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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 to stay healthy at home.
With many different companies offering a variety of training equipment and interactive classes, people can find it challenging to determine what products will suit them.
This article looks at two brands that are popular among fitness enthusiasts: Peloton and NordicTrack. It compares some of the key similarities and differences between the two brands.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Peloton and NordicTrack offer a range of products and services for people to work out at home.
Peloton
Peloton is an exercise equipment and media company that is based in the United States and has been around since 2012. Peloton sells stationary bicycles and treadmills and provides 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.
Peloton members have access to many different online classes. Peloton records the daily classes, and members can view them live or on-demand 24 hours a day via the Peloton library.
Peloton has a Trustpilot rating of 1.7 stars out of 5. Many reviews discuss delivery and customer service issues. Some reviews also mention faulty equipment.
NordicTrack
NordicTrack began operating in 1975, but in 1998, Icon Health and Fitness acquired the business. It is an American company that manufactures treadmills, exercise bikes, and other indoor training equipment, such as elliptical trainers, rowers, and strength training machines.
NordicTrack’s exercise products also come with several interactive features. 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.
ICON Health & Fitness, NordicTrack’s parent company, has a Trustpilot rating of 1.5 stars out of 5. Many reviews discuss issues with customer service and warranties.
Currently, Peloton offers two types of exercise bikes and NordicTrack offers seven exercise bikes in total.
Peloton bikes
The standard Peloton Bike is the cheaper of the two options, with the Bike+ being 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. It also has an auto-resistance feature that will adjust automatically during the workout to follow the instructor.
People can trial the Bike+ for 30 days at home, and if they decide to purchase this piece of equipment, they will receive a 12-month limited warranty. The Peloton Bike+ is available on finance for 39 months at 0% APR.
At the time of publication, the Bike+ costs $2,495 in total or from $59 a month on finance. The Bike costs $1,495 a month or from $39 a month on finance.
NordicTrack bikes
NordicTrack’s bike offerings include commercial studio, recumbent, and upright variants, with most options including interactive personal training. The New S22i Studio Cycle is the most expensive bike that NordicTrack offers, and it includes the most features.
The S22i Studio Cycle includes a rotating 22-inch (in) touchscreen that people can use for cycling and other classes. The bike also features automatic resistance control, meaning that the trainers can adjust the resistance, incline, and decline during the workout.
This bike is available at 0% APR for 39 months. It comes with a 10-year frame warranty, 2-year parts warranty, and 1-year labor warranty.
At the time of publication, the S22i Studio Cycle costs $1,999 in total or from $52 per month on finance.
The table below compares the Peloton Bike+ and the NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle:
| Peloton Bike+ | NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $2,495 (or $59 a month) | $1,999 (or $52 a month) |
| Warranty | 12-month limited, 5-year frame | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor |
| Membership | All Access Membership not included | 30-day iFIT Family Membership included |
| Dimensions | 59 in L x 59 in H x 22 in W | 61 in L x 58 in H x 22 in W |
| Weight | 140 lb | 205 lb (in box) |
| User weight | Maximum 297 lb | Maximum 350 lb |
| Resistance | Magnetic with digital adjustment | 24 digital resistance levels |
| Screen size | 23.8-in rotating touchscreen | 22-in rotating touchscreen |
| Pedals | Delta-compatible aluminum pedals | Hybrid SPD+ toe clip pedals |
| Seat | Sport series saddle with ergonomic channel | Ergonomic padded saddle |
| Adjustability | Adjustable seat, handlebar, and screen | Adjustable seat, handlebar, and screen |
Currently, Peloton offers one treadmill and NordicTrack offers eight treadmills in total.
Peloton treadmill
Peloton offers a treadmill named the Peloton Tread. Similar to the Bike+, it features a 23.8-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 on finance for 43 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.
At the time of publication, the Peloton Tread costs $2,495 in total or $59 a month.
Product recall
As of May 2021, Peloton announced a voluntary recall of the Peloton Tread and Tread+ treadmills due to safety concerns. The company recommends customers who already own one of the treadmills stop using it and contact Peloton for a full refund.
NordicTrack treadmills
NordicTrack has created three series of treadmills, each of which contains several different models. The Commercial X32i is the brand’s most high-end model.
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.
It also features automatic adjustments for speed and incline.
The NordicTrack Commercial X32i treadmill is available on finance at 0% APR for 39 months. It also comes with the same warranties as the S22i Studio Cycle.
At the time of publication, the X32i costs $3,999 in total or $103 a month.
For indoor cycles, the high-end model from Peloton is more expensive than the comparable NordicTrack model.
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 allows 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 touchscreen. The Peloton offering has a slightly faster top speed of 12.5 mph compared with the NordicTrack’s 12 mph. However, it is important to note that Peloton has issued a product recall.
The NordicTrack treadmill has a much higher maximum incline of 40% compared with the Peloton’s 12.5%. 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 an iFit Family Plan free for 30 days. 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 a bike or treadmill.
Regular physical activity is an
For people looking to exercise at home, research suggests that treadmills are comparable to overground running, and a
A
Participating in virtual classes may also be beneficial. A
An older study indicates that exercising with a virtual partner can improve aerobic performance. This finding is consistent with other
However, training at home also has some risks. It is important that people avoid pushing themselves too far and 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
- equipment 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.