Horizon fitness Comfort R bike vs Nordictrack SE5i elliptical

This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness comfort R recumbent bike and the Nordictrack SE5i elliptical including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review of the NordicTrack SE5i 899

This is a review of the NordicTrack SE5i including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article has been originally published in “which NordicTrack treadmill or elliptical to get in the UK”. Follow the links for more details.

Overview of the NordicTrack SE5i

The SE5i is one of the rear-drive ellipticals from Nordictrack available to the UK market. Its main features are a 16kg flywheel, 5-inch backlit display and 34 preset workouts on the machine. The full list of features reads as followed:

5” Backlit Display
iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
Integrated Tablet Holder

16 kg. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
24 Digital Resistance Levels
EKG Grip Pulse
130 kg. User Weight Capacity

Oversized Pedals
AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips

34 Preset Workout Apps
Transport Wheels
Product Weight 60kg
Boxed Weight 72kg
Product Dimensions - 158L x 66W x 175H cm
Boxed Dimensions - 132L x 51W x 64H cm
Warranty - 5-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty, subject to registration within 28 days of purchase.

This is a solid rear-drive elliptical for the home or commercial use.

Pros of the NordicTrack SE5i

The pros of the SE5i are:

Big flywheel
Sturdy design

The SE5i is a sturdy design with a big flywheel which will last for ages. If you want to no-nonsense elliptical that is affordable you will find the right partner in the SE5i for your cardio needs.

Cons of the NordicTrack SE5i

The cons of the SE5i are:

Size
Older model
Display

All rear-drive ellipticals have in common that they are quite clunky and therefore take up more space than other cardio options for the home. In a big gym they will also fit fewer units in the same amount of space as others. SE5i is also an older model that Nordictrack does not sell in the US anymore. Always be mindful of this, especially when you purchase for commercial needs, as the service for this product might be discontinued or suffers as active production will be abandoned.

Alternatives to the NordicTrack SE5i

Alternatives to the SE5i elliptical are:

The Nordictrack Se3i is the small brother of the SE5i it still has a rear-drive, but a smaller flywheel. In my opinion, the SE3i only makes sense if you buy it in bulk for commercial purposes to save money. Otherwise, the two models are too close in price to justify taking the smaller flywheel which ultimately means that the elliptical is more likely to break down.

If you want to get a treadmill instead of an elliptical and get the cheapest from Nordictrack in the UK than the C700 is for you. This is the treadmill with the lowest price tag from Nordictrack for the time being.

The concept 2 model D rower is a reliable machine that has been used all over the world. If you want a solid rowing machine for you this is probably the best value for money options you can get. Not a lot of entertainment on this, but the onboard computer is more than enough to track your workouts and provide statistics during your row.

The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite for home gym use. This machine is compact, built like a tank, enables a kick-ass workout and I reasonably priced. This is the best calorie per minute deal you can find without running the risk of buying trash.

Summary for the NordicTrack SE5i elliptical

The SE5i elliptical is a solid safe bet for an elliptical to get. It is not too expensive and also does not try to be fancy. In return, it will take up more space than other models and not have the best multimedia options available.

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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Which Horizon fitness treadmill to get?
Which Horizon fitness bike to get?
Which Horizon fitness elliptical to get?

Which Nordictrack treadmill to get?
Which Nordictrack elliptical to get?
Which Nordictrack bike to get?

Which Cardio Equipment to get from TITAN?
Which conditioning equipment to get from Rogue Fitness?

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.