LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike Review 2024

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Last Updated: January 3, 2023

The LifeSpan Fitness R5i Recumbent bike has a step-thru frame that is easy to get on and off and doesn’t require electricity to run. This lightweight recumbent bike has a vented seat, armrests for comfort, and EKG sensors to transmit your heart rate data to the LCD screen. The screen is battery-operated, so you don’t need to plug in the bike for it to run. Simply sit and pedal! This is a great option for riders who have mobility issues and need an easy, step-thru design.

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Exercise Bike Award: Best Recumbent Bike For Larger Users

The LifeSpan R5i bike is a high-quality recumbent bike with a weight capacity of 400 pounds which is why it made our list of best recumbent bikes. Because of the features and easy to use design, we’ve award this the “Best Recumbent Bike For Heavy User” because it will support larger users.

Who It’s For: Riders who want the benefit of recumbent riding on an easy step-thru bike with comfortable armrests

LifeSpan’s R5i Recumbent bike is great for riders who:

• Appreciate a comfortable ride on a step thru frame
• Want higher armrests for support with EKG sensors on the end
• Don’t want extra programs or subscription costs
• Like a simple LCD screen that is battery powered
• Want a bike that doesn’t need to be plugged in
• Looking for something lightweight

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In-depth Review of LifeSpan R5i Recumbent Bike

Construction

Frame

The R5i stationary recumbent bike is designed to provide both comfort and durability to support home or commercial use. The R5i has an oversized molded seat bottom, ventilated seat back, and extra lumbar support. The seat also includes full armrests with integrated heart rate sensors, so you can monitor your heart rate constantly throughout your workout without needing to move your hands or wear a chest strap. The bike is lightweight, which makes it easy to move, but there are also a lot of plastic parts that could wear or break if not treated properly. We recommend this bike as a great option for rehabilitation conditioning or mobility training by those who want the cardio and strength training benefits of cycling on a recumbent style frame.

Armrests

The LifeSpan R5i Recumbent bike has elevated armrests that make the bike feel more like a chair. The armrests are not only comfortable, they help users sit upright rather than slouch forward or down — which reduces strain on the lumbar spine and keeps your torso erect. It is easier to breathe when you sit upright, so this is a great system for anyone who may need a bit more support while riding. The armrests also feature heart rate sensors on the end which will transmit your HR to the console screen. You do not need to wear a chest strap or watch to sync with the bike. The armrests are gently padded for just a touch of comfort. Our only concern would be if someone is transitioning from a wheelchair, the armrests do require you to be right in front of the bike and sit backward onto the seat. You cannot simply slide from the side since the armrests do not swivel or pivot out of the way. This would only be an issue for a small number of users, but it is something to be aware of.

Pedals

The R5i features wide, flat pedals that will accommodate any athletic shoe. A wide strap connects with the pedal to hold your foot in place. This strap also allows you to pull up at the top of the pedal stroke which recruits more muscles in your legs so you have balanced muscle engagement as you pedal.

Seat

The seat is padded and contoured for comfort. It is plenty wide and should support most users. There is lumbar support and the seat can be adjusted toward or away from the pedals depending on your size. A vented backrest is comfortable so you can sit upright while pedaling. The venting keeps airflow moving through the back so you don’t get sweaty as you ride. There are adjustment levers for both the seat (fore/aft) and backrest (to change the angle). The R5i has been designed to accommodate riders of all sizes and abilities.

Console/Controls

Screen

The LifeSpan R5i recumbent bike has an LCD screen which displays readout for different workout programs. Five tactile buttons on the console allow you to select a workout program from the follow categories: Custom HR program, Healthy Living, Sports Training, Weight Loss, or connect your Bluetooth device. This is not a touchscreen, but the console buttons make it simple to toggle through various settings and programs. The screen displays: speed, calories, RPM, clock (time elapsed), target HR, distance and watts. There is a start/stop button on the console as well as ENTER to select your desired program. Quick change buttons will quickly jump the resistance to levels: 4, 8, 12, or 16, or you can use the up/down arrow buttons to select other resistance levels. A wrap-around handlebar is also a nice addition since it offers various hand positions for stability when navigating the console.

Layout

Console layout is simple. This machine doesn’t have extra bells and whistles you have to work through to find the program you want. Simply begin to pedal and the console will light up. You can toggle through the 34 program options which are displayed via a graph that indicates the workload. Resistance is automated, so as you follow a program the digital resistance level will adjust for you. This allows users to ride hands-free and keep your arms on the armrests as needed. You can also increase or decrease resistance as desired during your ride.

Fan

There is no fan on the R5i, but the vented backrest helps riders stay cool.

Water Bottle Holder

There is a small water bottle holder under the console. This is a shallow cut-out where you can place a lightweight water bottle during your ride. It isn’t large or deep, but it is sufficient. Since the bike is so low-profile, you could always set a water bottle on the floor to the side of you as well.

Tablet Holder

There is a yellow bar on the console that is designed to hold a tablet while you ride. However, if you do place a tablet here it will block the screen. We recommend adjusting the bike for your comfort so you can reach the pedals to turn on the screen, select your desired program, and then place your tablet on the shelf after you’ve started your program. The bike will automatically follow the program and keep track of your metrics while you ride. This way, if the tablet does block the screen, you are all ready to go beforehand. The tablet holder is a nice addition because many people like to read a book or watch a show on their personal device while riding to make the time go by faster.

Functionality

Performance

The LifeSpan R5i recumbent bike is a smooth, comfortable ride. We appreciate the upright seat design with elevated armrests for comfort. This also makes it easier to maintain good posture while riding for better oxygen flow. The vented backrest is a nice addition that keeps your back cool (or at least cooler). The contoured seat is also wide and supportive. The fore/aft adjustment on the seat makes this a good option for multiple users since you can adjust the seat as close or as far from the pedals as needed. The pedals are wide and the strap holds your foot in securely. The bike is also relatively lightweight and can be moved when needed. This is a good option for those who want the benefits of cardio exercise and strength training on a low-impact recumbent bike. The EKG sensors on the end of the armrests make it so you don’t have to wear a chest strap to get a HR readout on the screen. While the screen is simple and easy to use, it is a bit small and this could be an issue for some riders who need larger digital numbers. However, you can always place your phone or tablet on the front ledge just in front of the screen to read or watch a program while you ride. The bike will automatically track your calories and metrics for you.

Magnetic Resistance

One of the main benefits of magnetic resistance is it is absolutely silent! Magnetic eddy current resistance is created by magnets that oppose the motion of the flywheel without any friction or contact points. This means you can work at any resistance level and you won’t hear rubbing, squeaking or other noise that often occurs from friction resistance. Magnetic resistance also requires less maintenance over time since there are no friction pads to be replaced.

16 Digital Resistance Levels

When riding an indoor bike, it can sometimes be hard to know how hard you are actually working or how high the resistance is. Bikes that use friction resistance that is adjusted via a knob often do not transmit data to the user about the level of tension. This leaves riders to assess resistance simply based on how hard it feels. Digital resistance uses preset resistance levels, so you always know exactly what level you are on and each level is consistent over time. As you get stronger, you will notice the lower levels that seemed very hard at the beginning begin to feel easier — which provides another way of tracking your strength and conditioning.

Pre-programmed workouts

There are 34 pre programmed workouts on the R5i. These include programs for Healthy Living, Sports Training, Weight Loss. There are also 4 Heart Rate training programs and 2 custom user programs that you can design your own workout. This makes the R5i great for all levels of fitness and age groups since there are so many different programs to choose from.

Subscription Options

The LifeSpan R5i recumbent bike does not offer any subscription classes or content. All functionality is within the console. Users who want a simple screen without a monthly subscription will enjoy all the R5i has to offer.

Noise Level

As mentioned above, the R5i uses magnetic resistance that is practically silent. There is no noise while riding the bike. You can sync your phone or tablet via Bluetooth to listen to music, a podcast or even a movie while riding, but this is the only noise that comes from the bike.

Storage / Folding

The LifeSpan R5i recumbent bike doesn’t fold, but it does have wheels under the front stabilizer so you can tilt and roll it as needed. It is too large to roll into a closet, but you could roll it into a corner or behind a couch when not in use.