Aviron is bringing a new mindset to indoor cycling. The fitness brand, which is well-known for its smart rowing machines, has debuted its first exercise bike for the home gym and is putting its gamification software front and center to help keep users motivated.
At-home exercise bikes may have reached an all-time popularity high during Covid-19 lockdowns, but since 2021, the global exercise bike market went from being valued at $449.75 million and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 5.72% between 2023 and 2030,?reaching $627.93 million by 2027, according to 360 Research Reports. That’s a lot of bikes.
Yet, with all the competition, what makes the Aviron Fit Bike so intriguing is that it includes engaging single-player and multiplayer games to keep you spinning, as well as instructor-led studio classes, streaming movies and TV shows, and scenic rides in far-flung locales like Norway and Portugal.
I recently took the Fit Bike for a spin to see how it fared. After weeks of testing, here’s why it’s a worthwhile investment.
The Aviron Fit Bike is a high-end stationary bike that uses gamified content to motivate you to work out. Whether you’re a novice or an avid indoor cyclist, this innovative bike can help take your workouts to the next level and encourage you to beat your own high score.
What I liked about it
The wide variety of classes
Let’s be honest: No matter how dedicated you are to your health and wellness journey, everybody gets stuck in a fitness rut sometimes. Luckily, Aviron’s immersive, game-driven platform makes it far easier to claw your way out and crush your workout goals. There are plenty of options to choose from, including things like deep-sea fishing, a pirate treasure hunt and a Space Invaders-style game, to name a few. You can even challenge friends and family to compete or do interval training in various video game-driven programs.
Not feeling the game? There are plenty of other options, including streaming content from Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Prime Video and more. You can also take coached classes, similar to those offered by Peloton and NordicTrack, as well as guided workout programs that target other workout genres, like strength training and HIIT.
You get all this for $24 a month. That’s about $20 less than a Peloton Bike membership, and the monthly fee covers unlimited profiles for your entire family.
The smart features
Every Fit Bike comes with a four-way, rotating 22-inch touch screen, two spacious water bottle holders, SPD pedals with foot cages so you can ride wearing normal running shoes and Bluetooth connectivity to listen to your favorite playlists while you ride.
But what truly sets the Fit Bike apart is its authentic design, which mimics the feeling of a real road bike. The flywheel and pedals operate independently of each other, unlike a standard spin bike where they work together. Aviron refers to this unique feature as a “freewheel” design, and it enables you to feel like you’re coasting down hills without losing momentum. We also loved the built-in resistance feature that automatically adjusts your Fit Bike to your class’ or game’s recommended resistance levels. You can still make your ride harder or easier using the arrows located on your touchscreen monitor, but there’s no annoying resistance knob to fiddle with during your ride.
The space-saving design
Unless you have a dedicated gym in your home, many of us will have to find a way to fit large home gym equipment, like a bike, into our decor. This is why we wholeheartedly approve of the Fit Bike’s compact design. Its demure footprint measures 62.5 inches by 22 inches, making it a breeze to plunk down just about anywhere. I kept it tucked away behind a couch and felt it was sleek enough to blend into my living room without detracting from my existing design. This makes it the perfect choice for apartment dwellers or folks with smaller houses.
What I didn’t like
The price tag
Despite its impressive features, it’s hard to ignore the Fit Bike’s high price tag. Yes, you get all the bells and whistles, but if the video games aren’t something you’re invested in, you’d be better off considering a cheaper bike. To compare, a brand-new Peloton bike costs $1,445, while you can get a Bowflex IC Bike SE for $999. These less expensive competitors still offer scenic rides and on-demand classes, but you won’t get high-end features like a rotating touch screen, gamified content or automatic resistance. That said, the video games make Aviron shine, so if you’re looking for a new way to stay motivated to work out, this bike may be worth the splurge.
For tall riders only
We loved almost everything about the Fit Bike except the hard seat, which you need to be at least 5 feet, 1 inch to ride. I am 5 feet, 2 inches with a short torso, which means I could barely reach the pedals when I climbed onto the bike for my first ride. Almost every other spin bike on the market is designed to accommodate riders who are 4 feet, 11 inches and taller. For some reason, Aviron decided to stray from the industry standard and built a bike that caters solely to taller riders.
However, the brand quickly realized its mistake (I tested a custom-built seat) and is currently working on a redesign, which will be available in 2025. In the meantime, I would not recommend this bike to anybody under 5 feet, 4 inches tall.
How it compares
Despite a few drawbacks, like its strange height restrictions, we think the Aviron Fit Bike can help you?start an indoor cycling routine. If you struggle to stay motivated, its unique platform will help you stay consistent with your health and fitness goals — and stave off boredom. Although the cost is higher than competitors like Peloton and SoulCycle, which offer interactive instructor-led classes and leaderboards, Aviron is the best in the business for gamified content.
Bottom line
As an avid spinner, I’m well aware of the many benefits of indoor cycling. I’ve taken plenty of live and on-demand classes on various streaming platforms. I also own one of Aviron’s competitor’s bikes, which I use quite often, and frequently take in-person classes at my local spin studio. That said, the Fit Bike brings something new to the fitness world with its fun, immersive gaming platform. I’ve never been much of a gamer, but it was easy to stay motivated with this bike since I constantly wanted to keep riding to try to?beat my best score.
Its main drawback is its steep price. You might be better off investing in a cheaper bike if you’re on a tight budget. Bowflex, Schwinn and Peloton all offer high-quality options designed for smaller bank accounts.
But if you can’t tear yourself away from your beloved Xbox or PlayStation, the Aviron Fit Bike might be the perfect way to turn your video game addiction into a healthy new habit. The more you play, the more you’ll torch calories, raise your heart rate and get into the best shape of your life.
