| Stamina makes cheap recumbent exercise bikes that | | | | 15-9002 falls short as being a good piece of kit. While it |
| are extremely popular. Their appeal lies in an attractive | | | | is very easy to convert it lacks any preset programs, |
| combination of price, construction and feature list. | | | | the construction quality could be better and the |
| However, when buying a cheap piece of fitness | | | | resistance is still only at 8 levels and it requires manual |
| equipment there are going to be some negative points. | | | | adjustment. Not up to scratch and it only gets a rating |
| Here are some ratings on the company's recumbent | | | | of 2 out of 5. |
| models. | | | | The Stamina Conversion II Recumbent bike/rower |
| The Stamina Magnetic Resistance recumbent bike | | | | (15-9003) is the better option. It retails for around $800. |
| (15-4600A) retails for around $200 and is the cheapest | | | | When compared to the 15-9003 the better design and |
| model. For $200 it does look good value for money, | | | | construction is very apparent and the LCD is larger |
| but when you look closer you really do have to ask if | | | | and easier to read. But again, it lacks preset workout |
| this piece of equipment will give you a decent | | | | programs and there are still only 8 levels of resistance. |
| cardiovascular workout. For starters, although there is | | | | Out of the two bike/rower machine this is the better |
| magnetic resistance, there are only 8 levels and you | | | | one. Is it worth the extra $200? Probably. It gets a |
| have to manually change the resistance using a knob. | | | | rating of 3 out of 5. |
| While this may not be a crucial design flaw, the | | | | The most expensive model is the Elite Total Body |
| absence of built-in heart rate monitor is. To get the | | | | Bike(15-9100). It retails for a, not inexpensive, price of |
| best workout you really do need this feature and the | | | | $900. I'm disappointed with this machine. While I like the |
| 15-4600A not having it is a major negative point. Finally, | | | | idea of the 'pedaling' handle bars the machine lacks |
| the construction does look rather basic and a little | | | | many features. It does have hand grip sensors, a |
| flimsy. This machine has a poor rating of 1 out of 5. | | | | console giving you the usual data feedback, etc. But, it |
| For a mere increase of $30, the Stamina Silent | | | | lacks many that you'd expect a machine at this price |
| Magnetic Resistance bike (15-4800A) is a much better | | | | to have. There's no preset programs, the resistance |
| buy. It's design and construction is better than the | | | | levels are still only 8 and still require manual adjustment! |
| 15-4600A. There are 6 preset workout programs and, | | | | Compare this to the Tunturi E60R recumbent exercise |
| with this model, you do get hand grip pulse sensors. | | | | bike that retails for $1,000. The Tunturi comes with one |
| The resistance still only comes with 8 levels and you | | | | of the most feature-rich console you can get, 8 |
| have to manually adjust it with a knob, but that's would | | | | motivational, scalable workout profiles and 8 user |
| you'd expect at this price. For its price, build and | | | | profiles to suit individual fitness goals, electronically |
| features it isn't that bad and gets a rating of 3 out of 5. | | | | controlled brake that produces a wide effort range |
| Next up is the EMR Conversion II Recumbent bike | | | | and enables the exercise settings to be easily |
| rower (15-9002) that retails for around $600. I like the | | | | changed whilst training - no manual adjustment, and it |
| idea of combining both bike and rowing machine as | | | | comes with a much better warranty. The Tunturi |
| both provide workouts for different parts of the body | | | | simply out does the Stamina on every salient point. |
| and for many, buying and using two separate | | | | This Stamina bike leaves a lot to be desired and only |
| machines is expensive and impractical. However, the | | | | gets a rating of 1 out of 5. |