The Assault Bike ProX stands as a formidable contender in the realm of cardiovascular fitness equipment, offering a comprehensive, low-impact, yet potentially high-intensity workout. This fan bike, a favored tool within the robust CrossFit community, features a belt-driven system and a heavy-duty steel frame, positioning it as an effective instrument for enhancing both endurance and strength. At Breaking Muscle, our team, comprised of seasoned athletes, certified strength and conditioning coaches, and personal trainers, possesses an intimate understanding of such fan bikes. We subjected the Assault Bike ProX to rigorous, hours-long cardio sessions to ascertain its performance under extreme conditions. This review delves into our findings, evaluates its performance against established benchmarks, and compares it to other fan bikes on the market.
Key Takeaways
The Assault Bike ProX emerges as a top-tier cardio machine, lauded for its full-body, low-impact, and high-intensity training capabilities. Its robust construction, featuring a belt-driven system and heavy-duty steel frame, makes it a dual-purpose tool for building both cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength. While priced at $899, it offers significant value through free shipping and financing options. Its design prioritizes durability and user comfort, with ample adjustability and thoughtful conveniences like integrated device and water bottle holders. The accompanying Assault Fitness App enhances its utility with instructor-led workouts and virtual competition features, though minor compatibility issues with the latest Android versions are noted.
Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX: Pros
- Exceptional Durability and Construction: The heavy-duty steel frame with a corrosion-resistant black powder coat ensures longevity and can withstand intense use.
- Smooth and Quiet Operation: The belt-driven system provides a noticeably smoother and quieter ride compared to chain-driven alternatives.
- Versatile Workout Options: Capable of delivering full-body workouts or isolating upper body training via footpegs.
- User-Friendly Assembly: Arrives largely pre-assembled, requiring minimal time and tools to set up.
- Comprehensive Stat Tracking: The LCD monitor displays a wide array of metrics, including watts and RPM, offering detailed performance insights.
- Convenient Features: Includes integrated device and water bottle holders, and operates without an electrical outlet.
- Robust App Integration: The Assault Fitness App offers valuable instructor-led workouts and virtual training opportunities.
- Generous Warranty: Features a seven-year frame warranty and a three-year non-wear parts warranty, exceeding many competitors.
Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX: Cons
- Higher Price Point: More expensive than the AssaultBike Classic, though competitive with other high-end fan bikes.
- Resistance Requires Effort to Maintain: The belt-driven system demands continuous pedaling to maintain momentum, potentially challenging for beginners.
- App Compatibility Limitations: The Assault Fitness App is not yet optimized for the latest Android versions.
- Accessory Costs: A wind guard, a desirable accessory, is sold separately.
Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX: Rating
At Breaking Muscle, our product testing methodology is grounded in extensive experience with fitness equipment. Our dedicated product testing team rigorously evaluates hundreds of machines, subjecting them to a wide spectrum of training protocols, from gentle warm-ups to high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Many team members are themselves home gym owners, utilizing these products daily. This accumulated expertise informs our proprietary scoring system, which we applied to the AssaultBike ProX across various categories. Our evaluation encompassed its standalone performance and a comparative analysis against nearly 30 other exercise bikes.
| Factor | Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Price | 4 |
| Materials, Build, & Construction | 5 |
| Delivery & Assembly | 5 |
| Performance | 4 |
| Included Workouts | 3 |
| Heart Rate Monitor | 4 |
| Display & Stat Tracking | 5 |
| Conveniences | 4 |
| Workout App & Subscriptions | 4 |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | 5 |
| Noise Level | 4 |
| Portability | 4 |
| Warranty | 5 |
Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX: Overview
Hailing from the creators of the AssaultRunner, recognized as one of the premier treadmills for home training, the Assault Bike ProX is engineered with a formidable heavy-duty steel frame. This frame is finished with a black powder coat, providing excellent corrosion resistance and ensuring remarkable longevity. As a top-tier fan bike, it is designed to deliver a challenging workout experience for athletes of all levels.
The robust construction is complemented by a belt-driven system, which contributes to a quiet and fluid training session. This system also necessitates less maintenance compared to chain-driven mechanisms, a significant advantage for users seeking hassle-free operation and minimal upkeep.
Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX: In-Depth Review
Price
The Assault Bike ProX is available for purchase at $899. For those seeking financial flexibility, a monthly payment option of approximately $82 through Affirm is available. In comparison, the Assault Bike ProX is priced higher than the AssaultBike Classic ($699) but remains more affordable than the Concept2 BikeErg, which retails for around $1,100. A notable benefit is the inclusion of free shipping, a significant consideration for large and heavy fitness equipment. Without this, acquiring an air bike from other brands could incur an additional $100 in shipping costs. Considering its shipping rate, financing availability, and overall value proposition, the Assault Bike ProX earns a rating of 4 out of 5 stars in this category.
Materials, Build, and Construction Quality
Weighing 125 pounds and supporting a maximum user weight of 330 pounds, the Assault Bike ProX boasts a heavy-duty steel frame protected by a corrosion-resistant black powder coating. This robust construction minimizes long-term maintenance requirements. Its design shares similarities with the Rogue Echo Bike, which also features a black powder coat and a rugged aesthetic. However, the Assault Bike ProX is less bulky than the Echo Bike, making it a more suitable option for users with limited space. For comparative purposes, the ProX measures 51.73 inches in length, 24.52 inches in width, and 52.51 inches in height, while the Echo Bike is 55 inches long, 29.5 inches wide, and 52.25 inches high.
The seat on the ProX is wide and well-padded, offering adjustability across 11 height settings and six directional positions (forward/backward). These adjustments are consistent with the Assault Bike Pro, which the ProX succeeds. The rubberized handlebars ensure a secure grip and maintain comfort throughout demanding workouts. Furthermore, footpegs located at the base of the handlebars allow for an upper-body-only workout, beneficial for injury recovery or dedicated arm training sessions. Based on its superior quality and construction, the Assault Bike ProX receives a 5 out of 5-star rating.
Delivery and Assembly
The AssaultBike ProX scores a perfect 5 out of 5 stars for delivery and assembly due to its straightforward setup process. The bike arrives approximately 75 percent assembled, requiring only the attachment of the LCD console, pedals, handlebars, seat post, and saddle. Assault Fitness includes all necessary tools for assembly, which can typically be completed within 35 to 45 minutes.
Performance
During testing, the Assault Bike ProX delivered a notably smoother and quieter ride compared to other air bikes, such as the Titan Fan Bike or the AssaultBike Classic. This enhanced performance is primarily attributed to its belt-driven system. While belt-driven systems require less maintenance than chain-driven ones, they also present a unique operational challenge. The steel fan wheel generates resistance directly proportional to the user’s pedaling effort; the harder one pedals, the greater the resistance.
A key characteristic of this design is that once pedaling ceases, the fan wheel stops moving, necessitating increased effort to re-initiate momentum. This attribute can be demanding for individuals not prepared for a high-intensity workout. Consequently, the Assault Bike ProX is awarded a 4 out of 5-star rating for performance.
Included Workouts
The Assault Bike ProX is equipped with an LCD monitor that features seven built-in training programs, including a competition mode for advanced users. Through the Assault Fitness App, users can access instructor-led programs or create customized workouts. The bike receives a 3 out of 5-star rating in this category. While the built-in workouts are valuable for beginners, they are not as comprehensive as those found on more interactive platforms like Peloton. Nevertheless, their inclusion adds significant utility for users seeking guided training.
Heart Rate Monitoring
While the AssaultBike Classic was limited to compatibility with the Polar T34 heart rate chest strap, the Assault Bike ProX expands its compatibility to include other brands, such as Garmin, via Bluetooth. Users can link their heart rate monitors through the bike’s Bluetooth features. However, as compatible monitors must be purchased separately, this feature contributes to a 4 out of 5-star rating, a common limitation across many exercise bikes.
Display and Stat Tracking
The Assault Bike ProX features a 5-inch by 8-inch LCD monitor, a standard size among fan bikes. This high-quality display is powered by four AA batteries, which are supplied with the purchase. The console excels at tracking a comprehensive range of metrics, including calories burned, distance covered, heart rate, speed, watts, and RPM. It also seamlessly connects with the Assault Fitness App. Our product testers particularly appreciated the inclusion of power output tracking (watts and RPM), which provides a quantifiable measure of workout intensity. This feature offers a distinct advantage over the Rogue Echo Bike, whose monitor does not display watts or RPM. Consequently, the Assault Bike ProX earns a 5 out of 5-star rating for its display and tracking capabilities.
Conveniences
The Assault Bike ProX offers several user-friendly conveniences. Notably, it does not require an electrical outlet, allowing for placement virtually anywhere, indoors or outdoors. This is a significant benefit for commercial gym owners, as it eliminates the hazard of power cords. Additional conveniences include an integrated device holder and a water bottle holder, features found on some competing fan bikes but absent on others unless purchased separately. These additions ensure essential workout items are readily accessible. The overall rating for conveniences is 4 out of 5 stars. A minor deduction was made because the bike does not include a wind guard, an accessory that can be purchased separately for $39 to mitigate cold air exposure during workouts.
Workout Apps and Subscription Options
The Assault Bike ProX integrates with the Assault Fitness app, which was a highly praised feature by our product testers. The app, available for free download on the App Store and Google Play, provides a variety of instructor-driven workouts. Users can engage in these workouts individually or participate in virtual competitions with other athletes. Many workouts incorporate supplementary equipment like dumbbells and kettlebells, promoting more comprehensive training regimens. Despite its strengths, the app receives a 4 out of 5-star rating due to its current incompatibility with the most recent version of Android, which may limit its accessibility for users with newer Android devices.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The Assault Bike ProX is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. While this feature is becoming increasingly standard on cardio machines, its presence on the ProX is noteworthy, especially considering that Assault Fitness’s classic AssaultBike lacks this capability. The inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity elevates the ProX’s functionality, earning it a 5 out of 5-star rating in this aspect.
Noise Level
Compared to other fan bikes tested, the Assault Bike ProX generates less noise, a direct result of its belt-driven system. This system operates more smoothly than the chain-drive mechanisms found on models like the Schwinn Airdyne. Excessive noise can be a deterrent for home workouts, particularly for those who train during early morning or late-night hours. However, it is important to note that no fan bike is entirely silent; some air noise from the flywheel is to be expected. For its relatively quiet operation, the Assault Bike ProX receives a 4 out of 5-star rating.
Portability
The Assault Bike ProX is equipped with two small transport wheels at the front, facilitating some degree of portability. By tilting the bike onto these wheels, users can glide it across the floor. However, its 125-pound weight may present a challenge for some individuals when relocating it. Considering these factors, the portability of the Assault Bike ProX is rated at 4 out of 5 stars.
Warranty
The Assault Bike ProX comes with a three-year warranty on non-wear parts and a seven-year warranty on the frame. The three-year warranty does not cover typical wear and tear on components such as the seat, pedals, and handle grips, which is a common exclusion in fan bike warranties. However, the duration of Assault Fitness’s warranty surpasses that of competitors like Rogue, which offers a two-year warranty on the Echo Bike, and Titan, which provides a one-year warranty on their fan bike. This extended coverage contributes to the Assault Bike ProX receiving a 5 out of 5-star rating for its warranty.
Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX Specs
Overall Dimensions
The Assault Bike ProX measures 51.73 inches in length, 24.52 inches in width, and 52.51 inches in height. These dimensions are marginally larger than the classic AssaultBike, approximately one to two inches in each category. Prospective buyers are advised to carefully measure their available space to ensure the optimal fit.
Resistance
As a fan bike, the Assault Bike ProX generates resistance through air displacement within its fan wheel. The intensity of the workout escalates with increased pedaling speed, as more air is drawn into the wheel, creating greater resistance. In addition to air resistance, the ProX utilizes a belt-driven system that activates only when the user begins to pedal. Consequently, if pedaling stops, the machine ceases to move, demanding more effort to restart compared to systems like the AssaultBike Classic, which employ a chair-driven mechanism.
Weight Capacity
The Assault Bike ProX supports a maximum user weight of 330 pounds. This capacity is higher than the Classic bike’s 300-pound limit but lower than the Elite model, which accommodates up to 350 pounds.
Seat and Handlebar Adjustments
The Assault Bike ProX is designed to accommodate a wide range of users, offering 11 height adjustment settings and six front-to-back seat adjustments. These adjustment levels are standard for fan bikes. However, some competitors, like the Rogue Echo Bike, offer fewer seat adjustment options, typically around five front-to-back settings.
Electrical Requirements
A significant advantage of the Assault Bike ProX is its lack of reliance on an electrical outlet, enabling users to transport and use it in various locations. The LCD monitor, however, requires AA batteries for operation.
Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX vs. Echo Bike
While the Assault Bike ProX and Rogue Echo Bike appear similar at first glance, a closer examination reveals several key distinctions.
| Feature | Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X | Rogue Echo Bike |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 51.73 inches | 55 inches |
| Width | 24.52 inches | 29.5 inches |
| Height | 52.51 inches | 52.25 inches |
| Weight | 125 pounds | 123 pounds |
| Materials | Black powder-coated, heavy-duty steel | Textured black powder coat, 2×3", 1.2×3", and 1.625×3.125" steel |
| Max User Weight | 330 pounds | 330 pounds |
| Drive System | Belt-driven | Belt-driven |
| Power Source | Movement-powered (no electrical outlet) | Movement-powered (no electrical outlet) |
| Monitor Metrics | Watts, RPM, Calories, Distance, Heart Rate, Speed | Calories, Distance, Heart Rate, Speed |
Despite the Rogue Echo Bike’s more substantial construction and larger dimensions, both bikes share an identical 330-pound weight capacity. Furthermore, both are powered by user movement, negating the need for an electrical outlet. Their weights are comparable (123 lbs for the Echo Bike and 125 lbs for the ProX), and both are designed with transport wheels for enhanced portability.
Both models employ belt-driven mechanics, ensuring a smooth and quiet riding experience. However, the Assault Bike ProX offers a distinct advantage by providing additional metrics on its monitor, such as watts and RPM. This capability could be a decisive factor for individuals who prioritize detailed performance tracking in their training.
Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX Customer Reviews
The Assault Bike ProX garners a strong average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on the Assault Fitness website. Numerous users commend its ease of setup, low maintenance requirements, and its status as a favored piece of equipment in their home gyms. The bike’s sturdiness and its capacity to endure rigorous workouts are frequently highlighted.
Minor issues have been reported, with one user noting that a left peg became loose during a workout. Another customer described the bike as excessively noisy and less stable than anticipated based on other reviews. It is important to note that such negative feedback appears to be in the minority.
Final Verdict: Is the Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX Worth It?
Following extensive research and hands-on testing, the Assault Bike ProX stands out as a worthwhile investment. Constructed with a heavy-duty steel frame and a durable black powder coat finish, it is engineered to withstand the most demanding training sessions. It is an ideal choice for individuals seeking a high-intensity, full-body interval training machine to enhance both cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength.
The belt-driven system contributes to a smoother and quieter workout experience. While this system may require more initial effort to operate, the Assault Bike ProX is a valuable acquisition for a wide range of users, from dedicated CrossFit athletes to general fitness enthusiasts.
FAQs
Is the AssaultBike a good workout?
The Assault Bike provides an excellent workout by combining air resistance with a belt-driven system to deliver a challenging cardio and muscular endurance experience. Users can engage both the foot pedals and arm handles for a full-body workout or focus solely on the arm handles for an upper-body session.
Is the AssaultBike Pro X belt driven?
Yes, the Assault Bike Pro X features a belt-driven system. The fan bike operates based on user input via the pedals and/or handlebars, and the belt-driven system ensures a smoother and quieter workout.
Is the AssaultBike good for fat loss?
While the AssaultBike itself may not guarantee fat loss if caloric intake is excessive, it can provide a sufficiently intense stimulus for a workout that burns a significant number of calories, thereby contributing to fat loss and helping users achieve multiple health and fitness goals.
Is the AssaultBike good for muscle building?
The Assault Bike Pro X’s requirement for full-body engagement and its belt-driven system can contribute to minor muscle development with consistent use. However, for substantial muscle building, resistance training with implements such as dumbbells or barbells, coupled with a diet that supports muscle growth, remains the most effective approach.
