NordicTrack FS10i vs FS5i
This is a comparison of the Nordictrack S10i and FS5i including pros, cons, and alternatives . Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the NordicTrack FS5i 1499
This is a review of the NordicTrack FS5i including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article has been originally published in “which NordicTrack treadmill or elliptical to get in the UK”. Follow the links for more details.
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Overview of the NordicTrack FS5i
The
FS5i is probably the best elliptical from Nordictrack you can currently get for the UK market. It has its flywheel at the center which enables a lot of freedom of movement and a long stride of 32". The main features of this elliptical are its 7kg flywheel, 5-inch backlit display, and 32 workout programs. The full list of features reads as follows:
- 5" Backlit Display
- iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
- Integrated Tablet Holder
- Two 2” Speakers
- Center Drive
- 7kg. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
- 22 Digital Resistance Levels
- OneTouch® Controls
- Max User Weight 135kg
- 32" Auto-Adjustable Stride
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
- SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
- Oversized Cushion Pedals
- 32 Workout Programmes
- Transport Wheels
- Water Bottle Holder
- Large Boxed Item - This item can only be delivered or delivered and installed to a ground floor room location.
- Product Weight 105kg
- Boxed Weight 113kg
- Assembled Dimensions - 148L x 75W x 187H cm
- Boxed Dimensions - 157L x 77W x 65H cm
- Warranty - 5-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty, subject to registration within 28 days of purchase.
This is the right choice in the Uk in most scenarios for an elliptical without breaking the bank, but also not compromising on quality or functionality.
Pros of the NordicTrack FS5i
The pros of the
FS5i are:
- Good value for money
- Relevant product line
- 32" stride
This elliptical will provide a lot of options to you at a reasonable price. It is also part of the FS family which is still being produced in the US. This ensures that you will have less trouble getting support or parts for this machine than for the S and C series which has been discontinued in the States. With the 32" stride this machine provides a lot of different workout modes to play around with your stride. If you are very tall, this might be the elliptical for you.
Cons of the Nordictrack FS5i
The cons of the
FS5i are:
- Space requirements
- More error-prone
- Not for everyone
As this is one of the machines with the longest stride available for the UK market it also needs more clearance around the machine. For the ellipticals with the flywheel in the center, you have to clear the area in front and in the back of the elliptical. That is not always the most practical option to get a working setup.
Compared to the more compact design of treadmills and ellipticals with motors in the back or front, this design is a bit more error-prone. Especially commercial buyers should think twice if they have a lot of use and people using the
FS5i.
The free stride models are also recommended to be tested before you use them. The freedom of movement is not for everyone who are used to classic elliptical setups.
Alternatives to the NordicTrack FS5i
Alternatives to the
Fs5i are:
The
ACT commercial can be an alternative for anyone who does not have the space to put the
FS5i into their home gym. The
ACT is more compact and therefore friendlier in tight spots. You will also save some money compared to the
FS5i. The only downside is that the
ACT series is discontinued and you will find it harder and harder over time to get parts and support for this particular machine.
If you want a treadmill instead of an elliptical your best choice for the Uk from Nordictrack is the
T7.5. The
T7.5 is right in the middle of the available Nordictrack portfolio for the UK and has all you need without going overboard on any of the features. The only downside is that you will not get a 40% incline or a massive screen with this treadmill.
The
concept 2 model d rower is a great option for smaller options. If you do not want to stand while exercising the
concept model d will cover your needs. Don't expect wonders from the screens on this machine, but the tracking capabilities are sound.
My personal favorite for home gym environments is the
Rogue Echo bike. It is compact, easy to move, and packs a punch for a great 20-minute cardio workout using interval training. If you want to burn calories, save money, and save space, this is the machine to get. The downside is that this machine is not designed to entertain you and keep you engaged. You have to bring the willpower, the rest will be taken care of.
Summary for the FS5i
The
FS5i is a great machine when you have space and you are tall yourself. It will provide many different workout modes and is probably the best buy for ellipticals in the Uk from Nordictrack to date.
This is a review of the Nordictrack Fs10i model. You will learn about the specifics, pros, cons and alternatives of this elliptical to ake a deicison. This article was originally published in "Which elliptical to get from Nordictrack".
The
FS10i free stride is the newest addition to the center drive elliptical product line of Nordictrack. In 2020 it comes with a hefty price reduction of $1000 which makes it an attractive buy on the high end of the portfolio. As long as this remains, it is definitely the better option over the
FS9i model. The main features of this machine are its center flywheel, the 10% incline option, 10-inch monitor and the free moving ellipticals which make it a stepper, ellipticals, and treadmill in one machine. The full list of features includes:
This is the newest machine in the line up for free stride from Nordictrack in 2020 with a killer price. Observe how it will develop in the future as this value for money offer might not extend to the future.
Pros of the FS10i
The pros of the
FS10i are:
The
FS10i still has all the bells and whistles in the Nordictrack Free stride line up. You or your clients will have little to desire when you opt for the
FS10i as your free stride machine of choice.
The concept of the middle flywheel for your elliptical enables that you can move more freely. This makes the
FS10i a stepper, treadmill and elliptical in one machine. If you were considering getting all of these different machines the
FS10i is still a bargain in terms of price and footprint which is being used up compared to getting three instead of one machine. Never mind the maintenance and energy consumption of the other machines.
With 32 inches of stride, the
FS10i provides longer stride than the Front and read-drove ellipticals from Nordictrack as there is no flywheel in the way. This will especially help your larger athletes or clients.
The free adjustments of the movements will be beneficial for homeowners with big families or commercial gym owners with a wide variety of clients. This is the main engineering idea behind these free stride machines which move the flywheel to the middle of the machine, rather than having it in the front or back.
The low impact on knees and ankles is one of the main health advantages of ellipticals compared to treadmills. If you have an underlying condition or work with a lot of clients with weak hips and legs, this is a better machine for health reasons than a treadmill with a higher impact.
Cons of the FS10i
The cons of the
FS10i are:
Even when the price is reduced to $2999 the
FS10i is still a considerable investment. There are lower-cost options for free striders in the Nordictrack portfolio. Especially if you are not bought into the free stride concept as you do not have to provide a lot of variety or comfort with the machine you buy, definitely look somewhere else. $2999 can buy you a rack, barbell, and plates for a full gym setup if you invest it somewhere else. It depends on your goals, available space, and training preferences.
As the flywheel is in the center of this design the
FS10i has no real stand or option to attach a big screen as other treadmills or ellipticals would have. In a home gym, this can be solved with a screen on the wall or no screen whatsoever. In a commercial setting, a screen on the wall can become quite small for individuals who are for away or want to do their own thing while they are exercising. If you think that entertainment options are a must for yourself or your clients over the experience of the free stride than opt for a front-drive elliptical or a big treadmill where a big screen can be attached.
Compared to the
FS9i Nordictrack model the
FS10i has no controls to adjust resistance and incline in the handles. These are positioned in the console. This is the only main advantage I can see for the
Fs9i over the FS10i. If you like this convenience, go for the
Fs9i instead.
While the fleeting experience is great when you have great body awareness and like to experiment, it can be stressful for someone who just likes to have a stable, repeatable experience. The many options you have with the
FS10i which require a bit more fine motor skills than on a traditional elliptical might not be for everyone.
Moving the flywheel from the front or back of an elliptical to create more options and a longer stride poses two engineering challenges. One is that the flywheel can not be as big as with front- and rear-drive options, as you have less space. Second is that you need more moving parts to make the machine go in multiple directions at different angles. The smaller flywheel and the more intricate design make the Free stride models more error-prone than the front and rear drive options. While it is unlikely that you will break this as a home gym owner by yourself, the commercial gym owner should consider how much mileage each machine will go through depending on where it is positioned in the gym and how many machines you have.
General consideration for elliptical machines is that they burn fewer calories on average compared to bikes and treadmills as the exercise is less intense. If you are generally healthy and want to maximize the calorie output per minute, the elliptical machines are not the right buy for your need.
Summary for the FS10i
The
FS10i is the best buy from Nordictrack in 2020 for a free stride elliptical with all bells and whistles. As long as it is cheaper than the
FS9i this will hold. This is a good machine for the home gym owner with a big wallet and some health issues, who still want to exercise regularly. For commercial buyers, the price will be too high for someone who is thinking to buy more than 5 units at a time. Boutique gyms that work with a lot of clients with very specific needs will find this machine useful.