Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle vs TITAN magnetic rower

This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness GR3 Indoor 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 GR3 Indoor cycle

This is an overview of the Horizon fitness GR3 Indoor cycle including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was first published in Which Horizon fitness bike to get?

For the most up to date information and asking direct questions you can follow me on Instagram.

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Overview of the Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle $499

The GR3 is the cheapest option to join the Horizon Fitness family. This is a no non-sense spinning bike that provides resistance via a flywheel and mechanical brake system. If you ever have attended a spinning class in your local gym, then this is exactly what you can expect with the GR3. The full specifications are:

Frame Type: Indoor Cycle

Adjustable Pedal straps: Yes

Pedal Type: Pedal Cage with toe strap

Seat Type: Road-Style Saddle

Seat adjustment: Horizontal, Vertical

Resistance System: Friction Brake

Resistance levels: Control knob

Heart Rate: Polar wireless Receiver

Extras: Transport Wheels, Water Bottle Holder

Max User Weight: 286

Weight: 97 lbs.

Assembled dimensions: 49 x 19 x46

Home Warranty Frame: 10 years

Home Warranty Parts: 1 year

Home Warranty Labor: 1 year

Pros of the Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle

The pros of the Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle are:

Compact
Price
Quality

This is a compact and light bike for indoor cycling if you want to keep it professional and not put the bike you already own on a stand. It is easy to move around and is not as bulky as other cardio options you might have for the home.

The price is great for professional home equipment or pragmatic commercial equipment. In a commercial setting, $500 is not a big loss on the books even if you have troubles with the warranty. In a home gym scenario you get a robust too you are unlikely to break. This is a very low price bar to step over to take your home training seriously.

This is a good quality bike compared to just getting the cheapest option of Amazon or eBay. Go ahead with this bike if you do not need any fancy digital dials and just want to go after it.

Cons of the Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle

The cons of the Horizon GR3 indoor cycle are:

Limited online functions
Not suitable for big athletes
Resistance setup

Compared to more modern bikes like the Peloton series, this bike has no fancy internet access and group functions to keep you motivated. So you have to bring that on your own and for a simple spinning bike, you might think it is overpriced. Still stripping things to essentials is often a good thing.

This bike operates at the lower end of the maximum weight of the user as the frame is rather small compared to other machines. If you weigh more than 100kg and go hard at your equipment you might want to choose something with a heavier frame. It will work, but it won’t be fun.

The resistance setup on this machine is completely mechanical which means it is more likely to break. Be prepared that if you use this hard that you will have to swap the flywheel and break at least once in its lifetime. These are not the most expensive items to replace and especially in a commercial setting you just can have a spare bike, but at home, you will have to wait with training until the repair is done.

Alternatives to the Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle

Here are some alternatives to the GR3 indoor cycle:

The Horizon IC 7.9 indoor cycle follows a very similar design to the GR3. The big differences are the more convenient resistance lever, the sturdier frame, and the professional pedals with a clip-in mechanism. If you want a spinning bike that feels a little more like a professional racer or if you weigh more than 100kg, then the Horizon IC 7.9 is the better choice.

The Nordictrack VU19 is the entry-level bike from this brand. If you are looking for something a bit smoother and less wild, this is a good alternative. It also might be an option if stock is running low for Horizon Fitness and you need something fast.

The Rogue echo bike is a great alternative to the GR3 Indoor cycle if you want to step your game up a little. It has a sturdier frame and the resistance is regulated by the big fan and the air that circulates through, rather than a brake pedal. This makes it better for interval training and heavier athletes. For me, the Rogue echo bike is the best cardio machine you can get for a home gym in terms of value for money. The only downsides are that you will have to invest more than for the GR3 and that it is considerably heavier.

The TITAN fan bike is a copycat of the Rogue echo bike with bigger wheels for transport at a smaller price tag. It will do the job, but the overall design and finish are not as on point as with the Rogue echo bike. However, you will save some money that you can put against more equipment.

The concept 2 skierg is one of the most compact cardio machines you can find out there. If you have very limited space, but still do not want to take your cardio outside, the concept 2 skierg is a great option that is also ready ably priced.

Conclusion for the Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle

I personally like a simple design that focuses on the essentials. That is why I own a Rogue echo bike as I weigh more than 100kg. If I would weigh 80kg, the GR3 would be a serious contender to make it into my garage gym.