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Home exercise equipment is becoming increasingly popular, as it can offer a convenient and cost effective alternative to gyms or fitness studios. Investing in an exercise bike, treadmill, or other indoor training equipment may provide a great way for a person to stay healthy at home.
With many different companies offering a variety of training equipment and interactive classes, it can be challenging for people to determine what products are suitable for them.
In this article, we look at two brands that are popular among fitness enthusiasts: Peloton and NordicTrack. We compare some of the key similarities and differences between the two brands.
Peloton are an exercise equipment and media company that are based in the United States and have been around since 2012. Peloton sell stationary bicycles and treadmills and provide access to online classes that they stream from their studio.
People can view these classes on a screen that comes attached to each bike and treadmill. They can also view classes on the Peloton mobile app.
Many different online classes are available to Peloton members. Peloton record the daily classes, and members can view them live or on-demand 24 hours a day via the Peloton library.
NordicTrack began operating in 1975, but in 1998, Icon Health and Fitness acquired the business. They are an American company that manufacture treadmills, exercise bikes, and other indoor training equipment, such as elliptical trainers, rowers, and strength training machines.
NordicTrack also include several interactive features with their exercise products. Customers can use their iFit membership to stream live and on-demand fitness classes on the screen attached to their bike, treadmill, elliptical, or rower.
Currently, Peloton offer two types of exercise bikes, a treadmill, and online classes. The brand plan to extend their treadmill range.
Of the two bikes, the standard Peloton Bike is the cheaper option, and the Bike+ is the more expensive, high-end product.
The Bike+ includes a 23.8-inch (in) touchscreen that people can use to stream live or on-demand workouts straight from the Peloton app. Users can also rotate the screen to use it for floor workouts, such as boot camp, yoga, and strength training. The bike includes an adjustable knob so that people can adjust its resistance throughout on-demand classes.
People can trial the Bike+ for 30 days at home, and if they decide to purchase this piece of equipment, it comes with a 12-month limited warranty. The Peloton Bike+ is available for $2,495. People can also purchase it on finance at $64 per month for 39 months at 0% APR.
Peloton also offer a treadmill named the Peloton Tread+. Similar to the Bike+, it features a 32-in screen to allow access to live or on-demand workouts. It also includes adjustable knobs to change the speed and a shock-absorbing belt to help maximize comfort and support.
The 30-day free trial and 12-month limited warranty are also available on the Tread+. The Peloton Tread+ is available for $4,295. Alternatively, people can purchase it on finance at $111 per month for 39 months at 0% APR.
In addition to buying a bike or treadmill, Peloton users must purchase an All Access Membership to have access to the video classes. This membership costs $39 per month. As well as interactive bike and treadmill classes, people can also take part in cardio, strength training, and yoga classes.
NordicTrack offer a wider variety of equipment than Peloton. In addition to indoor cycles and treadmills, they also sell interactive elliptical, rowing, and strength training machines.
NordicTrack’s bike offerings include commercial studio, recumbent, and upright variants, with most options including interactive personal training. The Commercial S22i Studio Cycle is the most expensive bike that NordicTrack offer, and it includes the most features.
The S22i Studio Cycle includes a rotating 22-in touchscreen that people can use for cycling and other classes. The bike also features live resistance control, meaning that the trainers can adjust the resistance, incline, and decline during the workout.
This bike costs $1,999 and is available on finance for $57 per month at 0% APR for 39 months. It comes with a 10-year frame warranty, 2-year parts warranty, and 1-year labor warranty.
NordicTrack have also created two series of treadmills: the Commercial treadmills and the cheaper T Series treadmills. There are several different models within each series. The Commercial X32i is the most high-end model that the brand offer.
The X32i includes a 32-in touchscreen, a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour (mph), a maximum incline of 40%, and low impact reflex cushioning. The treadmill also includes a push bar and sled grips to provide more variety in the workouts.
The NordicTrack Commercial X32i treadmill costs $3,999 and is available on finance for $108 per month at 0% APR for 39 months. It also comes with the same warranties as the S22i Studio Cycle.
NordicTrack also offer a series of ellipticals, rowers, and strength training machines that include an interactive touchscreen. This feature offers customers a wider selection of exercises and activities that they can perform at home.
After purchasing a NordicTrack product, people will receive a free 1-year iFit Family Membership. This membership gives up to five users access to all of the product-specific training videos and cross-training options, such as yoga or strength training.
Once this free period comes to an end, users will need to purchase another membership to continue taking part in online classes.
For both indoor cycles and treadmills, the high-end models from Peloton are more expensive than the comparable NordicTrack models.
Both high-end cycles include similar features, such as high definition touchscreens to access classes and automatic resistance adjustments during the live classes.
The Peloton offering is compatible with smartwatches, which can allow users to share metrics, such as heart rate, between devices. The NordicTrack model allows users to experience real-world routes, and people can even use Google Maps to plot their own routes. The product also includes incline and decline features.
Both high-end treadmills come with a 32-in touchscreen. The Peloton offering has a slightly faster top speed of 12.5 mph compared with the NordicTrack’s 12 mph.
The NordicTrack treadmill has a much higher maximum incline of 40% compared with the Peloton’s 15%. The NordicTrack model also offers up to 6% decline, whereas the Peloton treadmill does not offer a decline function.
On purchasing a NordicTrack bike or treadmill, a person receives a free year of an iFit Family Plan. After this, the family membership costs $396 per year, or a person can opt for an individual plan for $180 per year. Peloton offers All Access Membership for $39 per month, with no free access at the point of purchase.
The memberships from both companies offer a similar experience, as users have access to a broad range of both live-streamed and on-demand classes. Both also allow users to see a live leaderboard and interact directly with the trainers.
Both brands also offer a number of accessories that people can use in conjunction with the bike or treadmill.
Regular physical activity is an important factor in staying healthy. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that people aim for either 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity per week, even when at home.
For people looking to exercise at home, research suggests that treadmills are comparable to overground running, and a 2019 study indicates that indoor cycling can help people lose weight.
A 2019 study involving NordicTrack exercise equipment found that home-based exercise training systems with video training technology can help improve cardiometabolic health.
Participating in virtual classes may also be beneficial. A 2017 study showed that partaking in group fitness classes could improve physical, mental, and emotional health.
An older study indicates that exercising with a virtual partner can improve aerobic performance. This finding is consistent with other research findings that individuals improve their performance when competing against other people.
However, training at home also has some risks. It is important for people to avoid pushing themselves too far. People should also ensure adequate hydration while exercising.
When it comes to choosing indoor exercise equipment, people may wish to consider the following:
- price, including membership costs
- what a membership includes
- size
- warranty
- build quality
- inbuilt technology
- fitness goals
Regular exercise is a vital part of remaining healthy. Home-based exercise training systems with video training technology can make it possible for users to exercise regularly and effectively at home.
Both Peloton and NordicTrack offer a variety of suitable exercise equipment. To choose between brands, people should consider the price, technological features, and accompanying training programs, as well as their personal training goals, before making a purchase.
