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The CAROL bike supports quick, high intensity workouts. It is available with different financing plans and accessories. Online customer reviews are mostly positive, with some mentioning the setup and ease of use of the CAROL bike.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried any of these products. All information presented here is purely research-based.

The “CAROL” in the CAROL bike stands for Cardiovascular Optimization Logic. The bike’s design and construction are based on research that suggests that short bursts of intense aerobic activity are better than longer, moderate workouts for improving cardiovascular health.

Based in the United Kingdom, the company has commercial partners throughout the United States, where people can test ride the CAROL bike.

Customer reviews

At the time of this article’s publication, reviews for the CAROL bike are 80% excellent on Trustpilot, with 11% great, 4% average, 2% poor, and 2% bad.

Users have favorable comments about the quality of their experience and customer service. Concerns address the high cost, an uncomfortable seat, and some challenges using the Peloton app with the bike.

Other online reviewers generally find the CAROL bike easy to set up and straightforward and rewarding to use. They also feel that the emphasis on short workouts could help busy people get fit. Other reviewers only note a few physical benefits, however, such as a lower resting heart rate.

The CAROL bike is a high end piece of exercise equipment and is priced accordingly. Some reviewers find the price point off-putting.

The CAROL bike uses artificial intelligence, heart rate monitors, revolutions per minute, and resistance sensors to give people personalized workouts.

In the main workout, the CAROL bike automatically adjusts resistance levels and brakes to guide people through a gentle warmup, two 20-second maximum intensity sprints, recovery, and cool-down.

The first six times a user rides the CAROL bike, their workouts are preprogrammed. In the first three workouts, people can only use the main workout program, and the two sprints are only for 10 seconds. In rides four through six, people can choose between 10-, 15-, and 20-second sprints. The bike calculates how much resistance people need to reach maximum intensity.

After six rides, users can choose from the following workouts:

  • Intense: This option lasts for 8 minutes and 40 seconds. It includes two 20-second maximum intensity sprints.
  • Energizer: This option lasts for 8 minutes and 20 seconds.
  • Fat burn: This option features 8-second sprints followed by 12-second rests for either 15 or 25 minutes.
  • Constant power: Users can set their power level and see how long they can stay at it, with the CAROL bike making adjustments automatically.
  • Endurance: This is a stamina test that increases resistance until a person reaches their limits.
  • Freeride: Similar to a manual setting on a traditional exercise bike, this option allows users to control the resistance themselves or join a Peloton or Apple Fitness+ class.

The company website says that the CAROL bike is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. The heart rate monitor and safety programs will alert riders or stop the workout if they detect any problems.

The company packages the CAROL bike in the following bundles:

  • Essentials: This includes a 1-year warranty with 0% APR financing for 12 months.
  • Standard: This includes a 2-year warranty with 0% APR financing for 12 months, plus a chest belt and tablet holder.
  • Premium: This includes a 3-year warranty with 0% APR financing for 12 months, plus a chest belt, tablet holder, and bottle holder.

The company also sells accessories to support the user experience with the CAROL bike. These accessories include a chest belt, tablet holder, bottle holder, and floor mat.

The CAROL bike is 45 inches long and 22 inches wide.

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The CAROL bike is a high end exercise bike. Some similar exercise bikes include those that Peloton and NordicTrack offer.

  • Peloton offers a subscription service that gives customers access to hundreds of live and on-demand classes. A leaderboard and workout history give people access to support, community, and a chance to track their progress. Peloton sells two different bike models that are compatible with their streaming service. Learn more about Peloton here.
  • NordicTrack: Known for making a wide range of exercise equipment, the NordicTrack line of commercial studio cycles gives users access to studio cycling classes, scenic rides, and virtual races. With its interactive personal training feature, a long distance personal trainer controls the rider’s resistance, incline, and decline. Learn more about NordicTrack here.

Learn about the similarities and differences between Peloton and NordicTrack here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise every week.

However, research has found that only 5–47% of adults get the exercise they need, and one of the most commonly reported reasons is “lack of time.”

Lack of physical activity is linked to a host of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Exercise bikes let people get the cardio workouts they need without as much wear and tear on their joints as high impact exercises, such as running.

Some research suggests that high intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve aerobic capacity and cardiac function more efficiently.

Other studies indicate that a form of HIIT known as reduced exertion high intensity interval training may lead to greater improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and blood pressure with less time spent exercising than the more traditional moderate intensity workout.

The CAROL bike emphasizes short bursts of high intensity activity. Reviews are generally positive, but negative reviews mention the product’s high price point.

The standard weekly recommendations for physical activity suggest moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise for around 75–100 minutes.