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Horizon fitness EX-59 elliptical vs Nordictrack SE5i

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Apr 11, 2021 9:00:00 AM

Horizon fitness EX-59 elliptical vs Nordictrack SE5i

This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness EX-59 elliptical and the Nordictrack SE5i including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

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NordicTrack SE5i Elliptical Cross Trainer Review

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.

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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 EX-59 elliptical

This is an overview of the Horizon fitness EX-59 elliptical including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was first published in Which Horizon fitness elliptical to get?

For the most up to date information and asking direct questions you can follow me on Instagram.

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Overview of the EX-59 elliptical $699

 
The Horizon EX-59 is a high-quality elliptical for moderate use at home. The dimensions are kept as small as possible for an elliptical with a flywheel and the pedals are very close to the ground. This makes it a good choice for anyone who wants to workout at home, does not want to make a lot of noise and will not go crazy in their workouts. If you like something that provides a more challenging workout or better entertainment options during your workout than you might want to opt for a different elliptical.
 
Frame Type: Six Star Non-Folding
Flywheel: 14.3
Stride Length: 18 inches
Incline Range: N/A
Resistance Range: Magnetic, 10 levels
Step on height (inches): 10 3/4"
Extras: Built-in Speakers, Tablet rack, USB Charging, Bottle holder
Electrical requirements: 110 Volt / 220 Volt
Weight: 145lbs.
Assembled dimensions:74"x25"x64.5"
Max user weight: 300 lbs.
Warranty - Frame: Lifetime
Warranty - Brake: 1 year
Warranty - Flywheel: N/A
Warranty - Parts: 1 year
Warranty - Labor: 1 year
 

Pros of the EX-59 elliptical

 
The pros of the EX-59 elliptical are
 
  • Easy on the joints
  • Compact for an elliptical
  • Low price tag
  • Handles
 
The EX 59 is designed with ease of use in mind rather than chasing personal records and pushing the envelope. Therefore the stride is shorter and the pedals have been moved closer together while sitting close to the ground. This makes it a good machine for anyone who wants to be easy on the joints and simulate a jog on an elliptical. If you want to run long distances you might opt for something else.
 
Ellipticals with long stride and big flywheels can take up quite a bit of space in the home compared to bikes or treadmills. Horizon Fitness tries to minimize the footprint of this machine by keeping it compact which makes it better suited for use at home. A professional gym might want to upgrade to the Evolve series to compensate for more miles being put on the machine.
 
Another reason that makes this elliptical attractive for moderate home gym users is the price tag that falls way below $1000. There is not a lot to be scoffed at for a full machine at $699. There are cheaper alternatives when not using a machine but most indoor cycles and treadmills that are worth their salt start at $500.
 
The handles are helpful if you do not feel confident enough to go for long times without holding onto something. If you still feel like you can walk comfortably without using something to hold on to a walking treadmill might be a great alternative as they are easier to store under a bed or couch.
 

Cons of the EX-59 elliptical

 
The cons of the EX-59 elliptical are:
 
  • Space requirements
  • Small frame and weight
  • Console
 
For a machine that is aimed at lower intensities and home use, the EX-59 still takes up a bit of space. Especially the fact that you can not store it away easily like a tower, that can be hung on the wall, or a walking treadmill or Total gym, which can be stored under a bed or sofa, makes it a less attractive option for the occasional home activities.
 
The smaller frame and weight are good when you’ve not go hard at the machine. If you expect to go all out or a lot of heavy abuse in a commercial gym, then you might want to look into the Evolve series instead which is bigger and heavier.
 
The console on the EX-59 covers the basics of navigating the in-built programs, but not more. It also has no good surface to put down a tablet or bigger phone to look at while you are exercising. In times of Peloton and follow along with YouTube videos this is not up to scratch. Still, an understandable choice in the lower price ranges from a Horizon production perspective. Here Horizon might even make the console smaller for the programs to gain space for the user‘s own device.
 

Alternatives to the EX-59 elliptical

 
Alternatives to Horizon EX-59 are:
 
 
The Horizon 7.0 AE elliptical is one of the recent facelifts to the consoles of Horizon fitness. This makes it compatible with a wider range of devices and you can also do follow-along classes by watching at the screen. It is slightly bigger and more expensive than the EX-59 but I would recommend it to anyone over the EX-59 who is willing to make their budget stretch to $999.
 
The Horizon T101 is the smallest treadmill you can get from Horizon at the lowest price. If you prefer to jog or walk and want to burn more calories per minute, this is the better choice. The drawback is that if you need support to walk or run the T101 does not really provide a lot.
 
The Nordictrack SE7i is the cheapest elliptical you can get from Nordictrack. It compares better to the Evolve series from Horizon but might be an alternative if you want something fast and Horizon is out of stock.
 
The Rogue Echo Bike is the Ultimate Choice for serious home gym warriors who want to go hard on a small footprint. It is a well-built air bike that is especially well suited to High-intensity interval training. If you want to hit hard on the same budget as the EX-59 the Rogue Echo bike is your choice.
 
The TITAN fan bike is the lower-priced copycat of the Rogue Echo bike. The main differences are the bigger wheels and the price. If you want to build an entire garage gym on a budget TITAN is a good choice.
 

Conclusion for the EX-59 elliptical

 
The EX-59 is a great elliptical if you love exercising on an elliptical, have a smaller budget, and do not want to go crazy with it. I personally think that a walking treadmill is a better choice for people who still can walk and jog without support as it can be stored better. If you need lumbar support for your exercises, go for the Horizon R series instead.

Topics: Cardio, Horizon, Elliptical