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These days, a stationary bike is not just a stationary bike. It's an all-encompassing home workout system, allowing you to access a wide range of pre-programmed and live exercise plans via a connected app. And, with a really robust bike, you can even track your metrics for greater workout personalization. It's also worth noting that some of these advanced stationary bikes provide both on-bike and off-bike workouts, creating real eclecticism in your home gym.
Two of the top providers of high-quality, digitally sophisticated stationary bikes are Peloton and NordicTrack. The former has practically become synonymous with app-integrated workouts, while the latter is a more established brand, long known for durable equipment but only recently making a name for itself with personalized fitness experiences.
Both bikes should be on your radar as you consider an investment in home fitness equipment, but which is better? Consider the flagship products from both brands: The Peloton Bike+ and the NordicTrack Commercial S22i. Both offer advanced biking and cardio opportunities, high-quality builds, and lots of variety. And yet, the two bikes also differ in crucial ways. Here's a full comparison from the ACTIVE Reviews Team.
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Peloton vs. NordicTrack: Cost
Another difference between the two brands is their subscription costs. The NordicTrack iFit subscription costs $33-39 per month for a family plan with up to five profiles, while the Peloton subscription is $39 per month with unlimited profiles.
Each company also offers content via a mobile app. The mobile app subscription is included in your device subscription, but if you are interested in using the app without the equipment, you’ll pay $13 per month for Peloton and $15 per month for NordicTrack.
The bikes are similarly priced, with the NordicTrack S22i coming out on the cheaper end at $1,899 (depending on the current promo), while the Peloton Bike+ is $2,495.
Peloton vs. NordicTrack: Classes
It’s no surprise that Peloton is known for its fitness classes. Their instructors are absolutely loved by the community and do a great job of bringing the hype. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean that NordicTrack is lacking in the instructor category, but it is worth noting that Peloton classes are certainly the industry standard.
Both Peloton and NordicTrack offer subscription services with much more than cycling classes. These bikes include plenty of cross-training workouts, from walking to running to strength training.
You’ll also be able to access live workouts as well as on-demand content, which add an element of motivation through instructor shout-outs and live leaderboards.
Peloton vs. NordicTrack: Assembly
Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for NordicTrack’s white glove assembly service (for an additional cost), which takes care of assembly from start to finish, including hauling away any packaging. If you prefer to assemble it yourself, all the tools you’ll need come included except for a Phillips head screwdriver. It is worth noting that the in-box product weight is 205 pounds, so you may need to ask for help during moving the box and assembling it.
Peloton includes delivery and assembly by one of their experts or an external delivery partner into the cost of the bike. After you complete your order, you’ll be prompted to schedule the delivery. While you wait, Peloton recommends that you clear the space of obstacles and measure it to make sure your bike will fit. Additionally, make sure you have a strong WiFi connection in that room and access to a power outlet. It’s a good idea to set up your Peloton user account ahead of time, so it’s good to go when the delivery expert is helping you assemble your bike and connect to your WiFi for the first time.
A Quick Look at the Peloton Bike+
The Peloton Bike+ is explicitly marketed as a "whole-body workout" machine, showing just how serious Peloton is about going above and beyond the conventional stationary bike. And the machine largely lives up to its branding, offering a range of features that enable real workout variety. In particular, there's a rotating touchscreen that's designed to ease the transition from biking to yoga to Pilates.
SPECS
- Dimensions: 59"L x 22”W x 59"H
- Display: 23.8" HD rotating touchscreen
- Subscription: $44 per month, 30-day free trial
- Resistance: Magnetic with digital adjustment
- Max user weight: 297 lbs.
- Warranty: 12-month limited
- Flywheel weight: 38 lbs.
- Features: Rotating touchscreen, resistance knobs that automatically adjust to match instructor recommendations
A Quick Look at the NordicTrack Commercial S22i
NordicTrack's S22i studio bike is its answer to Peloton, offering many of the same features and a similar focus on the whole-body workout. For example, there's a rotating touchscreen, automatic resistance and incline adjustments, and a studio-quality sound system, all of which mirror features you'd get with Peloton. You can even use the Peloton app on your NordicTrack, though it's really intended for use with iFit, a slightly less expansive but still worthwhile app.
SPECS
- Dimensions: 61”L x 22”W x 58”H
- Display: 22" HD rotating touchscreen
- Subscription: $39 per month, 30-day free trial
- Resistance: Magnetic with 24 digital resistance levels
- Max user weight: 350 lbs.
- Warranty: 10-years frame, 2-years parts, 1-year labor
- Flywheel weight: 32 lbs.
- Features: One-Touch controls, Silent Magnetic Resistance, incline and decline
Peloton Bike+ vs. NordicTrack Commercial S22i
Tech Features
Really, both of these bikes are at their best when you use them with either live or pre-programmed workouts, available on the Peloton and iFit apps, respectively. Ultimately, we think Peloton provides a better deal here, if only for the abundance of live workout options. But both bikes have rotating screens that allow you to use them as the central hub for your entire home-gym setup. And both bikes provide Bluetooth connectivity, studio-quality sound, analytic displays, heart rate monitoring, and more.
Conveniences
These are both premium fitness bikes and come with all of the conveniences and amenities you'd expect. For the Peloton, that means an incredibly small footprint (well-suited for more compact home-gym spaces), smooth-stroke pedals, a near-silent resistance belt, and more. Meanwhile, NordicTrack offers a similarly silent performance, transport wheels, easy lift assist, and a pair of included dumbbells.
Which Should I Buy?
Before you choose, compare the pros and cons of each machine.
Peloton Bike+: What We Like
- Access to thousands of classes, from spin to yoga
- Large, high-definition touchscreen that can rotate as needed
- Near-silent performance
- Durable, long-lasting construction
- Can be paired with AppleWatch or heart rate monitor
- Very small footprint, great for smaller home studios
Peloton Bike+: What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Limited warranty
- Much less useful if you're uninterested in live or group workout classes
NordicTrack Commercial S22i: What We Like
- Compatible with both Peloton and iFit apps
- Wide range of resistance settings
- Includes both incline and decline options
- Near-silent performance
- Durable, long-lasting construction
- Can be easily moved and transported
NordicTrack Commercial S22i: What We Don't Like
- Slightly smaller screen
- Less expensive than Peloton, but still a pricier, premium-level bike
BUY: NordicTrack Commercial S22i
| Peloton Bike+ | NordicTrack S22i | |
| Dimensions | 59"L x 22”W x 59"H | 61”L x 22”W x 58”H |
| Display | 23.8" | 22" |
| Resistance | Magnetic with digital adjustment | Magnetic with 24 digital resistance levels |
| Max user weight | 297 lbs. | 350 lbs. |
| Warranty | 12-month limited | 10-year frame, 2-years part, 1-year labor |
| Flywheel weight | 38 lbs. | 32 lbs. |
| Features | Rotating touchscreen, resistance knobs that automatically adjust to match instructor recommendations | One-Touch controls, Silent Magnetic Resistance, incline and decline |
Peloton vs. NordicTrack: Which do We Recommend?
If you want an outdoor cycling experience, the NordicTrack bike will get you as close as you can while riding inside. The uphill and downhill incline and decline options mock realistic terrain and adjust automatically according to your workout. Plus, you can clip in your cycling shoes if that’s what you prefer.
The Peloton bike gives you more of a premium cycling studio experience. That said, it is the more expensive option. Peloton is known for its fitness classes, so if you want a well-rounded app to follow with tons of live classes, you might opt for Peloton. This bike is also great for people who are more limited in space since it has a smaller footprint.
Final Thoughts on Peloton Bike+ vs. NordicTrack Commercial S22i
These are both premium-level bikes, designed for folks who truly want to have a full, self-contained workout experience in a single piece of machinery. If you're not interested in app-assisted workouts, then frankly you could get a much less expensive bike that would serve you just as well. However, if you do like to stream pre-programmed or live workouts, these are both outstanding options.
FAQs About the Peloton Bike+ vs. NordicTrack Commercial S22i
Is Peloton the best stationary bike?
The Peloton is well-made and durable, placing it in the upper echelon of home fitness bikes. Of course, it also comes at the higher end of the stationary bike price range. If you can afford the Peloton, it's definitely worth considering. But there are plenty of other options to compare it with, and many of them are very good.
Can I do Peloton classes on my NordicTrack bike?
Yes, the NordicTrack S22i is compatible with the Peloton app.
How do Peloton and iFit compare?
While both fitness apps are highly regarded, the Peloton app is more robust. For example, the Peloton app offers live classes, while iFit does not.
Can I watch Netflix on my NordicTrack bike?
Yes, you can use the browser screen to navigate to Netflix to enjoy some streaming content while you work out.
About the Author
Josh is a journalist and writer whose work has appeared in magazines and local newspapers such as Christianity Today, IMAGE Journal, Relevant Magazine, FLOOD, The Nashville Scene, True Tunes, Rise Up Daily, and Looking Closer with Jeffrey Overstreet. Josh is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast.
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