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TITAN under desk walking treadmill vs Nordictrack VX550

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Feb 20, 2021 5:00:00 PM

TITAN under desk walking treadmill vs Nordictrack VX550

This is a comparison between the TITAN under desk walking treadmill and the Nordictrack VX550 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 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.

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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. 
 

Overview and review of the TITAN under desk walking treadmill

This is an overview of the TITAN under desk walking treadmill 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 Under desk walking treadmill

 
The TITAN Under desk treadmill is the only treadmill that TITAN currently stocks. Again, as with all TITAN products, the price tag has been trimmed down as much as possible while you can expect subpar customer service as their portfolio is so vast. That is not bad if you know what you want, know how to work it, and do not mind things doing yourself. The full specifications of the TITAN under desk treadmill are:
 
- Wide track for ample walking room
- Safety key stops the treadmill if disconnected from the console
- Console fits onto your desktop
- Variable speed in half MPH increments
- Compatible with Standing Desks
- FITSHOW App compatible see instruction manual for details
 
- Walking Platform Height: 6-in.
- Overall Height: 8-in.
- Overall Length: 65-in.
- Overall Width: 25-in.
- Speed: 0-4 mph
- Time: 0-99:59 min
- Distance: up to 99.9 miles
- Steps: up to 9999
- Calories: up to 999.9 Kcal
- Belt Length: 53-in.
- Belt Width: 18-in.
- Weight Capacity: 250 lb.
- Product Weight: 114 lb.
 
This is a solid treadmill for a low price to burn more calories during the day when you are working at your desk.
 

Pros of the TITAN Under desk walking treadmill

 
The pros of the TITAN Under desk treadmill:
 
  • Low price
  • Small footprint
 
If you want to self build a treadmill desk, you can do this fairly cheap by ordering from TITAN. Combine the under desk treadmill with the A2 single motor sit to stand desk and you have a treadmill desk for under $1000. It won't be the prettiest, fanciest, and have the most features, but it will do the deed for under $1000.
 

Cons of the TITAN Under desk walking treadmill

 
The cons of the TITAN under desk treadmill are:
 
  • Not for running
  • Can not fold
  • Minimal computer unit
 
The TITAN under desk treadmill is not ideal for running fast. As with most under desk treadmills, they are designed for a very slow walking pace and will not take a prolonged heavy pounding. Especially if you are a big athlete you should be careful.
 
Compared to other under desk treadmill models the TITAN version can not fold up. If your desk setup should be permanently able to have a treadmill setup that is fine. If you want to change around often you might want to look for a foldable option instead.
 
The computer of the under desk treadmill is pretty simple and does not incorporate any kind of extras. All it does is that it shows your the steps, calories, or distance you have done. A bonus is that you can place it on the desk so that you do not need a remote or bend under the desk to make adjustments.
 

Alternatives to the TITAN Under desk walking treadmill

 
Alternatives to the TITAN under the desk treadmill:
 
 
If you are looking for a treadmill the TrueFrom runner is the current king of the court. This self-propelled treadmill has a reputation for the best belt in the business when it comes to self-propelled machines.  If you want to accelerate and decelerate fast, this is the right treadmill to simulate a game environment without taking up too much space. While it is the creme de la creme in functionality, the price is astronomical and close to $6000. You can build an entire gym with that or deck your entire team with TITAN under the desk treadmills instead.
 
The Rogue Echo bike is in my opinion the best choice for a home gym that is focused on performance. For long runs, you can go outside and get your running shoes on. For interval training and burning as many calories as possible in a short amount of time, there is no match for air bikes. Air bikes can accelerate and decelerate fast without costing a fortune. Technically the Jacobs ladder and the Versaclimber burn more calories per minute but they cost more and take up more space. Other Air bikes in the market are usually more than $1000 except the TITAN fan bike which takes a low-budget clone approach to the Echo bike.
 
The Nordictrack 32i is the flagship treadmill from Nordictrack. This beast has all the bells and whistles including a massive screen as well as incline and decline settings for running. If you want the full running experience and be entertained at the same time, this is the machine to get.IN return you have to give up a considerable share of your living space and wallet share.
 

Conclusion for the TITAN Under desk walking treadmill

 
If you do not mind putting your hands and mind into a project you can build a cheap desk treadmill using the TITAN under desk treadmill as the belt. You could also get it as a cheap walker to get more steps in without having to go outside and watch the television. Apart from that, there are better options for a similar price out there, if you take your running and cardio seriously.