either its a clothes hanger or you become one

I. Introduction

As modern people's health awareness increases, more and more people are paying attention to daily exercise, and gyms have become a popular choice. Compared to traditional fitness methods, gyms have several advantages: first, they are equipped with complete equipment, making it clear and specific which muscles and parts are being exercised; second, the exercise atmosphere is strong, making it easy to be influenced by other exercisers; third, there are professional coaches for scientific guidance, which is efficient and can prevent injuries; fourth, it is not affected by weather and other external factors. Of course, gyms also have inconveniences, as you cannot guarantee that there is one near your home. This is why some people say that two hours of gym time includes half an hour each for commuting and showering, and only half an hour for actual exercise. Nowadays, many people go to the gym mainly to lose weight or improve their fitness, but these basic needs can actually be met through home fitness.

Currently, treadmills and spinning bikes, which are standard equipment in gyms, have become the first choice for many home fitness enthusiasts. However, due to factors such as space, noise, and flexibility, treadmills often end up being used as 'clothes racks' at home. In contrast, the more compact and flexible spinning bikes have become a new favorite for many people. Just like the SoulCycle phenomenon abroad, despite having only spinning bikes and charging per class, which can be more expensive than a gym membership, it still attracts a large number of fans. After continuous development, people have combined bikes with online courses, leading to the creation of the YESOUL M1 Smart Spinning Bike, which we are reviewing today.

II. Installation and Appearance

The YESOUL M1 is a new product that was launched in the summer of 2019 and is available on Xiaomi's premium e-commerce platform, Xiaomi Youpin. The product's outer packaging is quite large, with dimensions of 990mm×215mm×950mm and a weight of 36kg. The logistics company personnel had to exert a lot of effort to move it upstairs.

When unpacking, be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging box, which indicate the correct side to open. First, open the bottom of the box, then flip it over and pull the box out from the top. This ensures that the spinning bike remains upright, making it easier to install.

To prevent collisions inside the packaging box, the box is filled with foam products for safety protection. Additionally, to save space, all accessories are packaged and taped to the foam in an orderly manner.

It took nearly five minutes just to unpack all the accessories, which made full use of the extra space in the foam. The packaging was very meticulous. These are all the accessories needed to assemble the spinning bike: frame, front foot tube, rear foot tube, left and right pedals, dual-use bracket, handlebar tube, tablet holder, water bottle holder, handlebar cover, tool tray, and manual.

Next, follow the instructions in the manual step by step to complete the installation. The process is not complicated and can be completed in about half an hour. During installation, note that for parts with two screws, do not tighten one screw all the way at once; alternate between the two screws for a more secure fit.

The product uses an aluminum flywheel and a belt for transmission. For safety and aesthetics, both are covered and hidden by a plastic shell.

Although the product cannot be folded, for ease of storage, two wheels are designed on the front foot tube. When moving the bike, simply lift the rear of the seat so that the front wheels bear the weight, allowing you to easily push the bike to any location.

Additionally, there are two rubber foot pads at the bottom of the front and rear foot tubes, which provide noise reduction, shock absorption, and stability.

The seat cushion is soft and comfortable with quick rebound. It is designed to accommodate the shape of the buttocks, ensuring that long exercise sessions do not cause pain or fatigue. However, the leather seat may have poor breathability, so it is recommended to add some small holes to improve sweat and air circulation.

There are two adjustment points under the seat cushion: one for adjusting the front and back position and one for adjusting the height. You can adjust them according to your own needs. Both have corresponding numerical scales, so you only need to remember your preferred settings for next time.

The handlebar also has a height adjustment point, as the length of each user's legs varies. The adjustment method is similar to the previous ones, but the adjustment point is different.

The metal handlebars are covered with the same high-elastic material as the seat cushion, providing a comfortable grip and avoiding the cold feeling during winter workouts. The water bottle holder below can hold two bottles, ensuring hydration during exercise. Additionally, there is a small hole at the bottom of the water bottle holder to prevent the accumulation of sweat or water.

Unlike previous models, the YESOUL M1 does not come with an LCD screen. Instead, it has a tablet holder at the front with an adjustable angle. Since everyone now has a smartphone, you can use your own device for workouts, making it more flexible and cost-effective.

The product uses traditional semi-enclosed pedals, which are the most commonly used type. Simply wear sports shoes to use them, and the tension is adjustable, so you don't have to worry about your feet slipping during intense exercise.

The M1 uses a magnetic resistance system, with a resistance adjustment device installed on the front beam of the bike. This allows you to adjust the resistance at any time during exercise. However, the position may be a bit low for some taller individuals.

When installing the water bottle holder, I found that one of the screw holes was not drilled accurately, making it impossible to install one of the screws. This is not a major issue and can be resolved by modifying the hole on the water bottle holder, but for now, I will leave it as is to maintain the product's original appearance.

We also found that the manufacturer provided a CR2477 button battery, which needs to be installed on the right front side of the frame. We will explain its purpose later.

With that, the entire spinning bike is assembled. It is recommended to tighten all the screws again for a final check to ensure everything is secure. Before actual use, we need to adjust the product, including the seat's front and back position, height, handlebar adjustment, and tablet holder adjustment. Anyone familiar with cycling knows that improper posture can cause knee injuries over time.

III. Supporting APP and Course Resources

As a smart spinning bike, an accompanying APP is essential, and the M1 is no exception. The manufacturer provides a dedicated app that supports iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. The software's QR code is on the tablet holder, and you can download and install it by scanning the code.

Next, follow the prompts to register and enter the S/N code on the bottom beam of the bike to successfully bind the product. Your new weight loss journey begins!

The YESOUL app's main menu is divided into three sections: 'Training,' 'Discovery,' and 'My.' Let's take a look at each one.

1. 'Training' is further divided into 'Home,' 'Courses,' 'Schedule,' and 'More Modes.' 'Home' mainly summarizes and displays historical training data and course reservations. 'Courses' are categorized by training type, duration, cost, and coach, allowing you to choose based on your needs. 'Schedule' focuses on live teaching, with 2-6 classes per day. You can choose to set reminders in advance and complete training courses at home as if you were in a gym. 'More Modes' includes real-world riding, free riding, and 12-minute interval training. I particularly like real-world riding, where you can choose different countries and scenes, making you feel like you are in the picture and completing the training course without realizing it.

2. 'Discovery' is mainly divided into three parts: 'Featured,' which provides some cycling and fitness tips; 'Products,' which showcases and introduces YESOUL brand products; and 'Card Coin Mall,' where you can earn card coins through daily exercise to exchange for items in the mall.

3. The last section, 'My,' mainly includes personal basic information and software settings.

However, it is important to note that the current courses in the app are subscription-based. After subscribing, you can enjoy all the live courses available every day, access past courses on demand, and receive exclusive professional data analysis, providing a comprehensive view of your training data. Currently, purchasing the product from the Tmall flagship store includes a one-year membership.

IV. Actual Experience

My current living space is not very large, so finding a suitable spot for the bike took some effort. I eventually decided to place it on the balcony, along with other fitness equipment like a treadmill, dumbbells, and barbells. The balcony has a wide view, good lighting, and air circulation, and most importantly, it minimizes the impact on neighbors downstairs during exercise. However, the bike is quite compact, taking up very little space, with a footprint of only 100mm×50mm, about 0.5 square meters. Placing it on the balcony did not make it feel crowded. Additionally, the bike does not need to be connected to a power source, allowing for unrestricted placement. The wheels make it easy to move the bike anywhere.

I chose a course and tried it out. I may have underestimated the intensity of spinning bike workouts, as I was drenched in sweat after just a few minutes.

The course interface displays data such as distance, resistance, power, heart rate, and cadence. However, since heart rate monitoring requires a heart rate strap, I used my optical heart rate watch to fill in the gap. This way, I can use the software interface to control the pace, resistance, power, and cadence during riding, while using the watch to monitor my heart rate. Since my main goal is fat loss, I aim to keep my heart rate between 115-140 during exercise. Note that the calories burned recorded by the watch may differ from those recorded by the software, as heart rate is one of the factors determining calorie consumption, in addition to height, weight, exercise distance, time, and intensity.

My first impression during use was how quiet it was. I had been concerned about noise, but the flywheel, belt, and pedals, combined with the belt drive system, did not produce any noise even without a mat. However, I recommend tucking in your shoelaces during exercise to avoid them hitting the bike's shell and making noise. The magnetic resistance system used for resistance adjustment does not require contact with the flywheel, so no friction noise is generated, making the ride truly silent and worry-free about disturbing neighbors.

Another aspect I am quite satisfied with is the bike's safety features. I have a 4-year-old child at home who is very active. The bike's entire frame is designed without sharp edges and is fully covered, especially the flywheel and belt areas, significantly reducing safety risks.

The pedal design also shows the manufacturer's attention to detail, even though these features may appear on other products. First, the treads on the pedals increase stability with the shoe soles. Second, the semi-enclosed design prevents the foot from slipping forward during exercise. Third, the adjustable tension allows for customization based on foot size.

Summary:

Advantages:

1. Priced around 1,000 yuan, with a one-year membership included, offering high cost-performance.

2. Ultra-quiet experience, no worries about disturbing neighbors.

3. Ergonomic design to prevent injuries.

4. Compact and aesthetically pleasing, takes up little space, fully covered for high safety.

5. Rich course resources, live sessions feel like face-to-face coaching.

Disadvantages:

1. Some accessory holes are slightly misaligned.

2. Resistance system data is not very accurate.

3. No built-in display, using mobile devices can be inconvenient.

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