Horizon fitness Upright U bike vs Nordictrack SE9i elliptical
This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness Upright U cycle and the Nordictrack SE9i elliptical including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.
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Overview and review of the Nordictrack SE9i $1799
This is a review of the Nordictrack SE9i 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".
Overview of the SE9i elliptical
The
SE9i elliptical is the flagship rear-drive elliptical from Nordictrak. Its main features are a 7-inch touch screen, 18-flywheel, and 10% incline. The full list of features includes:
- 7” Smart HD Touchscreen
- Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership**
- Integrated Tablet Holder
- 0 - 10° Power Adjustable Incline
- Auxiliary Music Port
- Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
- Integrated, QuickTouch™ Handle Controls
- Adjustable, Oversized Cushion Pedals
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
- SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
- Rear Drive
- 18 Lb. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- 24 Digital Resistance Levels
- 10% Power Adjustable Incline
- One Touch® Controls
- Commercial Solid Steel Construction
- EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
- iFit Bluetooth® Smart Chest Strap Included
- 325 Lb. User Weight Capacity
- 30 Preset Workout Apps
- Integrated Handle Controls for Ramp and Resistance
- Out-of-the-Box Easy Assembly
- Rear-mounted Transport Wheels
- Water Bottle Holder
- Vertical SpaceSaver® Design
- 78.7" L x 31.9" W x 66.4" H Footprint
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is the fancy version of the two rear-drive Nordictrack ellipticals with a touch screen. If you do not need a touch screen you can go for the
SE7i instead.
Pros of the SE9i
The pros of the
SE9i are:
Compared to the rest of the Nordictrack portfolio the
SE9i is relatively cheap, even though it is the most expensive rear-drive elliptical in stock. Compared to the lower cost
SE7i it has the advantage of the 7-inch touch screen.
Cons of the SE9i elliptical
The cons of the
Se9i elliptical are:
- 18-pound flywheel
- Size
- Price
For buying something rather low tier from a vendor the price is still pretty high. If you want to save money, go all the way and get a machine that has been stripped of most things and focuses on the essentials. Otherwise, go for a different vendor or fitness machine where you can acquire the top tier products for $2000.
Alternatives to the Se9i elliptical
The alternatives to the
SE9i elliptical are:
The
Nordictrack SE7i saves you an additional $600 by cutting out the touch screen in exchange for a backlit display. This will help you to save further money.
The
concept 2 rower is a great alternative for someone who wants to go hard but has problems standing for along time. You have two different models you can choose from, the
Model E and
model D.
The
Rogue echo bike at $700 is, in my opinion, one of the strongest contestants for the best home gym workout machine. It is compact, affordable and packs a punch.
Summary for the SE9i elliptical
All in all, the
Se9i is a rear-drive elliptical with a touch screen that has seen its best days. Newer designs have taken over and offer better value for money from Nordictrack. The only thing which would tempt me to go for a rear-drive is the folding option and if I was 20 years older.
Overview and review of the Horizon fitness Upright U bike
This is an overview of the Horizon fitness Upright U 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.
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Overview of the Horizon Comfort U upright bike $679
The
Horizon Comfort U upright bike is a good choice for anyone who does not want to go hard at their workout and life prevents them to go outside to get exercise. This is the right bike for anyone who can not get out of the house to have a walk or cycle that often because you live in a very hot or cold area. If you live in an area where you rather not step outside at certain times because you feel vulnerable then this bike is also a way to get in your exercise anytime you want without making it too strenuous. A great alternative to sitting on the couch whilst watching TV or browsing through the internet leisurely as long as you do not lumbar support to do this. The full specifications of this machine are:
Frame Type: Upright
Pedal Type: Self Balancing pedals
Seat Type: Gel comfort seat
Seat Adjustment: Horizontal, Vertical
Resistance System: ECB Magnetic Brake
Heart rate: Handgrips, Polar wireless receiver
Extras: Built-in speakers, Energy saver mode, tablet rack, Water bottle holder
Max user weight: 300
Weight: 77lbs
Assembled dimensions: 65 x 26 x 53
Home Warranty - Frame: Lifetime
Home Warranty - Parts: 1 year
Home Warranty - Labor: 1 year
Pros of the Horizon Comfort U upright bike
The pros of the Horizon U upright bike are:
-
Simple design
-
Good tablet holder
-
Warranty
The Horizon U is simple in its design and therefore not intimidating to get on and off on or use. Just step on and start to cycle while watching your favorite streaming service on your own device. The tablet holder is in a good spot and makes a lot of sense to use. Nothing to fancy, but sometimes simple just wins. Compared to other options you can get for less money, especially on no-name Amazon resellers, you know that you will be covered by a good warranty from a company that specializes in exercise equipment.
Cons of the Horizon Comfort U upright bike
-
Lightweight
-
Handle positioning
-
Console
The main con of this bike is that it is very light. If you are heavy or unstable you might want to opt for something with a bigger frame or a
recumbent bike to feel safer. If you still can easily ride your own bicycle, go for this one.
The handle positioning of this bike can not be changed. Depending on how your body is shaped you might find it awkward to get into the cycling position and then you are stuck with that setting. Other bikes provide a little more flexibility with different handles or handles that can be adjusted more.
The last con of this bike is the console. If you prefer your multimedia options to be integrated into the console rather than using your own device, then this machine is not the best pick.
Alternatives to the Horizon Comfort U upright bike
The
Horizon Comfort R is the Horizon
recumbent bike with lumbar support. This means you get a full seat with this bike where you can rest your back against. If you can not sit upright on a bike yourself or if you are very heavy then this machine might be the better option for you.
The
Nordictrack VU19 is another option on a comfortable upright bike from Nordictrack. If Horizon is out of stock and you want something fast, or if you just want to keep your options open, then have a look at the
VU19 as an alternative.
The
concept 2 skierg provides a moderate workout that can be scaled to very intense workouts on a small footprint. If you want a machine that you can easily fit into your home that can address all kinds of intensities without being too noisy then this is a good pick. The only downsides are that you have to be able to stand for the duration of your workout and that it mainly works your upper body instead of your lower body.
The
Nordictrack VR25 is the recumbent bike alternative from Nordictrack to the
Horizon Recumbent R. If you are buying for yourself you might want to give it a look before hitting buy.
Conclusion for the Horizon Comfort U upright bike
The
Horizon Comfort U upright bike is a great option for anyone who wants to simulate a leisure bike ride at home because whether or surroundings do not allow for this. It is not designed for very heavy athletes or very intense workouts as the frame is rather light.