MYX II Plus Review

MYX Fitness is a relative newcomer to the indoor bike market, but it appears they've come ready to compete with the biggest names in home fitness. In many ways, the MYX II Plus is a lot like the other high-end models we tested, but it sets itself apart with a reasonable price, swiveling touchscreen, and the inclusion of weights, mats, and more to build your own home gym. While it isn't quite as developed or polished as some of the other fitness apps, OpenFit is quite similar and includes everything you need for both on and off-the-bike workouts. We found the MYX II to provide a very similar experience to the big-name competition, and we feel it is a great value with all the extras it comes with.

Performance Comparison

Exercise Quality

The MYX II looks and feels a lot like most other high-end exercise bikes on the market. It has a sturdy frame with a 41-pound weighted flywheel and all the adjustments you need to find your perfect fit. While it doesn't have set resistance levels, the OpenFit app's workouts are based more on heart rate zones and cadence; there is an ample resistance range to suit all fitness levels. Add to that the Plus version's included 6-piece dumbbell set, kettlebell, exercise mat, resistance band, and foam roller, and you've got just about everything you need to put together a little home gym and take advantage of the OpenFit app's on and off-the-bike workouts.

While it may not be quite as sleek-looking as some of the other bikes we tested, the MYX II is structurally very similar. The bike is sturdy and feels very stable whether you're spinning while seated or jamming hard on the pedals out of the saddle. The 41 lb weighted flywheel spins smoothly with quiet friction resistance, but unlike the competition that has set resistance levels that appear on the screen, this bike has an infinite resistance adjustment range (meaning that you can adjust it anywhere between its easiest and hardest resistance). Since the OpenFit cycling workouts are based on heart rate zones and perceived exertion, it's up to the user to choose the resistance that works for you to keep your heart rate in the suggested training zone. This may seem a little odd at first if you are accustomed to resistance levels, but you get used to it pretty quickly. That said, there is an adequate resistance range to suit riders of all fitness levels, and thankfully it comes with a quality Polar heart rate monitor to keep track of your zones while you ride.

Like any connected exercise bike, the MYX II is really nothing without the OpenFit app. We'll go into more detail about the app in the next section, but it offers a huge range of both cycling and off-the-bike workouts. Realistically, it has everything you could possibly need, but it isn't quite as polished or developed as Peloton, for example. Logging in to the OpenFit app for the first time prompts you to do a heart rate calibration ride. This first ride sets your heart rate zones, which will be used for subsequent cycling workouts on the MYX bike. Heart rate zone training is a highly effective way to exercise, and the zones are a great indicator of how hard you are working at a given time. It is recommended that you do the calibration ride periodically as your fitness improves over time.

MYX's inclusion of a 6-piece dumbbell set, a kettlebell, resistance band, exercise mat, and foam roller makes the II Plus more than just an exercise bike. They provide you with virtually everything you need to outfit a modest home gym and follow along with the OpenFit app's wealth of off-the-bike workouts. Since the touchscreen tilts and swivels, you can also orient it however you need, whether you're doing a standing strength workout or yoga on the floor. We feel the included extras really add to the MYX bike's versatility and make it an impressive value. If you already have your own weights and mats or you simply don't want them, you can save a couple hundred bucks and purchase the bike on its own without the Plus bundle. Of course, you could also check out our reviews of the top yoga mats, dumbbells, foam rollers and our favorite exercise bands.

Companion App/Connectivity

Like any connected exercise bike, the MYX II uses WiFi to connect to the OpenFit app, plus it has Bluetooth to sync with wireless headphones, the crank-based cadence sensor, the included heart rate monitor, or your Apple Watch. The OpenFit app is pretty good, and it has a broad selection of cycling and off-the-bike programs to cover the spectrum of workout needs and wants. MYX Fitness is owned by Beachbody, and you can also access the BODi app with an existing Beachbody On Demand account for an additional fee.

The MYX II bike connects to the OpenFit app through a WiFi connection. The delivery and assembly crew will likely do this for you, but if not, it's as simple as opening up the settings, selecting a WiFi network, and entering the password. Once the bike is connected, the app will appear on the screen, and you can scroll through the various workouts. During our test period, we had zero issues with the WiFi connection, and it never dropped out during a workout. The bike also has Bluetooth to connect to wireless headphones; the included Polar heart rate monitor and the cadence sensor. It was very easy to pair headphones and the heart rate monitor through the touchscreen, and the cadence sensor works any time the cranks are turning. There is also an auxiliary plug on the bottom of the screen to work with wired headphones along with a USB-C port on the back of the screen to keep your devices charged. The included heart rate monitor also comes with a USB-A adapter to plug into the USB-C port. On the back of the screen, there is also an ethernet port to plug directly into the internet.

Prior to testing the MYX II, we had never heard of the OpenFit app, but we were pleasantly surprised by the number and variety of cycling classes offered and the depth of off-the-bike workouts. The app has a monthly cost of $39 that you'll need to factor into the overall cost of owning the bike, and they offer a 14-day free trial so you can decide if you like it before you buy the bike. While it feels a little sparse for cycling when compared to some of the more developed apps like Peloton, there is definitely something for everyone. They offer all the typical studio-style classes like HIIT, Rhythm, Climb, Endurance, Recovery, and Warm-up rides ranging from 10 to 60 minutes in length. Similar to other apps, there are a variety of instructors and music genres to choose from, and you can easily filter to quickly find the workout you're after. They also offer live classes, although they are mostly off-bike workouts, as well as scenic rides if you don't feel like following along to a class. OpenFit cycling workouts do not include a leaderboard, which may disappoint those with a competitive streak, but instead focus on your individual workout. Off-the-bike workouts: there are a lot of these, ranging from strength training, barre, pilates, yoga, recovery, cardio, and HIIT to relaxation and meditation with varying lengths, instructors, and intensities to choose from. The bike also supports BODi classes, but you'll need an existing Beachbody On Demand membership, which costs an additional fee to use on the bike. While this is an interesting feature, there is already plenty on the OpenFit app that satisfies most users.

When you're in a workout, the screen shows metrics like cadence, calories, speed, distance, time, and heart rate (with a chart showing heart rate zones over the course of the workout). Heart rate zones are the cornerstone of the OpenFit cycling workouts, and the included Polar armband is a necessary feature to take advantage of this type of training. The MYX II also supports the Apple Watch if you prefer that over the Polar armband. The class instructors are not only engaging, but they explain the workouts and give you cadence and heart rate zone prompts throughout each class. While the OpenFit app doesn't offer the sheer number of cycling classes as Peloton, the classes are quite good, and we expect their selection to grow over time.

Comfort

As mentioned above, the MYX II offers a massive user fit range. The seat post has 24 indexed positions, offering a whopping height adjustment of 13 inches. Additionally, the seat can be moved fore and aft another eight full inches, and the angle can also be adjusted (although it requires a wrench). While we can't confirm MYX's recommended user height range of 4'11" to 6'8", there is certainly a lot of adjustment range, and our six-foot tester with a 35-inch inseam had several inches of adjustment to spare. Up front, the handlebar has 11 indexed positions for up to 6 inches of height adjustment, as well as 3 inches of fore/aft movement to dial it into your needs. Making the adjustments is quite easy, with numbered positions that make it easy to identify your settings if they get changed. We also measured the MYX's Q-factor, the horizontal distance between the cranks where the pedals attach, at 170mm. This is close to the Q-factor of a traditional road bike, and it will likely feel a little more normal to those used to riding outdoors when compared to some competitors with wider stances.

Like most spin bikes, the MYX II comes with a performance-oriented seat that we found to be relatively comfortable. It has a nice medium level of cushioning, and we feel it allows for good power transfer to the pedals and works well for the sometimes intense workouts you might be doing. While we felt the seat was fine, it may be a bit too narrow for those who prefer a more supportive platform, but it can easily be swapped out for a more comfortable saddle (see our best bike seat review for suggestions). The large padded handlebar is comfortable enough and offers a good variety of hand positions, though not quite as many as some. The handlebar is also home to a couple of bottle holders to keep fluids at arm's reach while you ride. Dual-sided pedals are also included, so you can choose to clip in or ride with the toe cages based on your comfort preferences.

User Interface

Riders primarily interact with the MYX II through the 21.5-inch HD touchscreen. The screen sits up and in front of the handlebar, and its large size makes it great for following along with OpenFit workouts both on the bike and off. The screen has the ability to tilt so you can position its angle optimally for viewing, and it can rotate a full 360 degrees so you can orient it however you like for off-the-bike workouts. The screen has good color, great picture quality and touch sensitivity. Like any other touchscreen device, its use is intuitive, and choosing the workout you wish to follow is as simple as scrolling through the various options and selecting the one you like. The screen has a power button so you can turn it off while not in use, as well as two buttons on the side for controlling the volume of the speakers.

Like many other spin-style exercise bikes, the resistance is controlled by a knob on the bike just below the handlebar. Turning the knob clockwise increases the resistance while turning it counterclockwise decreases it. Pushing straight down on the resistance knob acts as a brake and slows the flywheel and pedals. Unlike most other models, the MYX II uses friction to increase resistance, and as a result, it doesn't have any preset levels. Instead, you ride this bike based on perceived effort, and the Openfit classes operate on heart rate zones.

Features

When purchasing the MYX II, you have the option to get the bike on its own, or you can buy the Plus version. We bought the Plus version for testing, which includes various things to help create your own home gym. It has a bike mat, exercise mat, foam roller, and a resistance band. When ordering, you can choose between light (3, 6, and 9 lb dumbbells and a 15 lb kettlebell), medium (6, 9, and 12 lb dumbbells and a 20 lb kettlebell), or heavy (9, 12, and 15 lb dumbbells and a 25 lb kettlebell) weights. The weights themselves are all rubber-coated and appear to be of reasonably high quality. The only thing it doesn't come with is a rack for the weights. MYX Fitness sells one for an additional cost, but the weights stack relatively neatly without one. We think the “Plus” kit is a fantastic option that definitely adds to this bike's versatility and provides you with all the things you need to take advantage of the off-bike classes that you'll find on the OpenFit app. If you've already got all that stuff, then purchasing the MYX II bike on its own will save you a couple hundred bucks.

Beyond all the weights and things included with the Plus version of the MYX II, the large touchscreen swivels and tilts, so you can position it however you need for those off-bike workouts. The screen has rear-facing speakers that work reasonably well to listen to your chosen workout, although they project the sound away from you. It also pairs with Bluetooth headphones, or you can plug wired headphones into the auxiliary jack if you wish to keep your workout quiet. It comes with a Polar heart rate armband to keep track of your training zones, which are at the heart of the routines on the OpenFit app, and there is a USB-C plug on the back of the monitor that helps keep your devices charged while you ride. The MYX II comes with dual-sided pedals, so you can choose what suits you best or have options for multiple users. Two large water bottle holders sit within the handlebar and keep your fluids close at hand while you ride. Stability on uneven surfaces is handled by levelers at all four corners of the bike, and moving it is fairly easy by tipping it forward onto its integrated transport wheels.

Setup and Portability

The MYX II is very easy to set up due to the fact that delivery and assembly are included in the purchase price. Once your order is placed, the bike may take a few weeks to get to you, but you will be contacted to set up a convenient delivery time. The delivery team will move the bike to the location you'd like to have it set up. All you need to do is to have a space cleared where you'd like the bike to go. Our test bike was assembled quickly, and care was taken to ensure that everything worked properly. All of the packing materials from the bike were removed by the delivery team. The included set of weights, mats, foam roller, and exercise band arrived in a separate shipment, and all we had to do was unbox them to prepare them for use. It doesn't get more straightforward than that, and the included assembly definitely adds to this bike's already impressive value.

Once the MYX II is assembled, it is roughly the same size and weight as all the other bikes we tested. It has a footprint of 47-inches long x 21-inches wide along with a height of 60-inches at the top of the screen. It certainly won't go unnoticed in your space, but with its average-size footprint and relatively sleek appearance, it won't completely dominate it either. Weighing in at 150 lbs, the MYX II is the type of bike that you'll probably want to leave in a dedicated workout space, although it is fairly easy to move around on flat, firm surfaces by tipping it forward and rolling it around on its transport wheels.

Should You Buy the MYX II Plus?

The MYX II Plus is a very compelling option in our lineup, given its median price, solid performance, and loads of included extras. This bike boasts a large swiveling touchscreen that integrates with the OpenFit app for thousands of on and off-the-bike workouts. The cycling workouts are primarily studio-focused and provide a Peloton-like experience minus the leaderboards and massive user community. The inclusion of a set of weights, mats, and more gives you everything you need to follow along with the off-bike classes and put together a modest home gym, which makes this bike a great value. It also comes in 2 colors, white or black, and can be purchased without the Plus bundle for less.

What Other Exercise Bikes Should You Consider?

If you seek the pinnacle of the at-home studio cycling experience, then few bikes will be better than the Peloton Bike+. Yes, it's expensive, but it's truly the best way to join the Peloton community and take advantage of everything the app has to offer. If studio cycling workouts aren't your thing, then the NordicTrack S22i provides something quite different. It has an adjustable incline/decline, and AutoAdjust changes resistance and incline in response to the iFit video you're watching. iFit's trainer-led scenic rides provide an entertaining and immersive at-home training experience that is a departure from the norm.