Peloton vs. NordicTrack: Which Health Bike is Higher?

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When it comes to an exercise bike, there are two main players – Peloton and NordicTrack. Both companies are well known in the home gym market and offer great hardware paired with robust virtual exercise programs. Which fitness bike is better – that NordicTrack S22i or the Peloton Bike +? We break it down so you can choose the exercise bike that best suits your needs.

hardware

Peloton

Relatively new to the home fitness market, Peloton launched its first bike in 2013. It may be the new kid on the block, but the company is acting like a veteran. Peloton’s Bike + and the NordicTrack 22i have rotating HD touchscreens, integrated speakers and magnetic resistance instead of mechanical flywheels. Both bikes have similar build quality and are heavy with solid construction. They feel like you can ride these bikes as hard as you can without damaging them.

This category is a win because both the NordicTrack S22i and the Peloton Bike + are ready to leak and keep ticking.

Strength training

A key difference between the two bikes is how they control resistance. The peloton uses a manual button to gradually change the resistance, while the NordicTrack uses a digital +/- keyboard. NordicTrack’s keyboard is a little easier to adjust the resistance in set increments, but you have finer control with the Peloton button. Both bikes offer automatic resistance that changes automatically in sync with your workout.

Peloton received the award in this category for its manual controls. Sometimes NordicTrack’s resistance settings are just so high that one setting is too hard and the next too low. With Peloton this is never a problem as you can set just the right resistance.

Incline and decline

NordicTrack S22i rejection setting.

The S22i also has an electric tilt and tilt function that makes you feel like you are going up or down a hill. The bike physically moves up and down, forcing you to change your body position while riding. This provides a more natural feel than just increasing the resistance to simulate a hill climb. The NordicTrack S22i automatically adjusts itself to an incline of 20 degrees upwards and to an incline of 10 degrees downwards. Peloton, on the other hand, only uses resistance to simulate uphill rides. Resistance increases your effort, but it doesn’t force you to adjust your posture, a key factor in optimizing efficiency when climbing and descending on hilly terrain.

The NordicTrack S22i is the clear winner when it comes to simulating uphill and downhill runs.

Pedals

The NordicTrack S22i comes with standard bicycle pedals with age clips that are suitable for any shoe. However, the Peloton Bike + is equipped with Delta Clips, so you must have compatible cycling shoes to ride.

We’re giving the NordicTrack S22i a head start here, because not everyone wants to buy a pair of special bike shoes for bike training at home.

Trainings

NordicTrack S22i outdoor training on the screen.

iFit and NordicTrack focus on integrating nature into your indoor activities. iFit films workouts from the driver’s perspective at various locations. You can follow a trainer as they meander through town or climb the mountain trails of Moab. Peloton offers a limited number of outdoor riding lessons and these aren’t as comprehensive as the iFit options. However, Peloton offers a more robust studio experience with plenty of coaches and live online classes. You can easily follow a trainer you like and enjoy new content regularly.

There is no clear winner in the workout category as personal preference matters. Do you prefer ego journeys through different terrains? Then choose the iFit-powered NordicTrack S22i. iFit has spent a lot of time and effort recording videos in exotic locations. You will love it when you want to virtually experience varied landscapes while training. If you want a workout in the gym where you can train with other people remotely, then go for Peloton, which offers world-class live online classes.

Apple Watch integration

After training sessions with the Apple Watch. Peloton

With the Apple Watch, Peloton has a clear advantage. The Bike + supports Apple’s Gymkit API, which you can use to pair your Apple Watch with the Bike + and exchange information between the two devices. You can use the watch’s heart rate monitor instead of a chest strap while exercising. Just start the workout and the Apple Watch will automatically connect. Gymkit also allows you to view exercise stats such as speed and calories on your watch and then save that data to the watch’s activity app. The NordicTrack S22i does not offer any integration with the Apple Watch or other fitness wearables.

Weight restriction

The weight limit of any bike is important in knowing which one to buy, especially those with a larger and larger frame. The NordicTrack S22i has a slight advantage over the Peloton Bike +. Peloton has a maximum power of 297 pounds while the S22i supports up to 350 pounds. This higher weight limit expands the number of people who can use the bike. Do you have a brother who plays football and is built like a tank? You can have it bounce on your NordicTrack S22i bike without having to worry about it breaking.

subscription

Woman doing NordicTrack S22i subscription workout.

Both the NordicTrack S22i and Peloton Bike + require a monthly subscription, which increases the total cost of the bike. Overall, NordicTrack offers a better deal. The fitness company ships the S22i with a one-year free trial to iFit, saving $ 180. Peloton doesn’t offer a similar discount when purchasing an exercise machine. The company immediately begins charging customers the $ 39 monthly fee.

After the iFit trial expires, NordicTrack owners can choose between a cheaper single plan ($ 15 per month) or a monthly family plan of $ 39. iFit also offers an annual option that costs $ 180 for an individual or $ 396 for a family. Peloton offers a single monthly subscription that allows you to add multiple profiles to your account. For those who don’t need multiple profiles, there is no cheaper option just for individuals. Both iFit and NordicTrack work on multiple devices, so one account can be used on a bike, treadmill and elliptical machine.

Cost and guarantee

NordicTrack’s S22i is a little cheaper with a retail price of $ 1,999 or $ 52 per month on a payment plan. Peloton’s Bike + is more expensive at $ 2,495, or $ 59 per month. The S22i also includes two 3-pound dumbbells for select off-bike exercises. Peloton offers similar full-body workouts, but you’ll need to bring your own dumbbells.

If you are worried about longevity, you should take a close look at the NordicTrack S22i. The NordicTrack S22i comes with a 10 year warranty on the frame, a two year parts warranty and a one year labor warranty. The Peloton Bike +, on the other hand, only comes with a 12-month limited warranty.

verdict

Both the NordicTrack S22i and the Peloton Bike + are great fitness bikes. They lead the way in terms of features, build quality, and the breadth of their fitness library. The NordicTrack S22i is aimed at the casual cyclist with standard pedals and outdoor rides that appeal to a wider audience. The Peloton Bike + is for hardcore enthusiasts who already have cycling shoes and enjoy competitive indoor workouts. You can’t go wrong with either bike. Whichever variant you choose, you will enjoy many miles of insider training.

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