NordicTrack C700 treadmill vs VersaClimber SM

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack C700 treadmill and the VersaClimber SM including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details

Overview and review of the VersaClimber SM

The VersaClimber SM comes in at $4995 - $5300. In this article you will learn more about the product itself, its Pros and cons and alternatives you might want to consider. This article has originally been published in the overview "Which conditioning equipment to buy from Rogue".

Overview of the VersaClimber SM sport

The Versa Climber Sport model is the high-end product of the Versa range. This machine simulates climbing a mountain and is known for its relentless workouts. This thing will make you sweat. It can be used as a Climber or a stepper. It is hand welded and made from high-quality steel. The specs are:

Weight 150 Lb
Height 7’ 10’’
Climb angle 75 degrees
Footprint 43’’ x 46’’

The Versa Climber is made in the USA and has been around for decades. It is a good alternative for gyms which cannot provide outside space for running or want to offer their athletes something more challenging. Le Bron James is said to use this machine for his routines.

Pros of the VersaClimber SM

These are the pros of the Versa Climber for your use:

Small footprint
Intense workout
An unusual piece of equipment

Compared to most treadmills the Versa Climber has a very small footprint. That means you can fit more people into a smaller space. For a home gym, you might also be able to put it in a corner of your house and just work away. That is usually more of a challenge with heavy treadmills.

The Versa Climber possibly offers the most intense workout you can do for your cardiovascular system in the smallest space possible. This is pure intensity formed into metal.

If you are running a gym and want to attract more customers this is also an unusual piece of equipment. It might attract clients who are willing to pay more for their members to get more than just regular treadmills.

Cons of the VersaClimber

The cons of the Versa Climber are

Price
No relation to most sports
Maintenance

With the price tag of $5000, you are investing a considerable amount of money per machine. For two of these, you can get ten concept 2 rowers, skiergs or rogue Echo bikes. With this, you can run an entire CrossFit or strength class. It all depends on what kind of gym you want to be.

The movement pattern of the Versa Climber has not a lot of carryover to most sports. If you are training athletes all around you will still need to get some type of treadmill despite having the Versa Climber. Whether the Versa Climber is worth the investment if you still need to get other equipment is up to you.

The Versa Climber works with chains. These can break and need to be maintained. Based on the rattling and way this machine is used it is More likely to break down than a treadmill or bike.

Alternatives to the VersaClimber SM

Alternatives to the Versa Climber SM are

The Versa Climber H is a variation on the SM for home use. It only weighs half of the SM so it won’t take as much if a beating than the SM, which is ok for home use as it will not be used as much. Switching from the SM to the H will save you $3000. Be aware that the guarantee is voided if you place the H in a professional gym setting.

The Rogue Echo bike packs a punch on your cardiovascular system for a fraction of the cost. The workout is not as intense as with the Versa Climber as you are seated. But it comes at a considerably lower price and the bike can be moved around more easily.

The concept 2 skierg is an alternative which can be used in tight spaces. it is also an alternative for people with hip or leg injuries to do endurance work indoors. It simulates skiing like you would do it in biathlon. The price tag is considerable than the one of the Versa Climber SM model.

Summary for the VersaClimber SM

The Versa Climber SM model is the one to go for when you want to bring the Versa Climber experience to your gym. Especially when people will use it around the clock. The warranty will help in case of breakage. Compared to other workouts in the endurance sphere, the climber is superior for burned calories per minute. You will be hard pressed to find anything more challenging. For sprinters and athletes who work on the pitch, it might be better to veer towards running and sprinting as this has more overlay with their actual sport.

Overview and review of the NordicTrack C700 treadmill 699

This is a review of the NordicTrack C700 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 C700

The C700 from Nordictrack is the smallest and cheapest treadmill available from the vendor for the UK market. Its main features are a 2.75 chp motor, 10% incline, and an LED display. The full list of features reads:

iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
Smart BlueTooth (BLE) Chestbelt Compatible
Multi-Window LED Display
Dual 2-Inch Speakers

2.75 CHP Motor
0 – 10% Incline
0 – 20 km/h Speed
Onetouch™ Controls
1.9" Roller
125kg Max User Weight
EKG Handgrips

Flexselect™ Cushioning
51 x 140 cm Tread Belt
AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans

SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
Assembled Dimensions - 185L x 85W x 150H cm
Product Weight 93kg
Boxed Weight 101kg
Folded Dimensions - 93L X 91W X 172H
Boxed Dimensions - 198L x 77W x 30H cm
Warranty - Lifetime Frame Warranty, 10-year Motor Warranty, 2-Year Parts & Labour upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.

This is the cheap and cheerful option from Nordictrack which will take up the least amount of space.

Pros of the NordicTrack C700

Compact
Price

If you want a treadmill for occasional use at home to walk or jog this will be not expensive to get and leave lots of room for other things in your home. If you want to stay fit and not pound the treadmill each day until it breaks, this is the machine to get.

Cons of the NordicTrack C700

The cons of the C700 are:

Lightweight build
Small belt

This machine is not built for serious runners who want to go fast or crunch a lot of miles. Stay away if you are serious about running.

Alternatives to the NordicTrack C700

Alternatives to the C700 are:

The concept 2 model D rower is a reliable staple in the fitness industry for decades. If you don't want to stand while doing your cardio and like to row, this is a safe bet which does not break the bank.

The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite when it comes to home gym cardio. This machine is sturdy, affordable, and will make you sweat. The only downside is that it does not come with a lot of multimedia options.

Summary for the NordicTrack C700

I personally think that it is never a good idea to get the cheapest of anything. However, if you want a machine at home to get your jogs and walks in, this is the least amount of money to spend to achieve this goal sufficiently, but you might as well go outside, as long as your health allows.