Nordictrack FS7i vs VersaClimber H/HP
This is a comparison between the Nordictrack FS7i 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:
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Height 7’6”
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Weight 65lb
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Color Black
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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
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Price
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Space
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High intensity
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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
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Price
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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
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.
Further reading
- Which barbell to buy from Rogue
- Which plates to buy from Rogue
- Which rack to buy from Rogue
- Which belt to buy from Rogue
Overview and review of the FS7i Free stride $1999
This is a review of the Nordictrack Fs7i model. You will learn about the specifics, pros, cons and alternatives of this elliptical to make a decision. This article was originally published in "Which elliptical to get from Nordictrack".
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Overview of the FS7i
The FS7i Free stride is the oldest model in the Free stride elliptical range of Nordictrack. Its main features are the 7-inch touch screen, 20-pound flywheel, and 10% incline. This is a solid free stride model at a reasonable price and the full list of features includes:
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7” Smart HD Touchscreen
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Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership**
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Pivoting Integrated Tablet Holder
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Auxiliary Music Port
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Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
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AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
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SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
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Oversized Cushion Pedals
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Center Drive
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20 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
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SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
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32" Auto-Adjustable Stride
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24 Digital Resistance Levels
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Power Adjustable 0 – 10% Incline
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OneTouch® Controls
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Commercial Solid Steel Construction
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iFit® Bluetooth® Smart Chest Strap Included
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Oversized Levelers
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375 Lb. User Capacity
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35 On-board Workouts
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Transport Wheels
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Water Bottle Holder
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58.5" L x 29.5" W x 74" H Footprint
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10-Year Frame Warranty
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2-Year Parts Warranty
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1-Year Labor Warranty
Pros of the FS7i
The pros of the FS7i are:
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3 in 1 design
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Price
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Long stride
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Novel experience
The three in one design makes this machine especially interesting for home gym owners or for boutique gyms that do not have the space to fit out multiple machines for different preferences of their clients. As long as you have enough balance and finesse to control the floating experience this is a big bonus.
The price of the FS7i for the type of engineering it provides is also good. The FS10i and FS9i are quite a bit apart from the FS7i in price. So if you want to invest in a free stride machine from Nordictrack without completely breaking the bank, this can be a good option.
If you are a tall athlete and can not work with the shorter stride of the front and rear drive ellipticals than the free stride provides 32inches of stride length which can be varied. If you want to train for a longer stride for your long-distance runs, this is the machine to get.
The last pro of the FS7i is the novel experience you will have compared to a treadmill or traditional elliptical. This machine will make it varied and interesting for many days to come.
Cons of the FS7i
The cons of the FS7i are:
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Free-floating
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More error-prone
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No big screen
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Low-calorie burn
The free-floating experience of the Nordictrack free stride series is not for everyone. If you like the stable, predictable rotation of traditional ellipticals from your local gym, stick with a front or rear-drive elliptical.
The FS7i has more moving parts than traditional ellipticals to create the three in one experience. More moving üarts means more parts that can break, This is a relevant consideration for any commercial buyer that wants to invest in a fleet of machines. Homebuyers will very likely not put enough miles on a machine. Just take extra care that no one walks into the machine while you are exercising.
As the FS7i has its flywheel in the center you can not attach a big screen to it. Front-drive ellipticals are a better fit for that as they provide a stable rest for a big screen to be attached.
As with all ellipticals they have quite a low-calorie burn per minute given that you put in the same amount of effort. This is the price of comfort and having less stress on your joints while exercising.
Alternatives to the FS7i
Alternatives to the FS7i are:
The Nordictrack 12.9i is a front-drive elliptical in the same price range as the FS9i. The bigger flywheel and fixed ellipsis make it a better option for mass roll out or if you feel uncertain about the three in one design of the FS7i.
The Nordictrack FS10i is the newest model in the free stride line p of Nordictrack. Compared to the FS9I and the FS7i it has the best value for money ration at $2999. This might be a limited time offer due to the developments of 2020, so stay tuned and observe how prices develop when Nordictrack starts to roll out this model globally.
The VersaClimber H/HP is the home version of the VersaClimber. It has limited warranties to make the price more palatable for the home buyer. If you want to maximize your calories burned per second and train your calves like mad, this is the machine to go for.
The concept 2 rower is the classic machine for endurance training with low impact. You will also have less friction in your nether region compared to a bike when exercising. Out of these alternatives, it is the first one to be under $1000.
The Rogue Echo Bike is my personal favorite for home gyms when it comes to calories burned per minute at a reasonable price. The Rogue echo bike comes in at $700 and gives you a challenging workout to train in intervals easily.
Summary for the FS7i
The FS7i is the most affordable free stride machine out of the Nordictrack line up. If you like this design, but do not want to break the bank, go with the FS7i. This is mainly a machine for boutique gyms or a "special corner" machine for commercial gyms with massive floor space. If you are buying for the home I think this is a great machine for a multi-generation family with different needs. If your home is filled with hardcore fitness freaks you are better off investing your money in a VersaClimber and Rogue echo bike in my opinion.
