Lifecycle exercise bikes are under the manufacturing name of Life Fitness, a company that specializes in making physical fitness equipment and supplies. They are offered in both upright and recumbent forms. To get an idea how these indoor bikes perform against other brands, read on.

One of the high-end models of Lifecycle exercise bikes is the C3-5. This machine is priced at around $1,700. The model has numerous features including 20 levels of resistance, pre-programmed workouts and a heart rate monitor that includes a chest strap. The C3-5 is an upright model. For those who prefer the recumbent type but like the features of the C3-5, the counterpart is the R3-5, which is, of course, a bit more expensive.

A bit similar to the C3-5 upright model, although offered at a lesser price, is the C3 with Basic Console. It sells for around $1,499 and is ideal for consumers looking for a mid-market type of exercise bike. Although not as heavy in features as the C3-5, the C3 with Basic Console still fulfills the necessary functions that an indoor physical fitness enthusiast is looking for. It has five workout programs, an electromagnetic resistance system with 20 resistance level changes and a contact heart rate feature. If a buyer wanted to go a bit lower than the $1,700 that the C3-5 is asking for but does not want to sacrifice too much in terms of features, then the C3 might be good enough.

The company also offers a model which is a bit cheaper than the C3-5 or the R3-5. The recumbent model C1-5, priced at $899 (depending on where you buy it), features 16 resistance levels and six workout programs. It also features heart rate hand sensors so that the user can monitor his or her workout intensity. The best feature of this recumbent model, according to Lifecycle makers, is the way the seat is aligned to the pedals which ensures a comfortable and secure workout.

If money is not a concern and all you really care about is getting a great exercise machine, then you can probably opt for the C9i model. This one has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $2,399. It sounds a bit daunting, but this model has gotten rave reviews from product evaluators and has been considered worth every penny. If you can afford it, then you can expect a machine with 19 programs, 20 resistance levels complete with a Polar wireless heart monitor.

Lifecycle exercise bikes might be more expensive than other indoor bikes, but the brand does offer a lot of mileage for its prices. Product evaluators have touted Life Fitness exercise machines as some of the best in the market. Still, the best way for consumers to find out if they should agree is to head to a Lifecycle retailer and test-drive one of these bikes.