TITAN fan bike vs Nordictrack FS5i elliptical
This is a comparison between the TITAN Fan bike and the Nordictrack FS5i including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article has been originally published in which conditioning equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the NordicTrack FS5i 1499
This is a review of the NordicTrack FS5i 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 FS5i
The
FS5i is probably the best elliptical from Nordictrack you can currently get for the UK market. It has its flywheel at the center which enables a lot of freedom of movement and a long stride of 32". The main features of this elliptical are its 7kg flywheel, 5-inch backlit display, and 32 workout programs. The full list of features reads as follows:
- 5" Backlit Display
- iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
- Integrated Tablet Holder
- Two 2” Speakers
- Center Drive
- 7kg. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
- 22 Digital Resistance Levels
- OneTouch® Controls
- Max User Weight 135kg
- 32" Auto-Adjustable Stride
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
- SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
- Oversized Cushion Pedals
- 32 Workout Programmes
- Transport Wheels
- Water Bottle Holder
- Large Boxed Item - This item can only be delivered or delivered and installed to a ground floor room location.
- Product Weight 105kg
- Boxed Weight 113kg
- Assembled Dimensions - 148L x 75W x 187H cm
- Boxed Dimensions - 157L x 77W x 65H cm
- Warranty - 5-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty, subject to registration within 28 days of purchase.
This is the right choice in the Uk in most scenarios for an elliptical without breaking the bank, but also not compromising on quality or functionality.
Pros of the NordicTrack FS5i
The pros of the
FS5i are:
- Good value for money
- Relevant product line
- 32" stride
This elliptical will provide a lot of options to you at a reasonable price. It is also part of the FS family which is still being produced in the US. This ensures that you will have less trouble getting support or parts for this machine than for the S and C series which has been discontinued in the States. With the 32" stride this machine provides a lot of different workout modes to play around with your stride. If you are very tall, this might be the elliptical for you.
Cons of the Nordictrack FS5i
The cons of the
FS5i are:
- Space requirements
- More error-prone
- Not for everyone
As this is one of the machines with the longest stride available for the UK market it also needs more clearance around the machine. For the ellipticals with the flywheel in the center, you have to clear the area in front and in the back of the elliptical. That is not always the most practical option to get a working setup.
Compared to the more compact design of treadmills and ellipticals with motors in the back or front, this design is a bit more error-prone. Especially commercial buyers should think twice if they have a lot of use and people using the
FS5i.
The free stride models are also recommended to be tested before you use them. The freedom of movement is not for everyone who are used to classic elliptical setups.
Alternatives to the NordicTrack FS5i
Alternatives to the
Fs5i are:
The
ACT commercial can be an alternative for anyone who does not have the space to put the
FS5i into their home gym. The
ACT is more compact and therefore friendlier in tight spots. You will also save some money compared to the
FS5i. The only downside is that the
ACT series is discontinued and you will find it harder and harder over time to get parts and support for this particular machine.
If you want a treadmill instead of an elliptical your best choice for the Uk from Nordictrack is the
T7.5. The
T7.5 is right in the middle of the available Nordictrack portfolio for the UK and has all you need without going overboard on any of the features. The only downside is that you will not get a 40% incline or a massive screen with this treadmill.
The
concept 2 model d rower is a great option for smaller options. If you do not want to stand while exercising the
concept model d will cover your needs. Don't expect wonders from the screens on this machine, but the tracking capabilities are sound.
My personal favorite for home gym environments is the
Rogue Echo bike. It is compact, easy to move, and packs a punch for a great 20-minute cardio workout using interval training. If you want to burn calories, save money, and save space, this is the machine to get. The downside is that this machine is not designed to entertain you and keep you engaged. You have to bring the willpower, the rest will be taken care of.
Summary for the FS5i
The
FS5i is a great machine when you have space and you are tall yourself. It will provide many different workout modes and is probably the best buy for ellipticals in the Uk from Nordictrack to date.
Overview and review of the TITAN fan bike
This is an overview of the TITAN fan bike including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was originally published in Which cardio equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for more details.
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Overview of the TITAN Fan bike
The
TITAN fan bike is a clone of the
Rogue Echo bike with massive wheels on it. One other major difference is that it is driven by a chain rather than a belt. Price-wise it undercuts the
Rogue echo bike.
Fanbikes are ideal for interval training to really kick your butt with Tabata training or other forms of interval training. For this,
fan bikes are far superior to
treadmills or
rowing machine. If you want to burn the maximum amount of calories in the shortest amount of time,
fan bikes are the best option for the lowest price. The details of the
TITAN fan bike are:
Height: 50-in
Seat height: 33 - 42.75 in
Footprint: 50.25-in x 20.375-in
Handle diameter: 38 mm
Wheel diameter: 10-in x 3-in.
Finish: Powder-Coated Black
Material: Heavy-Duty Steel
Weight capacity: 330lb
Product weight: 111lb.
- Fully enclosed metal chain drive
- Removable fan guard
- LCD Console Display with customizable modes
- Bluetooth Heart Rate function pairs with Polar® Bluetooth Heart Rate Transmitters
- Tracks Time, Distance, Heart Rate, RPM, Calories, Watts, Odometer
- High-Intensity Interval Training Programs
- Large ergonomic seat with multi-adjustment options
- Knurled footpegs and rear handle
- Reinforced metal foot pedals
- Sealed cartridge bearings utilized in every pivot
- Turf tires for easy moving over any terrain
- Aluminum Water Bottle Holder
- Phone holder with grippy pad
- Assembly hardware
This is a solid low price fan bike, especially if you want to use it outside. The only downside is the chain which is more likely to break than a belt.
Pros of the TITAN Fan bike
The price of the
TITAN fan bike is something to behold and undercuts the
Rogue Echo bike even further. The
Echo bike already was an attack on the $1000 mark in the Airbike sector and TITAN is taking it one step further by making it even cheaper.
Another bonus are the bigger wheels on the TITAN. This is a smart move on TITAN's behalf to differentiate the
TITAN fan bike from the rest of the line up in
fan bikes. These big wheels are great for the outdoors or a garage gym with very rough surfaces.
Cons of the TITAN fan bike
-
Computer unit
-
Chain drive
-
Build
The computer unit and arrangement of the buttons is not as convenient as with other vendors on the market. The computer of the
Rogue Echo bike has different programs on speed dial beside the panel and the display is also bigger. The display is also a little removed from you so that your sweat won't drop as easily on it. If you lean forward on the
TITAN fan bike on a strenuous session, your sweat will be all over the screen.
Chain drives are cheaper and easier to build but also make for a less smooth transition of force to the flywheel and make the machine more prone to malfunction. This is more of a consideration for very heavy users, as it takes some time to get a chain to break, but still, something to consider, especially in commercial settings.
Overall the
TITAN fan bike is one of the air bikes that feels the flimsiest of the different products which are available in the market from bigger vendors. This is TITAN's style of cutting corners where they can to bring you the cheapest possible viable product for a given purpose. If you want to save money, you'll like it.
Alternatives to the TITAN Fan bike
-
-
NordicTrack VU 19
-
Schwinn Airdyne
-
Versaclimber
The
Rogue Echo bike has been the disruptor in the market of air bikes. It was the first air bike of a reputable brand that undercut the $1000 mark while still being sturdy. This is the gold standard and if you want to be sure what you are getting, opt for the
Echo bike. I own one myself and have put it to a lot of abuse. The only downside of this bike is that it does not have a screen for watching movies, but that is the same for the
TITAN fan bike.
The Nordictrack VU 19 is one of the cheapest bikes in the collection of Nordictrack. This bike is more focused on long-distance cycling and comfort for the masses. You will get a small screen to watch movies or browse the internet. This is what would work for the entire family without intimidating anyone. The only disadvantage is that this bike is $1000 instead of considerably lower like the
Rogue echo bike and
TITAN fan bike.
The Schwinn Airdyne fan bike is the original market leader in the industry which has been dethroned by the
Rogue Echo bike. If you want to buy from a company that has been around for a long time and focuses majorly on cardio machines then Schwinn is the right bet.
Versaclimber is the tool to get if you want to burn the most calories possible in the shortest amount of time on the smallest footprint. A workout on a Versaclimber is relentless and will get your pulse racing and sweat rolling. To top this of these machines also have a very small footprint and therefore save space in any home gym environment. The disadvantages are that you need a high ceiling and that the price is far beyond $1000. If you only want the best and be fast
Conclusion for the TITAN Fan bike
The
TITAN fan bike is everything that TITAN stands for. They take a great product where another company took the lead. Then they try to get a share of that market by becoming the cost leader. This is reflected in the product, its finish, and the subtle little details like the sweat dripping directly on the electronics. The
Fan bike will do its job and it will do it well. If you want to be proud of your equipment you might want to look somewhere else. But in the end, it is just fitness equipment.