Nordictrack VR25 vs concept 2 model E

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack VR25 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".

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:

54” monorail length
20” seat height
5-year warranty frame parts
2-year warranty all part

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

The pros of the model E rower are:

Static arm
Higher seat
PM5 monitor
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

The cons of the concept 2 model e are

Price
Specificity
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

Alternatives to the concept 2 model E rower are

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.

Overview and review of the Nordictrack VR25 999 / 1499 (UK/US)

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:

7" Full Colour Capacitive Touch Display
iFit Integrated- 1 Years Family Membership Included
Smart BlueTooth (BLE) Chestbelt Compatible
iPod Compatible Bluetooth Audio (2 - 2" Speaker)

Recumbent Frame
Step Thru™ Design
11kg Flywheel
26 Digital Resistance Levels
Integrated Quick Touch Handle Controls
EKG Handgrips
158kg Max User Weight

Oversized Lumbar Supported Cushion Sea
Easy Glide Seat Adjustment
Extra Wide Ergonomic Foot Pedals
AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan

Front-mounted Transport Wheels
Water Bottle Holder
Pivoting Integrated Tablet Holder
Assembled Dimensions - 94L x 63W cm x 156H cm
Product Weight 47kg
Boxed Weight 52kg
Boxed Dimensions - 109L x 37W x 65H cm
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:

Big flywheel
Meshed seat
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:

Low-calorie burn
Space requirements
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

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.