TITAN magnetic resistance rowing machine vs Nordictrack S10i
This is a comparison between the TITAN magnetic rowing machine and the Nordictrack S10i 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 S10i 1699 (UK)
This article discusses the pros, cons, and alternatives for the Nordictrack S10i.This review was originally posted in “Which Nordictrack bike to get”. Follow the links for more details.
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The
S10i is the oldest bike from Nordictrack in the S line up and is currently only available for purchase in the UK. I would expect that after the available stocks are sold, this model will go end of life. The main features of the
S10i are the 10 inch Touch screen, 20% incline, and the free dumbbells which come with the purchase. The full list of features includes:
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10” Smart HD Touchscreen
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Free Ground Floor Installation Included
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Watts Power Readout
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Includes 1 Years iFit Family Membership
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Auxiliary Music Port
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Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
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Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
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-10% – 20% Incline
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SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
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OneTouch® Controls
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Enhanced Corrosion Resistance
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Large Diameter Adjustable Leveling Feet
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22 Digital Resistance Levels
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150 kg User Capacity
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Commercial Grade Steel Construction
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Dual Water Bottle Holders
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Two 3 Lb. Dumbbells Included
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Compatible with Standard Road Bike Pedals & Seat
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Front-mounted Transport Wheels
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Assembled Dimensions - 140 L x 56 W x 141 H cm
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Warranty - 2 Years parts and labor; 5-year frame guarantee upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.
If you want a bike from Nordictrack with a 20% incline, this is the best value for money you can get as long as you do not mind the smaller screen compared to the rest of the S line.
Pros of the Nordictrack S10i
The pros of the
S10i are:
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Money to incline ratio
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Touch screen
The biggest pro of the
S10i is the amount of money you spent on the incline. Currently, this is the cheapest option in the Nordictrack bike line up to get your hands on a 20% incline. The trade-off is a 10inch touch screen which is the smallest compared to the S line models.
For this price range, it is also good to get a touch screen instead of a backlit or LED screen. Other models in the same price range might not provide a touch screen as the
S10i used to be the flagship bike when Nordictrack made the swing from Backlit to touch screen displays.
Cons of the S10i
As with the entire S line, the
S10i also only has an aux rather than Bluetooth compatibility. This is an oversight of Nordictrack as they did modernize the screens, but did not upgrade the frames for the S series. If engineering had looked for Touch screens with inbuilt Bluetooth they would not have the problem of offering 1000 - 2000 bikes which you can not hook up to your Bluetooth earphones.
If you care about screen real estate than this bike is the worst option in the S line. I also think this is the wrong way of looking at this bike. If you buy it, buy it for the incline, not for the screen. If a big screen is your main concern and you want to save money you can go for the
Grand Tour Pro in the US and save some money while still getting a 10inch.
Another downside is that
S10i is the oldest model in the S line of bikes from Nordictrack. You can not buy it in the US anymore while it is still available in the UK. If you do not mind fixing things yourself or you are not a heavy user this is no problem. But if you are a gym owner who wants to buy ten of these and use them for 5 years, then you might want to opt for a newer model.
Alternatives to the S10i
Alternatives to the
S10i bike are
The
S40 treadmill is part of the older range of treadmills which is still available in the UK. If you want a treadmill which is cheaper now, as it got a bit out of date but was one of the best in its heyday, this is the one to get.
The
T7.5 treadmill is currently the best-balanced treadmill of Nordictrack in the lower price range around 1500. It is also still being sold in the US which makes it a safer investment than the
S40 for commercial use.
The
12.9i elliptical from Nordictrack would be a price neutral option if you want to accommodate for more fitness levels in your house. It is usually easier to strike a balance for all users with an elliptical than with a bike. This assumes that you can fit an elliptical in the dedicated space, as they are considerably bigger than the bikes.
The
concept 2 model D rower is always a good alternative to safe money when you buy in bulk or can hang it on the wall in a home gym. With the
concept 2 model D you can push the cost for your cardio machine under 1000 and own a proven industry standard. Most people think of the
concept 2 model D when they think of a rowing machine. Unless they watched too much house of cards.
The
Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite for home gym use. This machine is as solid as a tank and has been stripped to the bare necessities to make you sweat. Based on this it comes in at a very competitive price point of around 700. If you are a no-nonsense weekend warrior you can get the
Rogue Echo bike and some heavy kettlebells for the price of one
S10i bike and get cracking.
Summary for the Nordictrack S10i
The
S10i bike is a great option for someone who does not mind the exercises provided via Ifit too much and already has a screen in their gym. If you are looking for a 20% incline bike of high quality without a lot of entertainment attached to it, this is the machine for you. 10inch used to be the best of the best, but in a time of 32-inch screens latched onto cardio machines the
S10i just fell behind.
Overview and review of the TITAN magnetic resistance rowing machine
This is an overview of the TITAN magnetic resistance rowing machine 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 Magnetic resistance Rowing fitness machine
The
TITAN fitness magnetic rower is a low budget option to get a
rowing machine into your home gym or professional gym. While the price is low and it also sits very low to the ground it is not great for high-performance
rowing. If you are looking for easy resistance like a stroll in the park this is the right machine for you. If you want to crank the handle like there is no tomorrow you have to go with one of the air resistance or water resistance
rowers that are more upmarket. The full specifications of this machine are:
Dimensions: 60-in x 22.5-in x 19-in.
Seat: 12.5-in x 9.75-in x 2-in.
Footrests: 10.375-in x 4.5-in.
Handles: 16-in x 1-in
Color: Gray/Black
Track material: Aluminum
Frame material: Steel
Weight Capacity: 250lb.
Product weight: 50lb.
- Great for cardiovascular and aerobic exercise
- 8 resistance settings
- Large LCD screen to count time, calories and number of row pulls
- Large pedals are slip-resistant with adjustable straps for feet
- Easy to fold and stand up between usage
- Heavy-duty construction with padded seat and non-slip handlebar grip
This is great if you just want to stay active and do not want to go outside for any kind of reason. It will also be easier on your joints than a treadmill as you can stay seated while using it. It will not fit under the bed but can be put into a tall closet when it is upright.
Pros of the TITAN Magnetic resistance Rowing fitness machine
The mechanics of the
TITAN magnetic resistance rower allow that it is very silent to use. You do not have the air or water noises from the higher-priced professional models. So if you want to use it when the children are asleep in the next or you are in a big apartment complex with pesky neighbors, this can do the trick.
For a
rower, this is very cheap. Most other
rowers will start around $400 and go up to $2000 depending on what kind of resistance and media package you are getting. So if you just want a low price option to train at home without a lot of hassle, the
magnetic rower is for you.
Another bonus of the
TITAN magnetic rowing fitness machine is that the seat is very close to the floor. This leaves a lot of room if you are big to sit on it and fully stretch out on each row.
Cons of the TITAN Magnetic resistance Rowing fitness machine
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Magnetic resistance
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Fairly light
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Low-quality footrests
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Outdated computer unit
The magnetic resistance itself is prone to break and you can easily overpull it. If you are reasonably strong and go at this machine with full force the magnetic resistance will break and you have a free-spinning wheel for your pull. This makes it impossible to use this machine if you want to go all balls out on interval training. This machine has been designed for a smooth, even ride.
You want cardio equipment to be light so that you can move it around easily, but not so light that you feel like you might crush it. It depends on how big you are, but I weigh 105kg and I am 185cm tall. When I sit on this I feel like I would destroy it in 2-3 proper sessions, but then it clearly was not designed with the kind of workout in mind that I want from a rower.
The footrests are made of cheap plastic which will probably not withstand the test of time unless you are very timid with it. Also, the computer unit is outdated and only provides minimal information.
Alternatives to the TITAN Magnetic resistance Rowing fitness machine
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Concept 2 rower
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Total gym
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The
Rogue Echo Bike is my personal go-to option for a proper interval cardio machine that does not cost a fortune. This bike is sturdy, the details have been taken care of, and the computer unit makes your life easier. It does not have any entertainment on board, but if you want to do a proper interval training bout, this is the machine to get.
If you intend to row the concept 2 rower model D is the industry standard which has been around for years all over the world. This machine is operated with air resistance and a chain, some newer models with a belt. This rower can be used by athletes of all ages and skill levels to improve their rowing and endurance. The resistance increases based on how hard you pull the handle in the beginning. The only disadvantage is that it costs about 3 -4 times what this magnetic rower costs.
If you are looking for a machine to keep fit at home that is not too hard on your joints and can be easily stored, then the Total Gym can be an option. It is not great as a rowing machine but is more versatile to train all of your muscle groups. Besides, it can also be stored under the bed.
If you want to stay and do not want to get outside because you are scared or want to stay close to your safe environment at home than an
under the desk treadmill is also a great option.
Conclusion for the TITAN Magnetic resistance Rowing fitness machine
The
TITAN magnetic resistance rowing machine is a good choice when you want a
rower for your home that is silent, cheap, and not too challenging. Ideal for a nursing home where people might be afraid to go outside. If you are a serious athlete or hobby warrior I personally think you are saving at the wrong end as you will rip this thing apart in no time.