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Horizon fitness Comfort R bike vs Nordictrack FS10i elliptical

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Apr 14, 2021 9:00:00 AM

Horizon fitness Comfort R bike vs Nordictrack FS10i elliptical

This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness comfort R recumbent bike and the Nordictrack FS10i elliptical including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review of the FS10i Free Stride $3999 - $2999

This is a review of the Nordictrack Fs10i model. You will learn about the specifics, pros, cons and alternatives of this elliptical to ake a deicison. This article was originally published in "Which elliptical to get from Nordictrack".

Overview of the Fs10i

 
The FS10i free stride is the newest addition to the center drive elliptical product line of Nordictrack. In 2020 it comes with a hefty price reduction of $1000 which makes it an attractive buy on the high end of the portfolio. As long as this remains, it is definitely the better option over the FS9i model. The main features of this machine are its center flywheel, the 10% incline option, 10-inch monitor and the free moving ellipticals which make it a stepper, ellipticals, and treadmill in one machine. The full list of features includes:
 
  • 10" Smart HD Touchscreen
  • Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership**
  • Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
  • Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
  • Oversized Cushion Pedals
  • Center Drive
  • 20 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
  • SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  • 32" Auto-Adjustable Stride
  • 24 Digital Resistance Levels
  • 0 – 10% Incline
  • OneTouch® Controls
  • Commercial Solid Steel Construction
  • Oversized Levelers
  • 375 Lb. User Capacity
  • Transport Wheels
  • Water Bottle Holder
  • 58.5" L x 29.5" W x 74" H Footprint
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is the newest machine in the line up for free stride from Nordictrack in 2020 with a killer price. Observe how it will develop in the future as this value for money offer might not extend to the future.
 

Pros of the FS10i

 
The pros of the FS10i are:
 
  • All bells and whistles
  • Three for the price of one
  • Long stride 
  • Free adjustments 
  • Low impact
 
The FS10i still has all the bells and whistles in the Nordictrack Free stride line up. You or your clients will have little to desire when you opt for the FS10i as your free stride machine of choice. 
 
The concept of the middle flywheel for your elliptical enables that you can move more freely. This makes the FS10i a stepper, treadmill and elliptical in one machine. If you were considering getting all of these different machines the FS10i is still a bargain in terms of price and footprint which is being used up compared to getting three instead of one machine. Never mind the maintenance and energy consumption of the other machines. 
 
With 32 inches of stride, the FS10i provides longer stride than the Front and read-drove ellipticals from Nordictrack as there is no flywheel in the way. This will especially help your larger athletes or clients. 
 
The free adjustments of the movements will be beneficial for homeowners with big families or commercial gym owners with a wide variety of clients. This is the main engineering idea behind these free stride machines which move the flywheel to the middle of the machine, rather than having it in the front or back.
 
The low impact on knees and ankles is one of the main health advantages of ellipticals compared to treadmills. If you have an underlying condition or work with a lot of clients with weak hips and legs, this is a better machine for health reasons than a treadmill with a higher impact. 
 

Cons of the FS10i

 
The cons of the FS10i are:
 
  • High price
  • No big screen
  • No remote control in the handles 
  • Floating experience
  • More prone to error
  • Low-calorie burn
 
Even when the price is reduced to $2999 the FS10i is still a considerable investment. There are lower-cost options for free striders in the Nordictrack portfolio. Especially if you are not bought into the free stride concept as you do not have to provide a lot of variety or comfort with the machine you buy, definitely look somewhere else. $2999 can buy you a rack, barbell, and plates for a full gym setup if you invest it somewhere else. It depends on your goals, available space, and training preferences.
 
As the flywheel is in the center of this design the FS10i has no real stand or option to attach a big screen as other treadmills or ellipticals would have. In a home gym, this can be solved with a screen on the wall or no screen whatsoever. In a commercial setting, a screen on the wall can become quite small for individuals who are for away or want to do their own thing while they are exercising. If you think that entertainment options are a must for yourself or your clients over the experience of the free stride than opt for a front-drive elliptical or a big treadmill where a big screen can be attached. 
 
Compared to the FS9i Nordictrack model the FS10i has no controls to adjust resistance and incline in the handles. These are positioned in the console. This is the only main advantage I can see for the Fs9i over the FS10i. If you like this convenience, go for the Fs9i instead.
 
While the fleeting experience is great when you have great body awareness and like to experiment, it can be stressful for someone who just likes to have a stable, repeatable experience. The many options you have with the FS10i which require a bit more fine motor skills than on a traditional elliptical might not be for everyone. 
 
Moving the flywheel from the front or back of an elliptical to create more options and a longer stride poses two engineering challenges. One is that the flywheel can not be as big as with front- and rear-drive options, as you have less space. Second is that you need more moving parts to make the machine go in multiple directions at different angles. The smaller flywheel and the more intricate design make the Free stride models more error-prone than the front and rear drive options. While it is unlikely that you will break this as a home gym owner by yourself, the commercial gym owner should consider how much mileage each machine will go through depending on where it is positioned in the gym and how many machines you have.
 
General consideration for elliptical machines is that they burn fewer calories on average compared to bikes and treadmills as the exercise is less intense. If you are generally healthy and want to maximize the calorie output per minute, the elliptical machines are not the right buy for your need.
 

Summary for the FS10i

 
The FS10i is the best buy from Nordictrack in 2020 for a free stride elliptical with all bells and whistles. As long as it is cheaper than the FS9i this will hold. This is a good machine for the home gym owner with a big wallet and some health issues, who still want to exercise regularly. For commercial buyers, the price will be too high for someone who is thinking to buy more than 5 units at a time. Boutique gyms that work with a lot of clients with very specific needs will find this machine useful.
 

Overview and review of the Horizon fitness Comfort R bike

This is an overview of the Horizon fitness Comfort R bike including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was first published in Which Horizon fitness bike to get?

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Overview of the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike $779

 
The comfort R recumbent bike is the one seated bikes from the Horizon line up. This is a good pick if you definitely need lumbar support when working out because you have a problem standing up for prolonged times. The full specifications of this bike are:
 
Frame Type: Step-Thru Recumbent
Pedal Type: Self Balancing pedals
Seat Type: Extra Large comfort seat with lumbar support
Seat Adjustment: Horizontal
Lumbar Support: Yes
Resistance System: ECB Magnetic Brake
Flywheel weight: 15.4 lbs / 7kg
Extras: Built-in speakers, Energy saver mode, Reading rack, Water bottle holder
Max user weight: 350
Weight: 99lbs
Assembled dimensions: 47 x 22 x 53
Home Warranty - Frame: Lifetime
Home Warranty - Parts: 1 year
Home Warranty - Labor: 1 year
 
Pros of the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike
 
The pros of the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike are:
 
  • Sit while you exercise
  • Sturdy frame
  • Good warranty
 
You can sit while you exercise on this bike with your back being supported. While mainly irrelevant when you do not need it it is a blessing when you are injured or just not able to exercise while standing. If you have a clinic or you had a severe injury to your back, hip, or leg, this might be the right machine for recovery. Sometimes it can also be nice just to be a little lazy and watch the television while keeping active.
 
HOrizon also offers good warranty options compared to their competitors and especially compared to anything you would buy from a no-name reseller on Amazon.
 

Cons of the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike

 
The cons of the Horizon comfort R recumbent bike are:
 
  • Bulky
  • Does not burn a lot of calories
 
This is a very big machine with very little impact. Recumbent bikes mainly cater to convenience while exercising rather than going hard after it. If you are a healthy athlete, especially creating a home gym, this is not really a great option unless you have your elderly parents living with you in the house. Commercial buyers might get two to four of these for beginners who need to lose weight, rehab clients or to cater to a broader audience.
 

Alternatives to the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike

 
 
The Horizon comfort U bike is an upright bike that creates a comfortable ride for the user. If you are still able to cycle without lumbar support but do not want to go too crazy then this is the right bike for you. This bike will take up less space in your home while addressing a smooth ride for you.
 
The Nordictrack VU19 is the entry-level bike from Nordictrack which would form a good comparison model to the Comfort U from Horizon. If Horizon fitness is low on stock or you want to compare similar competitors, give the VU19 a look in your research.
 
The concept 2 skierg can also be used for moderate exercise while standing. The biggest plus of this machine is that it does not have a big footprint. You can easily fit it against a wall or into a corner in your home. The noise out if this machine is also very low compared to treadmills.
 
The Nordictrack VR25 is the direct comparison to the Horizon recumbent bike is it provides lumbar support during the ride. If you want to compare apples and apples, but this also on your research list before making a decision to buy.
 

Conclusion for the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike

 
The Horizon R recumbent bike is a solid option for commercial buyers who want to extend their fleet to accommodate a broader audience. This machine will enable to also address rehab or overweight scenarios better than upright bikes. For most home gym users I personally think it is not a great option as it is bike and hard to store. In those scenarios, you might be better off with a walking treadmill that can be stored under the bed or a total gym.

Topics: Cardio, Horizon, BIke