in the morning and afternoon, and I had no energy left to get on the bike. But then, I was the one who chose how I want my daily exercise routine to be.

There are so many different classes to choose from and instructors to try. You can choose between beginner, intermediate and advanced levels depending on your comfort. They offer a variety of classes and the selection is split between live and on-demand classes. Most of the classes I took were the ones where I connected with music. I haven’t gotten bored of the classes or the instructors.

The community angle is interesting. In any race, he would compete with cyclists from all over the country. Another thing I liked about the bike is that during a ride, the touchscreen tablet (which streams Flexnext-branded classes from its studios in New Delhi and Dubai) displays all sorts of stats: ride time (elapsed and remaining ), current speed, distance covered, cadence (how fast you’re pedaling, in revolutions per minute), resistance intensity, and calories burned, which is reported by your body size, effort level. Any classes you’ve started can be paused, but in case you can’t finish them (happened to me many times), there’s no way you can pick up where you left off.

There are plenty of live and on-demand sessions to choose from. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Is the Flexbike+ worth it?

The Flexbike+ is not cheap. A Rs 59,999, the initial cost is definitely high, but if you think about it rationally, that cost is less compared to a membership in a good gym. The advantage here is the comfort and being able to exercise from home without leaving. One of the things I liked about the Flexbike+ is that I never knew I wanted a connected indoor exercise bike. I always hated going to a gym (I feel embarrassed there), but now I have the option to turn my bedroom into a home study. Yes, the cost of ownership of this bike is high, but think of the long-term benefits.