Horizon fitness IC 7.9 bike vs Nordictrack S25 treadmill

This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness IC 7.9 cycle and the Nordictrack S25 treadmill including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

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Nordictrack S25 treadmill – Complete Gyms

Overview and review of the NordicTrack S25 1299

This is a review of the NordicTrack S25 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 S25

The S25 is a treadmill in the lower price ranges of Nordictrack with a massive 3.5 CHP motor. This is probably the most amount of horsepower for the least amount of money you can get from Nordictrack in the UK. The full list of specifications includes:

Includes 1 Years iFit Family Membership
iFit Integrated
Two 2” Bluetooth Digitally Amplified Speakers

3.5 CHP Motor
0% - 12% Digital Incline
0 – 22 km/h Speed
Onetouch™ Controls
1.9” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
125kg Max User Weight
EKG Handgrips

FlexSelect™ Cushioning
51 x 152 cm Tread Belt
This Machine Does Not Feature a Workout Fan

SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
Assembled Dimensions - 200L x 90W x 145H cm
Product Weight 92kg
Boxed Weight 109kg
Folded Dimensions - 103L x 90W x 180H cm
Boxed Dimensions - 210L x 82W x 34H cm
Warranty - Lifetime Frame Warranty, 10-year Motor Warranty, 2-Year Parts & Labour upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.

The S25 is a powerhouse treadmill for a relatively low price. What you give up is the usual multimedia and incline options for a stronger motor.

Pros of the Nordictrack S25

Pros of the S25 are:

The motor
The motor
The motor

What this machine mainly has going for it is the big motor at such a small price tag. This is the machine for the no-nonsense runner who wants to be able to rack up the miles all day long, no matter the weather or traffic outside. You will not be entertained, you will not run on 40% inclines, but this machine will last. If you want to clock 200 miles a week on a treadmill, this is it.

Cons of the S25

The cons of the Nordictrack S25 are:

Out of date displays
Old model

The S treadmill series is not listed on the American website of Nordictrack for purchase. You will have to dig with partners or the vendor itself to still get your hands on it. In the Uk it is still listed as a model. Just be cautious of these things, especially if you buy commercially. The X7i or T7.5 product line will see a little more love from Nordictrack as these are also still being produced in the US and are not just gathering dust in warehouses around the world that need to be sold off.

Alternatives to the NordicTrack S25

Alternatives to the S25 treadmill are:

If you want an exercise machine for the home under 1000 and an elliptical which is easier on your joints than the Nordictrack C7.5 might be for you. This elliptical comes in at a lower price range while still not being the bottom of the barrel in ellipticals you can get from Nordictrack.

The Nordictrack C700 treadmill is the entry treadmill from Nordictrack. If you insist that your treadmill should be now but space and budget are squeezed, this is the model to get. If you are in this position, i would always recommend looking at second hand for home use. You can make considerable savings and still get a decent treadmill. Commercial buyers should especially watch out for warranties and how that affects insurance policies if they buy from foreclosure or second hand.

The concept model D rower is a good choice if you do not want to stand while exercising. This machine has been around for years and is a solid workhorse in almost any commercial gym you will walk into. It also comes in at below 1000 so if you like rowing and want to burn some calories, this might be the right choice for you.

The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite for any home gym. This design is compact, sturdy, has a high-quality finish, and comes with a very competitive price tag. When Rogue wanted to enter the realm of cardio machines they did it right and built the perfect machine for Crossfit boxes or no-nonsense home gyms. The downside of this machine is that it comes nether with a big screen nor a lot of buttons to press.

Summary for the Nordictrack S25

The Nordictrack S25 is a great treadmill for someone who wants to save money and put a lot of miles on their treadmill with no fuss. There is no better alternative in the UK line up at the moment for getting your hands on a 3.5 CHP motor.

Overview and review of the Horizon fitness IC 7.9

This is an overview of the Horizon fitness IC 7.9 bike including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was first published in Which Horizon fitness bike to get?

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

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 IC7.9 Indoor cycle $699

The Horizon IC 7.9 bike is an indoor cycle that follows a classic spinning bike design. It is belt-driven and uses mechanical resistance to simulate a bike ride from the road as best as possible while being in the comfort of your home. The full specifications list runs as following:

Frame Type: Indoor Cycle

Adjustable Pedal straps: Yes

Pedal Type: Dual-sided Pedals with Toe cages/clips

Seat Type: Racing style road saddle

Seat adjustment: Horizontal, Vertical

Resistance System: Magnetic

Resistance levels: Resistance lever 0 -100%

Flywheel weight: 35lbs

Extras: Tablet rack, Transport Wheels, Water Bottle Holder

Max User Weight: 300

Weight: 123 lbs.

Assembled dimensions: 53x 24 x48

Home Warranty Frame: Lifetime

Home Warranty Parts: 1 year

Home Warranty Labor: 1 year

This is a solid option for someone who likes spinning classes and riding hard outdoors but does not want to bring their road bike in a home stance for convenience reasons.

Pros of the Horizon IC7.9 Indoor cycle

The pros of the IC 7.9 indoor cycle are:

Reinforced frame
Mechanical belt
Smooth resistance adjustments

The frame of this bike is sturdier than if other bike options you can get from Horizon fitness. This seems that bigger athletes can exercise harder on this bike compared to the GR3.

A lot of bikes work with magnetic resistance in today’s high technology environment. This bike still works with a belt and a mechanical brake. While this means higher maintenance it also translates to an experience that is closer to biking on the street. Depending on what you are looking for this might be an advantage for you.

With the dial to adjust the resistance at the wheel, it is easier to adjust resistance compared to the GR3 indoor cycle. Think of the IC 7.9 as a high-quality spinning bike for commercial use, while the GR3 is more aimed at home users.

Cons of the Horizon IC7.9 Indoor cycle

The cons of the Horizon IC7.9 are:

Lack of programs
Price

The included computer of the IC 7.9 is basic and only provides revolutions, distance traveled and other information about how far and fast you are traveling. As it is very similar to a spinning bike you need to set it up near a television or find someplace else for your tablet or phone to rest on. This is not going with the times where peloton and echelon have entire entertainment systems onboard.

The price is rather high for something that is essentially not a lot more than a bike on a stance. If you already have a high-end cycle at home you might as well get an indoor stance for it which is cheaper and gets you the real deal at home.

Alternatives to the Horizon IC7.9

Alternatives to the Horizon IC 7.9 are:

The horizon GR3 is the little brother of the IC 7.9. It has the same basic functions but all the parts are a little less sturdy than with the IC 7.9 which makes the bike cheaper overall. If you are a light home user this bike is the better value for money for you. Commercial buyers should stick with the IC 7.9 instead.

The Nordictrack VU19 is the entry-level stationary bike from Nordictrack. It is more aimed at the leisure cyclist and for commercial use. It is bigger and sturdier than the IC 7.9 and the flywheel is under, rather in front of the user. Therefore the target group is a little different but if you are a commercial buyer comparing the Horizon and Nordictrack fleets have a look at the VU19.

The Rogue echo bike is in my opinion the best value for money cardio machine in the sub $1000 category. This is the case if you want a sturdy machine with a basic machine that you can go hard at. If you want a smooth ride and sit comfortably other machines might be better. A lower-budget copy cat of the Rogue echo bike is the TITAN fan bike.

If you want a low-impact cardio kick on a small footprint the concept 2 skierg might be for you. It takes up minimal space compared to other machines and is also fairly silent. The only downside is that it is not a bike or full-body workout and mainly targets the upper body.

Conclusion for the Horizon IC7.9 Indoor cycle

If you are looking for a spinning bike this is the best you can get from Horizon fitness. Especially if you want to stay under $1000 and still get something solid the Ic 7.9 is a very good option. There are cheaper bikes on Amazon, but they might have some quality issues. There are other bikes with more multimedia and gamification options, but those will break the $1000 budget wall.