CAROL is a stationary reduced effort high-intensity interval training (REHIT) bike that uses artificial intelligence to increase your cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory fitness. CAROL’s hallmark workout is only 8 minutes and 40 seconds long, with two 20-second sprints thrown in for good measure.

Despite its short workout duration, CAROL gives the same health benefits as much longer exercises, according to research. Riding CAROL three times per week (for a total of 26 minutes of exercise) provides the following health benefits:

• VO2max showed a 12 percent improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness.
• HDL cholesterol was increased by 6%.
• Triglycerides were reduced by 10%.
• Blood pressure was reduced by 5%.
• Blood sugar levels were reduced by 2%.

I’ve had the CAROL bike for over two years, and in this review, I’ll discuss how well it’s helped me improve my cardiovascular fitness and other measures.

CAROL DISCOUNT CODE

The Black Friday deal of $250 off the regular price of $2395 is only available for a limited time on the CAROL website (Black Friday through Cyber Monday Week). Use the CAROL bike promo code(BLACKFRIDAY250) when check out.

What is CAROL?

CAROL has been around for a long time, but it was previously known as High Octane Ride. The goal of CAROL is to push high-intensity interval training to new heights.

Cardiovascular Optimization Logic (CAROL) is an AI-powered cycle ergometer that, according to the firm, gives twice the health and fitness advantages of typical moderate intensity exercise in 20% of the time.

Scientists discovered that CAROL can make you 132 percent fitter with substantially less time investment based on one of the research employing the bike.

The result of 132 percent is based on a METS Z-score, which is a composite score of numerous health markers commonly employed in medical investigations. CAROL users’ METS Z-score was 132 percent higher than non-users’ at identical exercise levels in one study.

The “less time” claim is based on the shorter time it takes to complete a workout on the bike: just eight minutes and 40 seconds three times a week, compared to 30-45 minutes jogging five times a week.

Through two 20-second sprints at super-high intensity, CAROL’s REHIT technique aims to swiftly empty the glycogen stores in your thigh muscles.

Because your perceived exertion is lower than what you experience during standard HIIT workouts, scientists name this practice reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training, or REHIT. This makes it easier to stick to REHIT than other forms of exercises.

[caption id="attachment_308446" align="aligncenter" width="424"] Is the CAROL bike worth it?[/caption] Get Free Delivery in the US on your CAROL Bike! Get Free Delivery in the UK on your CAROL Bike!

How Does the CAROL Exercise Bike Work?

The CAROL bike was created by scientists and uses a relatively new exercise approach known as low exertion high intensity training (REHIT).

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a popular workout approach that comprises brief yet intense bursts of activity followed by a recovery time.

REHIT is a type of interval training that is similar to HIIT but with fewer and shorter intervals.

REHIT’s purpose is to rapidly drain muscle glycogen stores, the body’s primary fuel source, because rapid depletion of muscle glycogen has been related to a number of benefits, including enhanced aerobic fitness and insulin sensitivity .

In fact, doing three REHIT sessions each week for six weeks resulted in a 28 percent improvement in insulin sensitivity, according to one small study involving eight males.

So, how exactly does REHIT work?

The goal behind REHIT is to give an ideal amount of resistance during each 10–20 second sprint in order to deplete your glycogen stores just as quickly as if you’d trained at a moderate intensity for 45 minutes or more.

While REHIT has been examined in laboratories, the CAROL bike is the first to bring this time-saving workout to customers.

According to the firm, the CAROL bike’s Intense Workout employing REHIT depletes muscular glycogen stores by 25–30%, though more research is needed.

Modes of Workout/Training CAROL

CAROL provides the following seven workout modes, including a free riding mode, for you to choose from.

• Intense
• Energizer
• Fat Burn 30
• Fat Burn 60
• Constant Power
• Continuous Ramp Up
• Free Ride (includes Peloton sessions and Apple Fitness+ support)

The primary program, and the one I use the most, is Intense. Two 20-second sprints, a two-minute warmup, a three-minute recovery, and a three-minute rest make up the workout. So, for each indoor cycling workout, my total time investment is eight minutes and forty seconds.

If you want to increase your performance, health, and fitness, CAROL recommends working out three times each week. Reduce your workouts to two per week to maintain (rather than improve) your fitness level. The two 20-second sprints set off a chain reaction in your body that results in the formation of new mitochondria (the power plants of your cells). Your body’s energy demands rise rapidly during the first 10 seconds of the first sprint, depleting glycogen stores. AMPk and PCG-1a are released in the second half of the first sprint. These signaling molecules are activated in reaction to stress during the second sprint, causing your body to adjust and become fitter. Two 10-second sprints make up Energizer, a condensed version of Intense. When I don’t feel like “killing” myself, or when I’m hurting and have already worked out, I select Energizer (CrossFit). If your exercise goals include burning fat and/or decreasing weight, Fat Burn 30 and Fat Burn 60 are both terrific workouts. A two-minute warmup precedes 30 or 60 eight-second sprints with 12 seconds of recovery in between, followed by a three-minute relaxation. CAROL adjusts the resistance automatically in Constant Power mode to maintain the selected power. Continuous Ramp Up is a testing methodology for determining your maximum oxygen consumption. CAROL will increase the resistance by three watts every three seconds until you become fatigued during the test. As the name suggests, Free Ride allows you to utilize the bike as an ergometer. You have complete control over the resistance and other parameters, and you can ride for as long as you choose. You can use this mode to engage in conventional Peloton group workouts if you have a Peloton membership. You can also participate in Apple Fitness+ sessions using the Free Ride mode. [content-egg module=CjLinks]

CAROL Hardware and Setup

 

CAROL bikes are transported via parcel service from one of two warehouses, depending on whether you are in the east or west coast. They arrive in 5-10 business days.

CAROL has a robust flywheel and a commercial-grade stainless steel frame. For purposes of stability, the weight is required. The good news is that CAROL normally takes less than 30 minutes to put together.

A unique floor mat that looks like a traditional yoga mat is also available from the company.

Software and App

[caption id="attachment_308439" align="aligncenter" width="415"] Is the CAROL bike worth it ?CAROL AI bike reviews[/caption]

When you initially turn on the bike, you’ll see that CAROL’s software is nothing more than an app on an Android tablet. Unless you’ve never used a smartphone or tablet before, this makes using and interacting with the CAROL app simple.

You must first register a CAROL rider account before you can begin your first bike ride. This account can be accessed later via the web or a smartphone app.

If you have less than five riders in your home, I recommend using a strong password and keeping it in a password manager like 1Password* to safeguard your CAROL account. Because the CAROL app lets you to stay signed into the bike without having to enter your password every time you wish to ride, I recommend selecting a randomly generated password.

If you have more than five riders in your household or use CAROL for business, I recommend using a strong password that is easy to write because the bike can only remember eight accounts at a time.

Riding With CAROL

Enter Ulrich Dempfle, CAROL’s co-founder and CPO. “Our founding team had been working on chronic disease management programs for patients with diabetes and found it really difficult to convince people to exercise,” he explains. “We got a light bulb moment when we came across the science of REHIT and realized this may assist people overcome the barrier to exercise.”

Ulrich and his colleagues collaborated with the REHIT scientists to create an AI-powered bike. “Our AI algorithms identify the best resistance for you and change it as you get stronger.” The resistance is subsequently applied totally automatically by our computer-controlled brake system at the appropriate speed and at the appropriate moment.”

The CAROL cycle entered the indoor cycling boom that has only expanded after the epidemic, after five manufacturers, 40 prototypes, and 250,000 rides.

Cycling aficionados like Claire are excited to see it on the market. “CAROL is fantastic for people who are short on time,” she explains, “but also for people who are new to exercise, don’t have the fitness endurance levels for longer exercises, and may find the notion of 30-45 minutes of exercise rather scary.”

I’ll be honest: I was skeptical of CAROL’s claims.I’d always associated exercise with long, hard work, and couldn’t fathom how you could do the equivalent of 45 minutes of cardio in less than nine minutes without putting yourself through the wringer.

Nonetheless, I gave CAROL my eight minutes and forty seconds every other day for four weeks to see what would happen. I also tried out some of the other ride modes, such as the 20-minute “fat burn” ride, out of curiosity. I didn’t realize I had 60 10-second sprints ahead of me until I started pedaling.

I could tell right away what CAROL was peddling. The two brief sprints were challenging, but not so much that I broke a sweat. I was able to chart scores like “peak power,” which improved as I adapted to the bike and the bike adapted to me.

If I didn’t do any other forms of exercise, I could see how CAROL would be an excellent answer for a busy life – and it would certainly help me get over my spinning problem. However, investigations on CAROL and REHIT have mostly been conducted with sedentary adults.

[caption id="attachment_308440" align="aligncenter" width="396"] CAROL bike screen Is the CAROL bike worth it[/caption]

How could I tell CAROL was doing anything for me when I’m already so active?

“Regardless of your current workout program, CAROL and REHIT undoubtedly have the potential to deliver added benefits,” stated Dr Lance Dalleck, one of CAROL’s scientific advisors. When compared to jogging or boxing, CAROL’s strenuous rides will engage the phosphagen and rapid glycolytic energy systems differently.

“Moreover, when compared to boxing and running, cycling will surely stimulate distinct muscle fiber types. These physiological adaptations will result in a higher peak power output when taken as a whole.”

THE FUTURE OF FITNESS & STATIONARY BIKES

While my peak power score improved, I still felt like something was lacking.

When it comes to exercise, particularly weight loss, people frequently seek out shortcuts to achieve their objectives. This has been shown time and time again to be the incorrect approach. Exercise should be a part of your daily routine.

Maybe that’s all there is to it. I understand and appreciate CAROL and REHIT’s science, but I’m not in it for the speed. I’m not overly concerned with boosting my peak power. I’ve taken a more holistic approach to fitness since lockdown.

A ride on CAROL makes me feel like I’m drinking a meal replacement smoothie. Sure, the science is sound and it’s really convenient in terms of health and fitness – but is it necessarily a good thing?

Ulrich advises, “If someone enjoys running, he or she should surely keep running and enjoy it.” “However, for those who would prefer to spend time with their children or partners, relax, or simply go to a pub to meet friends, CAROL provides a way to avoid having to pick between these activities and obtaining a nice and effective workout.” You can certainly do both, in my opinion.

“On the other hand,” he continues, “we completely understand that some people need more variety.” We’re always adding new features to the bike to give you additional options and adaptability. The bike, for example, may be used to broadcast classes from Peloton Digital or Apple Fitness+.”

[caption id="attachment_308448" align="alignnone" width="300"] Is the CAROL bike worth it?[/caption]

Key customer groups

“Bio-hackers and self-optimisers,” according to Ulrich, are people who want “the minimum effective dose of exercise and high-level results quantification”; people who have specific goals in mind, such as losing weight or lowering blood pressure; and athletes who want to spend less time doing cardio and more time honing their skills.

CAROL is also an excellent option for those who are new to exercising or who are intimidated by the prospect of lengthy workouts. People with injuries, disabilities, and other accessibility concerns may find that a nine-minute ride on an at-home bike is an excellent way to stay active and healthy.

Despite REHIT’s limitations, an intelligent bike like CAROL could be the answer for folks who simply don’t have enough hours in the day to handle work, family, nutrition, and exercise.

“Being able to incorporate a brief nine-minute workout into your day without having to plan which exercises you’ll perform,” she says, “will allow ordinarily sedentary persons to at least practice some type of exercise.”

“Even so, getting outside into the fresh air and sunshine and enjoying the non-physical benefits of an active lifestyle, such as a mental health boost and improved cognitive function, would be preferable.”

Is the CAROL bike worth it?

[caption id="attachment_308447" align="aligncenter" width="659"] Is the CAROL bike worth it?[/caption] Read these reviews from trustpilot 

If you’re seeking for an interactive stationary bike that’s unlike anything else on the market, CAROL is the bike for you. Amazingly efficient bike that requires less than 10 minutes per session and only three sessions per week for a great cardio workout, customizable routines that alter as you become fitter, easy to setup and move as needed.

FAQ

What does Carol bike stand for?

CAROL, which stands for Cardiovascular Optimization Logic, is an AI-powered cycle ergometer that, according to the manufacturer, gives twice the health and fitness advantages of typical moderate intensity training in 20% of the time. A commercial-grade steel frame is used in the CAROL Bike.

How much does the Carol bike cost?

The Carol Bike, at $2,395, is almost the same price as a Peloton, but it’s not designed to imitate a group training experience or entertain you. Instead, it’s all about having your workout done as soon as possible.

What is octane score Carol?

The Octane Score (OS) is a statistic that indicates your cardiovascular fitness. It specifies how much power you generate with each heartbeat. The higher your score, the better your fitness level. Every beat of a robust cardiovascular system produces more oxygenated blood.

How does such a CAROL workout do anything?

It’s the quality-over-quantity principle. CAROL’s workouts are essentially the same as a lengthier workout; they simply get your body to the desired results more quickly. What you must understand is that, in most cases, you will not be in your target fitness zone for the duration of your workout. Only a portion of a 30-minute run is genuinely “useful” from an exercise science standpoint.

CAROL, in particular, employs technology and deep learning to provide you with just the appropriate degrees of resistance at just the right times based on your fitness level, allowing you to swiftly deplete your glycogen stores (especially in your thighs). This aids in the burning of fat (thus promoting weight loss) and the building of muscle.

Is it possible to use my own seat and pedals with CAROL?

Yes, you certainly can! The CAROL bike is made up of ordinary bicycle components. As a result, if you prefer, you can use your own seat and pedals (and if doing so makes the workout more comfortable).

Is CAROL a better exercise bike than a recumbent one?

A recumbent exercise bike functions similarly to a regular cycle ergometer in terms of health and fitness. On every level, I believe CAROL beats recumbent exercise bikes (which focus solely on resistance training rather than intensity training).

Can you lose weight just by riding a stationary bike?

Depending on your body weight, amount of time exercising, heart rate, and exercise intensity, a stationary bike can burn anywhere from 40 to 80 calories in just 10 minutes. According to the CDC, healthy and long-term weight loss can be achieved by losing one to two pounds every week.

How Much Weight Can A Stationary Bike Help You Lose?

You must burn 3,500 calories more than you consume to shed one pound of body weight. To burn one pound of fat, a 125-pound person would need to ride between 5.5 and 8.5 hours per week. To shed one pound, a 185-pound person would need to pedal between 3.5 and 5.5 hours per week.

Depending on your body weight, amount of time exercising, heart rate, and exercise intensity, a stationary bike can burn anywhere from 40 to 80 calories in just 10 minutes. It works the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves, so it’s a wonderful technique to burn fat in your lower body.

What distinguishes CAROL from an assault bike?

If you do CrossFit, you’re definitely aware with assault bikes, which are many CrossFitters’ least favorite piece of equipment. This is due to the fact that riding an assault bike is difficult and exhausting.

So, given that such a bike is less expensive than CAROL, you might be thinking if you couldn’t simply repeat CAROL’s REHIT exercises on it.

The issue about Assault and comparable bikes is that when you raise your energy intake, the resistance increases in a linear way. That’s a very different notion from CAROL, which changes the resistance according on sensor data and your physical capabilities.

As a result, regular air bikes will not provide the same benefits (based on the same time investment) as CAROL.

Is it possible to use a third-party heart rate monitor with the CAROL bike?

With the CAROL cycle, you can use your own chest strap. If you don’t have one, the bike’s handlebar has a built-in HRM that, in my experience, is fairly accurate.

Is it possible to use CAROL in Peloton group classes?

Yes, you can use CAROL and Peloton Digital together!The bike can be used not only for its own high-intensity workouts, but also for Peloton’s more traditional sessions (longer rides).You’ll need a paid Peloton Digital subscription to take advantage of this compatibility.

Can I use CAROL in combination with Apple Fitness+?

Yes, you may use CAROL’s Free Ride feature to attend Apple Fitness+ programs. However, because Apple Fitness+ isn’t included with your CAROL membership, you’ll need to purchase it separately.

What exactly is HIIT (high-intensity interval training)?

“High-intensity interval training (HIIT), also known as high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) or sprint interval training (SIT), is a cardiovascular exercise strategy that involves alternating short bouts of intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods until you are too exhausted to continue.”

Tabata is one of the most well-known HIIT routines. Tabata involves performing a high-intensity workout, such as pushups, for 20 seconds before resting for 10 seconds. Then you go through the process again for another eight rounds.

If you did your math correctly, one round of Tabata only takes four minutes to complete. You should be on the ground struggling to catch your breath if you repeated that exercise at the right intensity — for a total of eight minutes.

What are the benefits of HIIT?

While high-intensity interval training is a relatively new cardiovascular exercise strategy, several scientific studies have shown its benefits, including improved athletic capacity and condition, improved glucose metabolism, lower insulin resistance, fat loss and weight loss, improved brain power and cognitive function, a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and an increased VO2 max (maximal aerobic capacity).

In terms of practicality, HIIT sessions are usually 30 minutes or less in length. As a result, they’re appealing options for busy people who don’t have time to go for a lengthy run or spend two hours at the gym.

The 7-Minute Workout gained popularity a few years ago due to its mix of short time and excellent efficiency. P90X and the 7-Minute Workout were actually part of my fitness program before I started CrossFit.

What are the disadvantages of high-intensity interval training (HIIT)?

The negative of HIIT is its intensity, which is what makes it so effective. To push through those high-intensity intervals, HIIT usually necessitates a high level of motivation, which many people lack.

As a result, some people give up early and stop doing HIIT, or they perform the exercises at a lower intensity, reducing the workout’s effectiveness dramatically.

That’s why I was ecstatic when I discovered CAROL, which basically cuts the workout down to two 20-second bursts. Even if you don’t have the strongest willpower when it comes to exercise, you can push it for 20 seconds.

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