This ProGear 555LXT review aims to cover everything you may want to know about the bike to help you decide if it’s worth buying.
An affordable fitness aid, the ProGear 555LXT Magnetic Tension Recumbent Bike has more in its favor than many similar offerings in its price range.
This includes a wide range of magnetic tension options that cater to users of various fitness levels and three customizable programs.
Perhaps the biggest plus with this model is its seat, which most users claim to be comfortable. This is a rarity with bikes, and while there are ways to make workouts more comfortable, starting with a comfortable seat is a bonus.
Please keep reading if you’d like to learn more about the bike.
Table of Contents
Who does it suit?
The ProGear 555LXT is quite compact for a recumbent bike, so it would be an excellent buy if you weigh 250 pounds or less and you want the comfort this type of bike offers, but you are short on space.
Its broad range of resistance options makes it suitable for everyone, from new cyclists to those who are relatively experienced.
Some recumbents, including the ProGear 555LXT, feature a step-through design. This allows easier access onto and off the seat, which is excellent for anyone with mobility issues.
Why cycle, and why choose a recumbent bike?
Regular cardio exercise such as cycling, either outdoors or indoors on a stationary bike, has many health and fitness benefits.
These benefits include improved heart health, stronger lungs, more stamina, and a general sense of well-being.
Weight-bearing exercise, as is offered by cycling, can increase bone density, which offers protection against bone breaks and osteoporosis later in life.
Cycling regularly may help you to avoid some specific diseases. It can also enable you to lose any excess pounds or maintain your current weight, and it will improve the muscle tone of your lower body.
Cycling is a low-impact exercise that places very little pressure on the joints. While this is the case with all types of bikes, recumbent bikes are the gentlest to use.
This is because, with a recumbent bike, your legs are in front of your body during workouts, not below them as they are when using an upright bike. In this position, the hips, knees, and ankles are less stressed.
Additionally, a recumbent bike’s seat offers better back support. These features make the recumbent model an ideal option if you suffer from joint-related pain.
ProGear 555LXT Recumbent Bike Specs
Dimensions – The ProGear 555LXT Recumbent Bike measures 49″ (L) x 22″ (W) x 43″ (H)
Clearance – You will need some free space around the bike to climb on and off and use it safely and comfortably
Seat to floor measurement – The seat to floor height adjusts between 18″ and 22″
Weight – It weighs 60 lbs
User weight – The maximum user weight limit for this model is 250 pounds
User height – The bike best suits users from 5′ to 6′ 3″ tall, with shorter and taller users having left positive feedback
Color – It comes in silver with a black trim
Batteries – 2 x AAA batteries are supplied for the monitor
ProGear 555LXT Exercise Bike Overview
Drive –
The ProGear 555LXT Magnetic Recumbent Bike uses a belt drive system. It has a perimeter-weighted flywheel.
Build & Finish –
The bike’s solid one-piece steel frame features a durable powder-coated finish that resists corrosion. The protective shrouds are durable PVC.
Stability, Smoothness, & Noise Level –
Its base has four non-marking plastic end caps. The rear end caps act as stabilizers, preventing unwanted movement and enabling the bike to balance on uneven floors, even when pedaling hard and fast.
A weighted perimeter flywheel ensures a smooth pedaling motion, even at the top resistance settings.
Reverse pedaling is possible without any loss of resistance.
The belt drive system makes for exceptionally quiet operation.
Resistance –
The ProGear 555LXT Exercise Bike has fourteen levels of magnetic tension that you can change by turning a knob on the front post. This is accessible during workouts, so you can vary the challenge or do interval training.
The lowest settings are very light, making them suitable for beginners.
The higher levels offer medium resistance that should suit users from intermediate plus level to the reasonably experienced.
Programs –
Three built-in programs allow the user to set goals based on either elapsed time, distance covered in your 
session, or the number of calories burned.
Console –
Your progress is trackable on a large, easy-to-read 3.5″ LCD screen that shows Time, Distance, Speed, Calories, RPM, and Odometer – the total distance from your first session to your current one.
The console is easy to operate, with just three keys, these being Mode, Set, and Reset.
Mode navigates the menu.
The Set key enables you to choose the values, and Reset lets you set your stats back to zero.
If you don’t want to select a program, hop on and begin pedaling, and your stats will display on the screen.
You can choose to view just one metric or select the SCAN function to cycle through them, with each displaying automatically for several seconds.
After a few minutes of inactivity, the console will power down to preserve the batteries.
Seat –
The bike’s large seat and supportive backrest have 2″ of padding.
Most buyers who have left reviews stated that it is comfortable, even during extended sessions. However, because our perception of comfort varies, some may find it less ideal.
Placing a folded towel on the saddle or attaching a gel seat cover will provide extra cushioning, as will wearing gel cycling shorts during workouts.
The seat adjusts forwards, backward, up, and down to cater to the user’s height and preference. The backrest does not adjust.
Pedals –
The bike’s textured oversized pedals have adjustable nylon safety straps that will securely hold your feet in position. They are large enough to accommodate feet of any size.
Handlebars –
Handlebars attached to the seat’s sides have a thin layer of foam padding for a more comfortable grip. Their angle is not adjustable.
Transportation wheels –
Transport wheels in the front base enable you to tip the bike forward then wheel it to another spot.
Accessories –
Accessories include a smartphone/tablet holder and a convenient-to-reach water bottle holder.
Assembly –
The bike’s drive and resistance mechanisms arrive pre-assembled and attached to the chassis.
All you need to do is attach the base tubes to the mainframe, set up the seat, add the console post, connect the tension wire, and attach the console and the pedals.
This takes most people between 40 and 60 minutes, though some buyers who left feedback said it took them a couple of hours. The assembly instructions are straightforward, and the required tools are included.
Warranty –
The ProGear 555LXT comes with a 1-year Limited Warranty.
ProGear 555LXT Magnetic Recumbent Bike Infomercial
Pros
- Affordable
The ProGear 555LXT Exercise Bike is excellent value for money. 
- Solid and durable
While the bike appears quite streamlined, its steel frame makes it incredibly robust.
Its painted finish ensures that you can use the bike for years without any signs of wear.
- Quiet, smooth, and stable workouts
Workouts on this model are so quiet; you can watch the TV or listen to music without having to strain your ears.
The low level of noise it makes will not annoy other people in your household.
The pedal motion is fluid, and the bike will stay firmly anchored to the ground no matter how fast you go.
Reverse pedaling is possible if you want to take different muscles.
- Comfortable, adjustable seat
The supportive seat adjusts to suit people of different heights.
- Step-through design
The bike’s step-through design makes it easy to get into and out of the seat.
- Wide range of resistance options
The resistance options will enable you to increase the challenge as you become fitter.
- Built-in programs
The integrated goal-setting programs help to keep motivation high.
- LCD monitor
The user-friendly LCD screen is easy to read and operate.
- Pedals
The bike’s large, textured pedals provide excellent grip.
- Easy assembly
The bike is easy to assemble, taking most people under an hour, with the needed tools included
- Transport wheels
Rolling caps set into the bike’s front base facilitate moving the bike if needed.
Cons
- Lacks a heart rate monitor
The ProGear 555LXT Recumbent Bike does not have a heart rate tracking facility.
- Doesn’t fold
The bike does not fold for storage.
- The backrest is fixed
The backrest’s position does not adjust.
- No backlight
Its LCD screen is not backlit, so the screen could be hard to read in dim lighting.
- Fixed handlebars
The handlebars are fixed into position, so you will not be able to customize them to suit your height and arm reach.
- LCD screen limitation
If you place a tablet in the tablet holder, it will partially cover the LCD screen, so you will have to move it to see your workout metrics.
- Short warranty
At just 1-year, the warranty is short. However, considering the price of the bike and that customer reviews are very positive overall, this should not deter you from purchasing.
ProGear 555LXT Summary
The ProGear 555LXT Magnetic Tension Recumbent Bike is a low-cost exercise machine that is solid, reliable, and durable.
Fourteen tension levels are available, which is considerably more than most other stationary bikes in its price range.
This model also offers three goal-tracking programs, which is not typical with similarly priced bikes.
Many buyers who left feedback stated that the bike is comfortable to use.
If you require extra padding, try putting a folded towel on the seat or buy a bicycle seat cover.
The bike’s seat is easy to get to and rise from, making the ProGear 555LXT an excellent option if you have a large build or are unsteady on your feet.
A soft-grip handlebar on either side of the seat provides an extra level of comfort and stabilization during intense sessions.
While the ProGear 555LXT has some negatives, these are relatively minor and will not be of great concern to most potential buyers.
If you want to experience the benefits of stationary bike workouts, click on the link below to visit Amazon and find out more about this model.
