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Want a killer workout but don’t want to (or quaran-can’t) leave your house? Investing in a stationary bike and getting your spin on is a great option.
Two of the most popular at-home cycling bikes are Peloton and NordicTrack. You’ve likely seen ads all over your TV and social feeds for each of these brands and you may be wondering: What’s the difference?
We’ve broken down what the Peloton and NordicTrack bikes have to offer to help you make an informed decision. From general specs to accessories to what workouts they provide, we’ve got you covered.
Why go for the bike?
Cycling is a fun way to get your cardio in, burn calories, blast fat, and strengthen your lower body.
A 2019 systematic review found that indoor cycling alone may improve aerobic capacity, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body composition. This cycle (pun intended) of regular cycling combined with a low-calorie diet may improve your lipid profile, help you lose weight, and reduce blood pressure.
Key features
- 22-inch HD touch screen
- wireless cast of All Access workouts to your TV
- hundreds of live and on-demand classes for a fee
- clip-in pedals
- dual water bottle holders
- shoes and accessories available at additional cost
- price of base model includes delivery and assembly
This bike is sleek, slim, and ready for you to ride. Just ask anyone who loves their Peloton… because Peloton devotees really love their bikes.
With a Peloton, you get the feeling of an in-studio cycling class from the comfort of your own home, with its large 21.5-inch screen and live classes with inspiring trainers.
You get to choose from hundreds of different on-demand and live classes, hosted by a wide array of enthusiastic trainers. The bike also comes with clip-in pedals if you prefer to be locked in place.
If you want to up your game, Peloton offers a slew of other accessories, like weights, heart rate monitors, and headphones for purchase.
Pros
- Live class offerings give your workout a personal touch.
- Peloton workouts are also known for killer jams.
- Each instructor adds their own flair to their class, giving you the pump you need in your sweat sesh.
Cons
- You’ll need special shoes to strap into your bike and fully experience its wonder, as the pedals are only for clip-in shoes.
- Weights don’t come with the standard bike package, so you’ll have to purchase them for an extra fee or upgrade.
Key features
- 1-year iFit membership with workouts for free
- 22-inch HD rotating touch screen
- built-in fan
- dual water bottle holders
- real-time incline or decline feature
- works with any shoe
- includes 3-pound weights
- additional fees apply for delivery and assembly
NordicTrack S22i is a top-notch bike with plenty of bells and whistles to give you a great at-home workout.
With its 22-inch HD screen, you can enjoy trainer-led workouts, as well as scenic rides. The bike is decked out with a pair of 3-pound weights, dual water bottle holders, a built-in fan, and pedals that will work with any sneaker you have.
A 1-year iFit subscription is also included with your bike, giving you 24/7 access to on-demand classes and destination rides. After your year is up, you can either pay a monthly subscription fee or cancel and use your bike manually. If you cancel, iFit does give you access to a limited number of workouts.
Pros
- The NordicTrack S22i has the ability to automatically incline and decline in real time, giving you a more challenging workout.
- The rotating screen is great for iFit’s non-cycling workouts, so you don’t have to namaste on your bike for a yoga sesh or some strength training.
Cons
- NordicTrack S22i will cost you a pretty penny, along with threshold delivery fee or optional white glove assembly.
- If you prefer a clip-in pedal, you’ll need to purchase different pedals to swap out.
We’re not gonna lie: These bikes ain’t cheap. But investing in one can save you money in the long run (bye-bye gym membership and transportation to get to the gym… and that frapp you treat yo’self with after the gym).
Each manufacturer offers a monthly subscription service tailor-made for their bike, with hundreds of workouts.
Membership breakdowns
With Peloton, you’re required to sign up for an all-access membership for your first year, which costs $39 per month.
NordicTrack comes with a free 1-year subscription to their iFit service. After the free year, you can choose between a monthly ($39) or yearly ($180-$396) plan.
Note: Pricing is subject to change.
With each bike, you can cancel your subscription after the first year, but you won’t have access to the workouts specially made for and streamed to your bike.
While both machines can be used manually, one of the benefits of these high-end performance bikes is their interactive workouts. So, what kind of classes or workouts do you get with your membership?
Peloton All-Access Workouts
Peloton is all about that spin. With their All-Access Membership, you have access to hundreds of live and on-demand cycling classes.
You’ll experience a boutique studio-like feel, with trainers who will cheer you on and pump you up with their fave jams. You’ll get real-time metrics to help you track your progress and get motivated with others via an interactive Leaderboard.
NordicTrack iFit Workouts
NordicTrack does have more variety. Not only can you crank out a great cycling sesh, but NordicTrack’s iFit membership also has hundreds of on-demand yoga, strength, and destination rides to choose from. You can even create your own route via Google Maps.
The NordicTrack S22i also has the ability to incline and decline, giving you a more challenging workout. iFit trainers can automatically adjust the bike’s incline, decline, and resistance as you ride, leaving you to focus on your workout. This feature also makes your scenic rides more realistic, as the bike adapts to the changing “terrain.”
Both Peloton and NordicTrack bikes have a roughly 4-foot by 2-foot footprint, so they don’t take up heaps of space. You’ll want to put your bike in an area where it won’t be too cramped to ensure you’re not bumpin’ into anything during your rides.
Both companies also offer a 30-day trial, during which you can return your bike if you’re not completely satisfied or it’s not the best match for you. Heads up: Each company does charge a return shipping fee.
Peloton
With Peloton, delivery and assembly are automatically included with your purchase, so you won’t have to worry about extra costs or putting it together yourself.
The technician will make sure everything’s working properly and go over the bike’s parts with you before they skedaddle. It’s up to you, however, to activate and set up your account so you can get to cycling. If you run into any issues, you can contact Peloton support via phone or online chat.
Peloton bikes come with a 12-month parts and labor warranty (with options to extend for an additional fee), and the frame is covered for 5 years.
NordicTrack
Delivery and assembly aren’t included in the cost of a NordicTrack. Delivery will run you $199.
While white-glove assembly is usually available for an additional fee, the pandemic has stopped white-glove assembly until further notice. However, the bike comes with detailed assembly instructions and you can contact customer support if you have any problems.
NordicTrack bikes come with a 1-year labor warranty, a 2-year parts warranty, and a 10-year frame warranty.
We get it. Even with all the info, choosing the right bike can be daunting AF. What it ultimately comes down to is what works best for you. Think about what aspects match your needs: fitness goals, budget, accessories, etc.
Here is the rundown:
| Specs | Peloton Bike | NordicTrack S22i |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 59″L x 23″W x 53″H | 55″L x 22″W x 57″H |
| Adjustments | manual | digital |
| Weight limit | 297 lbs. | 350 lbs. |
| Water bottle holder | Dual holders | Dual holders |
| Screen size | 22 inches | 22 inches |
| Screen type | HD touch screen | 360 rotating HD touch screen |
| Flywheel type | inertia-enhanced flywheel | inertia-enhanced flywheel |
| Resistance type | magnetic resistance with mechanical adjustment | silent magnetic resistance |
| Speakers | 2 rear-facing speakers | 2 digitally amplified speakers |
| Auxiliary port | yes | yes |
| Other equipment | other equipment available for additional costs | comes with two 3-pound weights |
| Membership | monthly subscription to Peloton All-Access required (fees vary) | first year of iFit membership free with purchase (must purchase after) |
Indoor cycling is a great way to get your heart pumping, burn calories, and keep you moving towards your health and fitness goals. With a variety of different bikes to choose from, Peloton and NordicTrack offer performance and a wide variety of workouts to take your spin to the next level.
Need to figure out which of these bikes is right for you? Think about your unique needs and fitness goals, and see which matches you best. Then hop on and cycle away!
