Horizon GR3 Indoor cycle vs Nordictrack 2450 treadmill

This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness GR3 Indoor cycle and the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review Nordictrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill $2299 - $2999

This is a review of the NordicTrack 2450 model which was originally published in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

Overview Nordictrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill $2299 - $2999

The 2450 Nordictrack treadmill comes with an extra big running surface, cushioning and 300 lbs. capacity. You can run at a top speed off 12 miles an hour and vary your running from 15% incline down to a 3% decline. This treadmill folds and comes with a 14 inch HD touch screen. The screen can be tilted to avoid glare depending on the light fall and the size of the user. With all of this, the 2450 is a mid-range option from Nordictrack which can be used commercially or in a spacious home gym. It can be folded up to save space and securely put back for action. The full list of features includes:

14” Smart HD Touchscreen
1-Year iFit® Membership Included ($468 Value)**
Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
Two 3” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
Runners Flex™ Cushioning
22” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
Integrated Tray
0 – 15% Incline
0 – 3% Decline
0 - 12 MPH Speed
OneTouch® Controls
4.0 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
2.5” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
300 Lb. User Capacity
EKG Grip Pulse
SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
50 On-Board Workout Programs
81.2” L x 39.2” W x 69.9” H Footprint
10-Year Frame Warranty
2-Year Parts Warranty
1-Year Labor Warranty

This is a good option out of the Nordictrack portfolio but might be a little too expensive for making a compromise. I am personally not a great fan of the higher prices mid-range options like the 2450. I either want everything and pay for it or save as much money as I can to fit as much fitness equipment in a tight budget. But that is just me.

Pros of the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill

The pros of the 2450 are:

Big surface
Good cushioning
Interplay with Ifit
Strong motor

The 2450 is a great option if you have space and money. I personally would say that I would recommend this as a bulk buy option for a commercial gym as the motor is a bit more powerful and durable than other midrange options from Nordictrack. This will bring maintenance down long term without breaking the bank for other 4 CHP models out of the Nordictrack range.

Cons of the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill

The cons of the 2450 treadmill are:

High price for compromising
Relatively small touchscreen for the price
Big treadmill

I get the business idea behind the Nordictrack. Take our meh screen and our meh incline and put a strong motor and frame on it. The 2450 probably was the high end when it came out, but compared to other models I just think the value for money does not add up. If you want a big screen and do not need the full incline range, go for the Nordictrack 2950. If you want the incline but do not want to pay for the screen real estate, go for the Nordictrack X11 incline. If you want the value for money workhorse to go for the 1750. I just think that the 2450 is too much compromise for too much money. In addition, it is still quite big for someone who buys on a budget for their home gym.

Alternatives to the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill

Alternatives to the NordicTrack 2450 are:

If you are looking at the 2450 I assume that budget is playing more into your considerations than for clients who look at the 32i and the 22i. If you are looking for an incline treadmill the X11 is the best option to save some money and still get the 40%. It still costs more than the 2450, but at least you have maxed out one feature of relevance to you. INcline treadmills are in my opinion for trail runners who want to be able to train all year round or at any time of the day. Especially if you live too far away from the actual trails you want to run. If you need such a steep incline to maximize your calories burned per minute, there are better and cheaper options than a 40% incline treadmill to achieve this.

If your thought process was to get a good value for money option from Nordictrack without thinking too hard, the 1750 is your best bet. You get the midrange feature for everything while not breaking the $2000 barrier. If you are budget conscious, but still want to good stuff, this is the treadmill for you.

The true form runner is an alternative treadmill that is self-propelled. Instead of using a motor, it sits on bearing and you propel it like a hamster wheel. This makes it a great treadmill to start and stops or sprints. Most treadmills with an electric motor are not great at this kind of training as quick stops or acceleration usually break your ankles, the machine or catapult you off the belt. The desired outcome depends on your weight and prowess. The closer you are to an NFL athlete's physique, the more likely it is you break the treadmill. The smaller you are, the more likely it becomes that the treadmill turns into your catapult. If you are looking for an alternative treadmill for sprinters or sports athletes, the true form runner is a great alternative. The commercial gym will also not have to pay as much for maintenance and power as you do not have the electrical motor.

The Rogue Echo Bike is my personal favorite for calories burned per second. Yes, there is also the Jacobs ladder and the VersaClimber which do more for your coordination in case of the Jacob's ladder and burn more calories per second for the VersaClimber, but they are way more expensive than the Rogue Echo bike. If you wanted a cardio machine simply to burn calories, get the Rogue Echo bike. It is better, faster, cheaper than most options out there for a calorie-burning machine.

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?

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Which Horizon fitness treadmill to get?
Which Horizon fitness bike to get?
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Which Nordictrack treadmill to get?
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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.