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NordicTrack are one of the more popular home exercise equipment brands in the United States. They offer a variety of products, including treadmills, exercise bikes, and rowing machines.
Exercising at home is becoming increasingly popular as people attempt to stay physically active at home. Home exercise equipment can offer a convenient and cost effective alternative to training at a gym or fitness studio.
However, 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 discuss the NordicTrack brand in detail and review some of their home exercise equipment products.
NordicTrack are a U.S-owned company that make home exercise machines, strength-training equipment, and accessories.
The brand also offer interactive training through their subscription app, known as iFit. During the coronavirus pandemic, the company saw a huge surge in sales, as more people started to exercise at home.
Since NordicTrack began operating in 1975, they have built a good reputation in the home exercise market.
They are well-known for their indoor training equipment portfolio, which includes treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical trainers, rowers, and strength training machines.
NordicTrack’s exercise equipment also includes several interactive features. Users will require an to stream live and on-demand fitness classes on the screen attached to their product.
Below, we discuss some of the midrange options currently available in the NordicTrack portfolio.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All product information is purely research-based.
Commercial 1750 treadmill
The Commercial 1750 has a Wi-Fi-ready, 10-inch touch screen. The smart, high definition (HD) screen allows access to hundreds of workouts, either prerecorded or live-streamed.
The iFit team of trainers leads the workouts, which can include runs in picturesque locations around the world. Users can hear the trainers through two 3-inch digitally amplified speakers or through Bluetooth headphones.
After purchasing the treadmill, 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 and strength training.
The treadmill features automatic trainer control, under which the incline, decline, and speed of the treadmill automatically adjust during an interactive run. NordicTrack state that this latest model is quieter, smoother, and faster in adjusting than its predecessor.
The Runners Flex cushioning on the platform allows users to customize their workout by choosing between a softer surface that reduces impact on the joints and a harder surface that mimics the feel of the road.
The weight capacity for this treadmill is 300 pounds (lb).
Commercial VU 29 exercise bike
NordicTrack have a range of upright and recumbent bikes. The Commercial VU 29 is an upright bike with ergonomic foot pedals, an oversized cushioned seat, and an integrated fan for comfort. It has 24 digital resistance levels.
There is a 14-inch HD smart touch screen with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. A pair of 2-inch digitally amplified speakers allow the user to hear motivational commentary and instructions from the iFit trainer.
As with most of NordicTrack’s machines, this bike comes with a year of iFit membership. People can access workouts from the iFit library or stream them live for real-time interaction with a trainer.
The weight capacity of this bike is 325 lb.
SpaceSaver SE9i elliptical
NordicTrack offer both rear-drive and front-drive ellipticals. The major difference is the position of the flywheel.
The SpaceSaver SE9i is a rear-drive machine with 24 digital resistance levels. It has adjustable, cushioned pedals to reduce impact, an integrated fan, and SoftTouch upper body grips.
People can fold the cross trainer up to save space when it is not in use.
During workouts, the iFit personal trainer can adjust the resistance and incline of the machine automatically.
For people who like to vary their scenery, this machine has a Google Maps feature that allows a person to draw a route anywhere in the world and then run or hike it. Alternatively, people can choose from prerecorded routes, studio sessions, and live classes.
This elliptical has a weight capacity of 325 lb.
RW700 rowing machine
This rowing machine has 26 resistance levels, which a person can select by using buttons at the sides of the screen. The user can also rotate the 14-inch HD touch screen.
All iFit rowing workouts — which range from studio sessions to simulated on-river training around the world — feature automatic trainer control. This feature means that the trainer can remotely adjust the resistance during the workout.
There is a manual air resistance control on the flywheel for people who want to increase the intensity of their workout. The oversized, pivoting pedals with foot straps keep the feet securely in place during a workout. They have a manual quick release feature.
People can fold the RW700 up after their workout for convenient storage. It also has front-mounted transport wheels, so users can easily wheel it into position.
The weight capacity of this rower is 250 lb.
Vault home gym
The vault comes in two options: Complete (with accessories) and Standalone (without accessories). Measuring about 72 inches in height and 24 inches in width, the vault is a storage cabinet, touch screen, and mirror in one.
Inside the complete version are accessories such as kettlebells, dumbbells, resistance bands, and an exercise mat.
Integrated into the 60-inch mirror is a touch screen for accessing the iFit library. The mirrored surface allows users to match their form as closely as possible to that of their chosen personal trainer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise each week. The CDC say that a person should combine this with muscle-strengthening activity on 2 or more days each week.
When exercising outside of the home is difficult, home exercise equipment might be the answer.
Many studies have confirmed the benefits of home exercise systems. A 2019 study gave participants NordicTrack equipment to use for 12 weeks. The results showed decreases in weight, fat mass, visceral fat, blood pressure, and resting heart rate.
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.
Using home gym equipment does come with risks, though. Research shows that there were more than 70,000 home-gym related injuries between 2007 and 2011, with older adults and children being at higher risk. Treadmills were responsible for 66% of these injuries.
NordicTrack have a long legacy and a reputation for quality, but there are other brands vying for their share of the home workout market.
For example, Peloton are an exercise equipment brand based in the U.S. Peloton sell stationary bicycles and treadmills and also provide access to online classes that they stream from their studio.
Learn more about how NordicTrack and Peloton compare.
Furthermore, exercise bikes and treadmills are very competitive market areas, and a variety of equipment is available on the market. Many other competitors offer rowing machines with similar interactive fitness features, such as the Hydrow.
NordicTrack offer a wide range of interactive home gym equipment and have a good reputation in the fitness industry. Their portfolio includes treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical trainers, rowing machines, and home gym sets.
The interactive functionality is a popular feature, but renewing the iFit membership each year can significantly add to the initial cost. Many competitors offer similar products with comparable features in the same price bracket.
