Wednesday, November 29th
2023 Exercise Bike Reviews
NordicTrack
- Free shipping includes in-home assembly
- Lots of workouts, live and on-demand
- Good warranty coverage
- Unique incline/decline feature on some models
- All bikes come with complimentary 1-year iFit membership
NordicTrack is one of two exercise bike retailers owned by ICON Health and Fitness, along with ProForm. You'll see a lot of similarities between those two brands, especially when it comes to their iFit membership platform and all of its features (like on-demand and live fitness classes).
Top features at a great price
You've got three style options with NordicTrack: upright, recumbent and studio. They're all competitively priced between $999 and $1999, and even the most affordable one comes with plenty of features: Bluetooth-compatible speakers, pivoting tablet holder, 7" Smart HD color touchscreen, 32 on-board workouts plus on-demand through iFit, and 24 digital resistance levels.
Let's ride up and down a hill!
The bikes sold by both NordicTrack and ProForm are pretty similar in terms of features, but you'll notice that NordicTrack tends to come in on the higher side price-wise. To find out why, we reached out to their online chat (pro tip: you can access that chat on either site, and they can help you compare bikes across both sites! Very helpful!). It turns out that two of the NordicTrack models, the s22i and s15i, have a feature that we haven't seen anywhere else: the ride can actually incline and decline. Yes, just like a treadmill, that's really a thing - so when you're following an iFit ride that has you riding up the hills of Wine Country - your bike will shift to imitate the ups and downs. Isn't that cool?
Equipment overview:
- Type of exercise bikes: Studio, upright, recumbent
- Price range: $999 to $1999
- Different models: 6
- Can stream live/pre-recorded workouts: Yes
- Financing available: Yes
- Weight capacity: 325-350 lbs, depending on the model
- Return policy: 30 days
- Warranty: 10 years frame, 2 years parts, 1 year labor
- Shipping: Free, includes assembly
Top features at a great price
You've got three style options with NordicTrack: upright, recumbent and studio. They're all competitively priced between $999 and $1999, and even the most affordable one comes with plenty of features: Bluetooth-compatible speakers, pivoting tablet holder, 7" Smart HD color touchscreen, 32 on-board workouts plus on-demand through iFit, and 24 digital resistance levels.
Let's ride up and down a hill!
The bikes sold by both NordicTrack and ProForm are pretty similar in terms of features, but you'll notice that NordicTrack tends to come in on the higher side price-wise. To find out why, we reached out to their online chat (pro tip: you can access that chat on either site, and they can help you compare bikes across both sites! Very helpful!). It turns out that two of the NordicTrack models, the s22i and s15i, have a feature that we haven't seen anywhere else: the ride can actually incline and decline. Yes, just like a treadmill, that's really a thing - so when you're following an iFit ride that has you riding up the hills of Wine Country...your bike will shift to imitate the ups and downs. Isn't that cool?
One year of free live and on-demand classes
You'll get a free year of iFit membership with any NordicTrack exercise bike (which is another reason the prices are higher here than Proform, where they make the iFit subscription an add-on cost from the get-go). iFit gives you access to some amazing workouts, both live and on-demand, just like the other big-name-in-exercise-bikes-we-won't-mention. You can check out user ratings for specific rides and pick one that sounds good, or just select one that appeals to you. Out of nearly 300 ride reviews, iFit averaged 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Get the swivel for greater versatility
If you plan on using these classes not just for cycling but also for yoga, strength training and more, consider getting a NordicTrack bike that has a swivel screen. That lets you position it at any angle you need, without the bike getting in your way.
Extra savings, free shipping and set-up
Keep an eye out for pop-ups as you browse the NordicTrack site. We spotted one offering a $25 discount on purchases of $399 and up if we signed up for marketing texts. Might as well snag some savings, right? Shipping is always free, no code needed, and your delivery includes in-home set-up of your bike.
Excellent attention to customer service
NordicTrack has been around for a long time: over 40 years, to be exact. Parent company Icon Health and Fitness maintains an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. While the company has gotten its fair share of complaints from customers, their reps do a noteworthy job of responding to each of them. We were pleased to see how quickly we were able to reach someone via live chat, and our experience with the representative was professional, knowledgeable, and actually fun!
Top all-around retailer of exercise bikes
There are a lot of brands to choose from when it comes to exercise bikes, and NordicTrack presents the best overall package: durable equipment, generous warranty coverage, affordable pricing, and lots of the hottest gadgets and connectivity options. For all of these reasons, they've earned our top ranking and should be the first place you shop for your exercise bike.
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Where Can You Find the Best Exercise Bikes?
Fitness equipment is more popular now than ever, with so many people working, learning and doing just about everything from home. It can be challenging to find anything in stock near you, with no idea of when your preferred exercise bike will be available to buy.
Naturally, that's where the internet comes in, making it a lot easier to get the type of bike you want most. Looking for live and on-demand fitness classes on a machine that automatically increases and decreases resistance - or that even allows a coach to remotely shift your settings to give you an extra push (or a break!)? Shopping online gives you access to not just one company but several that offer that boutique-style workout experience.
Exercise Bike FAQ
Continued from above...
Or, maybe your doctor has told you that you can't do high-impact exercise anymore, but you still need something to stay healthy. Recumbent bikes to the rescue! There are plenty of models available from internet retailers, from basic models under $500 to high-tech designs with plenty of features for over $2,000.
There are even exercise bikes designed for use under your desk or with a tabletop/desk built in: no more using work as your excuse for not working out! Your coworkers can get in on the fun if you choose a model that has three bikes at the same round table, too.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed when you start your search for the exercise bike that's right for you. Studio style? Recumbent? Touchscreen or basic console? Fortunately, there are several criteria you can use to narrow down your options and find something that fits:
- Number of Exercise Bikes. How many models does the retailer sell? The more bikes in their inventory, the more likely it is that one of them will have the features you're looking for - and that it will be in stock when you're ready to buy.
- Features. Think about what features are most important to you when using your fitness equipment. Is it connectivity with your smartwatch or fitness apps? A weight capacity that accommodates each member of your household? Interactive displays with games and leaderboards to keep you motivated? It's not impossible to get a bike with everything you want, if you know what's on your must-have list.
- Value. Is the exercise bike you're considering a good value for the money? That's not just a matter of price: some lower-end models actually offer a lot, while some of the most expensive models don't give you nearly what you'd expect.
- Customer-Friendly Policies. Can you get a free trial with your exercise bike? How long do you have to return it if it's not working out? Is delivery free and/or will it include professional set-up? How about warranty coverage?
- Reputation. It's a good idea to consider what customers have said about the particular bike you want and the company itself. Can you count on getting fast, friendly help from the customer service department if anything goes wrong? Even the most promising warranties aren't worth much if the retailer doesn't follow through on them.
TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked the best online retailers of exercise bikes available today. We're confident that this information will help you get the indoor ride you've been hoping for!
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