Nordictrack Elite 12.9i vs Concept 2 model E
This is a comparison between the Nordictrack 12.9i elliptical and the concept 2 model E. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the concept 2 model E
The Concept 2 Model E comes in at $1100. 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 Concept 2 model E
The
concept 2 model E tower is one of the top of range rower options from concept 2. The main difference to other rowers is the seat height and protection of the chain. Think of this as a beefed up version of towers that you can easier get on and off.
Concept 2 also delivers the PM5 Monitor with the
Model E rower. This computer gets very good feedback a across the board in the industry. It enables you to link multiple rowers together to have a race. Whatever you get, make sure that it has a function to store your times and race against yourself. That is very satisfying and useful. The
concept 2 model e rower comes with the following specifications:
The
concept 2 Model E is a great option to beef up your existing rower assortment or to directly start with a model that has been perfected over time.
Pros of the concept 2 model E
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Static arm
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Higher seat
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PM5 monitor
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Bulkier frame
The PM5 monitor is fixed on a status arm compared to other rower models. This makes it easier to keep it in place and the material is less likely to fail. Even though the adjustable arms seems nice they actually cause more trouble than extra value. Over time you have to tighten the screws and take care so that monitor will not be all over the place during a challenge challenging workout. A static arm is much preferred in my opinion as long as it fixed at a height that makes sense to do the readings.
A higher seat has several advantages. If you have very big athletes or someone who can not get on the lower seat option from other rowers, than this is the solution. It is also great if you want to switch between workouts quickly in circuit training.
The PM5 monitor is also an advantage of other models. This monitor is becoming standard across the concept 2 range but just check before purchase whether it is really on or you need to select another option. I hear a lot of good about this monitor.
The bulkier frame will make it possible for the
model E to take more of beating if your intention is to use it in a gym setup.
Cons of the concept 2 model E
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Price
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Specificity
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Space requirements
The price of the
model E is quite a bit higher than for most other rower options. If you only want to row you might be able to save the worth of a barbell or a couple of plates by going for a different option.
Rowing is not very specific to most sports except CrossFit and rowing itself. If you are building a team that competes in some kind of major league you will still need treadmills besides the rowers. In addition, the higher seat is also less specific to actual rowing. The Olympic rowing boats are tiny and you sit very closely to the ground.
The last disadvantage of a rower is the space requirement. Compared to a bike, especially for a home gym, the length of the unit can turn into a real headache.
Alternatives to the Concept 2 model E
The
concept 2 model d rower would be the logical choice if you want to save some money. It is basically the same machine, just with slower seat and less fancy. If you want to row and be budget conscious this might be the option for you.
The
Rogue echo bike is a solid alternative for the home gym to kick your butt. It costs considerably less than the
model E and delivers a challenging, maybe even better impact on your cardiovascular system.
The
air assault runner is the budget option for self-propelled running. It is still a lot triple the price of the
model E. If you are running an establishment to produce the best you probably need a rower and one of these self-propelled machines.
Summary for the Concept 2 model E
The
model E is a sound upgrade on the
model E aimed at rehab or big boys. It is also one of the best things money can buy from concept 2. Is it worth the extra money compared to the
model D? Probably not if you care more about the budget than having the best things in life.
Further reading
Overview and review of Nordictrack Elite 12.9i $1499
This is a review of the Nordictrack Elite 12.9 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 12.9i
The
Elite 12.9i elliptical is the mid-range front-drive elliptical from Nordictrack. Its main features are the 30-pound flywheel, 20% incline, and 10-inch TOuch screen. The full list of features includes:
- 10” Smart HD Touchscreen
- 1-Year iFit® Membership Included*
- Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
- Two 2” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
- Front Drive
- 30 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- 24 Digital Resistance Levels
- Auto-Adjustable Stride
- 0-20% Incline
- Commercial Solid Steel Construction
- Oversized Levelers
- 350 Lb. User Capacity
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
- Soft Touch™ Upper Body Grips
- Oversized Cushion Pedals
- Front-Mounted Transport Wheels
- Water Bottle Holder
- 68.5" L x 28.75" W x 68.25" H Footprint
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is a good value for money elliptical for commercial buyers and home gym owners. You will get a larger touch screen compared to other Nordictrack ellipticals and a reasonably sized flywheel to make the machine last longer.
Pros of the Elite 12.9i
The pros of the
12.9i elite are:
- Biggest front-drive elliptical touch screen
- Good value for money
- 20% incline
The
12.9i has the biggest touch screen which Nordictrack can put in their ellipticals to date. Compared to other front and rear drive models you get the most real estate in touch screens with this machine.
For the $1499 you get a big flywheel, big screen, and a good warranty. This is the best value for money machine in the elliptical line up of NordicTrack. If you want a workhorse elliptical which becomes the backbone of your commercial fleet, this is a good option. Home gym owners who intend to put a lot of miles on their elliptical (read multiple users in the home) also want to consider this elliptical over cheaper options due to the bigger flywheel.
With the 20% incline, you can work at any intensity levels to get a workout in and make you feel good about yourself after starting the day with a good workout.
Cons of the 12.9i elliptical
The cons of the
12.9i elliptical are:
- No wow factor
- High price for doing everything moderately good
- Low-calorie burn
If you are already forking out more than $1000 on an exercise machine, you might as well get a bit of wow-factor out of the machine. This is not the case with the
12.9i. There is no cool mechanics like with the
FS7i or a massive screen like you get with the
14.9i. All you get as a solid elliptical, that's it. Good for buying in bulk when you do not need to impress that much. Most home gym owners should go for the
10.9i instead with the 20-pound flywheel to save some money.
As with all ellipticals, you get a relatively low-calorie burn per minute compared to treadmills and bikes. If this is your main concern, go for a
VersaClimber model or the
Rogue echo bike.
Alternatives to the 12.9i elliptical
Alternatives to the
12.9 elliptical are:
The
FS7i would be a good alternative for home gym owners with a little extra money to spend. This free stride model would provide a little bit more of a wow factor rather than just having an elliptical at home. If you are buying new and not used, I think this is the better option. If you buy a used elliptical and budget is your main concern, try to find a Nordictrack elite
10.9i on craigslist or eBay.
The
NordicTrack 10.9i is the most affordable front-drive elliptical out of the Nordictrack line up. It has no touch screen and a smaller flywheel. This is a good option for the home gym owner who wants to occasionally train without having to go to the gym. In this scenario, you do not need a big flywheel to take the beating of several thousand miles.
The
VersaClimber H/Hp model is the product that
VersaClimber designed for home use. If you already run outdoors and want to maximize your warm-up when you workout at home, this is the machine for you. The calories burned per minute of this are not matched on a machine with that low a footprint.
The
concept 2 rower is the home gym variation for anyone who likes rowing or does not want to stand or sit on a bike while exercising. There a re two models available, the E and the D. If you are older and struggle to get very low, go for the
model E. Otherwise get the
Model D to save some money. Commercial buyers might find it interesting that these machines can be hung on the wall, if you get multiple, to save space and make your gym more modular. Hard to do with an elliptical.
The
Rogue echo bike is in my opinion one f the best options for a home gym to burn the most amount of calories with the smallest footprint at a competitive price. Unless you have reservations for airbikes, this is the one to get at about $700 apiece.
Summary for the 12.9i
The
12.9i is a good elliptical to be bought in bulk by a commercial gym. It will please a lot of customers without breaking the bank like the
14.9i. Home gym owners might consider to either move up or down the Nordictrack portfolio as they do not have to take economies of scale into consideration. You will probably only buy one or two ellipticals in your life so you might as well either maximize your savings or maximize the wow factor.