NordicTrack is a popular brand of exercise bikes. They are popular because they come with one of the best consoles on any bike, certainly for a sub-$1,000 machine. But are they a good machine overall, what kind of user do they attract and what kind of rating do customers give NordicTrack exercise bikes? The answers you get will depend on the machine model.
Most people can’t afford or justify paying over a thousand dollars for a LifeCycle or Schwinn exercise bike. The biggest market for this type of fitness equipment is around the $500 mark and this is the niche that NordicTrack exercise bikes fall into.
The most popular model is the AudioRider U300 bike; it’s also the cheapest, retailing for around $400. It’s a vertical model, and for its price, you get a lot of features. As expected, it has magnetic resistance and runs smoothly and quietly. The console is really the great point in favor of this machine. It’s big, well-designed, and easy to use; someone has described it as the dashboard of your car, which is a very good analogy. It shows the usual feedback data for time, speed, distance, resistance, pulse, RPM, carbs burned and calories burned. The handlebars have grip sensors to monitor heart rate and the seat is very well padded. Another great feature is the AutoBreeze training fan, which automatically adjusts the airflow to match your speed.
Coming to the most important features, you get 20 built-in workouts; 18 personal trainer workouts and 2 heart rate workouts. Personal trainer workouts will automatically adjust both pace and resistance during your workout to maintain the best settings optimized for aerobic, weight loss, or performance goals.
Many, especially newbies, need motivation. It is now quite common for all types of exercise equipment to be equipped with iFIT card technology. Each card is designed by a certified personal trainer and plugs directly into the bike’s console. During training, the coach’s voice can be heard through the charging speaker, helping you achieve your specific goals. You can also download iFIT programs from the Internet.
The bike also comes with the Interactive Audio CrossTrainer, which is an interactive fitness trainer that verbally and visually prompts you to perform a variety of calorie-burning and strength-training exercises.
The AudioRider U300 is a great piece of equipment, however, it has really been designed for the occasional or entry level user. Those serious about bike training may find this machine lacking in teeth. For example, the position of the seat and handlebars results in a sit-and-beg position. For a more demanding workout, many prefer a more trapezoidal position with the hips up and the shoulders down.
The AudioRider U400 is the same as the U300 except it is a recumbent exercise bike. The features and training programs are practically the same. It costs an additional $100. These bicycles in which the user is in a recumbent position are gaining more and more popularity as they are more comfortable for those who have back problems or are overweight.
Lastly, there is the NordicTrack SL710 recumbent exercise bike. It sells for a little less than the U400. Personally, you’re better off spending more and getting the U400. You only get 8 instead of 10 programs and the user weight capacity is reduced from 300lbs to 250lbs. The biggest stated benefit of this bike is the Step-In design – this is where the center of the bike has been designed to be as close to the ground as possible, making it easy to get on and off the bike. The only reason to buy this model would be because you find it difficult to get on and off a more conventional recumbent.
In conclusion, NordicTrack bikes are excellent value for money. If this is your first time using it or you need something with a lot of motivating features, then you should take a close look at these machines. However, if you’re a seasoned pro, you should look for something a bit more substantial, like a Schwinn exercise bike.