Life Fitness IC6 Review: Is this indoor cycle worth it?

Life Fitness IC6 indoor cycle delivers the goods to justify its bulky price tag of $2200. This Life Fitness indoor bike model is continually one of our “Best Buy” recommendations for commercial quality bio-mechanically correct magnetic spin bikes and is now better than ever with the MyRide console for $2300.

IC6 Life Fitness bike provides one of the smoothest rides in the industry and supports all fitness levels. It comes with all the features of the IC5 cycle with lots of additional features for the outdoor cycling enthusiast. The Life Fitness IC6 Cycle brings quality and affordability to your home or commercial setting.

Key specs of Life Fitness IC6 indoor cycle with myride include a self-powered Coach by Color monitor, an evenly weighted high inertia impressive flywheel, 100 resistance levels, and full adjustment for a perfect spin bike fit.

This Life Fitness IC6 indoor cycling bike also has the industry-leading narrow q factor (155 mm) and the user-assist technology for easy adjustment. The new Life Fitness IC6 spin bike is fully compatible with the WiFi-enabled 10” MyRide touchscreen console screen, and ANT+, Bluetooth connection monitor to share exercise stats with third-party fitness apps such as ICG Training Apps.

The Bluetooth connection also allows you to incorporate your own tablet, phone, or TV as an alternative program monitor. Just like many other spinning class bikes, the Life Fitness IC6 exercise bike boasts extra features to enhance comfort and motivation including three awesome built-in MyRide apps, two water bottle holders, lever adjustment, and the MyRide tablet holder.

Team ICG indoor cycles are known for supporting fluid, and 360 natural pedal motion. Since the Life Fitness IC6 bike has one of the highest inertia flywheels and a 10:1 gear ratio, the ride is smoother than pretty much any other spin bike you might have ridden before.

This Life Fitness spin bike operates almost silently thanks to magnetic resistance and top-notch construction. The 100 precise resistance levels offer very easy to very challenging workouts and can diversify the workouts from cardio to strength.

This Life Fitness exercise bike model’s warranty package includes five years of coverage for the frame, three years for parts and electronics, and one year of in-home labor.

Life Fitness Indoor Cycles Comparison

Life Fitness has come a long way since its first indoor cycle, the Life Fitness IC1. Eight models later, they have perfected the design, ergonomics, and technology of their indoor cycles.

The Life Fitness IC1 was built with friction resistance and lack adjustment which later was replaced by the IC2 and IC3 bikes.

Although the Life Fitness IC2 and IC3 were better than the IC1 in terms of comfort and ergonomics, they were still missing many features such as advanced and reliable monitors and a magnetic resistance system.

Right after the production of the Life Fitness IC3 indoor bike, the company realized it was time to set up their game or they will behind the competition and that’s when the Life Fitness IC4 came into play. It had a much nicer design and resistance system than its successors but the technology was still not there.

Thankfully, Life Fitness didn’t stop there and went another step up and the company built the IC5 and IC6. Not long after, they also manufactured the Life Fitness IC7 indoor cycle which was and still is one of the best commercial quality spin bikes on the market to this day.

These three models: Life Fitness IC5, IC6, and IC7 bikes come with a good workout monitor and drive system that delivers accurate workout stats and provides a comfortable 50-minute indoor cycling session.

Although Life Fitness IC6 is not as good as IC7 and IC8 because of its simpler drive system and lack of a gas-assisted adjustment system, it’s still one of the top of the line models by Life Fitness, and it shows in its features. It has a sleek design that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also aerodynamic.

The ergonomics have been improved to give the rider a more comfortable and efficient ride. The technology has been updated to include a state-of-the-art touchscreen display that includes all the information the rider needs.

The Life Fitness IC6 is also incredibly durable, making it ideal for heavy use in a commercial setting. Life Fitness has put decades of work into perfecting their indoor cycles, and it shows in the quality of their products.

Life Fitness IC6 Alternatives

Considering all of the features above it’s not difficult to see why the Life Fitness IC6 exercise bike is one of our top recommendations for at-home indoor cycling training and easily justifies its high price range.

However, for novice cyclists and mid-level riders, the Life Fitness IC6 may not be appealing and boring to ride for a longer period of time because it doesn’t have a big touchscreen like some other indoor cycling bikes that are currently on the market for the same price.

So, if you are into bigger screens and online live indoor cycling classes, there are better alternatives to Life Fitness IC6 spin bikes. Three such indoor cycles are the; Peloton Bike, Nordictrack S22i, and ProFrom Studio Bike 22.

The three mentioned indoor bikes have a 22-inch touchscreen HD monitor and connect to indoor cycling applications that offer live online spin bike workouts throughout the day. In addition to their HD screens, they also have other bells and whistles such as cooling fans, speakers, incline, and decline system.

Now it’s up to you to choose, you can either opt for an ergonomic indoor bike that comes with a small screen or get one of the modern spin bikes that come with screens. Keep in mind the big screen requires a paid membership to function fully so you will need to pay an extra $ every month based on the type of membership and application policies. Both Peloton and iFit have different packages to pick from a basic membership that cost $180 per year to a premium membership that cost up to $400 per year.

Now, to help you easily navigate through our Life Fitness IC6 indoor cycle review, we have created the table of content below. Although, we recommend you read this Life Fitness IC6 spin bike review thoroughly from beginning to the end to better understand what you are investing in.

• IC6 Specs
• Team ICG Monitor
• MyRide VX Personal
• Pedals and Q-factor
• IC6 flywheel
• Life Fitness ICG 6 resistance
• Handlebars and seat
• IC6 bike price and warranty
• Assembly and shipping
• Life Fitness IC6 Pros
• Life Fitness IC6 Cons
• Final Word on the Life Fitness IC6 Indoor Cycling Bike

Technical Information:

IC6 Specs:

• Height: 47.2″
• Width: 20.5″
• Length: 52″
• Bike Weight: 112 Pounds
• Max User Weight: 330 Pounds
• Inseam Capacity: 27″ to 40″
• Shipping Weight: 130 Pounds
• Stretch pads: Yes
• Floor protection levelers: Yes

Life Fitness indoor cycles powered by ICG feature a high-performance offset frame. This design provides perfect geometry enabling a wide range of bike adjustments.

The off-set design combined with fully adjustable handlebars is the reason that the Life fitness IC6 with MyRide accommodates pretty much all user’s inseams from short, to average and tall.

Another good reason that I like the Life Fitness exercise bike’s off-set design is the ease of getting on and off the bike. Additionally, this design draws the sweat away from the drive mechanism toward the front of the frame where no bearings or parts are exposed.

What I noticed many IC6 cycle reviews overlook is the fully shrouded frame. Not only this durable plastic protection guard prevents the sweat and humidity to damage the bike, but it also provides a professional sleek look and keeps the kid’s naughty finger away from sharp edges.

So, it minimizes the maintenance while providing safety in case you have kids in the house. The ICG series IC6 has a heavy-duty steel frame with an anti-corrosion finish which is durable and lightweight for easy transportation.

Other features that I can see on the Life Fitness IC6 Indoor Cycle with Myride are the four adjustable leveling feet, two transport wheels, and unique stretch pads. There are also two easy-to-reach water bottle holders built into the handles to keep you hydrated.

Team ICG 6 Monitor:

• Life Fitness IC6 features Team ICG’s TFT computer.
• It is self-powered with a built-in Lipo Battery.
• Coach by Color intensity guide technology for the rider on top of the screen and a light for the instructor in front of the monitor to be able to follow you.
• The Wattrate TFT computer is full color backlit.
• IC6’s computer has Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ connectivity.
• There are 3 built-in workout modes (Quick-Start, Heart Rate, and Watt) on the console.
• IC6’s monitor tracks the time, calories, watt, RPM, HR, resistance, speed, and training zones.
• The current, average, and maximum of these feedbacks are tracked as well.
• You can create user profiles on the monitor.
• Life Fitness Team ICG 6 spin bike connects with ICG Training Apps but not with the Zwift.

Let’s start by explaining the TFT. It is a test used to help measure a user‘s fitness and establish their 5 colored training zones. On the previous Life Fitness bike (IC5), the monitor color does not change based on your fitness level.

The color of the monitor would go from green to red based on certain PRESET speeds and the watt. The computer was set to turn red when the RPM was over 150 no matter how strong you are.

But now, before starting the workout, the TFT computer measures how strong you are. Then the monitor decides when to change the color of the screen from green to red. So, it is based on your fitness level, not a preset number for everyone.

Here is how the Wattrate TFT computer measures your fitness level: “Every 4 minutes the WATTs target will increase 25 watts, all the rider has to do is “keep it green” for as long as they can. Once an individual‘s Fitness level is known, users are assigned the 5 zones to accurately coach their effort for the best-customized results.

The next great feature of the Life Fitness ICG exercise bike is its Self-powered generator with a LiPo battery. This cycle uses renewable, green energy which means no batteries or power plugin is required.

This Life Fitness spin bike captures your energy through a compact generator at the flywheel and recharges the bike‘s integrated lithium polymer battery. This self-powering technology feeds all the bike’s electronics and empowers the full-color display on the WattRate TFT computer in any environment.

Now let’s talk about the Coach by Color technology. It is not just a fancy feature, the IC6’s Coach by Color is both a monitor and a virtual instructor at your service in your living room.

Through five colors, it tells you if your workout is “Very Light” “Light”, “Moderate” “Very Hard” or “Maximum”. So, you can exercise at home safely and efficiently without subscribing to a spin class.

The Life Fitness IC6 commercial bike also features Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity which means you can connect your devices (tablet, computer, phone, TV, etc) to the bike.

Via Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ you can now pair your cycling training applications to view, save and track daily workout history. This way, you will not lose your daily workout progress.

And at the end of the month or week, you have the ability to track your last month’s performance and compare it with this month’s performance to see if you have made any progress.

At the same time, the wireless connection allows you to compete with other indoor cyclists online or subscribe and attend the Team ICG online classes or other online cycling classes.

If you are still reading this IC6 indoor cycling bike review, you may want to know that this bike has three workout modes/programs. They include the Quick-Start program, Heart Rate program, and the Watt Rate program.

When exercising on the IC6 Life Fitness bike, the “guesswork” does not exist. All your cycling stats are available for you on the screen including the current resistance level, watts, and RPM.

In case you are new to indoor cycling, Watt is the amount of rotational force applied on the pedal. The RPM (Revolution Per Minute) is the rotational frequency which is also known as “cadence” or the speed at which you turn your pedals.

Being able to see these stats, you can understand the speed and the power that you create during the ride. These performance data can be applied in training programs to maximize workout results.

MyRide VX Personal:

• The Team ICG MyRide VX Personal is an Android WiFi-enabled 10.1″ HD touch-screen tablet.
• At the time of writing this Life Fitness exercise bike review, this package is included with the IC6 bike.
• Life Fitness Myride VX Personal package includes:
• A tablet, tablet holder, headphone jack adapter, and three pre-installed ICG Training Apps.
• These three installed Apps are “MyRide® Studio Coach” “MyRide® Tour Coach” and “MyRide® World View”.
• This table is compatible with IC5, IC6, and IC7.
• Watching cycling classes and using the apps are free, no subscription.
• There is no possibility of installing any additional apps or surfing the web through MyRide VX Personal. The MyRide tablet is exclusively for the three ICG apps.

Myride VX Personal is the cutting-edge motivation that gives the multi-award-winning range of Life Fitness indoor cycles a full boost of adrenaline. Adding immersive, video-based Instruction directly to the handlebar redefines the bike‘s user experience.

It is an accessory that is often sold separately for $1000+ but thanks to the current offer, you can buy the IC6 indoor cycle with MyRide. Hopefully, by the time you are reading this IC6 review, it is still included.

Unlike the self-powered monitor, the MyRide requires AC power plugin. This tablet comes with three Team ICG apps. They are filled with pre-recorded workouts that you can choose from.

The instructor will lead you through each workout. So, you don’t need to guess which cycling position you need to be or what your RPM should be because they are all available on the screen. All you need to do is to pick the class and follow the instructor.

The Life Fitness powered by ICG indoor cycles with Myride VX does both have studio class footage and stunning footage from around the globe that you can choose to see on the monitor.

You can choose your terrain (France, Italy, etc) and enjoy the ride while following the instructor’s positions on a small window on the corner of the screen. Through the headphone, you will hear him announce the RPM and Training color zones.

To use the MyRide app and watch all those tens of great pre-recorded cycling classes, you don’t need to pay. Isn’t that awesome? Other apps such as Peloton would charge you around $300 per year for similar Apps.

Pedals and Q-Factor:

• Life Fitness IC has dual-sided SPD & toe cage pedals.
• It has a three-piece crank-arm set.
• IC6 Q factor is 155 mm.

Life Fitness IC6 pedals are dual-sided. One side of the foot pedals on this cycle is oversized with adjustable straps to allow trainees to exercise comfortably during workouts using regular gym shoes.

On the other side of the pedals, the rider can clip-in the SPD cycling shoes to enjoy a more efficient and safer workout. So, unlike the pedals on some spin bikes, the ICG IC6 exercise bike allows both types of shoes.

Before going any further, let me explain the ‘Q Factor’. The Q Factor is the distance between the outside of one crank arm to the outside of the opposite crank arm. It is also referred to as stance width which refers more directly to the distance between feet on the pedals.

Both terms refer to as the lateral distance between feet when pedaling. Here is how it affects cycling: When there is too much distance between the pedals, your feet will stay wider than your knees and hips.

This way, your hips, knees, and ankles are not aligned with each other. This can be painful for those with knee injuries and can cause harm to the riders with narrow hips.

Thankfully, you don’t need to worry about this problem when buying the Life Fitness IC6 indoor cycle. Because the IC6 indoor cycle features a high-end bio-mechanically correct design unlike cheap spin bikes on the market.

IC6 Flywheel:

• Life Fitness IC6 with MyRide has a 9-pound flywheel.
• It is an evenly-weighted aluminum rear flywheel.
• IC6 bike has a fixed-wheel mechanism.
• There is a full protection guard around the flywheel to reduce maintenance.

While friction resistance bikes and magnetic spin bikes with little gear ratio need a 30-50 pound heavy flywheel to provide a 360 consistence pedal stroke, the Life Fitness cycles don’t need such a heavy flywheel.

Thanks to the 10:1 gear ratio of the IC6 spin bike, it provides high-speed fluid cycling motion and good momentum with a lightweight flywheel that makes it easier to move the bike.

Thanks to the rear-drive design and the aluminum material, there is very little to clean and the flywheel is strong against corrosion.

The IC6 exercise bike is fixed-wheel which means the pedals and the flywheel move and stop together. So, if you need to take a break or get off the bike in case of muscle cramps or an emergency, you will need to wait until the flywheel stops turning.

For now, the only Life Fitness Indoor cycling bike that features a free-wheel (smart release) system is the IC8. It works just like outdoor bicycles, even when you stop pedaling, the wheel keeps turning.

ICG 6 Resistance & Drivetrain:

• IC6 indoor cycle has 100 resistance levels.
• This indoor cycle features tactile lever for rapid resistance control.
• The rider can track the current resistance level on the IC6 monitor.
• Life Fitness IC6 cycling bike features the Poly-V belt drive.

Magnetic Resistance combined with belt drivetrain creates the smoothest ride in-home cycling. Thankfully the IC6 indoor cycling bike combines both of these great features.

Featuring a high-grade Poly-V belt ensures a smooth and service-free bike. Unlike chain drive bikes, belt-driven bikes do not require frequent oiling, cleaning, or adjusting, and make very little noise.

And since the IC6 cycle uses a magnetic break in the flywheel to generate resistance, the cycling workout is near to silent while offering a physically demanding workout that makes the bike well-suited for at-home, especially apartment workouts.

Additionally, the lever adjustment allows the adjustment of the magnetic resistance quickly compared to knob adjustment. The fact that the level is located at the handlebar post makes it easy to access it from any ride position.

The cutting-edge monitor also gets rid of the guess workout and displays the resistance level as 0-100 on the WattRate TFT computer.

Handlebars and Seat:

• Life Fitness IC6 seat is unisex padded and 4-way adjustable.
• There is an opening in the heart of the saddle that relieves pressure and provides comfort.
• The IC6 Life Fitness handlebars are also 4-way adjustable.
• Seat and handlebar posts are made of lightweight durable aluminum.
• IC6 exercise bike’s handlebars feature “User-Assist” technology.

The Life Fitness indoor cycling group 6 has superior vertical and horizontal bike adjustments. The riders can adjust the saddle and handlebar fore/aft and up/down to ensure a safe and comfortable bike fit.

The handlebar integrated user assist technology makes adjustments easier, safer, and faster. When you loosen the knob, the handlebars will slowly come out of the frame without an effort.

Featuring a high-grade aluminum seat and handlebar posts with protection inserts that reduce weight and are more durable for the club owner. It is made to make sure the posts don’t move and rock during the ride which is an issue found on some other spin bikes.

As I mentioned earlier in this IC6 exercise bike review, from top to bottom this bike is designed biomechanically correct by experts. The ICG 6 bike has advanced ergo-formed handlebars.

For better upper body training and to allow you to change the wrest/arm positions, the IC6 by Life Fitness has multi-position arm bars with soft hand grips. There are certain curves and soft PVC that provide support, additional Time Trial bar-ends, and a central ride-easy position.

IC6 bike Price and Warranty:

• The Life Fitness IC6 without the MyRide package is from $2000-$2500.
• However, the Life Fitness IC6 with the “MyRide” package starts from $2500 to $3300 depending on offers.
• IC6’s warranty includes:
• 5 Years structure frame
• 3 Years of mechanical components
• 1 year other parts and labor.

While you might think the Life Fitness IC6 cycle overprices, I can assure you it is not. This ICG group cycling bike is in fact unbeatable in terms of price and features.

The IC6 costs less than the Schwinn AC Performance Plus while it has several better features. Overall I can not think of one single bike from other fitness equipment brands that could beat the IC6 for under $3000.

Not even the IC7 because that bike is $2900 without the MyRide package. I emphasize on this matter, so you know you are buying the best value exercise bike under $3000.

As for the warranty, I wasn’t expecting any less from such world’s one of the best fitness equipment machine brands. It is generous and provides peace of mind for the consumers.

To order parts for a unit under warranty, you should first create an account on external.lifefitness.com. Then you can enter the bike’s serial number and the part number to easily find what you are looking for.

Assembly and Shipping:

• The Life Fitness IC6 assembly is fairly easy because it comes mainly assembled.
• All the needed assembly tools are included with the bike.
• Life Fitness ICG 6 shipping is free in the United States.
• This bike ships in one box that weighs around 130 pounds

It is safe to say that pretty much anyone can assemble this bike as long as they are confident to follow the Life Fitness IC6 manual and tighten a few bolts.

As we talked about earlier in this Life Fitness IC6 review, the most important parts of this bike come assembled. The only parts that you would need to put together are the front and rear stabilizers, pedals, seat, handlebars, and the monitor.

You will also need to install the “MyRide tablet holder” which is pretty straightforward. But, if you are not sure you can assemble these parts of IC6 properly, we suggest you buy a $60 expert assembly from Amazon. Because the warranty will not cover damages caused by the wrong assembly.

Life Fitness IC6 Pros:

MyRide:
In addition to an excellent state of art monitor with an interactive display that shows your progress to reach your goals, the Life Fitness ICG IC6 indoor cycling bike is compatible with ICG MyRide VX Personal. Not to mention the MyRide tablet is included if you buy the Life Fitness IC6.

Self-powered:
This Life Fitness bike creates the power it needs for the high-end Coach by Color monitor. Therefore, you can save on electricity and have the freedom to ride the bike anywhere in the house without running a wire across the room. However, if you need to use the MyRide tablet, you will need to plug in the Life Fitness IC6 spin bike.

Q-factor:
Earlier in this Life Fitness IC6 exercise bike review, we talked about the Q-factor and its benefits. But since it is an important factor for a safe indoor cycling workout, I thought it is worth mentioning the Life Fitness ICG IC6 spin bike has an industry leading Q-factor.

Workout modes:
This Team ICG indoor cycle allows you to choose from three different indoor cycling workouts built-in the computer. These programs include:
“QUICK START MODE”. This allows you to start your workout with just one press of a button.
“HEART RATE TRAINING MODE”. The workout is based on your heart rate. You will need to enter your personal data to ride to your individual training zones and adjust your intensity accordingly. (Heart rate compatible with BLE and analog belts).
“POWER TRAINING MODE”. Your workout is based on your power efforts in watts. Here also you will need to enter your personal data to ride to your individual training zones and adjust your intensity accordingly.

• Eddy Current Magnetic Resistance makes the workout smooth and silent.
• The gear adjustment levers make switching gears and resistance easy.
• Commercial quality parts and heavy-duty steel frame unmatched in durability.
• Wireless chest strap connectivity provides real-time information to help you get the most out of your workout (not included).
• For/aft adjustable seat, handlebars to accommodate all riders and for maximum comfort while working out.
• SPD pedals and optional toe caps for safe cycling.
• High inertia evenly weighted flywheel for smooth and fast rides.
• Integrated Couch by Color console displays real-time data including Watt, heart rate, RPM, Time, Cal, distance, speed and more.
• Bluetooth and ANT+ connection capability for entertainment and to sync data on the cycling apps.
• ICG’s Coach By Color training system delivers real-time, color-coded biofeedback to the rider.
• One of the best fully commercial and home use bikes at its price class.
• Designed by elite indoor and outdoor cyclists combining the best features of both styles.

Life Fitness IC6 Cons:

Drop handle:
The IC6 will please just about anyone, but people who like drop handlebars would likely prefer the drop bar option. While the Life Fitness IC6 cycle has a wide range of hand positions, it lacks drop bars.

Armrests:
Another possible drawback of Life Fitness IC6 is that the handlebars don’t have armrests. There are certain curves on the rear end of the handlebars that provide support for the arms but they are not as comfortable padded armrests that the IC8 cycle has.

Zwift:
Using spinning apps is an excellent way to have more fun and feel encouraged to push more for better and quicker results. While the Life Fitness IC6 exercise bike has everything needed to connect with the Zwift, for some reason it does not. Hopefully, in the future, this problem will be addressed. For now, the only Life Fitness cycle that works with the Zwift is the IC8 cycle.

Final Word on the Life Fitness IC6 Indoor Cycling Bike:

The Life Fitness ICG IC6 exercise bike has the versatility to meet everyone’s training needs. With a 10:1 gear ration drive and 20 resistance levels, it offers a challenge for users of all skill levels.

In addition to silent resistance, users can adjust the seat and handlebars for a good bike fit without getting off the bike and use the SPD pedals with cycling shoes.

The new Life Fitness stationary bike IC6 also comes with the MyRide tablet and adjustable media holder which normally costs up to $1100 itself. But thanks to the current offer, you are only paying for the bike which is $2200.

Let’s not forget that the ICG spin bike IC6 also has an industry leading self-powered colorful touch monitor with Bluetooth and ANT+ to integrate mobile devices, tracking data long-term and syncing that data with fitness apps.

The IC6 bike is a gem once again, earning our “Best Buy” perfection for this year. Considering its 10:1 drivetrain ratio, adjustable seat/handlebars, self-power technology, Bluetooth, ANT+, WiFi-enabled MyRide vs Personal, and other high-quality features we are genuinely surprised by the low online sale prices.

Hopefully, by the time you are reading this Life Fitness IC6 bike review, this cardio bike is still available in this price tag with the MyRide tablet. If it is still available, buy the Life Fitness IC6 while you can!

However, if you can not afford to spend more than $1400, you can consider the Life Fitness IC4 bike. It has everything the IC6 has, except the monitor and MyRide tablet.

Sayed

Hi there, I'm Sayed Hamed Hosseiny, the founder and one of the authors at yourexercisebike.com (YEB). I am a former indoor cycling instructor and personal trainer with nearly 20 years of experience. With a passion for indoor cycling, I have spent years designing cycling parts, repairing, and importing exercise bikes. All the articles, tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on YourExerciseBike.com (YEB) reflect my personal opinion and expertise in the field. I'm excited to share my knowledge with fellow exercise bike enthusiasts and help people find reliable indoor cycling information and the best exercise bike for their needs. If you have any questions or suggestion, you can contact me at sayed@yourexercisebike.com.

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