NordicTrack S25 treadmill vs 12.9i elliptical
This is a comparison between the Nordictrack S25 treadmill and the 12.9i elliptical including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details
Overview and review of Nordictrack Elite 12.9i $1499
This is a review of the Nordictrack Elite 12.9 model. You will learn about the specifics, pros, cons and alternatives of this elliptical to make a decision. This article was originally published in "Which elliptical to get from Nordictrack".
Related Articles
Overview of the Elite 12.9i
The Elite 12.9i elliptical is the mid-range front-drive elliptical from Nordictrack. Its main features are the 30-pound flywheel, 20% incline, and 10-inch TOuch screen. The full list of features includes:
- 10” Smart HD Touchscreen
- 1-Year iFit® Membership Included*
- Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
- Two 2” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
- Front Drive
- 30 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- 24 Digital Resistance Levels
- Auto-Adjustable Stride
- 0-20% Incline
- Commercial Solid Steel Construction
- Oversized Levelers
- 350 Lb. User Capacity
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
- Soft Touch™ Upper Body Grips
- Oversized Cushion Pedals
- Front-Mounted Transport Wheels
- Water Bottle Holder
- 68.5" L x 28.75" W x 68.25" H Footprint
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty
Pros of the Elite 12.9i
- Biggest front-drive elliptical touch screen
- Good value for money
- 20% incline
The 12.9i has the biggest touch screen which Nordictrack can put in their ellipticals to date. Compared to other front and rear drive models you get the most real estate in touch screens with this machine.
For the $1499 you get a big flywheel, big screen, and a good warranty. This is the best value for money machine in the elliptical line up of NordicTrack. If you want a workhorse elliptical which becomes the backbone of your commercial fleet, this is a good option. Home gym owners who intend to put a lot of miles on their elliptical (read multiple users in the home) also want to consider this elliptical over cheaper options due to the bigger flywheel.
With the 20% incline, you can work at any intensity levels to get a workout in and make you feel good about yourself after starting the day with a good workout.
Cons of the 12.9i elliptical
The cons of the 12.9i elliptical are:
- No wow factor
- High price for doing everything moderately good
- Low-calorie burn
If you are already forking out more than $1000 on an exercise machine, you might as well get a bit of wow-factor out of the machine. This is not the case with the 12.9i. There is no cool mechanics like with the FS7i or a massive screen like you get with the 14.9i. All you get as a solid elliptical, that's it. Good for buying in bulk when you do not need to impress that much. Most home gym owners should go for the 10.9i instead with the 20-pound flywheel to save some money.
As with all ellipticals, you get a relatively low-calorie burn per minute compared to treadmills and bikes. If this is your main concern, go for a VersaClimber model or the Rogue echo bike.
Alternatives to the 12.9i elliptical
Alternatives to the 12.9 elliptical are:
The FS7i would be a good alternative for home gym owners with a little extra money to spend. This free stride model would provide a little bit more of a wow factor rather than just having an elliptical at home. If you are buying new and not used, I think this is the better option. If you buy a used elliptical and budget is your main concern, try to find a Nordictrack elite 10.9i on craigslist or eBay.
The NordicTrack 10.9i is the most affordable front-drive elliptical out of the Nordictrack line up. It has no touch screen and a smaller flywheel. This is a good option for the home gym owner who wants to occasionally train without having to go to the gym. In this scenario, you do not need a big flywheel to take the beating of several thousand miles.
The VersaClimber H/Hp model is the product that VersaClimber designed for home use. If you already run outdoors and want to maximize your warm-up when you workout at home, this is the machine for you. The calories burned per minute of this are not matched on a machine with that low a footprint.
The concept 2 rower is the home gym variation for anyone who likes rowing or does not want to stand or sit on a bike while exercising. There a re two models available, the E and the D. If you are older and struggle to get very low, go for the model E. Otherwise get the Model D to save some money. Commercial buyers might find it interesting that these machines can be hung on the wall, if you get multiple, to save space and make your gym more modular. Hard to do with an elliptical.
The Rogue echo bike is in my opinion one f the best options for a home gym to burn the most amount of calories with the smallest footprint at a competitive price. Unless you have reservations for airbikes, this is the one to get at about $700 apiece.
Summary for the 12.9i
The 12.9i is a good elliptical to be bought in bulk by a commercial gym. It will please a lot of customers without breaking the bank like the 14.9i. Home gym owners might consider to either move up or down the Nordictrack portfolio as they do not have to take economies of scale into consideration. You will probably only buy one or two ellipticals in your life so you might as well either maximize your savings or maximize the wow factor.
Overview and review of the NordicTrack S25 1299
This is a review of the NordicTrack S25 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.
Overview of the NordicTrack S25
The S25 is a treadmill in the lower price ranges of Nordictrack with a massive 3.5 CHP motor. This is probably the most amount of horsepower for the least amount of money you can get from Nordictrack in the UK. The full list of specifications includes:
- Includes 1 Years iFit Family Membership
- iFit Integrated
- Two 2” Bluetooth Digitally Amplified Speakers
- 3.5 CHP Motor
- 0% - 12% Digital Incline
- 0 – 22 km/h Speed
- Onetouch™ Controls
- 1.9” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
- 125kg Max User Weight
- EKG Handgrips
- FlexSelect™ Cushioning
- 51 x 152 cm Tread Belt
- This Machine Does Not Feature a Workout Fan
- SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
- Assembled Dimensions - 200L x 90W x 145H cm
- Product Weight 92kg
- Boxed Weight 109kg
- Folded Dimensions - 103L x 90W x 180H cm
- Boxed Dimensions - 210L x 82W x 34H cm
- Warranty - Lifetime Frame Warranty, 10-year Motor Warranty, 2-Year Parts & Labour upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.
Pros of the Nordictrack S25
Pros of the S25 are:
- The motor
- The motor
- The motor
What this machine mainly has going for it is the big motor at such a small price tag. This is the machine for the no-nonsense runner who wants to be able to rack up the miles all day long, no matter the weather or traffic outside. You will not be entertained, you will not run on 40% inclines, but this machine will last. If you want to clock 200 miles a week on a treadmill, this is it.
Cons of the S25
The cons of the Nordictrack S25 are:
- Out of date displays
- Old model
The S treadmill series is not listed on the American website of Nordictrack for purchase. You will have to dig with partners or the vendor itself to still get your hands on it. In the Uk it is still listed as a model. Just be cautious of these things, especially if you buy commercially. The X7i or T7.5 product line will see a little more love from Nordictrack as these are also still being produced in the US and are not just gathering dust in warehouses around the world that need to be sold off.
Alternatives to the NordicTrack S25
Alternatives to the S25 treadmill are:
If you want an exercise machine for the home under 1000 and an elliptical which is easier on your joints than the Nordictrack C7.5 might be for you. This elliptical comes in at a lower price range while still not being the bottom of the barrel in ellipticals you can get from Nordictrack.
The Nordictrack C700 treadmill is the entry treadmill from Nordictrack. If you insist that your treadmill should be now but space and budget are squeezed, this is the model to get. If you are in this position, i would always recommend looking at second hand for home use. You can make considerable savings and still get a decent treadmill. Commercial buyers should especially watch out for warranties and how that affects insurance policies if they buy from foreclosure or second hand.
The concept model D rower is a good choice if you do not want to stand while exercising. This machine has been around for years and is a solid workhorse in almost any commercial gym you will walk into. It also comes in at below 1000 so if you like rowing and want to burn some calories, this might be the right choice for you.
The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite for any home gym. This design is compact, sturdy, has a high-quality finish, and comes with a very competitive price tag. When Rogue wanted to enter the realm of cardio machines they did it right and built the perfect machine for Crossfit boxes or no-nonsense home gyms. The downside of this machine is that it comes nether with a big screen nor a lot of buttons to press.
Summary for the Nordictrack S25
The Nordictrack S25 is a great treadmill for someone who wants to save money and put a lot of miles on their treadmill with no fuss. There is no better alternative in the UK line up at the moment for getting your hands on a 3.5 CHP motor.
