Nordictrack X32i vs VersaClimber SM
This is a comparison between the Nordictrack X32i treadmill and the VersaClimber SM model. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the VersaClimber SM
The VersaClimber SM comes in at $4995 - $5300. 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 VersaClimber SM sport
The
Versa Climber Sport model is the high-end product of the Versa range. This machine simulates climbing a mountain and is known for its relentless workouts. This thing will make you sweat. It can be used as a Climber or a stepper. It is hand welded and made from high-quality steel. The specs are:
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Weight 150 Lb
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Height 7’ 10’’
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Climb angle 75 degrees
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Footprint 43’’ x 46’’
The
Versa Climber is made in the USA and has been around for decades. It is a good alternative for gyms which cannot provide outside space for running or want to offer their athletes something more challenging. Le Bron James is said to use this machine for his routines.
Pros of the VersaClimber SM
Compared to most treadmills the
Versa Climber has a very small footprint. That means you can fit more people into a smaller space. For a home gym, you might also be able to put it in a corner of your house and just work away. That is usually more of a challenge with heavy treadmills.
The
Versa Climber possibly offers the most intense workout you can do for your cardiovascular system in the smallest space possible. This is pure intensity formed into metal.
If you are running a gym and want to attract more customers this is also an unusual piece of equipment. It might attract clients who are willing to pay more for their members to get more than just regular treadmills.
Cons of the VersaClimber
With the price tag of $5000, you are investing a considerable amount of money per machine. For two of these, you can get ten concept 2 rowers,
skiergs or
rogue Echo bikes. With this, you can run an entire CrossFit or strength class. It all depends on what kind of gym you want to be.
The movement pattern of the
Versa Climber has not a lot of carryover to most sports. If you are training athletes all around you will still need to get some type of treadmill despite having the
Versa Climber. Whether the Versa Climber is worth the investment if you still need to get other equipment is up to you.
The
Versa Climber works with chains. These can break and need to be maintained. Based on the rattling and way this machine is used it is More likely to break down than a treadmill or bike.
Alternatives to the VersaClimber SM
The Versa Climber H is a variation on the SM for home use. It only weighs half of the SM so it won’t take as much if a beating than the SM, which is ok for home use as it will not be used as much. Switching from the SM to the H will save you $3000. Be aware that the guarantee is voided if you place the H in a professional gym setting.
The
Rogue Echo bike packs a punch on your cardiovascular system for a fraction of the cost. The workout is not as intense as with the
Versa Climber as you are seated. But it comes at a considerably lower price and the bike can be moved around more easily.
The
concept 2 skierg is an alternative which can be used in tight spaces. it is also an alternative for people with hip or leg injuries to do endurance work indoors. It simulates skiing like you would do it in biathlon. The price tag is considerable than the one of the
Versa Climber SM model.
Summary for the VersaClimber SM
The
Versa Climber SM model is the one to go for when you want to bring the
Versa Climber experience to your gym. Especially when people will use it around the clock. The warranty will help in case of breakage. Compared to other workouts in the endurance sphere, the climber is superior for burned calories per minute. You will be hard pressed to find anything more challenging. For sprinters and athletes who work on the pitch, it might be better to veer towards running and sprinting as this has more overlay with their actual sport.
Further reading
This is a review of NordicTrack X32i which was originally published in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.
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32” Smart HD Touchscreen
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1-Year iFit® Membership Included ($468 Value)**
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Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
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Two 3” Digitally Amplified Speakers
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Reflex™ Cushioning
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22” x 65” Commercial Tread Belt
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Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
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0 - 40% Incline
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0 – 6% Decline
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0 - 12 MPH Speed
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OneTouch® Controls
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4.25 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
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Reinforced Steel Construction
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2.5” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
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iFit Bluetooth® Chest Strap Included
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300 Lb. User Capacity
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50 On-Board Workout Programs
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76.5” L x 40” W x 73” H Footprint
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10-Year Frame Warranty
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2-Year Parts Warranty
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1-Year Labor Warranty
If you have the money and space, you can not go wrong with this treadmill. It is top class and beats most of its competitors in terms of comfort, features, and performance.
This ocmbination makes it a great fit for health facilities who want to work with a wide arrange of clients. If you are either a very big athlete or struggle with too much weight, you can get nothing better in terms of cushioning. The screen is massive and with the I fit functionalities which come with this machine you can simulate almost any run you want to prepare for. As long as it is available on Google maps the
Nordictrack 32i will simulate the ups and downs.
While having the best of everything is nice it is usually hard on resources. If you have $4000 - $5000 to spend on a treadmill, this is good. Do you really need a 40% incline and a 32-inch screen which are the mina price drivers compared to other models? Probably not. Apart from this the space requirements for this treadmill are bigger than almost anything else on the market. If you have to fit it in a small space this is not the one to get. In addition, you have no option fo fold the
Nordictrack 32i to gain space.
The
TrueForm Runner is an alternative to the
Nordictrack 32i which plays in the same price range. The
True Form runner has no screen or incline and works without a motor. The main concept is that this treadmill runs on bearing. Therefore it is the better fit for fast interval training and sprints with a lot of acceleration. Basketball players, football players, and other team sport/sprint related athletes might get more use to increase performance out of this machine.
The
NordicTrack 2950 is the top of the line model which costs $1000 less. You get 15% of incline and a 22-inch screen with about the same bells and whistles otherwise. I still think this is more than enough for running indoors and lets you get 3 instead of 2 treadmills against $10.000. If you want luxury but don't want to go crazy on spending, go with this one.
The
Rogue Echo Bike is a very compact low price option at about $700 if you want to keep your knees safe and still get a good workout in. It is robust, easy to store and you can get a whole fleet of them for the price of two
X32i. If your gym has not a lot of space or you want to maximize it, this is a solid option. In terms of comfort do not expect too much as this bike does not have any fans and screens or digital gadgets attached to it.
The
NordicTrack 32i is a great option for the very wealthy home gym owner, as you can not get anything better for comfort and performance or a boutique commercial gym. If you only have one treadmill in your facility, this is a good option. the
Nordictrack 32i is not a good option for budget gyms which have to maximize the number of machines in their space for peak times or low budget home gym owners. For the price of one
32i you can already outfit an entire home gym.