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Nordictrack VX550 vs S40

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Mar 23, 2021 4:00:00 PM

Nordictrack VX550 vs S40

This is a comparison of the Nordictrack VX550 and S40 including pros, cons, and alternatives . Follow the links for more details.

 

Overview and review of the NordicTrack S40 1599

This is a review of the NordicTrack S40 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.

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Overview of the Nordictrack S40 

 
The main features of the Nordictrack S40 are its 3.0 CHP motor, the 12% incline, and the one-touch controls. Unfortunately, the S series is one of the older product ranges of the Nordictrack line up and you might want to look into the C1650 or T7.5 as an alternative. Still, you might make a good grab on the used treadmill market for this model. The full list of features includes:
 
  • Includes 1 Years iFit Family Membership
  • iFit Integrated
  • Two 2” Bluetooth Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • 3.0 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 84kg
  • Boxed Weight 105kg
  • Folded Dimensions - 103L x 90W x 180H cm
  • Boxed Dimensions - 212L x 81W x 28H cm
  • Warranty - Lifetime Frame Warranty, 10-year Motor Warranty, 2-Year Parts & Labour upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.
Have a good look at the market what you can get, but this treadmill might not be an ideal choice for buying something new. 
 

Pros of the Nordictrack S40

 
the pros of the Nordictrack S40 are:
 
  • 3.0 CHP motor 
  • One-touch controls
The 3.0 CHP motor makes this a long-lasting treadmill for someone who runs a lot. Especially used this might be a good steal. The one-touch adjustments for speed are also a great feature of Nordictrack treadmills which make them more user friendly as you only need to push one button to get to the right space.
 

Cons of the Nordictrack S40 

 
Cons of the S40 are:
 
  • Price 
  • Age
For the age of this product line, you still pay a pretty high price. This is good for Nordictrack to empty their inventory of old models, but not necessarily for your purse. If you buy new you may want to get for the newer models in the X line or the T line which have followed the C line of Nordictrack models. 
 

Alternatives for the Nordictrack S40

 
Good alternatives for the S40 are:
 
The Nordictrack T7,5 is, in my opinion, a better alternative to the S40 unless you manage to get a discount on the S40. The T7.5 is the more modern machine and has almost the same specifications. They also punch in the same budget weight class. So stick with the T7.5 instead of the S40 in the Nordictrack portfolio.
 
The FS5i is a good alternative for an elliptical for a home gym or commercial gym. It costs roughly the same as the S40 and comes with Free Stride technology. The FreeStride technology puts the flywheel in the middle of the machine. This enables a longer stride and you can also use the elliptical as a treadmill, elliptical, and stepper in one. This freedom comes at the price of a more error-prone design and more challenging movement patterns. 
 
If you want to save some money and like rowing, you can go for the Concept 2 Model D rower. This is the flagship model from Concept 2 who has been around for years in the rowing place. You will be hard-pressed to find a major commercial gym without one of these on the floor. They come in under 1000 and might be a get alternative to consider. The only challenge is that they take up as much space as a treadmill, but are easier to move.
 
The Rogue Echo Bike is my personal favorite for home gyms as it is compact, sturdy, and burns a lot of calories per minute if used right. This machine can be gotten at the 700 mark and will last for a lifetime. The big disadvantage is that the Echo bike has no onboard entertainment whatsoever. If you need a video or machine to motivate you to get your training in, this is not the one for you. This is a great tool for intrinsically motivated people who want to save money and space. 
 

Summary for the Nordictrack S40

 
As with the entire S series you might want to opt for something else which is a little more modern and therefore will get more support from the vendor Nordictrack. Always check the US website and compare the portfolio with the Uk website to avoid that you are buying something with is being discontinued. At the time of writing the S series is not available in the US anymore where Nordictrack headquarters is situated. 
 
 
 
 

Overview and review of the Nordictrack VX 550 599 (UK)

This article discusses the pros, cons, and alternatives for the Nordictrack VX550.This review was originally posted in “Which Nordictrack bike to get”. Follow the links for more details.

 
The VX 550 is one of the lower budget bikes in the NordicTrack line up and is currently only available via the UK website. Its main features are a 9kg flywheel, 5-inch backlit display, and a maximum capacity of 125kg. This is the bike for you if you want a bigger flywheel for relatively little and you do not care about Ifit or other digital features to keep you engaged. The full list of features reads: 
 
  • This item is NOT compatible with iFit.
  • 5" Backlit Display
  • Smart BlueTooth (BLE) Chestbelt Compatible
  • Dual 2-Inch Speakers
  • Upright Frame
  • 9kg Flywheel
  • 20 Digital Resistance Levels
  • Onetouch™ Controls
  • EKG Handgrips
  • 125kg Max User Weight
  • Oversized Cushion Seat
  • Vertical and Horizontal Seat Adjustment
  • Extra-wide Ergonomic Pedals with Adjustable Straps
  • No AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan Included
  • Front-mounted Transport Wheels
  • Tablet Holder Included
  • 20 Workouts Apps
  • Assembled Dimensions - 150L x 61W x 167H cm
  • Product Weight 44kg
  • Boxed Weight 56kg
  • Boxed Dimensions - 106L x 32W x 66H cm
  • Warranty - 2 Years parts and labor; 5-year frame guarantee upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.
This is currently the cheapest 9kg flywheel you can get from Nordictrack. If you are an above-average cyclist who wants a bike that lasts to get a medium cycle in when it rains, the VX 550 can be a good option for you. 
 

Pros of the VX 550

 
The pros of Nordictrack VX550 are:
 
  • Price
  • 9kg flywheel
The VX550 has a great price point for a Nordictrack Cardio machine. In addition you will get a fairly big flywheel for what you are paying. The GX 4.7R is in the same price range but only has a 7kg flywheel. The combination of price and bigger flywheel makes this the durable low budget option in exchange for not being up to the times in the entertainment and engagement department. 
 

Cons of the VX550

 
The cons of the VX 550 are:
 
  • No Ifit
  • No Touch screen 
The VX550 is not compatible with the Ifit subscription from NordicTrack. This means that the number of days for the VX550 in the NordicTrack portfolio are very numbered. NordicTrack is pushing hard on catching up to Peloton in the entertainment and engagement segment to regain market share and establish recurring revenue. The VX550 does not fit anywhere in this strategy. If you are a commercial buyer who wants buy-in bulk, stay way clear from this one for your gym. Home users will have to make a conscious decision whether it is worth to get a 9kg instead of a 7kg flywheel while trading off Ifit. If you think you need the engagement features, go for the GX 4.7R instead of the VX550.
 

Alternatives to the VX550

 
Possible alternatives to the VX550 are:
 
The Nordictrack GX 4.7 is the better option if you are convinced that you need some instructors and entertainment to keep engaged with your workouts. You will get a smaller flywheel, but in return the GX 4.7 is Ifit compatible and therefore give you a big library of engaging content. 
 
The Nordictrack C700 treadmill is a low budget alternative for anyone who prefers jogging or walking over cycling. The C700 is the cheapest treadmill in the Nordictrack line up that you can currently get. While it is a good option for joggers and walkers, it might be a bit too small for serious runners who put their treadmills through a lot of abuse. 
 
The SE3i elliptical is the low budget elliptical option from Nordictrack. An elliptical can be a good compromise for the entire family or in a small gym to keep multiple happy, rather than just cyclists. The downside of an elliptical is that it needs more space and higher ceilings. 
 
The concept 2 model D rower is the bread and butter machine in the rowing world. If you prefer rowing over cycling you can not go wrong with this model. You can also hang the rower on the wall to save space when you are not using it. The model D will be slightly more expensive than VX550. 
 
My personal favorite is the Rogue echo bike for home gym use. It is slightly more expensive than the VX550 but is built more stable. In return you sacrifice any type of entertainment as it does not come with a screen. The Rogue echo bike is designed for serious athletes and might be a little intimidating for anyone who just wants to stay active and mobile, without pushing themselves to the brink of exhaustion. 
 

Summary for the Nordictrack VX550

 
The VX550 is a good option if you want a big flywheel at a low price from Nordictrack. In exchange for this, you will get a product which the Nordictrack management will care very little about so expect that it will be harder to get support and parts for it. 
 
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