We take a look at a budget home spin cycle from Domyos (Decathlon’s fitness brand). Does their top of the range Exercise Bike 500 get our heart pumping?
What we like: Solid build; Everything is adjustable; 18kg Flywheel feels natural; Great riding position; Portable and maneuverable.
What we don’t like: Saddle can be uncomfortable over time; Display console is a bit basic.
Going to the gym can be a real drag. Getting dressed, packing a bag, commuting to the gym, fighting for equipment, and then getting back home can take up a lot of time and energy. With an exercise bike at your disposal, you can skip all of that hassle and get straight to your workout.
Exercise bikes offer a great way of getting a low-impact cardiovascular workout. Unlike running or other high-impact exercises, cycling puts less stress on your joints while still providing a challenge to your heart and lungs. Plus, you can easily adjust the resistance of the pedalling action in order to customise your workout to a level appropriate to your fitness and goals.
Exercise bikes can also be a great way to multitask because you don’t have to concentrate on balancing or using your hands and arms. This means that you can catch up on your favourite TV shows, read a book, or even get some work done while you pedal away. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love gaming the system and cracking two eggs with one spoon? Is that even a phrase?
Having an exercise bike in your home should help with motivation too – you’ll be more likely to stick to a regular workout routine, which can lead to improved cardiovascular health, weight loss, and overall fitness.
I’ve been testing the Domyos Training Exercise Bike 500 for several months now in my house and have had time to assess it’s strengths and weaknesses. Domyos are Decathlon’s own brand, and in general I’ve been impressed by the quality of their gear having tested a few of their treadmills in the past.
So let’s dive in and see what you get when you open the box….
Bike 500 – Design and Layout
When it comes to exercise equipment, one of the biggest concerns is always space. Luckily, the Domyos Exercise Bike 500 is designed to be compact and easy to move around, without sacrificing stability during use.
Measuring 124 x 50 x 120 cm (L x W x H) at it’s maximum dimensions, this exercise bike won’t take up too much floor space, even in smaller rooms.
The adjustable, multi-position saddle and handlebar allow for a comfortable fit for men and women alike. For my height (6ft 3), I adjusted the seat post, and found that 116cm height was about right – see the photo above – this means that there was still about 4cm of adjustment left for people even taller than me.
At 47.2 kg, this bike is solid and stable, which is important for your safety during use – you don’t want it moving too much when you’re pedalling away like Lance Armstrong (albeit without the performance enhancing drugs I hope!). However, when you need to move the bike within your house, it is made fairly easy thanks to the front castor wheels, which make it simple to roll the bike into a different spot or store it away when not in use.
This is a spin bike in form and function. Their are two pairs of non-slip handlebars which provide a secure grip and a great riding position even during intense workouts. Everything is adjustable on the bike in terms of fitting it to your body. The pedals have SPD receptacles on one side which makes it easy to clip into if you have the cleats on your cycling boots. There’s also a drinks holder for refreshments and the all-important central console for information on your ride – more of that below!
Overall, the Domyos Exercise Bike 500 strikes a good balance between being compact and easy to store, while also providing a stable and comfortable workout experience.
Key Features
So what does the Exercise Bike 500 have by way of features to differentiate it from the competition?
18 Kg Flywheel
One of the most striking features is the 18kg flywheel. This heavy flywheel provides a smooth pedalling experience, even during intense workouts. Paired with a belt drive system which transfers energy from your legs to the flywheel, pedaling is smooth, quiet and efficient.
Why is a heavy flywheel important for an indoor exercise bike?
The flywheel is the round disk located at the front of the bike which is connected to the pedals through a chain or belt. The weight of the flywheel determines the level of resistance that the rider experiences when pedaling. At 18kg, the flywheel fitted to the Exercise Bike 500 works well and stores energy and angular momentum efficiently.
A heavier flywheel provides a more stable and smooth pedaling experience, especially during intense workouts. The momentum created by the flywheel helps to maintain a consistent pedal stroke, allowing the rider to maintain a higher cadence for longer periods. This results in a more effective workout that targets a wider range of muscles, including the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves.
A heavy flywheel also ensures that the bike remains stable and secure during use. This is particularly important for high-intensity workouts, where the rider may be standing up and pedaling hard, which can put a lot of stress on the bike frame. The added weight of a heavy flywheel, along with the ultra-stable steel frame of the Domyos Exercise Bike 500, helps to prevent the bike from wobbling or tipping over during use, providing a safe and secure workout environment.
Leather Resistance Pads
In order to give resistance to the rider and feel like you’re actually on a bike, the Domyos bike uses a leather pad against the flywheel. This is fully adjustable using the tightening mechanism located on the crossbar of the bike. The leather pads provide a consistent resistance that mimics the feeling of outdoor cycling.
Saddle and handlebars
The saddle and handlebars are adjustable and multi-position, ensuring that you can find the perfect position for your body. The saddle is comfortable and designed to reduce pressure points, making for a more comfortable workout. The non-slip handlebars are ergonomically designed to provide a secure grip, even during intense workouts.
Stable Operation
The bike is equipped with stabilizers for uneven floors, ensuring that it remains stable during your workout. The ultra-stable steel frame is built to withstand intense workouts and provides a solid base for your ride.
Display Console
The console is another key feature of this exercise bike. It is simple and efficient, providing you with all the important information you need to track your progress, but dispensing with superfluous guff.
You can track the length of your workout, the distance covered, your current and average speed, and rotations per minute. It’s all easily accessible and needs very little adjustment when riding. Riders can easily see their progress and adjust their intensity accordingly to achieve their desired results.
Using a Smartphone or Tablet
The console on the Exercise Bike 500 also comes with a mount for your smartphone or tablet. Using your own screen like this can provide additional entertainment during a workout which makes the experience more enjoyable and helps keep users motivation high. With a tablet, you can easily watch videos, listen to music, or even join virtual fitness classes.
A phone or tablet can also be a useful tool for tracking progress and setting goals. Many fitness apps are available that can be used in conjunction with an exercise bike, allowing users to track metrics like distance, speed, and calories burned. These apps may also offer personalized training programs or challenges to help users reach their fitness goals or improve their form and technique. Overall, using a tablet with an exercise bike can enhance the workout experience and help users stay engaged and motivated.
Additionally, the console is compatible with the Domyos heart rate monitor belt, providing you with an even more accurate picture of your workout.
Moto
Domyos Exercise 500 Bike in Use
As someone who has been using the Domyos indoor exercise bike for a while now, I can confidently say that this bike is one of the best investments I’ve made for my home gym. I’ve had a variety of experiences with this bike, ranging from simple sprints to longer distance calorie burners – great for winter training.
One of the things I love about this bike is how easy it is to control. The pedal resistance is smooth and easy to adjust via the leather pads, which means I can get the perfect workout no matter my fitness level. I also appreciate the built-in cleats on one side of the pedals, which make it easier to keep my feet secure while pedaling – these are the off-road bike type ‘SPD’ pedal cleats.
Another great feature of this bike is the console. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of some other exercise bikes on the market, it does everything I need it to do. I can track the time, distance, speed, and rotations per minute of my workout, which helps me stay motivated and on track. Plus, the tablet mount allows me to use my phone or tablet to make my workout more enjoyable and engaging – if you add a bluetooth cadence sensor to the cranks, you can use an app like VZ Fit on the Oculus Quest to feel like you’re actually out riding!
When it comes to comfort, the Domyos bike doesn’t disappoint either. The saddle is similar to a road bike saddle, which is comfortable enough for shorter rides. For longer rides, I simply use padded cycling shorts to reduce any discomfort. Additionally, the pedaling motion is stable and smooth, which makes for a comfortable and enjoyable riding experience. I also discovered that the saddle can be easily replaced if needed. It’s quite easy to buy a standard bike saddle from Decathlon and replace the included saddle for a more comfortable ride. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete with the use of a socket set and a pair of size 13 attachments. This simple modification can be a total game changer if you’re prone to a sore bum!
One of the best things about this bike is its versatility. Whether I’m using it for a simple cardio workout or following along with a virtual spin class, this bike can handle it all. Plus, it’s very maneuverable thanks to the built-in wheels, which makes it easy to move around my home gym.
Negatives
As much as I love the bike, there are a few downsides that I should mention.
Firstly, the calorie tracker on the console seems to be overly generous, and doesn’t give an accurate representation of how many calories I’ve actually burned when I compare with my reference cadence meter. While this isn’t a deal-breaker for me, it might be frustrating for those who are closely monitoring their calorie intake and expenditure.
Another issue is the hardness of the saddle. Although it’s similar to a road bike saddle, it can be quite uncomfortable for longer rides. I’ve found that padded cycling shorts do help, but for some people, replacing the saddle altogether might be necessary.
Overall, these negatives are relatively minor, and for the price, I still think this indoor exercise bike offers excellent value. However, it’s important to keep them in mind when deciding whether or not this bike is right for you.
Overall, my experiences with the Domyos indoor exercise bike have been overwhelmingly positive. It’s a great value for the price and offers all the features I need to get a great workout at home.
Domyos Training Exercise Bike 500 – The Final Verdict
After using the Domyos Training Exercise Bike 500 for an extended period, I can confidently say that it is a great investment for anyone looking for a decent-quality exercise bike at an affordable price point (£449.99 at time of writing). Bear in mind that the bike is more of a spin cycle than a high price-point turbo trainer which might have automatic gradient adjustment for example – this is much more simple, but it works well.
The sturdy construction and heavy flywheel provide a smooth and stable ride that replicates the feel of outdoor cycling. The adjustable seat and handlebars ensure a comfortable fit for users of all sizes, and the built-in SPD cleats on one side of the pedals add an extra level of convenience for those who use cycling shoes.
The console is easy to use and provides valuable metrics like time, distance, speed, and RPM. While the calorie counter may be overly generous, it still serves as a good way to track progress over time. The addition of a tablet mount also makes it easy to incorporate multimedia into your workout routine, whether it be music, videos, or fitness apps.
While there are a few downsides, such as the lack of preset workout programs and the potential for a bit of noise from the resistance system, these are minor issues that can be easily overlooked given the bike’s overall performance and value.
All in all, the Domyos Training Exercise Bike 500 is an excellent option for anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable exercise bike that delivers a smooth and enjoyable ride. I highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a home exercise bike.
PROS
- Two-year parts and labour warranty
- Five-year metallic frame warranty
- Great value for money
- 18kg flywheel offers great spin feeling
- Smooth cycling experience
- Portable
CONS
- Saddle a little hard over time
- Calorie count seems generous
- Basic display may not be for everyone
