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Previously, you had to join a gym and pay for an expensive gym membership to get professional instruction.
Now, with an increasing number of connected exercise bikes available, you can get even better professional training with both live and on-demand workouts without stepping foot outside of your home. This level of convenience has made connected exercise equipment like one of the fastest-growing industries.
Bowflex is one of the brands that is highly sought when it comes to at-home exercise equipment. After all, they have established themselves as one of the most innovative home fitness brands in the marketplace.
They also have industry-leading support with exceptional warranties covering all of their products. Because of this, you may have narrowed your choice down to Bowflex as a brand. However, if you want a connected exercise bike, you will likely see that Bowflex has two distinct options which include the Bowflex C6 bike and the Bowflex VeloCore bike.
It can be difficult to choose from them if you aren’t entirely sure what each offers and what you should be looking for. The key is finding the one that delivers the kind of experience that you are looking to get out of it.
At the end of this article, you should have a good understanding of which model will deliver the most value for you.
Features Comparison: What do the C6 and VeloCore Offer?
Bowflex C6 Bike Features
1. Modes
The Bowflex C6 bike is a stationary indoor cycling bike. Therefore, you are only going to get a single mode with this bike.
2. Display
The C6 comes with a backlit LCD metric console. You will be able to read all of your stats directly on the console. This bike doesn’t come with its own high definition touchscreen display. Instead, it includes a media shelf and tablet holder that you will be able to use for your own external display whether it be a smartphone or a tablet.
This can help you streaming entertainment or use it for attending live or on-demand classes.
3. Connectivity
This bike isn’t directly connected to the Internet as it doesn’t have Wi-Fi capabilities baked into it. It does come with Bluetooth connectivity and it has its own charging port.
4. Resistance
This bike features 100 micro-adjustable magnetic resistance levels to choose from.
5. Heart Rate Monitor
This bike comes with a Bluetooth enabled HR armband to track your heart rate during your workouts.
6. On-Board Features
This bike comes with a fully adjustable seat, dual-link pedals, 3lb dumbbells, dual water bottle holders, and a media shelf/tablet holder.
See all C6 Features at Bowflex website.
Bowflex VeloCore Bike Features
1. Two Modes: Traditional & Lean
This bike features two distinct modes. One is your normal stationary mode. The other is a brand new and innovative leaning mode.
The leaning mode will tilt the rider from side to side as you bend through winding roads on your virtual course. This will not only offer you a much more immersive riding experience, but it can dramatically boost the efficiency and effectiveness of your workouts. The tilting and leaning will activate core muscles forcing you to engage them much more often than you would with basic stationary cycling.
2. Integrated Display
The VeloCore comes in two different models. Each model has a different sized display. This is the primary difference between the two.
The lower-cost model comes with an adjustable 16-inch console with a high-definition touchscreen. The higher cost model comes with an adjustable 22-inch console with a high definition touchscreen.
Obviously, the larger display will provide a much more immersive experience. However, the 16-inch display is no slouch as it is bigger than the majority of tablets you will find being sold in the marketplace.
3. Connectivity
These bikes come with Bluetooth connectivity and their own onboard USB charging port. However, unlike the C6, they come with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity making them connected bikes.
Therefore, you won’t have to use a connected device in conjunction with the bike to leverage fitness apps and various other things like the JRNY Experience.
4. JRNY Experience
Because this bike comes fully connected, you are going to be able to leverage the JRNY app. This will provide you with everything from adaptive workouts to virtual coaching. Adaptive workouts can help you progressively extend yourself to help you reach your ultimate fitness goals. You will also be able to engage in trainer-led videos on your own time.
With a JRNY subscription, you will be able to unlock access to binge your favorite streaming services and shows using your immersive integrated high-definition display.
Therefore, you won’t have to choose between the new season of Narcos and your next workout.
5. Resistance
These bikes come with 100 levels of magnetic resistance to choose from.
6. Heart Rate Monitor
These bikes have integrated contact grips along with Bluetooth enabled HR armbands that can be used to track your heart rate during your workouts. Therefore, you will be able to tell what your heart rate is at all times on your high-definition display.
7. On-Board Features
With the VeloCore series, you are getting everything you get in the C6. This includes an adjustable seat, dual-link pedals, 3-pound dumbbells, dual water bottle holders, and a media shelf and tablet holder.
See all VeloCore features at Bowflex website.
Is the C6 or VeloCore More Interactive?
Each of these bikes provides good interactive experiences. The VeloCore is inherently more interactive because it features a built-in display and functional Wi-Fi connectivity.
Also, because it pairs the immersive high-definition display with the brand new leaning mode, it can create one of the most immersive experiences you will find in a connected home workout equipment anywhere.
This is especially true when you sync your rides up to the Explore the World app and other fitness apps which can only enhance the immersion and interaction you are able to get.
Apps Comparison: Do They Both Work with Peloton?
Bowflex C6 Apps
- Peloton
- Zwift
- Explore the World
Bowflex VeloCore Apps
- JRNY
- Peloton
- Zwift
- Explore the World
Each of these apps works with a Peloton subscription. Therefore, they could both be considered viable alternatives to the much more expensive Peloton bike to leverage Pelotons’ live and on-demand classes.
However, the VeloCore series takes things a step further with Bowflex’s very own JRNY integration.
This app allows users to unlock even more out of their bikes by giving real-time adaptive workouts, expert coaching, and much more.
Learn more about which apps VeloCore works with.
Price Comparison: Which Bowflex Bike is Cheaper?
- Bowflex C6 Bike = $999.00
- Bowflex VeloCore Bike – 16-inch = $1,699.00
- Bowflex VeloCore Bike – 22-inch = $2,199.00
Summary: Which Bike is Best for You?
As you can probably tell, each of these offerings is very feature-rich. There are three key differences that you should be really considering.
The first being the differences in modes.
While the Bowflex C6 is a traditional indoor cycling bike, the VeloCore is much more. It pairs its traditional stationary bike mode with a much more immersive and effective leaning mode. This alone makes the bike offer a much more comprehensive workout with the ability to activate more muscles in your body throughout your workouts including your arm and core muscles.
You also want to consider whether or not having an integrated display would be useful for you. If you don’t already have a capable tablet that you could use, you would have to factor in the purchase of one to get even remotely the same immersive workout experience.
Lastly, you need to factor in the JRNY app functionality. The VeloCore offers JRNY integration which means you will be able to benefit from having fully adaptive workouts which can help drive you towards meeting and exceeding your fitness goals faster than ever.
You should purchase the Bowflex C6 if…
- You only want a stationary bike
- You want to use your own tablet or smartphone for connected workout experiences
- You don’t want to spend more than $1,000
You should purchase the Bowflex VeloCore if…
- You want perhaps the most innovative fitness bike on the marketplace
- You want to leverage the benefits of the brand new lean mode
- You want a much more immersive and interactive experience with the integrated display and JRNY subscription
