Progear 555LXT Review

The Progear 555LXT is a compact bike for a recumbent exercise bike which is great for those who are looking to save on space while getting a comfortable and gentle on the joints cardio workout.

It looks different to many bikes with the thin slider below the bike rather than a solid seat support underneath it. This does give it the ability to be able to slide the seat to exactly the position you want rather than being limited to pre-set positions.

It comes with a computer with a good size display to easily see the measures as you exercise plus you can enter in your goals for a workout which I find helps with keeping you motivated during a workout.

The design and the shorter stabilizer bars does make you wonder if it will hold you steady as you ride.

In my review I look at how sturdy this bike is as well as how it measures up in helping people reach their fitness goals.

In a hurry? >>>

Sturdiness

It seems looks can be deceiving!

It has a steel frame construction that appears well made and give a good solid basis for a wobble and rocking free workout experience at all intensities of workout.

To keep the bike balanced on uneven surfaces there are levelers in the rear stabilizer end caps. You turn these to level up the bike.

They will only take care of minor variations in the floor only.

The bike comes with only a 1 year warranty which is about average for bikes in this price range.

At present, due to the bike being a new model there isn’t any feedback from customers as to the durability of the bike but they say it is a good solid bike.

Adjustability

Although the bike is smaller than many recumbent exercise bikes it can accommodate people between the heights of 5 ft and 6 ft 3 ins by adjusting the position of the seat.

If you are under 5 ft you are likely to find yourself stretching to reach the pedals at the far end of the stroke or having to sit forward to the very front of the seat. Both of which can be uncomfortable.

Over 6ft 3ins you are unlikely to get the full extension of your leg – it should be slightly bent at the far end of pedal stroke and feel cramped up.

The bike seat slides along the support/slider underneath it. The adjustment is continuous which allows you to place the seat in the place where you want it and not be restricted to pre-set positions which can result in the seat being just too close or too far away to be totally comfortable.

To make the adjustment you do need to be off the bike. There is a knob under the slider that you loosen, then slide the seat into position and then tighten back into place. It seems to hold the seat firmly in place and there is no wobbling experienced from customers based on their reviews to date.

The seat does move up slightly when you move the seat back for those with longer legs to still have it a comfortable height as well as distance for cycling and for getting on and off the bike.

Resistance

The bike has 14 levels of magnetic resistance that is controlled using a tension knob on the front post below the console. This makes it easy to objectively set the level you want to exercise at or return to a previous setting.

You need to lean forward slightly to reach the knob. It is a good sized knob making it easy to turn to the level of resistance you want to exercise at. It controls magnets to move them closer (for more resistance) and further away from the flywheel (that is enclosed in the shroud). They don’t touch it so it is quiet and there is no maintenance requirements.

At higher levels of resistance you may notice that pedaling motion starts to pulse. This is due to the resistance slowing the wheel down as you pedal at bottom/top of the stroke – it may add a little impact to your pedaling – this is the same with other bikes in this price range.

It starts off nice and easy with little or no resistance to push against. It goes up in increments with the transition between levels being smooth and there should be no jumps. At the top end of the resistance it unlikely to be tough enough for those who are looking for very challenging workouts.

When at the higher levels of resistance you are likely to notice variability in the pedaling motion as the pedals slow down as you move through the top and bottom of the pedal stroke before starting to push again. It adds a little impact to the stroke.

Drive Type

The bike has a belt drive and single crank that provide a quiet, solid and smooth pedaling experience.

There should be no slipping as you pedal. The drive should also be maintenance free.

Pedals

The pedals are oversized, textured and with plastic straps to provide a good grip on your shoes so there is no slipping as you pedal.

The straps are the ones that have holes in them that you insert a knob on the side of the pedal.

They are fine for keeping your feet in place but can be a little difficult to adjust until they soften up a little from use.

Progear 555LXT Comfort

Seat. It has an oversized padded seat and large padded backrest. The seat size is estimated at 16 by 11 ins by one customer. It is a flat pad so won’t be as comfortable as a contoured seat.

You may be one of the people who find it comfortable but that depends on your own personal preference – so it might not be right for your sit bones. With these type of seats most people use a towel or a cushion or 2 to get the required comfort.

The back rest is at a fixed angle that provides support to the back including the lower back. It moves with the seat backwards and forwards.

To get on and off the bike is easy as you can step through without having to lift your foot over a bar or jump up on the seat. The seat height is about the same as you’d find with furniture.

Handlebars. The handlebars are at either side of the seat – they’re angle upwards from below the seat to adjust above the level as the seat and they are still in easy reach. They are covered which gives a nice soft grip whether you are holding for support or using to help when pushing on through a tough workout. These also move with the seat.

Dust and Dirt. You aren’t going to end up with too much cleaning due to the bike, It does require wiping down to keep it free of sweat as this can be very corrosive – but it doesn’t take long. You may also find that sweat drops on to your floor – to keep this protected a rubber exercise mat is a good idea.

Noise. The bike is very quiet when being used. The biggest noise is likely to be heavy breathing when you exert yourself. Otherwise you can easily hear the TV without having to turn it up. You are also unlikely to disturb others in the house even when they’re sleeping. If you live in an apartment the neighbors won’t know you are exercising – if you are worried about people living below you a rubber exercise mat will make doubly sure no vibration or sound is transmitted through the floor.

Storage

The bike is a good compact size for a recumbent exercise bike for when you are wanting to store it out of the way. It’s footprint is 43 by 22 ins and that is the area needed to accommodate it

It doesn’t fold up and if space is a real issue then a semi recumbent folding bike may be an option such as the Exerpeutic 400XL – your feet are angled more downwards in front of you and the seat isn’t as comfortable. You can see the full review here.

To help with moving the bike there are 2 small rollers on the front stabilizer bar. To use them you lift the bike using the back stabilizer bar.

They are fairly easy to use as most of the weight of the bike is at the front. The wheels support the weight of the bike leaving you to navigate the bike to where you want to go with it. It allows one person to do this on their own. It’s much better than having to carry the 60 lbs weight on your own.

The wheels work best on surfaces on soft surfaces, such as some carpets, you may find they stick as there isn’t a lot of clearance so you may end up dragging it at times. On wood floors it would be a good idea to test the wheels out to ensure they don’t scratch or dent it.

Assembly

The bike comes partly completed. You are required to finish the assembly. It is straightforward and can be completed easily within 2 hours.

There is a complete parts diagram that shows all the parts of the bike but you aren’t required to do that much assembly. You can ignore it for the assembly. The job is much easier.

The main frame and drive are already installed. You are required to add the stabilizer bars, pedals, seat post, handlebars, seat, backrest, front post, tension knob and console.

The tools required to finish it are included in the package. The pieces go together easily and can be done by one person. However, you may want some help to hold the pieces in place while you bolt them in.

Console

It has a good looking compact console at the front of the bike. The display is a good size, but isn’t look backlit. So the numbers are large enough to see from the seat but will get difficult to view when the light conditions are poor.

It gives you the option to set one of 3 different workout targets – time, distance or calories. The console then counts down giving you how much you’ve got left to go.

It displays one measure at a time RPM, time, distance, cumulative distance (odometer), speed and calories burned. By pushing the mode button below the screen you can move through the measures. You can set it to scan so that it rotates through the measures every 4 seconds.

The set along with the mode button is used for increasing the workout goals of time distance or calories burned. The reset button is used to clear a previous workout.

Apart from time the other measures are estimates only and should only be used as a guide and comparing workouts.

The console requires 2 AAA batteries which are installed in the back. These are included. It has an auto on/off where when you start pedaling or push a button it comes on and when you don’t pedal for 4 minutes it switches off.

Dimensions

The dimensions and weight of the bike are

Height 43 ins
Width 22 ins
Length 49 ins

Max User Weight 250 lbs
Bike Weight 60 lbs

Accessories

The bike does comes with a couple of accessories.

It has a water bottle holder that is in reasonable reach at the top of the drive shroud.

It fits smaller water bottles and you need only lean forward a little to grab it while you exercise.

On the console there is a shelf for placing a tablet or kindle or phone making it convenient to use while you exercise.

It does cover up the console display so you won’t be able to know measures while you exercise.

The manual doesn’t include any information on using the bike. It does tell you how to adjust the bike but not what to adjust it to for the best fit. For a bike that is good for beginners I think it would have been good idea to have some help in these area.

Pros

• Affordably priced
• Console allows you to set targets
• Comes with a shelf for your personal electronics
• Has levelers for balancing it up on uneven floors
• Has 14 levels of resistance marked
• Transport wheels to help when moving the bike
• The bike is very quiet so you can watch the TV or workout while others sleep
• Easy to adjust for people between the heights of 5 ft and 6 ft 3 ins

Cons

• Does not come with a heart rate sensors
• You can’t keep a record of workouts or upload to fitness account – this has to be done manually
• Doesn’t include any pre-set programs nor any help included in the manual
• Resistance unlikely to be tough enough for those wanting very challenging workouts
• Display not backlit so hard to see in poor light conditions

Progear 555LXT Consumer Ratings

At present there are few customer reviews. Customers so far have reported being happy with the bike on the whole.

There are a couple of negative reviews where the customers believe they have received a previously used bike or it might be that it has been badly beat up and damaged during delivery.

Those aside the other customers have received a bike – they’ve found it easy to put together, quiet and comfortable – which is what they wanted in a recumbent exercise bike.

Progear 555LXT Price

Compared to other recumbent exercise bikes it has some benefits not always available.

It does include a better console with the ability to add targets, a water bottle holder, personal electronics holder, it looks like it has more comfortable seat and the seat adjustment is much easier.

When I checked at Amazon it can qualify for free shipping.

You can check availability and latest pricing by clicking here
Progear 555LXT

Review Summary

The Progear 555LXT provides a good solid and fairly comfortable base for low impact workouts. It provides good support for the back and is gentle on the joints.

It is best for those getting started or wanting to use to recover from an injury or surgery (under doctors advice).

The resistance goes from very easy to moderately hard through 14 incremental levels. If you are looking for very demanding workouts you are going to be disappointed with the hardest levels of resistance (see Schwinn 230 for a bike with harder resistance).

The seat and backrest are padded to provide the support and comfort for longer workouts. It can be adjusted to fit people between the heights of 5 ft and 6 ft 3 ins.

It also has a basic console that you can set targets to help with keeping you motivated.

For the price it seems to provide a sturdy basis for working out in your home to improve cardio fitness, burn calories and strengthen the legs due to low impact nature.