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Nordictrack Grand Tour Pro vs Versaclimber LX

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Feb 3, 2021 5:00:00 PM

Nordictrack Grand Tour Pro vs Versaclimber LX

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack Grand Tour Pro and the VersaClimber LX including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Versa climber LX Model

The VresaClimber LX comesa in at $3995 - $4200. 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".

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Overview of the VersaClimber LX

 
The VersaClimber range has been on the market for more than four decades. The LX model is one of their mid-range options which sits between the SM and H models from a budget perspective. The machine is hand welded and has the following specifications: 
 
  • Weight 150lb
  • Height 7’ 10’’
  • Footprint 48’’x48’’
  • Color black 
  • Climb angle 75 degrees 
 
The VersClimber LX comes with a computer and fully assembled to stand upright in your home gym or professional facility. For $200 you can upgrade the handles for more options. VersaClimber recommends this option for anyone taller than 6’ 3’’. For an extra $100 it comes with a branded floor mat to protect your floors from scratches and sweat. 
 
The VersaClimber range is a great alternative to treadmills, bikes, and towers. It offers some of the highest intensity cardiovascular workouts on the smallest possible footprint with minimum impact on the joints. Everyone who ever used this hates it. This is usually a good reference when it comes to workout machines.
 

Pros of the VersaClimber LX

 
These are the pros of the VersaClimber LX series compared to other options you might consider: 
 
  • Small footprint 
  • High intensity 
  • Adjustable resistance 
  • Unfamiliar workout 
 
Compared to most treadmills and elliptical machines you will be able to fit a lot more VersaClimbers into your facility. When it comes to calories burned per square foot the VersaClimber is very hard to beat. The LX offers a commercial grade machine for a lower cost than the SM model.
 
The Versaclimber itself offers you and your athlete a great opportunity to power yourselves out. If the weather is bad or if you want to throw them a curve ball, this is the machine. Many climbers use this is a morning routine and climbers are usually quite good when it comes to endurance. Loss of grip means death for them so they won’t mess about with the equipment they pick. 
 
This machine can adjust the resistance from 1-500 lb which makes it better than older models from VersaClimber. 
 
If you are planning on establishing the best gym in town you will be able to offer extra diversity with this machine. Especially in Europe, I have not seen many of these around which might swing some reliable clients your way instead of to the gym around the corner. 
 

Cons of the VersaClimber LX

 
Here are some cons of the Versa Climber LX:
 
  • Not specific 
  • Not for beginners 
  • Old computer 
  • Price 
 
Most people compete in sports to which a vertical climb is irrelevant. Treadmill and cycling training is more relevant to the movement patterns for long distance runners and endurance athletes. If it is not just about burning calories but also improving technique on relevant movements the VersaClimber might not be the right choice. 
 
As this workout is super intense it might not be for beginners. If you have a lot of beginners in your gym you might want some alternatives for people who just walked through the door. Throwing something completely frustrating at your beginners will drive them away. You have to give them some small successes and build from there. Only very few of your clients will be like “yes another machine I can kill myself on”. 
 
The computer unit on the LX is a bit outdated. The SM has a better one as this is the most recent update to the line. Personally, I think this does not matter that much. Most of the programs are not used anyway. 
 
The price is a big con to the Versaclimber LX. The H version comes in for $1000 less but has no commercial use warranty. The SM costs $1000 more. What I would really consider when I built my own gym is what else I could do for $4000. For two VersaClimbers I can get a ten pack of concept 2 bikes to run spinning classes. For a home gym, I can get a rack fully equipped with barbell and plates. 
 

Alternatives to the VersaClimber LX

 
Alternatives to the Versaclimber LX are: 
 
 
The Versaclimber SM leaves you with more freedom around the machine as less material of better quality is used to build the frame for the VersaClimber. It also has a better computer and warranty. When you are in the market to buy a lot of these for commercial use, make very sure you understand the differences of the warranty and service differences between the LX and SM. 
 
If you are considering a VersaClimber for your home base go with the H option. It will save you a lot of money and still give you the benefits. Unless money does it really make a difference (for example if you are outfitting a house that costs 10 million I personally would not be picky between a 2000 and 5000 dollar option for the home gym and just get the best of everything).
 
If you are not looking at the VersaClimber for home use but for a professional setup be very mindful whether it is your first purchase. The Rogue Echo bikes are of high quality, only cost a fraction and deliver a great, challenging workout which is different from treadmills and ellipticals. This might be a better option for a bulk purchase.
 

Summary for the VersaClimber LX

 
The Versaclimber LX is a great option but suffers the pros and cons of most middle of the range of products. Unless you very specifically want this one it is better to go with the best or lowest budget option form the portfolio. Same goes here for the LX. I went for the H and I am happy. For a commercial gym, I would have gone for the SM and tried to argue with the bank for a loan extension pointing to the good warranty (basically you buy 2 for 1 if one breaks you get it replaced unless you threw rocks at It). Talk to other gym owners who wanted to make use of the warranty to be really sure. 
 
 
 

Overview and review of the Nordictrack Grand tour pro 1499 (US)

This article discusses the pros, cons, and alternatives for the Nordictrack Grand Tour Pro.This review was originally posted in “Which Nordictrack bike to get”. Follow the links for more details.

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The Grand tour pro bike from Nordictrack is the flagship in spinning bikes from this brand. The main features of this machine are its 10-inch touch screen, freewheel clutch, and 10% incline. the full list of features covers the following points:
 
  • 10” Smart HD Touchscreen
  • Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership**
  • Integrated Tablet Holder
  • Auxiliary Music Port
  • Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • Upright Articulating Cycle
  • 3 Piece Crank
  • Freewheel Clutch
  • SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  • 26 Digital Resistance Levels
  • -10° to 10° Incline and Decline
  • OneTouch™ Controls
  • Oversized Levelers
  • 375 Lb. User Capacity
  • CoolAire™ Workout Fan
  • Oversized Cushion Seat
  • Vertical Seat Adjustment
  • Horizontal Seat Adjustment
  • Extra-wide, Ergonomic Foot Pedals with Adjustable Strap
  • 2–3 Lb. Integrated Dumbbells
  • Integrated Handle Controls for Incline and Resistance
  • Front-mounted Transport Wheels
  • Water Bottle Holder
  • 57.5" L x 23.5" W x 62" H Footprint
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is a solid bike to take your spinning classes home and connect to the trainer via a 10-inch touchscreen. If you like to work out at home and keep engaged, this is the machine for you. 
 

Pros of the Nordic track Grand tour pro

 
  • 10% incline
  • 10-inch screen
  • Freewheel clutch
Compared to the S10i and S15i you get a reasonably balanced bike at a good price point including an incline. It is up to you whether you prefer the experience of a freewheel clutch or an inertia flywheel. If you like spinning classes over usual bikes on the gym floor, go with the Grand tour range. 
 
The 10% incline will enable you to follow the Ifit instructors on various tracks around the world and the incline will automatically adjust according to where your ride takes you. This keeps the experience and fun and you engaged to stay fit and healthy.
 

Cons of the Nordic Track Grand Tour pro

 
The cons of the Grand tour Pro are:
 
  • Price
  • Storage of dumbbells
  • Ifit subscription
If you wanted to buy in bulk or do not need the fancy extras, because there is already a big screen on your home gym for youtube videos, then the price is high. You can get goof spinning bikes for under 1000  without these bells and whistles if they do not appeal to you. 
 
The storage of the dumbbells can rattle or they fall off. Unfortunately there is no click-in system for the dumbbells to keep them in place. This is a minor annoyance as you can easily store 3lbs dumbbells somewhere in the room you train in. Still worth mentioning when you invest $1500. 
 
The Ifit subscription will cost you somewhere between $10 to $30 a month depending on which subscription you will choose. Not everybody likes to pay infinitely to use all of the features of their home gym equipment. Still, there are plenty of workouts available in the free library, but you will not have access to the live content and latest releases. 
 

Alternatives to the Grand tour pro 

 
The alternatives to the Grand tour pro are
 
The Nordictrack Grand tour is the little brother of the Grand tour pro. It comes in with a smaller screen that is 7-inch across to save you $200. If you do not care about big screens you can save the $200 to get a nice pair of shoes with the Grand Tour to start your new exercise regimen.
 
The Nordictrack 6.5 SI treadmill is another option in the same budget bracket as the Grand Tour Pro. This is a solid treadmill for walkers, joggers, and runners alike. Runners should just take care that the treadmill is not necessarily designed for high speed pounding over a prolonged period of time. Do a moderate long-distance run or short sprints. If you are very heavy, fast and can run for a long time you might want to a little more upmarket in the Nordictrack portfolio.
 
The Nordictrack SE7i elliptical can be a good compromise to accommodate many different clients or family members when space is limited. Ellipticals are machines that usually appeal to a wider audience than bikes. Not everybody likes to sit on a saddle for half an hour to get their daily burn in. Ellipticals leave you with more options as long as you have enough clearance to the ceiling.  
 
The concept 2 model D is the classic option for indoor rowing. You can not go wrong with this model and you can even hang it on the wall after you finished your workout to save some space. It is also less expensive than the Grand Tour pro. 
 
The rogue echo bike is my personal favorite for home gym use. Simple, straight forward, and sturdy. This machine is affordable and built like a tank. I put on my bose earphones, leave the iPhone on the countertop and blast intervals until the airbike beats me to it.
 

Summary for the Nordictrack Grand Tour Pro

 
The Grand Tour pro is a very good option for the serious spinning class enthusiast to keep their hobby up from home. If you want to save a little money go for the Grand Tour from NordicTrack instead. 
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