This article discusses the pros, cons, and alternatives for the Nordictrack VR25.This review was originally posted in “Which Nordictrack bike to get”. Follow the links for more details.
The
VR25 is part of the recumbent bike series of Nordictrack. In this product line, it is the flagship of Nordictrack. The main features are an 11kg flywheel, a meshed seat, and a 7-inch touch screen. The full feature list covers:
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7" Full Colour Capacitive Touch Display
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iFit Integrated- 1 Years Family Membership Included
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Smart BlueTooth (BLE) Chestbelt Compatible
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iPod Compatible Bluetooth Audio (2 - 2" Speaker)
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Oversized Lumbar Supported Cushion Sea
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Easy Glide Seat Adjustment
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Extra Wide Ergonomic Foot Pedals
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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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Pivoting Integrated Tablet Holder
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Assembled Dimensions - 94L x 63W cm x 156H cm
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Product Weight 47kg
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Boxed Weight 52kg
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Boxed Dimensions - 109L x 37W x 65H cm
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Warranty - 2 Years parts and labor; 5-year frame guarantee upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.
This is a great choice when you want to be able to burn calories while not being too hard on your joints or work while you are exercising by reading your emails. It might not burn the most calories per minute, but the trade-off is that you can also do some other things while exercising or be easy on yourself after a long day while still burning off some calories.
Pros of the Nordictrack VR25
Pros of the
VR25 include:
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Big flywheel
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Meshed seat
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Ipad holder
The 11kg flywheel will last you for a long time and take care of a smooth ride. The bigger the flywheel the smoother the ride and the longer it will last. This is the recumbent bike with the biggest flywheel in the NordicTrack line up.
The meshed seat will make it easier for you to keep the sweat at bay. Other recumbent bikes have solid plastic seats which can become rather disgusting during use. Especially in a professional set up with a lot of turnover a day, a meshed might be good piece of equipment to get with your recumbent bike.
The last benefit you get is a little holder for tablets of most sizes. This way you can stay up to date or just follow your favorite programs and music on your own gadget rather than going through the browser of the
VR25.
Cons of the Nordictrack Vr 25
The cons of the
VR 25 are:
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Low-calorie burn
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Space requirements
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Ifit subscription
Recumbent bikes have one of the lowest-calorie burns per minute when it comes to exercise equipment. Why invest a good bit of money into a recumbent while a stiff walk almost has the same effect? Still, that is up to you based on your preferences, possibilities to exercise outside, and who your clientele is.
Compared to traditional bikes a recumbent bike will take up more space. Take this into consideration when you are making your measurements. A bonus compared to ellipticals is that a recumbent bike can tolerate a lower ceiling than an elliptical.
The Ifit subscription might not be for everyone. After the free version is used up you will have to pay 10 - 30 bucks a month to get access to the Ifit subscription for the newest content. You will still be able to have access to a free library, but the latest and greatest content will only be available under the subscription.
Alternatives to the Nordictrack VR25
The
Nordictrack VR21 is the small sister of the
VR25. It has a smaller flywheel and no touch screen display. In return for giving these features up you save 250 pounds or 500 USD. This can be an option for the budget-conscious who are interested in obtaining a recumbent bike.
The
Nordictrack C700 treadmill is a great option for joggers and walkers who want to exercise at home rather than outside. If you prefer running over sitting on a recumbent bike, the
C700 might be the better option for you. If you are a serious runner who takes his/her treadmill through a lot of abuse, look a little more upmarket than the
C700.
The
NordicTrack SE5i elliptical is an option for a full-body workout while still being easier on your joints than a treadmill. The
SE5i can be a good compromise for the entire family if some want to get a bit harder on their workouts than a recumbent bike will allow. Just make sure that your ceiling is high enough as a dingy garage might be better off with a recumbent bike in it to save you from unnecessary headaches.
The
Concept 2 model D is the industry standard for indoor rowing machines. You will save some money compared to the
VR25 and still be easy on your joints. Another bonus is that you can hang a rower on the wall after use. The downside is that most
concept 2 rowers don't come with a lot of media options.
My personal favorite for a home gym is the uncompromising
Rogue echo bike. Rogue maximized stability and metal engineering on this machine while minimizing the entertainment factor and produced a true workhorse. If you are into burning as many calories as possible per minute without breaking the bank or giving up too much space in your home, this is for you. The
Echo bike is not for you if you want to be entertained and have it cozy while you burn some calories.
Summary for the VR25
The
Nordictrack VR25 is a great recumbent bike for professional use in a commercial facility to address people who do not want to go all out on their cardio workout or warmup. The bigger flywheel is especially interesting when the machine is heavily used. Home gym owners might want to save a little money by going for the
VR21 instead as they will still get an industry-grade machine for 250 pounds or $500 less. The same goes for commercial facilities that need to buy many recumbent bike units.