NordicTrack FS10i vs Versaclimber H/Hp

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack FS10i elliptical and the VersaClimber H/HP. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the VersaClimber H/HP

Price $2065 - $2300

The VersaClimber H/HP comes in at $2065 - $2300. 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 H/HP

The VersaClimber H/HP models are the range of the VersaClimber portfolio which has been designed for the use at home. This model is the lightest and smallest that you can get out of the VersaClimber range. It’s specifications are:

Height 7’6”
Weight 65lb
Color Black
Footprint 36”x44”

The Versaclimber delivers a stepper and vertical Climber in one machine. This is probably the hardest workout you can get on a machine in your own home. Compared to treadmills and ellipticals you also will have less impact and save your joints from too much pain. The VersaClimber H is not intended for commercial use and the warranty will be voided if placed in a professional gym. With an optional heart rate monitor, you can optimize the experience even further.

Pros of the Versaclimber H/HP

Here are the pros of the Versaclimber H/HP modem:

Price
Space
High intensity
Health

The price is great compared within the Versaclimber line up. This product is priced at half of what the top line range of Versaclimber is at. If you compare it to other innovative options like the TrueForm runner it also holds up on price. If you want something special in your gym or home gym, this option saves you $2000 to $3000.

Especially compared to ellipticals and treadmills the Versaclimber takes up a lot less space. The home version is also very light and can be moved easier in case you were moving house or want to rearrange things at home. This is a compact beast with a punch.

If you buy a cardiovascular machine you probably want it to make you sweat. Otherwise, you would be doing yoga. With the Versaclimber you get what it says on the tin. You will be sweating buckets in no time. Your cardio can be cut short and will still have an impact.

Compared to running on concrete or on a treadmill the Versaclimber has less impact and there is easier on your joints.

Cons of the VersaClimber H/HP

Price
Specificity

Compared to options like the Rogue Echo bike or concept 2 skierg the Versaclimber H/HP is still about $1000 out of range. If you want to exercise at the same time as someone else in the house you can get two Echo bikes for the price if one Versaclimber H/HP.

If you are preparing for an Ironman or want to get better at sprinting the Versaclimber is not specific to these movements. For $500 more you can get a concept 2 package including a skierg, bike and rower for a more versatile training experience, given you have space.

Alternatives to the VersaClimber H/HP

Here are some alternatives to the Versaclimber H/HP you might want to consider:

The Versaclimber SM is the top model of the Versaclimber range. If you are buying for the professional world of gyms this is the machine to go for. You will have extra coverage for warranty and the machine is more than twice the weight of the H model to take a constant beating. It also uses fewer beams and gives the athlete more freedom to move.

If you are looking for a machine for your home gym that focuses more on your upper than your lower body the concept 2 skierg is for you. This machine will enable you to train your arms and back more than the usual bikes and treadmills.

The Rogue echo bike is a solid option to kick your butt at home. It is built like a tank and one of the most modern takes on the air bike. It is also reasonably priced compared to the other options.

Summary for the VersaClimber H/HP

The Versaclimber H is the right choice for you when you want a vertical climber for your home. If you run a gym go for the SM model. If you are on a budget and still want a killer cardiovascular workout than the Rogue echo bike is a great option. If you like to run, outdoors is a good option too, just maybe not all year around winding on where you live.

Overview and review of the FS10i Free Stride $3999 - $2999

This is a review of the Nordictrack Fs10i model. You will learn about the specifics, pros, cons and alternatives of this elliptical to ake a deicison. This article was originally published in "Which elliptical to get from Nordictrack".

Overview of the Fs10i

The FS10i free stride is the newest addition to the center drive elliptical product line of Nordictrack. In 2020 it comes with a hefty price reduction of $1000 which makes it an attractive buy on the high end of the portfolio. As long as this remains, it is definitely the better option over the FS9i model. The main features of this machine are its center flywheel, the 10% incline option, 10-inch monitor and the free moving ellipticals which make it a stepper, ellipticals, and treadmill in one machine. The full list of features includes:

10" Smart HD Touchscreen
Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership**
Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers

AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
Oversized Cushion Pedals

Center Drive
20 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
32" Auto-Adjustable Stride
24 Digital Resistance Levels
0 – 10% Incline
OneTouch® Controls
Commercial Solid Steel Construction
Oversized Levelers
375 Lb. User Capacity

Transport Wheels
Water Bottle Holder
58.5" L x 29.5" W x 74" H Footprint
10-Year Frame Warranty
2-Year Parts Warranty
1-Year Labor Warranty

This is the newest machine in the line up for free stride from Nordictrack in 2020 with a killer price. Observe how it will develop in the future as this value for money offer might not extend to the future.

Pros of the FS10i

The pros of the FS10i are:

All bells and whistles
Three for the price of one
Long stride
Free adjustments
Low impact

The FS10i still has all the bells and whistles in the Nordictrack Free stride line up. You or your clients will have little to desire when you opt for the FS10i as your free stride machine of choice.

The concept of the middle flywheel for your elliptical enables that you can move more freely. This makes the FS10i a stepper, treadmill and elliptical in one machine. If you were considering getting all of these different machines the FS10i is still a bargain in terms of price and footprint which is being used up compared to getting three instead of one machine. Never mind the maintenance and energy consumption of the other machines.

With 32 inches of stride, the FS10i provides longer stride than the Front and read-drove ellipticals from Nordictrack as there is no flywheel in the way. This will especially help your larger athletes or clients.

The free adjustments of the movements will be beneficial for homeowners with big families or commercial gym owners with a wide variety of clients. This is the main engineering idea behind these free stride machines which move the flywheel to the middle of the machine, rather than having it in the front or back.

The low impact on knees and ankles is one of the main health advantages of ellipticals compared to treadmills. If you have an underlying condition or work with a lot of clients with weak hips and legs, this is a better machine for health reasons than a treadmill with a higher impact.

Cons of the FS10i

The cons of the FS10i are:

High price
No big screen
No remote control in the handles
Floating experience
More prone to error
Low-calorie burn

Even when the price is reduced to $2999 the FS10i is still a considerable investment. There are lower-cost options for free striders in the Nordictrack portfolio. Especially if you are not bought into the free stride concept as you do not have to provide a lot of variety or comfort with the machine you buy, definitely look somewhere else. $2999 can buy you a rack, barbell, and plates for a full gym setup if you invest it somewhere else. It depends on your goals, available space, and training preferences.

As the flywheel is in the center of this design the FS10i has no real stand or option to attach a big screen as other treadmills or ellipticals would have. In a home gym, this can be solved with a screen on the wall or no screen whatsoever. In a commercial setting, a screen on the wall can become quite small for individuals who are for away or want to do their own thing while they are exercising. If you think that entertainment options are a must for yourself or your clients over the experience of the free stride than opt for a front-drive elliptical or a big treadmill where a big screen can be attached.

Compared to the FS9i Nordictrack model the FS10i has no controls to adjust resistance and incline in the handles. These are positioned in the console. This is the only main advantage I can see for the Fs9i over the FS10i. If you like this convenience, go for the Fs9i instead.

While the fleeting experience is great when you have great body awareness and like to experiment, it can be stressful for someone who just likes to have a stable, repeatable experience. The many options you have with the FS10i which require a bit more fine motor skills than on a traditional elliptical might not be for everyone.

Moving the flywheel from the front or back of an elliptical to create more options and a longer stride poses two engineering challenges. One is that the flywheel can not be as big as with front- and rear-drive options, as you have less space. Second is that you need more moving parts to make the machine go in multiple directions at different angles. The smaller flywheel and the more intricate design make the Free stride models more error-prone than the front and rear drive options. While it is unlikely that you will break this as a home gym owner by yourself, the commercial gym owner should consider how much mileage each machine will go through depending on where it is positioned in the gym and how many machines you have.

General consideration for elliptical machines is that they burn fewer calories on average compared to bikes and treadmills as the exercise is less intense. If you are generally healthy and want to maximize the calorie output per minute, the elliptical machines are not the right buy for your need.

Summary for the FS10i

The FS10i is the best buy from Nordictrack in 2020 for a free stride elliptical with all bells and whistles. As long as it is cheaper than the FS9i this will hold. This is a good machine for the home gym owner with a big wallet and some health issues, who still want to exercise regularly. For commercial buyers, the price will be too high for someone who is thinking to buy more than 5 units at a time. Boutique gyms that work with a lot of clients with very specific needs will find this machine useful.