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Horizon fitness IC 7.9 bike vs Titan magnetic rower

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Apr 12, 2021 4:00:00 PM

Horizon fitness IC 7.9 bike vs Titan magnetic rower

This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness IC 7.9 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.

 
 

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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:
 
 
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 IC 7.9

This is an overview of the Horizon fitness IC 7.9 bike 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 IC7.9 Indoor cycle $699

 
The Horizon IC 7.9 bike is an indoor cycle that follows a classic spinning bike design. It is belt-driven and uses mechanical resistance to simulate a bike ride from the road as best as possible while being in the comfort of your home. The full specifications list runs as following:
 
Frame Type: Indoor Cycle
Adjustable Pedal straps: Yes
Pedal Type: Dual-sided Pedals with Toe cages/clips
Seat Type: Racing style road saddle
Seat adjustment: Horizontal, Vertical
Resistance System: Magnetic
Resistance levels: Resistance lever 0 -100%
Flywheel weight: 35lbs
Extras: Tablet rack, Transport Wheels, Water Bottle Holder
Max User Weight: 300
Weight: 123 lbs.
Assembled dimensions: 53x 24 x48
Home Warranty Frame: Lifetime
Home Warranty Parts: 1 year
Home Warranty Labor: 1 year
 
This is a solid option for someone who likes spinning classes and riding hard outdoors but does not want to bring their road bike in a home stance for convenience reasons.
 

Pros of the Horizon IC7.9 Indoor cycle

 
The pros of the IC 7.9 indoor cycle are:
 
  • Reinforced frame
  • Mechanical belt
  • Smooth resistance adjustments
 
The frame of this bike is sturdier than if other bike options you can get from Horizon fitness. This seems that bigger athletes can exercise harder on this bike compared to the GR3.
 
A lot of bikes work with magnetic resistance in today’s high technology environment. This bike still works with a belt and a mechanical brake. While this means higher maintenance it also translates to an experience that is closer to biking on the street. Depending on what you are looking for this might be an advantage for you.
 
With the dial to adjust the resistance at the wheel, it is easier to adjust resistance compared to the GR3 indoor cycle. Think of the IC 7.9 as a high-quality spinning bike for commercial use, while the GR3 is more aimed at home users.
 

Cons of the Horizon IC7.9 Indoor cycle

 
The cons of the Horizon IC7.9 are:
 
  • Lack of programs
  • Price
 
The included computer of the IC 7.9 is basic and only provides revolutions, distance traveled and other information about how far and fast you are traveling. As it is very similar to a spinning bike you need to set it up near a television or find someplace else for your tablet or phone to rest on. This is not going with the times where peloton and echelon have entire entertainment systems onboard.
 
The price is rather high for something that is essentially not a lot more than a bike on a stance. If you already have a high-end cycle at home you might as well get an indoor stance for it which is cheaper and gets you the real deal at home.
 

Alternatives to the Horizon IC7.9

Alternatives  to the Horizon IC 7.9 are:

 
 
The horizon GR3 is the little brother of the IC 7.9. It has the same basic functions but all the parts are a little less sturdy than with the IC 7.9 which makes the bike cheaper overall. If you are a light home user this bike is the better value for money for you. Commercial buyers should stick with the IC 7.9 instead.
 
The Nordictrack VU19 is the entry-level stationary bike from Nordictrack. It is more aimed at the leisure cyclist and for commercial use. It is bigger and sturdier than the IC 7.9 and the flywheel is under, rather in front of the user. Therefore the target group is a little different but if you are a commercial buyer comparing the Horizon and Nordictrack fleets have a look at the VU19.
 
The Rogue echo bike is in my opinion the best value for money cardio machine in the sub $1000 category. This is the case if you want a sturdy machine with a basic machine that you can go hard at. If you want a smooth ride and sit comfortably other machines might be better. A lower-budget copy cat of the Rogue echo bike is the TITAN fan bike.
 
If you want a low-impact cardio kick on a small footprint the concept 2 skierg might be for you. It takes up minimal space compared to other machines and is also fairly silent. The only downside is that it is not a bike or full-body workout and mainly targets the upper body.
 

Conclusion for the Horizon IC7.9 Indoor cycle

 
If you are looking for a spinning bike this is the best you can get from Horizon fitness. Especially if you want to stay under $1000 and still get something solid the Ic 7.9 is a very good option. There are cheaper bikes on Amazon, but they might have some quality issues. There are other bikes with more multimedia and gamification options, but those will break the $1000 budget wall.