Horizon fitness Upright U bike vs TITAN magnetic rower

This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness Upright U cycle and the TITAN magnetic rower including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review of the TITAN magnetic resistance rowing machine

This is an overview of the TITAN magnetic resistance rowing machine including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was originally published in Which cardio equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for more details.

Overview of the TITAN Magnetic resistance Rowing fitness machine

The TITAN fitness magnetic rower is a low budget option to get a rowing machine into your home gym or professional gym. While the price is low and it also sits very low to the ground it is not great for high-performance rowing. If you are looking for easy resistance like a stroll in the park this is the right machine for you. If you want to crank the handle like there is no tomorrow you have to go with one of the air resistance or water resistance rowers that are more upmarket. The full specifications of this machine are:

Dimensions: 60-in x 22.5-in x 19-in.

Seat: 12.5-in x 9.75-in x 2-in.

Footrests: 10.375-in x 4.5-in.

Handles: 16-in x 1-in

Color: Gray/Black

Track material: Aluminum

Frame material: Steel

Weight Capacity: 250lb.

Product weight: 50lb.

- Great for cardiovascular and aerobic exercise

- 8 resistance settings

- Large LCD screen to count time, calories and number of row pulls

- Large pedals are slip-resistant with adjustable straps for feet

- Easy to fold and stand up between usage

- Heavy-duty construction with padded seat and non-slip handlebar grip

This is great if you just want to stay active and do not want to go outside for any kind of reason. It will also be easier on your joints than a treadmill as you can stay seated while using it. It will not fit under the bed but can be put into a tall closet when it is upright.

Pros of the TITAN Magnetic resistance Rowing fitness machine

The pros of the TITAN magnetic resistance rowing machine are:

Silent
Price
Low seat

The mechanics of the TITAN magnetic resistance rower allow that it is very silent to use. You do not have the air or water noises from the higher-priced professional models. So if you want to use it when the children are asleep in the next or you are in a big apartment complex with pesky neighbors, this can do the trick.

For a rower, this is very cheap. Most other rowers will start around $400 and go up to $2000 depending on what kind of resistance and media package you are getting. So if you just want a low price option to train at home without a lot of hassle, the magnetic rower is for you.

Another bonus of the TITAN magnetic rowing fitness machine is that the seat is very close to the floor. This leaves a lot of room if you are big to sit on it and fully stretch out on each row.

Cons of the TITAN Magnetic resistance Rowing fitness machine

The cons of the TITAN magnetic Rowing fitness machine are:

Magnetic resistance
Fairly light
Low-quality footrests
Outdated computer unit

The magnetic resistance itself is prone to break and you can easily overpull it. If you are reasonably strong and go at this machine with full force the magnetic resistance will break and you have a free-spinning wheel for your pull. This makes it impossible to use this machine if you want to go all balls out on interval training. This machine has been designed for a smooth, even ride.

You want cardio equipment to be light so that you can move it around easily, but not so light that you feel like you might crush it. It depends on how big you are, but I weigh 105kg and I am 185cm tall. When I sit on this I feel like I would destroy it in 2-3 proper sessions, but then it clearly was not designed with the kind of workout in mind that I want from a rower.

The footrests are made of cheap plastic which will probably not withstand the test of time unless you are very timid with it. Also, the computer unit is outdated and only provides minimal information.

Alternatives to the TITAN Magnetic resistance Rowing fitness machine

These are the alternatives for the TITAN magnetic resistance rowing machine:

Rogue echo bike
Concept 2 rower
Total gym
Unter the desk treadmill

The Rogue Echo Bike is my personal go-to option for a proper interval cardio machine that does not cost a fortune. This bike is sturdy, the details have been taken care of, and the computer unit makes your life easier. It does not have any entertainment on board, but if you want to do a proper interval training bout, this is the machine to get.

If you intend to row the concept 2 rower model D is the industry standard which has been around for years all over the world. This machine is operated with air resistance and a chain, some newer models with a belt. This rower can be used by athletes of all ages and skill levels to improve their rowing and endurance. The resistance increases based on how hard you pull the handle in the beginning. The only disadvantage is that it costs about 3 -4 times what this magnetic rower costs.

If you are looking for a machine to keep fit at home that is not too hard on your joints and can be easily stored, then the Total Gym can be an option. It is not great as a rowing machine but is more versatile to train all of your muscle groups. Besides, it can also be stored under the bed.

If you want to stay and do not want to get outside because you are scared or want to stay close to your safe environment at home than an under the desk treadmill is also a great option.

Conclusion for the TITAN Magnetic resistance Rowing fitness machine

The TITAN magnetic resistance rowing machine is a good choice when you want a rower for your home that is silent, cheap, and not too challenging. Ideal for a nursing home where people might be afraid to go outside. If you are a serious athlete or hobby warrior I personally think you are saving at the wrong end as you will rip this thing apart in no time.

Overview and review of the Horizon fitness Upright U bike

This is an overview of the Horizon fitness Upright U bike including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was first published in Which Horizon fitness bike to get?

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Overview of the Horizon Comfort U upright bike $679

The Horizon Comfort U upright bike is a good choice for anyone who does not want to go hard at their workout and life prevents them to go outside to get exercise. This is the right bike for anyone who can not get out of the house to have a walk or cycle that often because you live in a very hot or cold area. If you live in an area where you rather not step outside at certain times because you feel vulnerable then this bike is also a way to get in your exercise anytime you want without making it too strenuous. A great alternative to sitting on the couch whilst watching TV or browsing through the internet leisurely as long as you do not lumbar support to do this. The full specifications of this machine are:

Frame Type: Upright

Pedal Type: Self Balancing pedals

Seat Type: Gel comfort seat

Seat Adjustment: Horizontal, Vertical

Resistance System: ECB Magnetic Brake

Heart rate: Handgrips, Polar wireless receiver

Extras: Built-in speakers, Energy saver mode, tablet rack, Water bottle holder

Max user weight: 300

Weight: 77lbs

Assembled dimensions: 65 x 26 x 53

Home Warranty - Frame: Lifetime

Home Warranty - Parts: 1 year

Home Warranty - Labor: 1 year

Pros of the Horizon Comfort U upright bike

The pros of the Horizon U upright bike are:

Simple design
Good tablet holder
Warranty

The Horizon U is simple in its design and therefore not intimidating to get on and off on or use. Just step on and start to cycle while watching your favorite streaming service on your own device. The tablet holder is in a good spot and makes a lot of sense to use. Nothing to fancy, but sometimes simple just wins. Compared to other options you can get for less money, especially on no-name Amazon resellers, you know that you will be covered by a good warranty from a company that specializes in exercise equipment.

Cons of the Horizon Comfort U upright bike

The cons of the Horizon Comfort U upright bike are:

Lightweight
Handle positioning
Console

The main con of this bike is that it is very light. If you are heavy or unstable you might want to opt for something with a bigger frame or a recumbent bike to feel safer. If you still can easily ride your own bicycle, go for this one.

The handle positioning of this bike can not be changed. Depending on how your body is shaped you might find it awkward to get into the cycling position and then you are stuck with that setting. Other bikes provide a little more flexibility with different handles or handles that can be adjusted more.

The last con of this bike is the console. If you prefer your multimedia options to be integrated into the console rather than using your own device, then this machine is not the best pick.

Alternatives to the Horizon Comfort U upright bike

The Horizon Comfort R is the Horizon recumbent bike with lumbar support. This means you get a full seat with this bike where you can rest your back against. If you can not sit upright on a bike yourself or if you are very heavy then this machine might be the better option for you.

The Nordictrack VU19 is another option on a comfortable upright bike from Nordictrack. If Horizon is out of stock and you want something fast, or if you just want to keep your options open, then have a look at the VU19 as an alternative.

The concept 2 skierg provides a moderate workout that can be scaled to very intense workouts on a small footprint. If you want a machine that you can easily fit into your home that can address all kinds of intensities without being too noisy then this is a good pick. The only downsides are that you have to be able to stand for the duration of your workout and that it mainly works your upper body instead of your lower body.

The Nordictrack VR25 is the recumbent bike alternative from Nordictrack to the Horizon Recumbent R. If you are buying for yourself you might want to give it a look before hitting buy.

Conclusion for the Horizon Comfort U upright bike

The Horizon Comfort U upright bike is a great option for anyone who wants to simulate a leisure bike ride at home because whether or surroundings do not allow for this. It is not designed for very heavy athletes or very intense workouts as the frame is rather light.