Thursday, January 16th
2025 Exercise Bike Reviews
NordicTrack
- Prices from $999 to $2,499
- 4 models in stock
- 10 year warranty on frame
- 30-day limited returns
- Free shipping and assembly
- Base model includes a touchscreen
- Free month of iFIT with all models
- "A” rating from the BBB
When it comes to home fitness equipment, NordicTrack is a popular name in the industry. You've probably seen commercials for NordicTrack advertising its equipment for home use. NordicTrack is part of the Icon Health and Fitness brand family, and it currently shares the spotlight with its sister brand ProForm.
High end experience
NordicTrack stands out has offering a more high-end experience. While both the NordicTrack and ProForm brands offer excellent fitness equipment, NordicTrack's bikes are generally slightly larger and more feature-rich than its sister brand. There are 4 different exercise bikes offered by NordicTrack and all of them were in stock at the time of this review.
Equipment overview:
- Type of exercise bikes: Studio, upright, recumbent
- Price range: $999 to $2,499
- Different models: 4
- 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
Basic model: Commercial VU 29
NordicTrack's basic model of exercise bike is the Commercial VU 29. This bike costs $999. The VU 29 is an upright bike experience that allows you to adjust intensity and sizing for any workout or user. With a 14-inch HD Smart Touchscreen and 24 digital resistance levels, your workouts stay engaging and effective. The SmartAdjust feature helps the workouts adapt to your pace, making them personalized just for you. With the iFIT app and membership, you can enjoy trainer-led workouts and hands-free automatic adjustments. A 30-day trial of this membership is included in your purchase. Some other key features include the AutoBreeze workout fan to keep you cool, connectivity with Google Maps workout technology to explore the world while you bike, and real-time stat tracking. One thing that stood out to us is that the NordicTrack offers adaptable workouts and a touch screen on its base model which are features not usually available from low-cost models at other brands.
Top-tier model: S27i Studio Bike
The highest tier of exercise bike offered by NordicTrack is the S27i Studio Bike. This model costs $2,499 and offers a few upgrades to make up for the extra cost. For example, the S27i offers a 27-inch Tilt & Pivot HD touchscreen that allows you to move the screen around to help you out with the rest of your workout, not just your cycling. You also get the S27i's auto incline/decline features which offer a 20% incline to -10% decline. The S27i offers the same SmartAdjust technology and 24 digital resistance levels as the base model, but you do get added Bluetooth connectivity for headphones, a smoother, quieter ride with the Inertia Enhanced Flywheel, and Silent Magnetic Resistance technology. Plus, your purchase includes two three-pound dumbbells for an upper-body workout as you pedal. While there are a few great benefits to getting the top-tier model at NordicTrack, especially quiet workouts and better resistance, you can easily find value at all their levels, making this a great brand to discover variety and technology.
iFIT included in purchase
Purchasing any NordicTrack machine gives you access to a 30-day free trial of the iFIT app membership. This gives you access to various workouts led by pro fitness instructors. If you like the membership, it costs $39 per month. However, you can easily use your NordicTrack even without the membership which is a benefit over other brands.
30-day returns with fees
The only downside we could find with NordicTrack is the return policy. If you're not happy with your purchase, you have the option to request a return within 30 days of receiving your order, which is competitive in the industry. However, you will have to pay fees to make your return. These fees include a non-refundable return shipping charge of $250 and a 10% processing fee.
Highly-rated exercise equipment
NordicTrack has established a solid standing in the industry, earning an "A" rating from the Better Business Bureau. The company promptly and professionally addresses customer complaints. On third-party review sites, NordicTrack has an average rating of 3 stars out of 5, which is average, but shows that there are some mixed reviews out there. One common issue customers face is related to the iFIT membership, as some didn't realize it was optional, leading to unexpected charges. However, in general (especially with the exercise bikes) NordicTrack has rave reviews.
Top option across the board
There are tons of benefits to going with NordicTrack as your next brand for home fitness. Two features stand out in particular: the brand offers adaptive workouts and touchscreens on all exercise bike models (even the lowest-tier machines), and the optional iFIT membership isn't required, just an enhancement. With stellar ratings from the BBB as well as competitive 10-year warranties, NordicTrack stands out as our favorite brand of exercise bikes. Given that the only negative is expensive returns (something common among many brands), NordicTrack easily sits at the top of the pack. Plus, you get totally free shipping and setup with NordicTrack, so you'll only pay shipping one-way if you decide the bike isn't for you. But according to rave reviews for the bikes specifically, you may never need to worry about returns at all. For these reasons, NordicTrack stands out as the #1 pick for exercise bikes on our list.
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The 10 Best Exercise Bikes
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If you're looking for a versatile machine easily accessible for a home gym, exercise bikes are a top choice. Exercise bikes offer motion that's ideal for individuals with sensitive joints, sore backs, bad knees (shout out to the crunchy knees gang), or other conditions that make high-impact exercises hard or impossible to do.
On top of being low-impact, one of the popular points for exercise bikes is the all-season approach. Picture this: you get to sweat it out whenever it suits you. No gym crowds, and no clock-watching. Convenience is your new fitness buddy. Plus, no more worrying about how you look or comparing yourself to others. Or whether the sweaty guy before you wiped down the bike seat (ew!). Basically, you get all the pros of a spin class without any of the ick of a public gym.
Exercise Bike FAQ
Continued from above...
For athletes (especially you biking enthusiasts) who don't want to lose their form during the winter, nabbing an exercise bike can change your winter fitness regimen to more closely fit your regular training. But if you're not a tri-athlete (like many of us aren't), having an exercise bike at home is still a huge plus.
As you start browsing the different exercise bike brands, you'll realize that there's a lot of variety to choose from. Many modern exercise bikes come with cool features like built-in screens for virtual classes, fitness app hook-ups, and even virtual outdoor rides. So, exercise bikes aren't like one of those creaky metal contraptions from your grandma's basement anymore. They've got all the bells and whistles to upgrade your workout.
Imagine pedaling through scenic routes without leaving your living room or gamified paths to keep you engaged. These bikes aren't just tools; they're like your personal fitness sidekick, cheering you on and giving you all the stats you need to track your growth and celebrate your fitness level-ups. There are even exercise bikes designed to fit under your desk or that feature a built-in tabletop/desk, so you can work and work out at the same time.
But there's a lot to look at when you're shopping for the perfect exercise bike. Starting your search for the right exercise bike can be overwhelming. Studio style? Recumbent? Touchscreen or basic console? Fortunately, we've gone through the best options out there and put together some criteria to help you narrow down your choices and find a bike that suits you.
- Number of exercise bike styles. The more models a brand has in their inventory, the higher the chances of finding one that fits your fitness needs. Also, keep an eye on which brands actually have their bikes in stock.
- Features. Consider what features matter most to you. Is it connectivity with your smartwatch or fitness apps? Weight capacity that accommodates all household members? Interactive displays with games and leaderboards for motivation? Identifying your must-have list makes it possible to find a bike that meets your preferences.
- Price vs. value. Price isn't the sole factor; some lower-end exercise bike models provide significant features, while some pricier options may not deliver as expected. So, make sure you get the perfect balance of value for your money. The most expensive model might not actually be the best, whereas the cheapest out there might be missing some features you need for your fitness.
- Customer-friendly policies. Check if you can get a free trial, the return policy duration, and if delivery includes a professional setup. If a company doesn't serve customers well, it's hard to feel comfortable purchasing their expensive fitness machines.
- Reputation. Tied into the customer policies, you'll want to take into account customer reviews and Better Business Bureau scores to make sure you're buying from a reputable brand. A reliable customer service department is crucial, even if the warranty is promising, to make sure you'll get fast and friendly assistance if anything goes wrong.
To make sure that your fitness journey takes off, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best exercise bike brands available online today. We hope this will help you curate your perfect home gym and get back to the ride of your life on your new exercise bike. Pedal on, friend!
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