Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike With Pulse Review

by: Michael Perry

January 30, 2021

Say you decided to get in shape.

Or maybe lose those extra pounds you've been carrying around lately.

And let's say you want to do it in your own home, whenever you feel like exercising.

You read around online and you come to the conclusion that an indoor cardio equipment is the solution to all your problems.

Alas, usually, in home cardio equipment costs quite a lot.

Why should you break the bank when all you want is to have the ability to workout in your own home, on your own terms?

Well, I guess that's exactly what the people behind the Exerpeutic folding Magnetic Upright Bike With Pulse (Whoa, that was long) thought when they made this upright bike.

So, let's check whether this upright bike got what it takes to help you in your fitness journey.

let's start.

Total Gym XLS quick overview


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Overall Rating:

Quality 

features

Cost

Easy To Use

Pros

  • affordable
  • Folds, Compact and easy to store
  • lCD display - tracks time, distance, calories, speed, and pulse
  • 8 level's magnetic resistance

Cons

  • light flywheel
  • pulse rate reading is not accurate
  • Not for you if you're over 6'1
  • you might find the seat uncomfortable

Conclusion


The Exerpeutic folding magnetic bike is an affordable upright bike.

But despite its low price, it's packed with core features, like LCD display and heart rate sensors. 

Its compact design makes it easy to store and put away when you're not using it.

And that's, in short, what's made him so popular.

And even though it doesn't have the most heavy flywheel out there, its 8 levels magnetic based resistance can make you work up a sweat, while also providing a quiet workout.

You should however know that, the pulse reading is not very accurate.

So if you're interested in this bike solely because it's cheap and has a pulse rate monitor, think again.

Because you'll need to spend extra on a fitness tracker that will track your pulse accurately.

But overall, It is a solid and stable piece of equipment, that can help you achieve your fitness goal.


Should You Even Go For An Upright Bike?

Well, let's see.

An upright bike can be a great option if your short on space.

Since upright bikes, unlike recumbent bikes, have a smaller footprint.

And in most cases you can fold it for easy storage.

In addition, it also can provide a bit more intense and consistent workout, almost like a real outdoors bike.

That's because of your body's position while you cycle.

Which basically means, your working muscles in your body that also work when you cycle outdoors.

That's because cycling on an upright bike is meant to imitate cycling on a road bike.

In addition, a nice side effect is that It works your abdominal's, because you must keep your body upright to support your exercise.

Furthermore, because of your position on an upright bike, your indirectly working your triceps, biceps and shoulders. 

All are helping you to support and balance yourself while you pedal.

Particularly if you're pedaling standing up.

If you'll actually use one, an upright bike can help you get in shape, lose weight, boost your cardio, and all the extra benefits that cycling has to offer you.

Hence, an upright bike might be a good choice for you if you're looking for a cardio equipment that can take you the extra mile.

What this upright bike is all about?

The Exerpeutic folding magnetic upright bike with pulse, is probably the bike with the longest name on the market.

But it's also one of the most popular upright bikes on the market.

And that's probably because of its highly attractive retail price.

Also, I believe the fact that it's quite compact and easy to store, contribute to its popularity.

Which in turn is great if your house don't have any space to spare.

But despite its relatively small size, it can support max user weight of up to 300 lbs.

That's quite impressive, again, considering its size.

The main purpose of this bike is to help you achieve various fitness goals, while not making you spend hundreds of dollars.

This bike has 8 levels of magnetic resistance, with LCD display, and heart rate sensors. 

That's not something you see in a lot of upright bikes at this price range.

However, I can't stop wondering if this is one those cases of "you get what you pay for".

On one hand, it's:

  • Very Affordable
  • Compact and easy to store
  • Supports up to 300 lbs of user weight
  • Got magnetic resistance

But on the other:

  • Cheap usually means cheap parts
  • It also could mean a faster wear & tear
  • Lack of features
  • Poor designing

So, without any further delay, let's see how this Exerpeutic bike stand in our test, and how the hell it gained its popularity.

Meet The: Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike With Pulse

Footprint

The Exerpeutic 250XL is 31" long (78cm), 19" (48cm) wide, and on its highest point its 46" (116cm) high.

It's measurements almost assure that this bike will fit in your house, or any house for that matter.

It's what might make this bike a smart choice if you lack in space, but you still want to get in shape, right there in your living room.

In addition, it's also makes it easy to store in case you don't have a regular place for this bike.

The footprint of this bike is one of its main selling points.

And I honestly don't have any thing bad to say about it.

FlyWheel

The flywheel on the other hand, is not the strongest point of the Exerpeutic bike.

It's rather small, and it's not very heavy.

However, when considering the bike which it's matched to, it does its job.

Also, a heavier flywheel means a heavier bike.

Furthermore, the flywheel is paired with a V-belt that supposed to promote a quiet ride, in contrast to a chain drive.

But, the belt will eventually wear out, and you will have to look for a new one.

Overall, the flywheel system can provide a somewhat smooth ride, thanks to Exerpeutic going for a belt drive.

Resistance Type

The Exerpeutic 250XL is a magnetic based resistance bike.

This is also something noteworthy, since it makes decreeing or increasing resistance level faster and smoother.

This helps to create a workout experience which is consistent intensity wise.

But above all stands the fact that, a magnet resistance based bike, doesn't require that much maintenance compared to a pad friction resistance bike.

Resistance Levels

Unfortunately, the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Bike is not blessed with that many resistance levels.

It offers just 8 of them.

Is that will be enough for you? I certainly can't answer this question.

However, not having 20 resistance levels doesn't necessarily means that you won't work up a sweat on this bike.

It's just means that the bikes resistance jumps drastically compared to a bike that has 20 resistance levels.

Instead of going from:

Very Very Low -> Very Low -> Low -> Almost Medium -> Medium -> Medium 2 -> Hard -> Very Hard........

You'll go from:

Very Low -> Low -> Medium -> Hard

Frame And Design

The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Bike, despite of its rather low price, is a very sturdy and solid build piece of equipment.

It's got a solid base, and it seems that the overall engineering was good.

And the bike does feels pretty stable.

So unless you plan on placing this bike on an uneven floor, you won't feel like it's swinging from side to side while you pedal at full speed.

In addition, Its heavy duty frame is what helps this bike support up to 300 lb of user weight.

However, this not a very heavy upright bike.

Weighing only 42 lbs, it will be easy for you to move around your house, plus, its got transport wheels which makes the whole process a lot easier.

The way this bike is designed make it suitable only for users that range between 5'3 to 6'1.

Which is kinda weird, because if you already made a bike that can support users up to 300 lbs, why not design it to fit users over 6'1?

Strange.

LCD Display

Another major drawing point of this upright bike, is its LCD display.

Let's admit it, it's a lot more fun and motivating to be able to track all your workout stats.

However, don't expect to get a display like in the Schwinn 270 recumbent bike.

The LCD display of the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Bike will show you basic stats like: 

  • Time elapsed
  • Speed
  • Distance
  • Calories burned (Estimation only)
  • Odometer - Total distance you did on the bike (Resets at 999.9 miles)
  • Pulse rate

Pretty much straight forward display that will help you know where you stand workout wise.

Though you should keep in mind that calories burned, pulse, and speed reading might be way off.

Nonetheless, the digits on the screen are big enough that it will be easy for you to read. 

Even if you forget to put your glasses on before you started your workout.

The Seat

The seat of the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Bike is very wide.

This is something you don't usually see on that many upright bikes.

The seat being large might help make it a seat that can fit almost anyone.

In addition, it's quite a padded seat.

However, I do know some people that would rather have a small firm seat, than a large padded one.

If you're like one of those people, I suggest you take that into consideration, since on the seat is where you will spend all of your time working out.

Pulse Monitor

Another cool feature you don't usually see on bikes at this price level is the heart rate sensors.

However, the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Bike does have it.

The sensor are located on the front of the handlebars, and you'll have to hold to the sensors in order to get a reading of your pulse rate.

Knowing what is your pulse rate is such an important factor when working out.

First of all, knowing what is your pulse rate, you will be able to adjust your exercise in order to bring your heart to its fat burning zone.

Secondly, and I can't stress this enough, you'll be able to know if you're exercising too hard.

So in case you are, you'll know you have to stop immediately.

The only problem is, the pulse reading on the Exerpeutic is not very accurate.

I'm afraid that this is the case with many indoor exercise bikes.

So if you want to get a more accurate reading of your pulse, you might want to consider using a fitness tracker.

Assembly

One thing I do like about the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Bike is that, it is rather easy to assemble.

It comes with all the tools you'll need to assemble it, and a highly detailed assembly manual.

However, make sure you tighten every thing together, and that every thing is bolted as it should.

Other wise, you might get a lot of cracking and creaking from the bike.

Other Models To Consider

As much as the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Bike can be clasified as a "smart purchase", it is not alone on the market.

Its main competitor is the

1. FEIERDUN Folding Magnetic Upright Bike.

This bike offers pretty much the same features that the Exerpeutic offers.

And at the time of writing, the price of the two bikes is almost the same, with the scale in favor of the FEIERDUN, but not by much.

The FEIERDUN does have LCD display, however it doesn't a have pulse monitor.

Check it out here.

Another one is the:

2. PLENY Foldable Upright Exercise Bike

The PLENY is another affordable option, and at least at the time of this review, it is cheaper than the Exerpeutic.

It's got 16 levels of magnetic based resistance, and LCD display.

And unlike the FEIERDUN, but like the Exerpeutic, it does have a pulse monitor.

Check it out here.

3. PLENY Foldable Upright Exercise Bike

Another popular bike to consider is the GOLD 500 XLS from Exerpeutic.

It's got the same features as the bike we're reviewing here, you got the 8 levels magnetic based resistance system, LCD display with pulse monitor, etc.

But, this bike, in contrast to the 250XL will fit users withing the range of 5'1 up to 6'5.

In addition, it can support up to 100 lbs more than the 250XL, which brings it to a total of 400 lbs of max user weight.

And the price difference, again, at the time of the review, is not that significant.

Check it out here.

Wrapping Up The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Bike Review

The Exerpeutic is a compact and easy to store upright bike.

Furthermore, despite it's relatively low price, its core features are what made him so popular.

You got highly affordable upright bike, that has a magnetic resistance, LCD display (though it's not the best display we've seen), and it has a solid build and frame.

Its parts are not the highest quality parts, but the bike can get the job done, you just gotta make sure you're taking good care of it.

The final word on it is, if you're looking for a non expensive upright bike that you can work on occasionally, or a couple of time a week, then it might be a good idea for you to consider the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Bike.


About the author

Growing up as the fat kid is what motivated him to take matters to his hands at fifteen, and he has never looked back again since!

When he's not pumping iron at the gym, you'll probably find him hooked to his record player listening to rock classics.

If only he could carry it with him to the gym. Sigh.

On this site, he'll do his best to help you accomplish the same results for yourself.

(We're talking about getting in shape, not trying to carry a record player to your local gym)

Michael Perry