How do you know which equipment will be best for you? This is a question to consider when you are investing in fitness equipment. You don’t want to spend a lot only to be unsatisfied with your choice. It is critical to know before you commit, and when it comes to something that will affect overall health and well-being, you need to make an educated decision.
When you want to take care of yourself at home, one of the best ways to do so is with exercise equipment. Even better if you can get one with a fitness program so you can do it all from home. NordicTrack and Peloton are two companies offering these types of home-use equipment. But which one is better? Let’s look at both and figure out which one will get you more for your money and more from your workout.
Peloton
Peloton has long been the company to consider for exercise machines with built-in training to guide you as you work out. They seek to shed the persona of an elitist exercise company and become something anyone could reasonably afford to get back on track with their health.
What Types of Equipment Does Peloton Offer?
Originally a fitness bike manufacturer, Peloton now offers bikes, treadmills, and rowing machines, all with screens connected to allow you to live stream workouts and fitness programs to guide you through your workout. Several machines are offered for purchase, including:
- Peloton Bike
- Peloton Bike+
- Peloton Tread
- Peloton Row
- Peloton Guide (for strength training)
These are all available with an option to finance, but you do need to pay a fee for the guided workouts. This means you have to have the subscription, or else you will be limited to two or three workouts.
Fitness Trainers Content
The Peloton will provide you with content, but it does come at an extra price. The subscription will cost you $12.99 for a single user, and if you want to create multiple user profiles, you need to spend $39 for unlimited user profiles. You can’t access any content unless you have a subscription.
Overall Cost
The price of Peloton equipment begins at $195 for the Peloton Guide, which gives you training from your TV. The price rises steeply, with the Bike at $1,445, the Bike+ at $2,495, the Row at $3,195, and the Tread at $3,495. All these can be financed and come with limited warranties, but you can purchase a more inclusive warranty for an additional cost.
NordicTrack Offers
Do you remember the NordicTrack commercials with fitness models cross-country skiing in their living rooms, performing the motions smoothly and with ease? This was the old NordicTrack. The company still exists, though the original machine has been traded for the same styles of equipment Peloton offers. They even have the same type of fitness subscription for an upgrade on the old machines.
What Machines Are Available?
The NordicTrack family is expansive. They offer nine different treadmills alone. They also have six bikes, three rowers, a strength training vault with or without the weights and stretching bands, and four elliptical machines — something Peloton does not have. Undoubtedly, anyone can find the perfect equipment for the type of workout they love. You will pay anywhere from $499 for a bike to $4,500 for a treadmill, but this treadmill has all the bells and whistles.
What is iFit?
The NordicTrack options include a training program with taped classes led by fitness experts. They even have professional athletes, so you can choose NFL great Tiki Barber to lead your workout. This is also a subscription and runs $15 a month for an individual plan and $39 a month for the multiple-user plan, though nothing is live.
Offers and Deals
NordicTrack offers a unique program called NordicTrack+. This is ideal for someone who wants a great workout without the steep price. NordicTrack+ allows you to get a free machine. That’s right, free. You must agree to pay $39 a month for four years to get the iFit application. Then you can choose a rowing machine or a treadmill; the equipment is yours once the four-year contract is up. It’s a great deal considering you may be paying the same amount for iFit training.
Things You Need to Consider
The NordicTrack and Peloton equipment give you similar experiences with training features and offer great workouts. They both are geared toward giving you the best workout you can get on home equipment. There are pros and cons to each, which you need to look at before you make your choice.
Peloton Pros
- There is an option for every budget and financing.
- They will come and set it up in your home.
- Delivery is free.
- Customer support is easily available.
- The exercise programs and trainers are interesting.
Pelotons Cons
- You have fewer equipment choices.
- You have no guidance without the Peloton subscription.
- The weight limit is <300lbs.
- Peloton is prone to recalls, some due to death.
- You have to have special equipment.
- The limited warranty is half as long as NordicTrack’s.
NordicTrack Pros
- NordicTrack+ offers free equipment.
- More choices/types are available.
- You can work out with celebrity trainers.
- They are available in major retail stores.
- NordicTrack has been in business longer.
- NordicTrack has had few recalls.
- NordicTrack offers a 10-year limited warranty.
- The equipment is more versatile and features bigger screens.
NordicTrack Cons
- Equipment is bigger and heavier.
- Some machines are pricey.
- Delivery is not free.
- No live classes are available.
Peloton vs. NordicTrack, Which is Better?
The ultimate question is, which of these brands is better? This comes down to the consumer’s satisfaction. NordicTrack is for you if you want more options, a higher weight limit, access to new content almost daily, and celebrity fitness trainers. If you are looking for more compact equipment with an overall lower price point and free setup, Peloton may be the better brand to consider. If you know your needs and use a machine consistently, results will follow no matter which you choose.