As the covid-19 pandemic eases, one quarantine discovery I plan to stick with is working out at home.
Thats not to say NordicTracks Commercial S22i Studio Cycle is bad.
The hardware is very good, with bells and whistles you wont get from either of Pelotons offerings.
Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
It all comes down to content, and thats where NordicTrack falls short.
NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
What is it?
The incline is controlled with another set of buttons on the left handlebar.
Incline is a huge differentiator over other pricey connected bikes.Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
There are also a few similarities.
Like the Peloton Bike+, the NordicTrack cycle has a rotating 22-inch touchscreen.
It also requires a paid subscription to unlock its classes on top of the cost of the bike itself.
Incline is a huge differentiator over other pricey connected bikes.Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
Therein lies the biggest difference: the quality of the classes.
NordicTrack offers a few different kinds of rides.
And I really wanted to love those outdoor rides, because the environments are so cool.
I don’t love having to agree to this warning before every studio class.Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
I confess my jaw actually dropped.
The outdoor trainers are definitely pros, though theres little in the way of motivational pep talks.
(Instead, you will hear some fun facts about whatever location youre in.)
Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo (In-House Art)
I was surprised I gravitated toward the iFit scenic rides because I love a Peloton-style spin class.
But the iFit studio workouts are not great.
Then theres the issue of music.
Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo (In-House Art)
I dont understand them, but I know they exist.
For those people, iFit classes might be great.
(Props to NordicTrack here; the S22i sported a rotating screen before Pelotons Bike+ existed.)
Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo (In-House Art)
I have a few other issues with the bike.
This sounds super cool, but in reality, is an extremely chaotic experience.
I made it less than a minute before jumping out of this self-created workout.
Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo (In-House Art)
There are also a few hardware issues.
https://gizmodo.com/i-love-this-bike-so-much-1845891832
My last quibble is perhaps the biggest.
Look, connected home exercise equipment is not cheap.
There are absolutely folks who dig that punch in of workout.
README
Lack of music curation is a downer.
The iFit software interface could use some refining.
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