Nordictrack GX 4.6 vs Assault air runner

This is a comparison of the Nordictrack GX 4.6 and the Assault air runner including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the Assault air runner

The Assault Air runner comes in at $3699. 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 Assault Air runner

The assault air runner is stake on the treadmill which is free of an electrical motor and highly portable. The air assault runner will be propelled by your own bodyweight. This means that it will be easier for you to accelerate and break during your workouts to simulate real-life conditions in running. The specifications of the Assault air runner are:

Product weight 280LB
Color black
Length 69.9”
Width 32.8”
Height 32.8”

This machine has been endorsed by the CrossFit community and Rogue Fitness. The area for footfall is curved to minimize the impact. This makes it easier for the joints compared to regular treadmills. You will also buy this from a multi-product company which has been around for a while. This is especially important if you are going to buy for commercial use and make heavy use of the service and warranty that comes with the machine.

Pros of the Assault Air runner

These are the pros of the Assault air runner compared to other similar products and for endurance needs

Lightweight
Price
Company
Innovative
Monitor

Compared to other treadmills and the TrueFrom runner it is lightweight and mobile. The fact that it comes in wheels is especially good for a gym setup where you like to change group setups a lot. You can clearly see that Assault went with the TrueForm runner design and optimized it for CrossFit gyms.

The price is also a big advantage when you compare like for like. There are two main options out there when you want a self-propelled treadmill. The assault air runner has about a $2000 advantage in the TrueForm runner. That is a considerable amount of money when you buy for your home gym or multiple units for a gym outlet.

Assault has been around for roughly 20 years and has solid revenue streams from three different product lines. With this piece of equipment, you are likely to get proper support and background for your needs. TrueForm hasn’t been around that long and their channels are a bit less developed.

Compared to other treadmills and ellipticals the experience with the assault runner for yourself or your client will be more innovative compared to other options. This Ingram attracts some extra clients as you differentiate from the next gym around the corner. Especially the ones who appreciate quality and might pay a higher price.

The monitor on the Assault air runner is better than the one on the TrueForm runner based on some reports. If you care about the settings on a machine you propel yourself this might be a deciding factor for you.

Cons of the Assault air runner

Price
Me too approach
Mechanics
Fewer options

Price can also be a con when you compare the outcome rather than like for like. If your main goal is to improve your endurance and lose weight without being specific to running there are options which are a lot more budget friendly. The Rogue echo bike would be one of them which still gives you a kick up the bum without costing as much as an entire home gym.

This is more of an ethical one, but if you support innovation you might want to go for the TrueForm runner. The original idea seems to have come from the first in a well-executed way. Assault just has the experience to copy and mass produce the idea more efficiently and effectively which will probably win the market for self-propelled treadmills.

Based on some reports I have read and seen the air assault runner accelerates in an unnatural way making you way faster than you actually should be. The TrueForm runner seems to be doing a better job correcting your posture and simulating real-world conditions.

With the TrueForm runner, you can also choose between a field turf and running track surface which the Assault air runner does not offer. If you want to make your training even more specific this might swing it against it.

Alternatives to the Assault Air runner

These are the alternative to the assault air runner:

The TrueForm runner is the original in the market for self-propelled treadmills. If you want a machine for your football athletes to warm up on before going o the field, this is probably the right choice. Who cares about $1000 to $2000 more a pop if the guys running on these things are paid $100000 a match? If you can afford it or if you don’t buy in bulk, the TrueForm runner might be the choice just to have the best.

The rogue echo bike is the realistic version for the home gym to still get a great workout in. A good air bike workout will gas you out and the design is a little more up to date than for the original assault air bike.

For the price of one air assault bike, you can even add a Rogue RM6 rack to your shopping list in addition to the Rogue echo bike. This leaves you with a full gym excluding barbells and plates. Count another $1000 for that.

If you want to spend some extra money for your home for something that is super effective the Versaclimber H might be for you. You still save $1000 compared to the Assault air runner and have a machine that burns the most calories over time per square feet. The vertical climb at home is the most intense thing you can do for your cardiovascular fitness.

Summary for the Assault air runner

The assault air runner is a lower cost option on the idea of self-propelled treadmills. You will buy a piece of equipment from a company with a long tenure which has other products in the market. If you always want the best you probably ought to go for the TrueForm runner. If you want to provide for your gym or use this innovative idea without breaking the bank, go for the TrueForm runner.

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.