Nordictrack 1750 vs VersaClimber SM Model
This is a comparison between the Nordictrack 1750 treadmill and the VersaClimber SM Model. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the VersaClimber SM
The VersaClimber SM comes in at $4995 - $5300. 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 SM sport
The
Versa Climber Sport model is the high-end product of the Versa range. This machine simulates climbing a mountain and is known for its relentless workouts. This thing will make you sweat. It can be used as a Climber or a stepper. It is hand welded and made from high-quality steel. The specs are:
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Weight 150 Lb
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Height 7’ 10’’
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Climb angle 75 degrees
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Footprint 43’’ x 46’’
The
Versa Climber is made in the USA and has been around for decades. It is a good alternative for gyms which cannot provide outside space for running or want to offer their athletes something more challenging. Le Bron James is said to use this machine for his routines.
Pros of the VersaClimber SM
Compared to most treadmills the
Versa Climber has a very small footprint. That means you can fit more people into a smaller space. For a home gym, you might also be able to put it in a corner of your house and just work away. That is usually more of a challenge with heavy treadmills.
The
Versa Climber possibly offers the most intense workout you can do for your cardiovascular system in the smallest space possible. This is pure intensity formed into metal.
If you are running a gym and want to attract more customers this is also an unusual piece of equipment. It might attract clients who are willing to pay more for their members to get more than just regular treadmills.
Cons of the VersaClimber
With the price tag of $5000, you are investing a considerable amount of money per machine. For two of these, you can get ten concept 2 rowers,
skiergs or
rogue Echo bikes. With this, you can run an entire CrossFit or strength class. It all depends on what kind of gym you want to be.
The movement pattern of the
Versa Climber has not a lot of carryover to most sports. If you are training athletes all around you will still need to get some type of treadmill despite having the
Versa Climber. Whether the Versa Climber is worth the investment if you still need to get other equipment is up to you.
The
Versa Climber works with chains. These can break and need to be maintained. Based on the rattling and way this machine is used it is More likely to break down than a treadmill or bike.
Alternatives to the VersaClimber SM
The Versa Climber H is a variation on the SM for home use. It only weighs half of the SM so it won’t take as much if a beating than the SM, which is ok for home use as it will not be used as much. Switching from the SM to the H will save you $3000. Be aware that the guarantee is voided if you place the H in a professional gym setting.
The
Rogue Echo bike packs a punch on your cardiovascular system for a fraction of the cost. The workout is not as intense as with the
Versa Climber as you are seated. But it comes at a considerably lower price and the bike can be moved around more easily.
The
concept 2 skierg is an alternative which can be used in tight spaces. it is also an alternative for people with hip or leg injuries to do endurance work indoors. It simulates skiing like you would do it in biathlon. The price tag is considerable than the one of the
Versa Climber SM model.
Summary for the VersaClimber SM
The
Versa Climber SM model is the one to go for when you want to bring the
Versa Climber experience to your gym. Especially when people will use it around the clock. The warranty will help in case of breakage. Compared to other workouts in the endurance sphere, the climber is superior for burned calories per minute. You will be hard pressed to find anything more challenging. For sprinters and athletes who work on the pitch, it might be better to veer towards running and sprinting as this has more overlay with their actual sport.
Further reading
This is a review of the Nordictrack 1750 model which was originally published under "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.
The
Nordictrack 1750 treadmill is the bread and butter machine from Nordictrack. The features are well balanced and you can get it for a solid price which is not outrageous. This would be my recommendation for any weekend warrior or athlete who does not see running as a core discipline, but as a support to bring up their cardiovascular system. It goes up to a capacity of 300 lbs, provides a 3.75 Chp motor and -3 to 15% incline. This has everything you need at a reasonable price, as long as you don't want to go bonkers. The full list of features includes:
This is the machine to get when you walk in and say "I just want a good treadmill and not be screwed over with stuff I don't need". Enough said about this model, you can not go wrong if you have space and money.
If you buy the Volkswagen Golf from Nordictrack you can not expect it to be a Jeep or Ferrari. It does not come with a massive flashy 32inch screen or a challenging 40% incline. To be honest these are features that you do not need for a good treadmill run. Still, this is not the machine to show off with to your friends if you are filthy rich. If that is the game you are playing, get the
32i.
If space is one of your main concerns and you can therefore not fit a
1750 into your home or you want to optimize your gym floor, the
T 6.5 might be a better alternative. This treadmill is not as wide and also shorter and therefore saves space in your home.
The
true form runner is a different concept of the treadmill which is self-propelled rather than driven by a motor. It is more expensive than the
1750 but better suited for athletes who want to do sprints and practice sudden braking and acceleration on a treadmill.