Nordictrack S22i vs 2450

This is a comparison of the Nordictrack S22i and 2450 including pros, cons, and alternatives . Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review Nordictrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill $2299 - $2999

This is a review of the NordicTrack 2450 model which was originally published in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

Overview Nordictrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill $2299 - $2999

The 2450 Nordictrack treadmill comes with an extra big running surface, cushioning and 300 lbs. capacity. You can run at a top speed off 12 miles an hour and vary your running from 15% incline down to a 3% decline. This treadmill folds and comes with a 14 inch HD touch screen. The screen can be tilted to avoid glare depending on the light fall and the size of the user. With all of this, the 2450 is a mid-range option from Nordictrack which can be used commercially or in a spacious home gym. It can be folded up to save space and securely put back for action. The full list of features includes:

14” Smart HD Touchscreen
1-Year iFit® Membership Included ($468 Value)**
Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
Two 3” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
Runners Flex™ Cushioning
22” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
Integrated Tray
0 – 15% Incline
0 – 3% Decline
0 - 12 MPH Speed
OneTouch® Controls
4.0 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
2.5” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
300 Lb. User Capacity
EKG Grip Pulse
SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
50 On-Board Workout Programs
81.2” L x 39.2” W x 69.9” H Footprint
10-Year Frame Warranty
2-Year Parts Warranty
1-Year Labor Warranty

This is a good option out of the Nordictrack portfolio but might be a little too expensive for making a compromise. I am personally not a great fan of the higher prices mid-range options like the 2450. I either want everything and pay for it or save as much money as I can to fit as much fitness equipment in a tight budget. But that is just me.

Pros of the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill

The pros of the 2450 are:

Big surface
Good cushioning
Interplay with Ifit
Strong motor

The 2450 is a great option if you have space and money. I personally would say that I would recommend this as a bulk buy option for a commercial gym as the motor is a bit more powerful and durable than other midrange options from Nordictrack. This will bring maintenance down long term without breaking the bank for other 4 CHP models out of the Nordictrack range.

Cons of the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill

The cons of the 2450 treadmill are:

High price for compromising
Relatively small touchscreen for the price
Big treadmill

I get the business idea behind the Nordictrack. Take our meh screen and our meh incline and put a strong motor and frame on it. The 2450 probably was the high end when it came out, but compared to other models I just think the value for money does not add up. If you want a big screen and do not need the full incline range, go for the Nordictrack 2950. If you want the incline but do not want to pay for the screen real estate, go for the Nordictrack X11 incline. If you want the value for money workhorse to go for the 1750. I just think that the 2450 is too much compromise for too much money. In addition, it is still quite big for someone who buys on a budget for their home gym.

Alternatives to the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill

Alternatives to the NordicTrack 2450 are:

If you are looking at the 2450 I assume that budget is playing more into your considerations than for clients who look at the 32i and the 22i. If you are looking for an incline treadmill the X11 is the best option to save some money and still get the 40%. It still costs more than the 2450, but at least you have maxed out one feature of relevance to you. INcline treadmills are in my opinion for trail runners who want to be able to train all year round or at any time of the day. Especially if you live too far away from the actual trails you want to run. If you need such a steep incline to maximize your calories burned per minute, there are better and cheaper options than a 40% incline treadmill to achieve this.

If your thought process was to get a good value for money option from Nordictrack without thinking too hard, the 1750 is your best bet. You get the midrange feature for everything while not breaking the $2000 barrier. If you are budget conscious, but still want to good stuff, this is the treadmill for you.

The true form runner is an alternative treadmill that is self-propelled. Instead of using a motor, it sits on bearing and you propel it like a hamster wheel. This makes it a great treadmill to start and stops or sprints. Most treadmills with an electric motor are not great at this kind of training as quick stops or acceleration usually break your ankles, the machine or catapult you off the belt. The desired outcome depends on your weight and prowess. The closer you are to an NFL athlete's physique, the more likely it is you break the treadmill. The smaller you are, the more likely it becomes that the treadmill turns into your catapult. If you are looking for an alternative treadmill for sprinters or sports athletes, the true form runner is a great alternative. The commercial gym will also not have to pay as much for maintenance and power as you do not have the electrical motor.

The Rogue Echo Bike is my personal favorite for calories burned per second. Yes, there is also the Jacobs ladder and the VersaClimber which do more for your coordination in case of the Jacob's ladder and burn more calories per second for the VersaClimber, but they are way more expensive than the Rogue Echo bike. If you wanted a cardio machine simply to burn calories, get the Rogue Echo bike. It is better, faster, cheaper than most options out there for a calorie-burning machine.

Overview and review of the Nordictrack S22i 2499 /1999 (UK/US)

This article discusses the pros, cons, and alternatives for the Nordictrack S22i. This review was originally posted in “Which Nordictrack bike to get”. Follow the links for more details.

The Nordictrack S22i stationary bike is the flagship bike in the current Nordictrack portfolio. Its main features are its 20% incline, 22 HD Touchscreen and the included 3lb dumbbells to be able to do full-body workouts on this machine. This is the bike to get if you want to max out all features with Nordictrack and you are not afraid of paying up to do so. The full feature list includes:

22” Smart HD Touchscreen
Free Ground Floor Installation Included
Watts Power Readout
Includes 1 Years iFit Family Membership
Auxiliary Music Port
Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers

Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
Powergrade Incline & Decline Drive System
-10% – 20% Incline
SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
OneTouch™ Controls
Enhanced Corrosion Resistance
Large Diameter Adjustable Leveling Feet
22 Digital Resistance Levels
150 kg User Capacity
Commercial Grade Steel Construction

Ergonomic Padded Saddle
AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
Non-slip, Multi-position Handlebar
Vertical & Horizontal Seat Adjustment

Dual Water Bottle Holders
Two 3 Lb. Dumbbells Included
Assembled Dimensions - 140 L x 55 W x 146H cm
Front-mounted Transport Wheels
Compatible with Standard Road Bike Pedals & Seat
Warranty - 2 Years parts and labour; 5 year frame guarantee upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.

This is a great machine for very dedicated home gym owners or to impress your clients in a commercial gym. You can also customize it at home, in case you want to make it feel more like your outdoor experience.

Pros of the S22i

The pros of the S22i are:

Can use your own seat and pedals
Big screen
20% incline
Good sound system

It is possible to exchange the seat of the S22i with the one you are already using for your outdoor bike. The same goes for the pedals. This is usually a good option for anyone who already cycles a lot outside and has a semi-professional or even professional setup with their current bike. You can clip into the pedals and give it your all. Still, less experienced cyclists will also get a fully functioning setup with good pedals and a seat.

The massive 22-inch screen on the S22i is one of the main factors which drives price. It even has an HDMI connector to take up even more screen real estate. This can interesting if you want to run classes with inexperienced trainers. You just buy the S22i for the instructor and get some other bikes, which are a bit cheaper, in bulk. Hook up the main bike to a projector and you have a good group setup which is not too expensive. I can not really see how you would want even more screen estate at home. I personally think the 22 inch is even overkill. But go for it, if you want to tread yourself.

The S22i bike also comes with an incline/decline system so that you can simulate hill climbs and downhill biking in the sense of the tour de france. You will not recreate the experience of a mountain bike on this, but it is a very good option to take challenging tracks indoors and simulate them when you combine the bike with the Ifit subscription.

The S22i also comes with a good sound system that will fill the room with the music and instructions from the available Ifit exercises. This will be needed as the bike does not come with Bluetooth to hook up your earphones to it.

Cons of the S22i

The cons of the S22i are:

Needs tightening on the seat and pedals
Pedals keep going
No Bluetooth for headset
Weight capacity

You will have to watch and tighten the seat and the pedals regularly, especially if you are a heavy user. If you compare this to a street bike, it will be more maintenance than you are used to. Still, if you are an average user, you will probably experience this less.

The pedals are attached to an inertia flywheel which means that they will keep moving even if you break. If you are used to using indoor machines and ellipticals this is something you are already familiar with. If you are a very dedicated outdoor cyclist who bought the S22i to press even more miles into a week than spend a little to get used to the mechanics. They are different from how your street bike would react and you might hurt yourself if you want to break at high speed instinctively.

A big oversight for a stationary bike with such a high price tag is that you can not use Bluetooth with the machine. If you are already investing in such a big touch screen it is very safe to assume that you want to make heavy use of the preprogrammed I Fit content. For this, you can not hook the sound up to your earphone. This is bad for use at home or in a gym. For such a high price I would expect Bluetooth to be included.

Another con to the S22i is weight capacity. Officially it only goes up to 150kg. If you want to get active to lose some weight, you might want to look at the ellipticals or heavy-duty treadmills to use for walking. Possible models can be the X22i treadmill or the SE7i elliptical.

Alternatives to the S22i

Alternatives to the Nordictrack S22i are:

The Nordictrack 1750 will cost you roughly the same as the S22i bike. With this, you will get one of the most well-balanced treadmills in the Nordictrack portfolio. 1750 is the bread butter machine of Nordictrack and leaves little to be desired if you are an average user or heavy user who does not need a massive incline or screen. Compared to the S22i you get a smaller screen and in return a very reliable treadmill which is good value for money. Of course, this is will take up more space in your home compared to a bike.

The Nordictrack X11i is in the same price range as the Nordictrack 1750. With this treadmill, you will get a whopping 40% incline. It is one of the least costly treadmills out of the 40% incline line up from Nordictrack. If you are a dedicated runner who wants all options on the incline or just wants to maximize calorie burn per minute, this might be the better option. Keep in mind, that a treadmill will have bigger space requirements than a bike.

The FS7i elliptical is the most modern elliptical to date from Nordictrack which you can get in the UK and a solid mid-range option in the US. The free stride technology makes this machine a stepper, treadmill, and elliptical in one machine. If you like the cushioned experience of ellipticals and have a good balance, this might be an option for you. The only downsides to this machine are that it is more error-prone than ellipticals with a set range of motion and that you need to get used to how to balance on the machine. Compared to the S22i you will get a smaller screen, it will take up more space, but it will be more friendly for users with a lower fitness level and provide more options for your home gym. Good buy to make the entire family happy, if the most sporty person in the household is willing to compromise.

The concept 2 model D rower is an option for anyone who prefers rowing over biking. You will also save about 1000 compared to the S22i. The concept 2 model D rower is a good option fur budget home gym owners or commercial gyms who want to buy in bulk. You can also hang these rowers on the wall quite easily to save space, once you have the right hooks for it.

The Rogue Echo Bike is my personal favorite as a choice for a home gym bike with no bells and whistles. It is built like a tank and has been stripped of most of the multimedia features which I find unnecessary. This airbike will take any abuse and has everything on board to get you sweating for around 700 bucks. If you do not need to be motivated by fancy colors and screens, this is a solid bet.

Summary for the Nordictrack S22i

The S22i is a great piece of equipment for the dedicated home gym owner who likes to be entertained while he or she is cycling. It can also be a viable option for boutique gyms who want to make their clients feel special and buy in small quantities. That there is no Bluetooth option for the price tag is a major let down. Budget-conscious home gym owners or commercial gyms which have more than 20 people in the cardio area at peaks will not find this to be a viable option because of the high price tag.