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Schwinn 250 Recumbent Exercise Bike Review
The Schwinn 250 Recumbent Exercise Bike is this year's upgrade to the very popular Schwinn 240 which is one of Schwinn's most popular exercise bikes and has been available in retail stores for years now. 
The newer Schwinn 250 Recumbent Exercise Bike is the same basic design as the older model but has some notable upgrades including a build in iPod/MP3 player jack and speakers and more programs, including the 4 Heart Rate Control (HRC) programs (rarely found in exercise bikes in this price range).
Since this exercise bike is still very new, you may be unable to see and review it in the B&M retail stores at this time. If you check out last year's model (the Schwinn 240) then keep in mind that this is basically the exact same exercise bike but with the additional console features mentioned above.
Note: As of 5/15/2012 the Schwinn 250 Recumbent is selling at for $479 (new), with free shipping options (was $479 on 1/21/12). Go to Schwinn 250 Recumbent Exercise Bike for the latest price and reviews or to purchase the Schwinn 250.
Schwinn Fitness has been creating the most affordable exercise bikes, for in-home use, for years now. Schwinn's higher end upright exercise bikes (like the Schwinn 240 and now the Schwinn 250) are high quality, durable exercise bikes with plenty of features and a good warranty from a trusted company.
Features of the Schwinn 250 Recumbent
One of the biggest upgrades that the newer Schwinn 250 Recumbent has over last year's model are the 4 Heart Rate Control (HRC) programs. With an integrated Heart Rate Control (HRC) program, the intensity of your workout is based on your heart rate and the target heart rate zone that you have defined. The Schwinn 250 will increase and decrease the exercise bike resistance to keep you within your target heart rate zone. **
This feature has been available on more expensive fitness equipment (i.e. treadmills, elliptical trainers, etc.) and more expensive exercise bikes for years but Schwinn is now including this feature in a
very reasonable priced Recumbent Exercise Bike.
On top of the new 4 Heart Rate Control programs and iPod/MP3 music features, you get all of the features of last years model (the Schwinn 240) including the Oversized, ergonomic pedals, Fore-aft and angle-adjustable console, with integrated blower fan, bottle holder and utility tray, Ergonomic extra-wide seat, Perimeter weighted flywheel for a true road feel, and smooth, consistent workouts, Oversized stabilizers and levelers and a 300lb weight capacity.
You also get the Backlit, multi-color console with 11 preset programs, 8 profile courses, quick start, distance goal, fitness Schwinn Advantage™ workout tracking (Voice: an easy way to set fitness goals and measure your progress right on the console) and Polar® telemetry-enabled heart rate system and 16 resistance levels.
About-Bicycles Review
The Schwinn 250 Recumbent Exercise Bike is a comfortable and sturdy recumbent exercise bike with lots of features not found on exercise bikes in this price range (including the Polar® telemetry-enabled heart rate system, Heart Rate Control (HRC) programs and dual position lumbar support).
Although there are lower priced upright exercise bikes, you should be very careful selecting low budget exercise bikes. You will not get the quality, features, company reputation or warranty that you get with the Schwinn 250 Recumbent.
If the Schwinn 250 price is just getting a little too high for your exercise bike budget and you can do without the HRC and iPod/MP3 features then the Schwinn 240 Upright Exercise Bike is still a very good buy in this category.
One of the additional features that I particularly like with the 240 and the 250 (and that is often overlooked) is that these bikes are powered by an AC power adapter (included) and not just by batteries. If you are going to be using your exercise bike enough to get some a real benefit from it, then the AC power supply is an important feature.
Customer Reviews:
This Upright Exercise Bike is still new and there were no customer review at Amazon at the time of this review. See: Schwinn 250 Recumbent Exercise Bike for the latest price and for new customer reviews or to purchase the Schwinn 250.
Schwinn 250 Features at a Glance:
Upright exercise bikes, including the Schwinn 250, are more similar to traditional bikes, provide an excellent low impact, aerobic exercise and are more compact and cheaper than other home fitness equipment.
- Resistance Levels: 16
- Resistance System: Quiet magnetic ECB (Eddy Current Brake) resistance
- Number of Programs: 26
Workout Programs: 9
- Heart Rate Monitors: Telemetry and Contact Heart Rate
- Ergonomic extra-wide seat with dual lumbar support settings
- iPod/MP3 music input port, speakers
- Upper and Lower Handlebars
- Display Type: Backlit, multi-color LCD
- Display Readout: Time, interval time, RPM, watts, distance, pulse, speed, calories, resistance level, course profile
- Reading Rack
- Water Bottle Holder
- Fan
- Rear Stabilizers/Frame Levelers
- Transport Wheels
- Switchable From Miles To KM
- Fore/Aft Seat Adjustment
- Oversized Deluxe Pedals
- Oversized Seat/Saddle
- Product Dimensions: 43.7" X 12.6" X 23"
- Machine Weight: 88 lbs (40 kg)
- Maximum User Weight: 300 lbs
- AC Adapter (included)
- Power Requirements: 9V 1.5 DC
Warranty:
5 years - Frame
1 year - Mechanical and electrical
90 days - Wear parts and Labor
** Please check with your doctor before you start a workout program based on heart rate.
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