Forbes Review Calls NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle “An Exercise Bike With An Amazing Feature Peloton Lacks”

November 12, 2020

Powered by iFit, NordicTrack’s S22i leads at-home connected fitness with superior interactive features and experience

(LOGAN, Utah, November 12, 2020) — A patented combination of interactive connected fitness technology and intuitive, one-of-a-kind hardware puts NordicTrack ahead of Peloton’s Bike+, according to Forbes’ recent review of the NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle.

Forbes kicks off with praise for the amazing feature Peloton’s Bike+ lacks — a 20% incline and 10% decline. This hardware feature, exclusive to NordicTrack, allows iFit to deliver a fully immersive experience to the user, and targets muscles that other exercise bikes simply cannot.

The NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle is powered by iFit, the leader in connected fitness technology. Ahead of competing at-home exercise bikes, the NordicTrack S22i leads with an interactive edge: world-class, trainer-led workout content combined with patented interactive technology that allows iFit trainers to adjust the user’s resistance automatically during a workout to create an unparalleled, immersive experience. iFit workouts range from thousands of live and on-demand Studio Workouts to Global Workouts including exhilarating mountain bike trails and even the entire course of the Tour de France. The NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle includes a 1-year iFit membership ($468 value), which can manage up to four user profiles.

“The NordicTrack S22i is far more fun to use than a normal exercise bike,” Andrew Williams, Forbes’ Consumer Tech reporter wrote. “And the combination of terrain simulation, iFit’s great scenic rides and the neat Street View feature mean there’s more escapism on offer here than with any other rival at a comparable price.”

iFit’s proprietary hands-free adjustment technology, combined with a partnership with Google Maps, enables the NordicTrack S22i to offer real-time, responsive simulation of terrain. A proprietary feature to iFit-enabled NordicTrack cycles, this allows:

• For a more realistic outdoor experience as iFit technology adjusts the cycle’s incline and decline to match the natural terrain of the trail during iFit Global Workouts and Street View Workouts
• The iFit trainer to adjust the incline, decline and resistance during iFit Studio Workouts, so users can experience an effective workout that safely and seamlessly pushes them toward their goals

iFit Global Workouts are shot and produced on location around the globe, bringing breathtaking scenery to the home. iFit Studio Workouts provide a boutique workout experience, often combining cycling with body-weight and dumbbell exercises off the machine. Classes vary in length from 15-120 minutes, and range from beginner to advanced.

“The real appeal here is getting your head out of a four-walled space. It doesn’t just put a virtual gym in your spare room,” said Williams. “Most of iFit’s trainer-led workouts are scenic rides, set in pretty places across the world. New Zealand, Japan, France, Spain, and Vietnam are just a few of the countries covered. I find the scenic rides add an extra layer of stress reduction.”

In addition to iFit’s first-person Global Workouts, Forbes’ praised iFit’s Google Street View Workouts as a transportive and immersive experience.

“Type a location into the search bar and you can go for a ride anywhere in the world, as long as it’s covered by Street View,” said Williams. “Cycling along the streets of places you once visited, or would like to, has a brain-calming meditative quality, particularly if you pair it with a good podcast or some music.”

Forbes paid particular credit to the NordicTrack S22i’s exceptional hardware.

“The NordicTrack S22i hardware is more advanced than the Peloton Bike+’s,” Williams said. “Simulated incline is the highlight. A powerful motor lifts and lowers the front of the bike to emulate the angle you’d feel when riding up hills with up to a 20% incline, or down 10%.”

Another key hardware feature to receive praise was the NordicTrack S22i’s 360-degree rotating screen, with Forbes pointing out that “NordicTrack got here before Peloton added the feature to the Bike+.” The rotating screen allows for added ease and convenience during iFit’s strength, recovery, and aerobic workouts, which take place off the bike.

The NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle, including one-year iFit membership, is available for purchase on the NordicTrack website, Best Buy and Dick’s Sporting Goods for $1,999.

About iFit and NordicTrack

iFit, the patented connected fitness technology that powers NordicTrack and ProForm equipment, pioneered interactive, connected fitness and was issued its first of many patents in 1999. Founded with the belief that the majority of consumers would benefit from an interactive, personal training experience at home, iFit’s trainer-led, streaming workouts are now trusted by millions of consumers around the globe.

iFit offers workout options for every fitness level and interest. Try everything, from bodyweight training and yoga to connected fitness workouts on NordicTrack and ProForm home equipment. Patented interactive technology allows iFit Trainers to create highly personalized workouts for iFit members and automatically adjust the user’s incline, speed and resistance instantly to create the perfect workout for every fitness level. iFit interactive workouts are available on NordicTrack and ProForm treadmills, stationary bikes, ellipticals, rowers, strength machines and the iFit app.

ICON Health & Fitness is a global health and fitness leader and owner of iFit, NordicTrack, ProForm, Freemotion and other fitness brands. Based in Logan, Utah, the 43-year old company has a multi-decade heritage of innovation, quality and profitability. ICON and iFit currently hold more than 330 technology patents, with 80 pending, and its products are present in 116 countries. iFit workouts are streamed in English, Spanish, French and Mandarin Chinese, with more languages planned for 2021.

Media Contacts

Colleen Logan, clogan@iconfitness.com and Danielle Prager, daniellep@ifit.com