Looking for an innovative device for your home gym? Do you like cycling, but capricious weather prevents you from fully enjoying it? The Bowflex Velocore 22i spinning bike allows users to lean from side to side while riding, which requires more strength and balance from the user during cycling training at home. Think you're ready for a new training challenge? See what Bowflex designers have prepared for you in the new Velocore 22i bike.
Bowflex Velocore 22i Exercise Bike Review
Bowflex’s new Velocore spinning bike features a large, color touchscreen and a side-tilting frame, giving users a more challenging and realistic riding experience. Could a side-tilting bike replicate the balance challenge of riding outdoors? It’s certainly an interesting concept. By engaging the tilt function, users can activate their external obliques and engage their core muscles to a greater extent than would be required on a standard stationary bike.
The Bowflex Velocore 22i has a unique concept that aims to activate a larger part of the spine while riding. The frame of the bike locks and unlocks, so you can tilt and lean to any side. When you lean, the user is forced to activate the abdominal muscles more. This innovation is a really interesting solution and without a doubt, the new bike from Bowflex is quickly becoming the leader of the most innovative products among home gym equipment.
Despite its unconventional design, the Bowflex Velocore 22i bike also allows for training for heavier users. The steel frame is solid and allows for a stable ride, even when leaning over users weighing almost 150 kg. This is a definite plus of this device. Initially, users using the tilt function may have concerns about lack of balance, but with each training session the training confidence will increase.
Customize for perfect comfort
The inner part of the bike (drive system, pedals, seat and handlebars) can be unlocked to tilt sideways. You can, but you don't have to. If one of your family members is not interested in this type of training, they can easily use the bike for a classic workout, like on a standard spinning bike. The frame of the bike is firmly placed on the ground, and the hinge mechanism allows the saddle, pedals and drive system to be moved from side to side. The touchscreen remains stationary during training. For added safety, the Bowflex Velocore frame does not tilt. In addition, the fixed position of the console reduces the likelihood of dizziness and possible screen vibrations.
Less stationary, more cycling
The Bowflex Velocore 22i exercise bike is designed to offer both a tilt and lockout mode. In tilt mode, the internal lockout disengages from the frame, allowing the user to lean from side to side.
Having both a tilted and non-tilted option allows different riders to customize their experience to their own needs. Riders who don’t want to lean have the option of riding like a regular spinning bike. For those who want a bigger challenge and a more realistic feel to their ride, the tilted mode opens up those options.
The Bowflex Velocore 22i has hybrid pedals with an SPD clip on one side and a standard, flat pedal on the other. This allows riders who already own or prefer SPD cycling shoes to use them—or you can ride in any shoe by using the flat side of the pedal.
Compact size
The overall dimensions of the Bowflex Velocore are 152 cm long, 61 cm wide and 140.5 cm high. This is about the same length as the Nordictrack s22i bike, so the bike doesn't really take up much more space despite its added functionality. The bike is the same width as other spinning bikes. With the Bowflex Velocore, you need to remember to leave some space on both sides of the bike to allow for the recline function.
Adjust resistance in 100 ways
The Bowflex Velocore 22i uses a resistance knob to change the load, which is preferred by many exercise bike users. For easy access, the knob is located on the top of the frame. The Bowflex Velocore is a quiet bike with magnetic resistance. This type of solution does not require any contact or friction, making the device really quiet and does not require additional maintenance.
You also get 100 resistance levels, which definitely makes a lot of sense here. To make it easier to estimate the resistance level, a relationship was introduced. that level 25 is 25% of resistance, and level 50 is 50%, etc. It couldn't be simpler.
Additional equipment
The Bowflex Velocore 22i has Bluetooth speakers built into the screen. They are located just below the screen and face forward. The Tower also allows you to connect using wireless headphones.
There is a tablet tray right in front of the screen where you can place your phone or tablet if you need to. This will block the screen a bit, so you need to be aware of that. Because the bike moves from side to side and the screen tilts forward and back, the tablet may not be completely stable here. There is also a small pocket inside the handlebars for your phone.
There are two cup holders on either side of the handlebar column. They are designed to support plastic bottles or small bottles. This is an important safety feature on the bike, as reaching for water bottles on the floor or nearby furniture during exercise is not a good idea. Even if you are exercising at home, having a water bottle nearby and within safe reach is valuable.
The Velocore comes with dumbbells that the user can use during workouts without leaning over. The weights are located on a fixed arm that supports the touchscreen. They are included in the price of the bike.
If you subscribe to the Bowflex JRNY app, you can use the built-in, really big Velocore touchscreen to access apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, or Hulu.
Summary
The Bowflex Velocore is equally functional with the tilt function locked or engaged. If you choose the locked option to limit tilt, you get a great ride on a stable bike. If you choose the unlocked option, which allows tilt, you get a more realistic riding experience.
The tilt function is just a release mechanism that allows the frame to gently rock from side to side. It does not generate any noise. It is a truly innovative design that makes the bike functional but also very entertaining.