Nordictrack VR21 vs Concept 2 model E
This is a comparison between the Nordictrack VR21 and the concept 2 model E including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the concept 2 model E
The Concept 2 Model E comes in at $1100. 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".
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Overview of the Concept 2 model E
The
concept 2 model E tower is one of the top of range rower options from concept 2. The main difference to other rowers is the seat height and protection of the chain. Think of this as a beefed up version of towers that you can easier get on and off.
Concept 2 also delivers the PM5 Monitor with the
Model E rower. This computer gets very good feedback a across the board in the industry. It enables you to link multiple rowers together to have a race. Whatever you get, make sure that it has a function to store your times and race against yourself. That is very satisfying and useful. The
concept 2 model e rower comes with the following specifications:
The
concept 2 Model E is a great option to beef up your existing rower assortment or to directly start with a model that has been perfected over time.
Pros of the concept 2 model E
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Static arm
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Higher seat
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PM5 monitor
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Bulkier frame
The PM5 monitor is fixed on a status arm compared to other rower models. This makes it easier to keep it in place and the material is less likely to fail. Even though the adjustable arms seems nice they actually cause more trouble than extra value. Over time you have to tighten the screws and take care so that monitor will not be all over the place during a challenge challenging workout. A static arm is much preferred in my opinion as long as it fixed at a height that makes sense to do the readings.
A higher seat has several advantages. If you have very big athletes or someone who can not get on the lower seat option from other rowers, than this is the solution. It is also great if you want to switch between workouts quickly in circuit training.
The PM5 monitor is also an advantage of other models. This monitor is becoming standard across the concept 2 range but just check before purchase whether it is really on or you need to select another option. I hear a lot of good about this monitor.
The bulkier frame will make it possible for the
model E to take more of beating if your intention is to use it in a gym setup.
Cons of the concept 2 model E
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Price
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Specificity
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Space requirements
The price of the
model E is quite a bit higher than for most other rower options. If you only want to row you might be able to save the worth of a barbell or a couple of plates by going for a different option.
Rowing is not very specific to most sports except CrossFit and rowing itself. If you are building a team that competes in some kind of major league you will still need treadmills besides the rowers. In addition, the higher seat is also less specific to actual rowing. The Olympic rowing boats are tiny and you sit very closely to the ground.
The last disadvantage of a rower is the space requirement. Compared to a bike, especially for a home gym, the length of the unit can turn into a real headache.
Alternatives to the Concept 2 model E
The
concept 2 model d rower would be the logical choice if you want to save some money. It is basically the same machine, just with slower seat and less fancy. If you want to row and be budget conscious this might be the option for you.
The
Rogue echo bike is a solid alternative for the home gym to kick your butt. It costs considerably less than the
model E and delivers a challenging, maybe even better impact on your cardiovascular system.
The
air assault runner is the budget option for self-propelled running. It is still a lot triple the price of the
model E. If you are running an establishment to produce the best you probably need a rower and one of these self-propelled machines.
Summary for the Concept 2 model E
The
model E is a sound upgrade on the
model E aimed at rehab or big boys. It is also one of the best things money can buy from concept 2. Is it worth the extra money compared to the
model D? Probably not if you care more about the budget than having the best things in life.
This article discusses the pros, cons, and alternatives for the Nordictrack VR21.This review was originally posted in “Which Nordictrack bike to get”. Follow the links for more details.
The
Nordictrack VR21 is the little brother of the
VR25 in the Nordictrack recumbent bike line up. Its main features are a 5-inch backlit display, 9kg flywheel, and 125kg maximum capacity. The full list of features reads as followed:
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Lumbar Supported Cushioned Seat
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Horizontal Seat Adjustment
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Extra-wide Ergonomic Pedals with Adjustable Straps
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AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
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Front-mounted Transport Wheels
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Water Bottle Holder
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Integrated Tablet Holder
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32 Workouts Apps
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Assembled Dimensions - 155L x 59W cm x 132H cm
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Product Weight 48kg
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Boxed Weight 57kg
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Boxed Dimensions - 153L x 65W x 39H cm
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Warranty - 2 Years parts and labor; 5-year frame guarantee upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.
The
VR21 is the better option for home gym buyers who want to save some money as the 9kg flywheel is more than enough. Commercial buyers might consider this option when they want to buy 5 - 10 units instead of the
VR21. Otherwise the
VR25 might be the better option.
Pros of the NordicTrack VR21
The pros of the
VR21 are:
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Price
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Meshed seat
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Comfortable position
The
VR21 is the cheapest recumbent bike that you can get from Nordictrack. If you want one and like the NordicTrack brand, this is the one to go for. Especially if you are a home gym buyer. Commercial buyers might consider this model when they buy in bulk. If you only want to have one or two on the floor, invest in the
VR25 and the bigger flywheel as they will clock more miles per unit as a fleet of ten
VR21 on the floor.
The meshed seat is a good little design feature to prevent sweating like mad. Other models have hard plastic full seats which can become sticky and unpleasant.
If you only want to moderately exercise and still use the time to go through emails or place some calls, a recumbent bike can be a very good option. They also have the advantage over ellipticals that they are closer to the floor and therefore do not need high ceilings.
Cons of the VR21
The cons of the
VR21 are:
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9kg flywheel
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Space requirements
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Low-calorie burn
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No touch screen
The 9kg flywheel puts the
VR21 at a disadvantage to the
VR25 model which has an 11kg flywheel. For home users this will not be as relevant as for commercial users. The trade-off is that you pay less money.
Compared to a traditional bike a recumbent bike takes more space and burns fewer calories per minute. If you want to optimize your floor space for the maximum amount of people burning the maximum amount of calories this is not the model to go for. Keep your clients and space requirements in mind, especially when shopping for recumbent bikes.
Compared to the
VR25 the
VR21 has no touch screen. If you want to get the full benefit of an easy workout while doing your work or surfing on the internet, the touch screen option will go along way for convenience.
Alternatives to the Nordictrack VR21
Aöternatives to the Nordictrack
VR21 are:
The
Nordictrack VR25 is the big brother of the
VR21. Personally I think that this is a better option for commercial buyers who only want one or two recumbent bikes on their floor. Otherwise, homebuyers can save some money by getting the
VR21. The worse media options can be compensated by just using your own devices on an easy ride.
The
NordicTrack C700 is the treadmill alternative from Nordictrack in the same budget range as the
VR21. The
C700 is a good option for walkers and joggers to get some miles in. If you intend to get your calorie burn in while standing, this might be the better option than the
VR21. The
C700 is not suited for runners who will take their treadmill through a lot of abuse in speed or distance.
The
NordicTrack SE3i elliptical is the cheapest elliptical in the Nordictrack line up. This can be a good compromise for all your clients or the entire family when you think that a recumbent bike does not have enough oomph. Just make sure that you have enough clearance to the ceiling as an elliptical will put you in a higher position than a recumbent bike and is harder to get on and off.
The
concept 2 model D is the industry standard for indoor rowing. If you want to row and turn your cardio into a full-body workout, this might be better option than the
VR21. A rower can also be hung on the wall after your workout to save some space. The only downside is that the calorie burn per minute is also relatively low compared to treadmills and upright bikes.
The
Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite for indoor gyms. This is a straight forward machine to make you sweat. No extra bells and whistles, just pure focus on high-intensity interval training. For some this bike might be intimidating, but I love it and it is also reasonably priced. Still, i would not place this one in an old folk's home or rehab center. The
VR21 might be a better option in those scenarios.
Summary for the Nordictrack VR21
The
Nordictrack VR21 is a good budget option for a recumbent bike from Nordictrack. If you want to relax and still burn some calories, this is the right machine for home use.