Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle vs Nordictrack S25 treadmill

This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness GR3 Indoor 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Out of date displays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 GR3 Indoor cycle

This is an overview of the Horizon fitness GR3 Indoor cycle 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 GR3 Indoor cycle $499

The GR3 is the cheapest option to join the Horizon Fitness family. This is a no non-sense spinning bike that provides resistance via a flywheel and mechanical brake system. If you ever have attended a spinning class in your local gym, then this is exactly what you can expect with the GR3. The full specifications are:

Frame Type: Indoor Cycle

Adjustable Pedal straps: Yes

Pedal Type: Pedal Cage with toe strap

Seat Type: Road-Style Saddle

Seat adjustment: Horizontal, Vertical

Resistance System: Friction Brake

Resistance levels: Control knob

Heart Rate: Polar wireless Receiver

Extras: Transport Wheels, Water Bottle Holder

Max User Weight: 286

Weight: 97 lbs.

Assembled dimensions: 49 x 19 x46

Home Warranty Frame: 10 years

Home Warranty Parts: 1 year

Home Warranty Labor: 1 year

Pros of the Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle

The pros of the Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle are:

Compact
Price
Quality

This is a compact and light bike for indoor cycling if you want to keep it professional and not put the bike you already own on a stand. It is easy to move around and is not as bulky as other cardio options you might have for the home.

The price is great for professional home equipment or pragmatic commercial equipment. In a commercial setting, $500 is not a big loss on the books even if you have troubles with the warranty. In a home gym scenario you get a robust too you are unlikely to break. This is a very low price bar to step over to take your home training seriously.

This is a good quality bike compared to just getting the cheapest option of Amazon or eBay. Go ahead with this bike if you do not need any fancy digital dials and just want to go after it.

Cons of the Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle

The cons of the Horizon GR3 indoor cycle are:

Limited online functions
Not suitable for big athletes
Resistance setup

Compared to more modern bikes like the Peloton series, this bike has no fancy internet access and group functions to keep you motivated. So you have to bring that on your own and for a simple spinning bike, you might think it is overpriced. Still stripping things to essentials is often a good thing.

This bike operates at the lower end of the maximum weight of the user as the frame is rather small compared to other machines. If you weigh more than 100kg and go hard at your equipment you might want to choose something with a heavier frame. It will work, but it won’t be fun.

The resistance setup on this machine is completely mechanical which means it is more likely to break. Be prepared that if you use this hard that you will have to swap the flywheel and break at least once in its lifetime. These are not the most expensive items to replace and especially in a commercial setting you just can have a spare bike, but at home, you will have to wait with training until the repair is done.

Alternatives to the Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle

Here are some alternatives to the GR3 indoor cycle:

The Horizon IC 7.9 indoor cycle follows a very similar design to the GR3. The big differences are the more convenient resistance lever, the sturdier frame, and the professional pedals with a clip-in mechanism. If you want a spinning bike that feels a little more like a professional racer or if you weigh more than 100kg, then the Horizon IC 7.9 is the better choice.

The Nordictrack VU19 is the entry-level bike from this brand. If you are looking for something a bit smoother and less wild, this is a good alternative. It also might be an option if stock is running low for Horizon Fitness and you need something fast.

The Rogue echo bike is a great alternative to the GR3 Indoor cycle if you want to step your game up a little. It has a sturdier frame and the resistance is regulated by the big fan and the air that circulates through, rather than a brake pedal. This makes it better for interval training and heavier athletes. For me, the Rogue echo bike is the best cardio machine you can get for a home gym in terms of value for money. The only downsides are that you will have to invest more than for the GR3 and that it is considerably heavier.

The TITAN fan bike is a copycat of the Rogue echo bike with bigger wheels for transport at a smaller price tag. It will do the job, but the overall design and finish are not as on point as with the Rogue echo bike. However, you will save some money that you can put against more equipment.

The concept 2 skierg is one of the most compact cardio machines you can find out there. If you have very limited space, but still do not want to take your cardio outside, the concept 2 skierg is a great option that is also ready ably priced.

Conclusion for the Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle

I personally like a simple design that focuses on the essentials. That is why I own a Rogue echo bike as I weigh more than 100kg. If I would weigh 80kg, the GR3 would be a serious contender to make it into my garage gym.