Best Exercise Bikes Compared: NordicTrack vs. ProForm
Thinking about adding an exercise bike to your home gym? It’s certainly easier said than done. There’s a lot of research to do, from brands and models to potential benefits—and who has time to hunt down every little detail?
That’s why we here at exercisebike.com have done the work for you. In our Best Exercise Bikes Compared series, you get to sit back and relax while we put some of the biggest names in exercise equipment head-to-head. By the end of the battle, you’ll have a better idea of what each brand has to offer and which exercise bike may be best for you.
Today, NordicTrack and ProForm are entering the ring with two of their best machines. Who will come out on top? Let’s find out!
NordicTrack Commercial S22i iFIT Studio Cycle
Our first competitor is the NordicTrack Commercial S22i iFIT Studio Cycle. Sleek, impressive, and full of the latest workout features, the S22i might just be the ideal fit for your exercise needs. With this machine, you’ll be able to experience all the joy of a leisurely bike ride or a fast-paced race, all without leaving the comfort of your home gym.
Details And Specs
Like all NordicTrack fitness machines, the S22i is outfitted with a host of features to help bring your workouts to the next level. Here are a few of our favorites:
Technology
- 22” Smart HD Touchscreen
- AutoAdjust™ technology
- 30W Premium Audio
- Two 2” digitally amplified speakers
- Integrated Google Maps™ workout technology (iFIT membership required)
- Quiet drive incline tech
- Bluetooth® Headphone Connectivity
Functionality
- 350 Lb. user weight capacity
- -10% to 20% incline range
- 24 digital resistance levels
Comfort
- Full 360-degree touchscreen rotation
- Ergonomic padded saddle
- Non-slip, multi-position handlebar
- AutoBreeze™ fan
iFIT®
The S22i is also fully iFIT compatible and comes with a 30-day iFIT Family Membership with your purchase. As soon as you hop onto the saddle, this exercise bike can take you on a variety of workout adventures, from biking by the beach in Patagonia to riding up the mountainside in Turkey. You’ll also have access to studio sessions and personal trainers who will guide your workout, offer encouragement, and automatically control incline and resistance. iFIT has changed the virtual training game, and it’s definitely something to experience for yourself!
iFIT memberships start at $15/mo. + tax, and auto-renew unless canceled in advance. Cancel at any time. Credit Card required for activation. Internet and WiFi required.
ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22
The second competitor in our head-to-head comparison is every bit as worthy of your attention: the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22. As the name suggests, this model can make you feel almost like a biking pro in no time—no helmet required.
Details And Specs
Like its NordicTrack challenger, the Studio Bike Pro 22 comes with plenty of features to intrigue even the most reluctant exerciser. Here’s what we love most:
Technology
- 22” Smart HD Touchscreen
- SmartBeat™ forearm heart rate monitor compatibility
- Live resistance control technology
- Audio auxiliary port
Functionality
- Dual 3 Lb. dumbbells included
- 250 Lb. user weight capacity
- 24 digital resistance levels
- Front-mounted transport wheels
- Adjustable leveling feet
- Inertia-enhanced flywheel
Comfort
- SmartSwivel™ display design
- 180-degree touchscreen rotation
- Ergonomic padded saddle
- Multi-position, adjustable handlebars
- Pedals with optional toe cages and straps
iFIT
As being fully iFIT compatible as well, the Studio Bike Pro 22 comes with a 30-day iFIT Family Membership with your purchase. With iFIT, you don’t just have access to a library of exciting bike workouts—you also have tools to track your progress and set achievable fitness goals. Plus, if you’re looking for a more varied routine, iFIT includes workouts that take you off your bike with yoga, high-intensity interval training, strength training, and more. Try iFIT free for 30-days, and see everything it has to offer even before committing!
Which Exercise Bike Wins
Now that we’ve met the competitors, it’s time to see who comes out on top. Let’s take a look!
Similarities
The NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike and the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 have plenty of similarities—most significantly, their iFIT compatibility. Both exercise bikes also have iFIT SmartAdjust™, which can intelligently track your fitness level progress and automatically make adjustments to your machine as you workout to keep your workouts fresh, exciting, and challenging.
Other similarities include padded saddles, adjustable handlebars, 24 resistance levels, and that eye-popping 22” Smart HD Touchscreen.
Differences
Naturally, this competition comes down to a few important differences. Here’s where the two exercise bikes don’t quite align:
- Weight Capacity: The NordicTrack S22i has a weight capacity of 350 Lbs., while the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 is at 250 Lbs.
- Screen Rotation: Depending on your workout preference––on or off your bike––and prefer a 360-degree screen rotation that keeps your iFIT session or personal trainer within sight no matter how you move, the NordicTrack S22i is a great choice. The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 rotates 180 degrees.
- Incline: The NordicTrack S22i has an impressive incline functionality to help adjust the intensity of your workout.
- Adjustability: While both bikes offer high degrees of adjustability, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 has impressive customization qualities like its optional toe straps, 10 vertical seat positions, and 5 vertical handlebar positions.
- Dumbbells: The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 includes dual 3 Lb. weights, which can be used with your iFIT program to combine biking and weight training in fun, creative ways.
And The Winner Is….
In this particular battle, we think the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike came out on top.
The NordicTrack S22i, with its highly adjustable Smart HD touchscreen and its impressive incline range, could easily be your new favorite piece of workout equipment. With full iFIT compatibility, a more generous weight capacity, show-stopping technology, and a workout fan for added comfort, this NordicTrack model is deserving of the blue ribbon. Of course, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 came in a very close second—so if you’re looking for a more adjustable machine and don’t need a decline or incline option on your bike, this may be a better choice.
Conclusion
There’s always plenty to consider when it comes to workout equipment, and exercise bikes are no exception. With so many functions, features, and options available, you can easily be overwhelmed by the necessary research.
At exercisebike.com, we want to help you build a home gym that fits your unique needs and creates a workout environment you love. For that reason, we’re all about bike reviews, recommendations, and, of course, our Best Exercise Bikes Compared series. To learn more about the wide and wonderful world of indoor biking, check out our blog—and keep an eye out for our next bike comparison!
This article is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Exercisebike.com assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
Sources:
https://exercisebike.com/category/best-exercise-bikes/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8MSV0Ko-8g
https://www.nordictrack.com/learn/s22i-bike-just-got-better/
https://exercisebike.com/ifit-bike-connecting-bluetooth-headphones/
https://exercisebike.com/bike-workout-turkey-endurance-series-ifit/
https://www.proform.com/exercise-bikes/studio-bike-pro-22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIVigGVX2DA
https://www.proform.com/blog/faq-studio-bike-pro-22/