Life Fitness LC-5500 User manual

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M051-00K20-A020
2/98
TM
Corporate Headquarters
10601 West Belmont Avenue
Franklin Park, Illinois 60131
U.S.A.
847.288.3300 • FAX: [phone]
800.735.3867 (Toll-free within the U.S. and Canada)
Life Fitness Asia Pacific Ltd
12th Floor, Tower 1, The Gateway
Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
HONG KONG
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Life Fitness Atlantic BV
Atlantic Headquarters
Columbusstraat 25
3165 AC Rotterdam
NETHERLANDS
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Life Fitness Austria
Vertriebs GmbH
Hintschiggasse 1
1100 Vienna
AUSTRIA
Telephone: [phone]
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Life Fitness Benelux NV
Lambrechtshoekenlaan 309-311
B-2170 Antwerpen-Merksem
BELGIUM
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Life Fitness Europe GmbH
Siemensstrasse 3
85716 Unterschleissheim
GERMANY
Telephone: [phone]
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Life Fitness Italia S.R.L.
Via Elvas 92
39042 Bressanone (BZ)
ITALY
Telephone: 39.472.835 470
FAX: 39.472.833 150
Life Fitness Latin America
10601 West Belmont Avenue
Franklin Park, Illinois 60131
U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone]
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Life Fitness UK Ltd
Queen Adelaide
Ely, Cambs CB7 4UB
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
International Offices

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You are cautioned that any changes or modifications to this
equipment could void your product warranty!
FCC Warning - Possible Radio / Television Interference
FCC Warning - Possible Radio / Television Interference
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with Part 15 of
the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. Any changes or
modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy. If not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, it may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
the interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment
does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on, you are encouraged to
try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
lReorient or relocate the receiving antenna
lIncrease the space between the equipment
and the receiver
lConnect the equipment to an outlet on a
different circuit than that to which the receiver
is connected
lConsult an exercise equipment dealer or an
experienced radio / TV technician for help
Class S (Studio): Professional and/or commercial use.
Any service, other than cleaning or user maintenance, must be performed by
an authorized service representative. There are no user serviceable parts.
Before using your recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike, it is essential that you
read this ENTIRE operation manual and ALL instructions.
It will help you set up your recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike quickly and
give instructions on how to use it correctly.

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Section Description Page
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1. Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.1 Important Safety Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.2 Set Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
How to Stabilize the Recumbent Lifecycle®Exercise Bike
How to Adjust the Seat
How to Adjust the Footstraps
1.3 Optional Settings for the Recumbent Lifecycle Exercise Bike. . . . . . . . . . 10
2. The Display Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.1 Display Console Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.2 Console Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Elapsed Time Window
Data Entry Window
Data Entry Zone
Program Profile Window
Summary Instructions
Speed Window
Feedback Window
3. Heart Rate Zone Training Exercise®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.1 Why Heart Rate Zone Training Exercise? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.2 Heart Rate Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
The Optional Heart Rate Chest Strap
4. The Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.1 Program Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
The Programs Step by Step
4.2 Program Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
To Begin a Recumbent Lifecycle Exercise Bike Workout
Quick Start
Fat Burn
Cardio
Manual
Random
Hill
Fit Test
4.3 How to Maximize Workouts on the Recumbent Lifecycle Exercise Bike . . 28
Selecting the Correct Intensity Level
4.4 Watts / METS Programmability Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.5 Race Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
5. Service and Technical Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
5.1 Preventive Maintenance Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
5.2 How to Solve Basic Operating Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
5.3 Troubleshooting the Optional Heart Rate Chest Strap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
5.4 How to Obtain Product Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
5.5 Recumbent Lifecycle Exercise Bike Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
© 1998 Life Fitness, a division of Brunswick Corporation. All rights reserved. Life Fitness, Lifecycle, Lifepulse and Flexdeck
are registered trademarks, and Heart Rate Zone Training, Lifespring and “RELY ON IT” are trademarks of Brunswick
Corporation. Any use of these trademarks, without the express written consent of Life Fitness is forbidden.

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This Operation Manual describes the functions of the following products:
recumbent Lifecycle exercise bikes
5500R
8500R
9100R
See “Specifications” page in this manual for product specific features.

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Congratulations! . . . and thank you for purchasing a
recumbent Lifecycle® exercise bike. Your new Life Fitness
exercise bike is the most versatile and effective exercise bikes
ever developed. It is the culmination of over 20 years of Life
Fitness research, technological innovation and engineering
designed to deliver an efficient product with the reliability for
which Life Fitness is known. Lifecycle exercise bikes are
recognized the world over as the most popular and advanced
of computerized stationary bicycles.
Like other Life Fitness products, the recumbent Lifecycle
exercise bike offers you a variety of exclusive features designed
to help you achieve your fitness goals faster and with greater
enjoyment. Industry-standard workout programs, an array of up-to-the-second visual
feedback, and a comfortable, ergonomic design for greater comfort on long rides – are just
a few of the benefits you will enjoy on your recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike.
Why use a Life Fitness recumbent trainer? Aerobic training on a recumbent Lifecycle
exercise bike is more than just a great workout. The recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike has
an ergonomic seat and biomechanically superior position that makes it more comfortable.
And with features like the Fit Test, Race mode and level 0 resistance option, you’re much
more likely to stick with your exercise plan.
The state-of-the-art heart rate monitoring system makes the Cardio and Fat Burn programs
the most effective workouts available on any exercise bike. And with features like the Race
mode, Fit Test and level 0 resistance option that is almost 25% easier than the level 1 found
on earlier editions of the classic recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike, you will be much more
likely to stick with your exercise plan and accomplish your goals.
At Life Fitness, we understand that a reliable product is just as important as one that is
effective. That is why we not only test our products, we punish them. We put them through
their paces at top resistance levels, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, often for twice the
warranty period. It is the reason we were the first domestic fitness manufacturer with ISO
9001 Certification, the international symbol for quality workmanship.
If you have any questions regarding the operation of your recumbent Lifecycle exercise
bike, please call Life Fitness Customer Support Services at the number listed in Section 5.
Sincerely,
INTRODUCTION
Augie Nieto
President, Life Fitness
INTRODUCTION
Augie Nieto
President, Life Fitness

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SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
Life Fitness STRONGLY recommends that if you are undertaking an exercise program
please see your physician for a complete medical exam, particularly if you have a family
history of high blood pressure or heart disease, are over the age of 45, or if you smoke,
have high cholesterol, are obese, or have not exercised regularly in the past year.
If, at any time while exercising, you feel faint, dizzy, pain, or shortness of
breath, stop immediately.
GETTING STARTED
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1GETTING STARTED
1.1 Important Safety Instructions
Always follow the console instructions for proper operation.
Close supervision is necessary when used by or near children, invalids or disabled persons.
Never operate a Life Fitness exercise bike if it has been dropped, damaged, or even partially
immersed in water. Contact Life Fitness Customer Support Services for assistance.
Never insert objects into any opening in your recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike. If an object
should drop inside, carefully retrieve it. If you cannot reach the item, contact Life Fitness
Customer Support Services.
Never place liquids of any type directly on the unit, except in an accessory tray. Containers
with lids are recommended.
Do not use the recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike outdoors, near swimming pools or in
areas of high humidity.
Do not use the recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike in areas where aerosol spray products are
being used or where oxygen is being administered. Such substances increase the danger of
combustion and explosion.
Keep all loose clothing, shoelaces, and towels away from the recumbent Lifecycle exercise
bike pedals.
Keep the area around your recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike clear of any obstructions,
including walls and furniture.
Always be careful and exercise caution when mounting or dismounting your recumbent
Lifecycle exercise bike. Use the handlebar whenever additional stability is required.
Wear shoes with rubber or high-traction soles. Do not use shoes with heels,leather soles,
cleats or spikes. Do not use the bike in your bare feet.
Do not tip the recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike on its side during operation.

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Depending on the surface on which the recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike is placed, it may
need to be stablized. After you place the bike where you will primarily use it, check the
stability of the bike by attempting to rock it back and forth. If it rocks, it is not stable. To
stabilize it, rotate the foot on the stabilizer bar that appears to be higher counter-clockwise (as
viewed from above) with your finger until the bike is level. Tighten the locknut, if so equipped.
1.2 Set Up
How to Stabilize the Recumbent Lifecycle Exercise Bike

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Do not attempt to adjust the seat while you are pedaling the bike. Doing
so or failing to insert the seat pin completely may result in an
uncomfortable workout or cause injury.
A properly adjusted seat is extremely important in any bike-oriented exercise activity, and the
recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike is no exception. If the seat is too far forward, excessive
strain will be placed on the knees and quadricep muscles; if the seat is too far back, the
resulting reaching action will irritate the feet, ankles, hips and knees.
To adjust the seat properly, sit on it and place the balls of your feet on the pedals.An optimum
position will allow you to move through the bottom of the stroke without locking your knees or
shifting in the seat (your knees should have a slight bend at the point of fullest leg extension).
If the seat needs to be adjusted, pull the spring-loaded adjusting pin located on the extrusion
in front of the seat. Slide the seat forward or backward as necessary to the proper position
and release the pin to complete engagement. Gently slide the seat forward and backward a
small distance to ensure it is locked into place. Check the seat distance again and readjust it
if necessary.
How to Adjust the Seat

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The pedals on the recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike have footstraps with slits on both the
inside and the outside of each strap. To adjust the size of the straps, grasp the outside of
the strap and pull down and away from the knob. Once the slotted end is removed, choose
a size that will feel the most comfortable while riding, reinsert the knob through the slot and
pull the strap up. The knob will click when it locks in place.
Do not attempt to adjust the pedal footstraps while you are pedaling the
bike. Doing so may result in an uncomfortable workout or cause injury.
How to Adjust the Footstraps

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lMaximum Program Time
The maximum program time option allows the maximum program time to be changed from
the default maximum time limit of 60 minutes to anywhere from 1 to 99 minutes. Altering the
maximum program time will affect all programs except the Fit Test. To change the
recumbent Lifecycle exercise bike’s maximum program time, proceed as follows:
1. Press and hold the 5key on the numeric keypad.
2. Begin pedaling, then press START.
All LEDs and 7-segment displays will be illuminated when you enter Diagnostic State 1. The
maximum program time default settings are located in Diagnostic State 5. Each time you
press the ENTER key you will advance one diagnostic state. Continue to advance to
Diagnostic State 5.
3. When you reach Diagnostic State 5, the current MAXIMUM PROGRAM
TIME setting will be displayed. The factory set default maximum program
time is 60 minutes.
4. Use the 1key to decrease the MAXIMUM PROGRAM TIME or the 3key to
increase the MAXIMUM PROGRAM TIME.
5. To exit the Diagnostic States, press the CLEAR / PAUSE key repeatedly until
you return to the user display. The user display is the initial display console
you see when you approach the unit for normal operation.
lEnglish / Metric toggle
Follow steps 1, 2 and 3 as listed above to reach Diagnostic State 5 and continue with Step
4 as listed below.
4. Press the ENTER key two more times to reach Diagnostic State 7. This state
indicates the display console default setting of English or metric units.
When the default is set to English units of measurement, it will read ‘E’ in the
upper right window of the display console.
When the default is set to metric units of measurement, it will read ‘9’ in the
upper right window of the display console.
5. To exit the Diagnostic States, press the CLEAR / PAUSE key repeatedly until you
return to the SELECT PROGRAM state (all program LED’s will be flashing).
1.3 Optional Settings for the Recumbent Lifecycle Exercise Bike