Nordictrack 14.9i vs VersaClimber H/HP
This is a comparison between the Nordictrack 14.9i elliptical and the TrueForm Runner. 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
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
Overview and review of the Nordictrack Elite 14.9i $2499
This is a review of the Nordictrack Elite 14.9 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 Elite 14.9i
The
14.9i is the flagship front-drive elliptical from Nordictrack. Its main features are a massive 15-inch flat-screen, 32-pound flywheel and up to 20% of incline. This front-drive elliptical leaves nothing to be desired for commercial use. The full list of features includes:
- 7” Smart HD Touchscreen
- 15” Integrated HDTV
- 1-Year iFit® Membership Included*
- Auxiliary Audio Port
- Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
- Bluetooth® Smart Receiver for Heart Rate Strap (not included)
- EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Sensors
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
- Multi-Position Upper-Body Grips
- Oversized, Adjustable Cushion Pedals
- Front Drive
- 32 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- 20” Power-Adjustable Stride
- 26 Digital Resistance Levels
- 0-20% Incline
- One Touch® Controls
- Commercial Solid Steel Construction
- Oversized Levelers
- 375 Lb. User Capacity
- Front-Mounted Transport Wheels
- Water Bottle Holder
- 80.25" L x 36" W x 70" H Footprint
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is the ultimate front-drive machine for commercial use or home gym owners with a lot of space. You will have a hard time breaking this machine.
Pros of the 14.9i
The pros of the
14.9i are:
- 32-pound flywheel
- 15-inch TV
- 20% incline
This machine is built to last. With the 32-pound inch flywheel as a front-drive, you have a predictable line of motion and a sturdy built which will last even in the toughest scenarios. If your gym clocks thousands of miles per machine, this is the one to get. Especially if your clients expect to have a massive screen while doing their exercises.
The 15-inch tv is the crown jewel of this machine. If you want to get the full use out of the Ifit options of Nordictrack, this is the machine to get. You might need fewer instructors in your gym or just enjoy the big screen at home right in front of you to keep motivated.
With up to 20% incline there is no limit to the number of different workouts you can do. Combined with the Ifit run simulations you can go all over the world and simulate any track you want.
Cons of the 14.9i
The cons of the
14.9i are:
- Price
- Size
- Low-calorie burn
- Limited variety
- Shorter stride
For an elliptical, the
14.9i is quite pricey. You definitely need to ask yourself whether you really need that big screen or not. If you don't you can almost shave off $1000 from your purchase by going with the
12.9i which is the same model, except without the TV: If you are home buyer who does not want to fix a screen to the walls and needs the motivation and convenience of the multimedia station, this is a good option. Commercial buyers who want to make a statement in urban areas might also consider getting a fleet of these machines. If you have no to little competition in your local area, I do not see the reason to spend almost $1000 extra per machine just to get a massive screen.
hile size is good for durability and creating clear lines of movement in a commercial gym, it can be a burden when space is limited. This machine is huge, so make sure that you check your space. Home gym owners might even fill their entire space just with this machine. As it can not be folded it will also be hard to move around. Be mindful when you purchase.
As with all ellipticals, the calorie burn per minute is relatively low compared to treadmills and exercise bikes at similar intensity levels. If you want to maximize the calories burned per minute a
VersaClimber or
Rogue echo bike are probably better options for you.
Compared to the free stride range from Nordictrack the
14.9i provides only a limited variety of exercises. You can only use it as an elliptical and not as a treadmill and steppers like the
FS9i,
Fs10i, and
FS7i.
As the flywheel is in the front of this machine it limits the stride length to 20" compared to the 32" of the free stride machines, If you want to work with different stride lengths and you are a very tall athlete, you might want to look in the upper echelons of the Free stride range,
Alternatives to the Elite 14.9i
Alternatives to the Elite
14.9i elliptical are:
The NordicTrack
FS7i is the most affordable version of the free stride range of Nordictrack to date. Compared to the
14.9i elliptical you will give up the 15-inch screen and gain the center flywheel with three in one technology. This is a good swap for home gym buyers who do not care about multimedia and have many family members using the gym.
The
Nordictrack Elite 12.9 is basically the
14.9i without a TV. I think this machine is a great option for a commercial gym that wants to buy in bulk and still impress. Of course, if you are targeting very tech-savvy clients in urban areas with a high monthly subscription fee, the big ass screen might be a way to attract clients. Just make the calculations whether the $1000 more per machine justify themselves in terms of marketing opportunities and brand image. Only consider this if the competition is fierce and no gym in the area has screens on all their ellipticals.
The
VersaClimber SM model is the commercial-grade machine from
VersaClimber. This is the machine to get for anyone who wants to maximize calories per minute output. Home gym buyers might tend to go for the
VersaClimber H/HP instead with limited warranties for home use. In the home, this is the right machine if the entire family are hardcore fitness nuts and already run outdoors. For commercial use, I would recommend these if you already have a fleet of ellipticals and want to attract more clients in a "hardcore" endurance corner of your gym.
The
concept 2 rower is a great option for anyone who does not want to run because of their hips and also does not like bikes. This machine has been around for years and is reliable. You can choose between the
model D and
Model E which are targeted at different groups. The
model E is more recreational while
model D is lower to the ground and more for athletes.
My personal favorite for the home gym to burn calories fast and cheap is the
Rogue Echo bike. It is competitively priced for a professional machine at $700 and minimizes footprint in your gym. It still delivers a hardcore workout and only falls a little short of the
VersaClimber in this area.
Summary for the 14.9i
The
14.9i Nordictrack elliptical is the perfect machine for urban commercial gyms with stiff competition who want to attract tech-savvy clients. Especially if you do not want to run any classes in your gym to save labor costs, this is a good investment with the I fit subscription. Just unload the cost of the subscription per machine to your gym subscription and negotiate a god deal with Nordictrack on the commercial package. Home gym buyers might find this machine to be overkill unless they really want a big screen and can not fix it to a wall in their gym. For commercial gyms with ess competition or home gym owners who want an elliptical at a more reasonable price the
12.9i or
10.9i are better options.