Nordictrack S50 treadmill vs concept 2 model D

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack S50 treadmill and the concept 2 model D including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details

Overview and review of the Concept 2 Model D

The Concept 2 Model D comes in at $900. 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 concept 2 Model D

The concept 2 model D rower is the bread and butter product from concept 2. This rower can be used by athletes of all sizes and ages. From low-intensity rehabilitation work to high-intensity racing between top athletes anything is possible with this machine. This is also a machine which you can most likely test yourself in a gym near you, which can not always be said for the other machines available on the Rogue website. The concept 2 model D comes with the following specifications:

Color black/white
Assembled in America
57LB weight
Length 96”
Width 24”
Height 14” (seat)
Foot print 8’ x 2’

The concept 2 rower is the go-to option in the industry. You can not go wrong with this one if you want to stick up on a rower for your home gym or commercial facility.

Pros of the Concept 2 Model D

The pros of the concept 2 rower are

Little impact
Scalable workout
PM5 monitor

Working out with the concept 2 rower will be lighter on your joints compared to other endurance workouts. As you will slide back and forth this machine can also be used when a high impact is not possible due to injury.

With the ten different settings for resistance and multiple workouts to choose from the computer, you can scale it in every direction. From intervals to long distance and races everything is possible.

The PM5 monitor is quickly becoming a standard which other endurance computers have live up to. In the reviews and testing I have done it comes out on top for connectivity to your phone and other machines for racing purposes.

cons

The cons of the concept 2 rower are

Space requirements
Specificity

The concept 2 rower is can be hung on a wall or broken up into two pieces for better storage. Still, at full length, it takes up considerable space compared to an Airbike. Especially for home gym arrangements, this might be a killer.

The rowing motion of the concept 2 is not specific to most sports. If you want to ensure that your training is as specific as possible a treadmill or bike might be the better option for you.

Alternatives to the concept 2 Model D

Alternatives to the concept 2 model d rower are:

The model E rower is a great alternative with a higher seat. If you work mainly with the rehab clients or very tall athletes this is a good alternative. In addition, you also get a sturdier hold for your PM5 monitor.

The Rogue echo bike is a great alternative if you want to save space and money. This machine might even give you an even better workout, especially if you want to do interval training. It also takes up less space than the concept 2 rower unless you mount the rower to a wall.

The TrueForm runner is the ultimate treadmill. You will need no access to power as it self propelled. The only downside is that it is about five times the price of the concept two rower.

Summary for the concept 2 Model D

The concept 2 model d is a safe bet for all endurance needs which want to be low impact. You can place it in a big gym with a horde of strong athletes or a boutique gym specialized in rehab of the 50+ women. The pricing is average and it also has been on the market for a long time.

Overview and review of the Nordictrack S50 1999

This is a review of the NordicTrack S50 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 S50

The main features of the S50 treadmill are the 3.5 CHP motor, 12% incline, and that it can be folded up. The full list of features for the S50 covers the following items:

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.

The S50 used to be solid in the Nordictrack portfolio but might have gone a little out of date.

Pros of the Nordictrack S50

The pros of the S50 are:

Strong motor
Can be gotten used

The Nordictrack S50 has a very strong motor and therefore good longevity. If you can get one used at a very small price you will not be disappointed. Especially if it was in-home use. As it has been around for a while you will have a higher likelihood on this machine to snatch a second-hand deal. If you are considering a new machine in the UK you might want to go for a different option.

Cons of the Nordictrack S50

The cons of the S50 are:

Not really good value for money
Older model

If you are looking into a new machine you are better off to look at the NordicTrack C1650 instead of the S50. You will get the same, maybe even better, specs at roughly the same price. You will have a harder time finding a used machine for the C1650.

Alternatives to the Nordictrack S50

The assault air runner is a self-propelled treadmill without a motor which is especially good for sprint/stop work. If you are an NFL or NBA player and want to work off the court on your speed development, this is a good machine to have. The Assault air runner is said to have bearing that is a little too fast compared to the Trueform Runner, which is said to have a better configuration.

The TrueForm Runner is the deluxe model in the realm of self-propelled treadmills. It usually gets the highest marks in terms of calibration and features in this market segment. This comes at a higher price compared to the Assault air runner. If you are buying for an individual athlete for home use, probably go for the TrueForm runner. If you buy for commercial use or outfitting a facility for an entire team, go for the Assault air runner.

The C1650 is the better value for money option from Nordictrack to achieve the same thing than the S50. The screen is bigger and the design is more modern for roughly the same price.

If you want to save a lot of money while maximizing the calories burned per minute I personally recommend the Rogue Echo bike. It is compact, affordable, and sturdy. Even you run usually outdoors and want to burn some extra calories or if you ave limited budget and space, this is the bike to get for your home gym.

Summary for the Nordictrack S50

Unfortunately, the S50 is probably not the best option out of the Nordictrack portfolio for Uk customers. Have a closer look at the C1650 instead at similar budget and space requirements.