Speediance VeloNix Exercise Bike Review 

In the chaos of family life it can be hard to find the time or enthusiasm to workout, writes Trinity Francis.

Having a home gym or a few pieces of equipment at home can help to ease the time constraints that can often leave exercise way down the priority list. Speediance specialises in tech assisted workout equipment to guide and facilitate exercise. VeloNix is the company’s first exercise bike, designed to compete with the likes of Peleton.  

What is the Speediance VeloNix bike? 

The VeloNix is one of the most aesthetically pleasing exercise bikes on the market. Its body is an aluminum alloy frame and the handle bars and seat can all be adjusted to find the most comfortable riding position. The standard seat is pretty firm, so if this isn’t your style, it might be worth swapping it out for one with more padding. 

The pedals are also interchangeable, swapping out the standard ones for pedals with clips for bike shoes or toe straps to keep you locked in would improve the experience. All of the moving parts are neatly packaged away keeping kids and pets safe around the exercise bike when it’s not in use. When you stop pedalling the pedals immediately stop too, the mechanism inside absorbs the energy and it instantly stops. 

Depending on where you want to position it in the room, the bike can be plugged in from the front or rear which makes it easy to install in any space. It comes with a mat which it can sit on, or it’s a useful surface to do bodyweight exercises on. 

Obviously, the star of the show is the 21.5-inch touchscreen display which has an integrated soundbar beneath. The screen is crisp and responsive to touch inputs or the gear ratio can be controlled using the paddles under the handlebars. 

Sometimes, when you’re pushing hard, you might not always be looking at the screen, so the VeloNix has a cool light feature in between the handlebars to give you an indication of how hard you’re working. The colour corresponds with a gauge on screen which changes colour based on how much effort you’re putting in. 

What software does the Speediance VeloNix have? 

With any high-end exercise bike, the software experience is what sets bikes apart. VeloNix comes with a section dedicated to guided rides, an area to choose a scenic ride or the ability to stream entertainment platforms or YouTube. 

This flexibility allows you to set up the right environment to get the most out of your workout. If you want to study on the go, an educational YouTube video will help you maximise your time. Or, if you want to zone out and ride through the mountains in New Zealand you can. 

When you do a scenic ride, the video will speed up and slow down to match the speed you’re cycling at. It’s a small touch but it makes it feel much more realistic. Similarly, when the road gets steeper, the gradient will automatically change to make it harder. This kind of functionality helps you buy into the experience and commit to pedalling harder to get over the next hill. 

Regular updates keep everything functioning as it should and you can connect your phone via Bluetooth to play your own music as well. During a workout, there’s a strip along the bottom of the screen which displays speed, gear ratio and balance between your left and right leg. 

Once you finish a race, a summary screen displays a variety of different data points including average speed, distance covered, calorific output and duration. The metrics make it easy to track progress over time to see how fit you’re getting. 

How much does the Speediance VeloNix cost? 

Compared to the likes of Peleton, the Speediance VeloNix is quite pricey at £3,099. As an all-in-one system that acts as a TV, sound system and workout setup it means you don’t need to invest in gym speakers or a screen but if you already have these then the price is steep. 

The bike is frequently updated and there’s plenty you can do without signing up for the £29.99 a month Pro subscription – which is cheaper than Peleton’s membership at £39 a month. But, if you want to take full advantage of the guided workouts then the subscription will unlock more choices. Placed up against a gym membership though, it’s tough to justify the extra monthly fee. 

Whether you’ve already got a home gym set up or you’re looking at which pieces of equipment to go for, bringing exercise into the home is a great way to model a healthy lifestyle in front of your children. They don’t have to be actively involved in the workout, just passively seeing you take care of your mental and physical health will build the foundation for a positive attitude towards exercise.