Nordictrack GX 4.6 vs 8.5

This is a comparison of the Nordictrack GX4.6 and 8.5 including pros, cons, and alternatives . Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill $1399 - $1999

This is a review of the Nordictrack 8.5 S model which was originally published in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

Overview NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill $1399 - $1999

The T 8.5 is the small brother of the T 9.5 from Nordictrack. The main difference is an HD touch screen which 10 inches on the 8.5 instead of 14 on the T 9.5. Apart from this, you get a top speed of 12 miles an hour, 12% incline and a foldable treadmill. The full list of specifications for the T 8.5 runs as following:

10” Smart HD Touchscreen
Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership
Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
Dual 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
FlexSelect™ Cushioning
20” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
Integrated Tray
0-12% Incline
0-12 MPH Speed
One Touch® Controls
3.5 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
1.9” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
300 Lb. User Capacity
EKG Grip Pulse
SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
50 On-Board Workout Programs
78.5” L x 35.5” W x 59” H Footprint
10-Year Frame Warranty
2-Year Parts Warranty
1-Year Labor Warranty

This is a treadmill for the smaller budget and a mid-range option at it. I personally do not like the middle of the road solutions and either go alls guns blazing or very low budget. Personally, I think the 1750 is more balanced or go for the T6.5 if you want to save money and space.

Pros of the NordicTrack T 8.5 treadmill

The pros of the 8.5 treadmill are:

Foldable
300 lb capacity
Cushioning

If you want to save money on a treadmill that can take a pounding this is the right choice. You can save space when storing and it takes up to 300 lbs. of weight. All of this makes it a good option for a mid-range home treadmill.

Cons of the NordicTrack T 8.5 treadmill

Cons of the Nordictrack 8.5:

Somewhere in the middle
High price to compromise

As the Nordictrack portfolio has evolved the 1750 is just the better option in terms of value for money in my opinion. With the T 8.5 you compromise on the size of the belt, incline, and screen while still paying a good bit of money. It is a reasonable price for a cardio machine compared to other machines in the market, but I would lean more towards the 1750 to spent my money wisely.

Alternatives to the NordciTrack T 8.5 treadmill

Alternatives to the T 8.5 are:

The Nordictrack 1750 is, in my opinion, the most balances option in the Nordictrack portfolio at a reasonable price. Therefore I think it is the best option for budget-conscious treadmill buyers from Nordic Track. The T 8.5 just sits a bit oddly against this as it has the same sized screen while having less incline and a smaller belt, while the prices are not that far apart.

The Nordictrack 6.5 is the ideal option for people who want to maximize saving money and space when buying a new treadmill from Nordictrack. This model comes in around $1000 and has the smallest footprint of the Nordictrack models. Ideal for walkers or limited spaces.

The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite if you are looking for maximum calories burned per minute. It comes in at only $700, has a small footprint and packs a hefty punch.

If you are looking for a different concept of a treadmill the True form runner is for you. This treadmill is self-propelled and therefore has no motor. The belt rests on bearing and your footstrike accelerates or breaks on the speed. This is the ideal treadmill for runners who want to simulate fast acceleration and deceleration at home.

Overview and review of the Nordictrack GX 4.6 Pro 999 (UK)

This article discusses the pros, cons, and alternatives for the Nordictrack GX 4.6.This review was originally posted in “Which Nordictrack bike to get”. Follow the links for more details.

The NordicTrack GX4.6 is one of the first bike models from Norictrack that you can get under 1000. At the time of writing it is only available for purchase in the UK and not in the US which points towards that this model might go end of life soon. In the states, this line of bikes has been rebranded to the "Grand Tour" line. The main features of the GX4.6 are its 7-inch touchscreen display, 11kg flywheel, and a maximum capacity of 130kg. The full list of features reads as followed:

7" HD Touchscreen Display
iFit Integrated
Includes 1 Years iFit Family Membership
Integrated Pivoting Tablet Holder
Dual 2" Speakers

Upright Frame
11kg Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
24 Digital Resistance Levels
Max User Weight 130kg
EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
BLE Chestbelt Compatible

Oversized Cushion Seat
Vertical & Horizontal Seat Adjustment
Extra-wide, Ergonomic Foot Pedals with Adjustable Strap
AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan

Front-mounted Transport Wheels
Product Weight 47kg
Boxed Weight 51kg
Assembled Dimensions - 94L x 63W x 156H cm
Boxed Dimensions - 107L x 36W x 64H cm
Warranty - 2 Years parts and labor; 5-year frame guarantee upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase

Overall the GX 4.6 is a solid bike that ticks all of the boxes. You will get a heart rate monitor, in build screen to surf the internet or use Ifit and a bigger flywheel. All of this not at a crazy price tag as for the S line of upright bikes from Nordictrack.

Pros of the GX 4.6

The pros of the GX 4.6 are:

Inbuilt screen 7-inch screen
Heart rate monitor included
Good value for money

This upright bike comes with everything you need in the box. Especially for home gym owners this is a good option without breaking the bank. You have everything in one place and do not need to buy extra things which then come later in the post and mess up the experience. For 1000 this is a solid bike which borders between home and commercial use without breaking the bank. Commercial gyms might want to consider that some members might expect more from you in times of 32inch touchscreens and mega rigs. Still, if you run a no-nonsense gym this bike will do its work for the members who want to use one.

Cons of the Nordictrack GX 4.6

The cons of the Nordictrack GX 4.6 are:

No Bluetooth
No Incline
No massive screen

The lack of Bluetooth is an oversight in most of the Nordictrack bike line up. If you want to use your bose earphones with your new purchase you will be disappointed. That might be reason enough for some buyers to turn towards a different brand or model. No Bluetooth will also make it harder to pair your data from your polar or another device which you use for outdoor cycles with the data from The GX 4.6. Of course, this is only relevant if you are already an avid outdoor cyclist.

Compared to the Nordictrack S series you will also get no incline with this model. The gap to the S10i is 700 pounds. For this amount of money, you can get a second bike without an incline. So if you want a touchscreen under 1000 you will have to bite the bullet in the Nordictrack portfolio and not get an incline function.

Since Peloton entered the market there has been a shift of cardio equipment to attach bigger and bigger screens. If you buy into this trend than the GX 4.6 is quite far behind the curve with a 7-inch touch screen. However, big screens are costly and you will be hard-pressed to find models under 2000 with a 22-inch or even 32-inch screens

Alternatives to the Nordictrack GX 4.6

Alternatives to the Nordictrack GX 4.6 are:

The SE5i is in the same price range as the GX 4.6 and is a rear-drive elliptical. The console is very similar to the GX 4.6. The SE5i can be a good compromise for gyms with very limited space or home gyms. Not everyone likes the pounding of a treadmill or sitting in a saddle to get their cardio in. A rear-drive elliptical can be a compromise to cover all your members of the gym or family.

The GX 4.4 is the little brother of the Nordictrack GX 4.6. IT has no integrated touchscreen and comes without a heart rate monitor at a slightly lower price. If you are torn between the GX 4.4 and the GX 4.6 I would recommend getting the GX 4.6. You are spending minimally more money on cardio equipment terms and get a better value for money options. With the GX 4.4 you will have to invest in a heart monitor and attach your iPad to the machine to get to the same level of convenience. If you drop your iPad in the process and it breaks it already does not justify the money you saved for buying the GX 4.4 instead of the 4.6.

The concept 2 model D is the classic rower and the industry-standard for this fitness segment worldwide. If you prefer to row instead of biking to burn your calories than the concept 2 model D is probably your best bet. In addition to a similar price tag you can also hang the rower on the wall to save space. This is usually not a good option with upright cardio bikes.

My personal favorite for use in a home gym is the Rogue Echo bike. It is compact, has been stripped of most unnecessary entertainment and build like a tank. The Echo bike will give you everything you need to push yourself and last a lifetime. Still, if you prefer something less beefy and with some entertainment, the GX 4.6 is the better choice.

Summary for the Nordictrack GX 4.6

The Nordictrack GX 4.6 is situated in the middöe of the Nordic track portfolio and covers all bases. You will not get the best of the best but also not break the bank. If you just want a solid bike and not out too much thought into your purchase, this is the model to get.