NordicTrack Commercial S22i Review
The S22i is NordicTrack’s response to the Peloton revolution. It allows you to bring the energizing atmosphere of a studio spin bike class home.
NordicTrack Commercial S22i Specs
| Rating | 9 |
|---|---|
| Type | Indoor |
| Console display | 22” Smart HD Touchscreen |
| Compact storage | no |
| Resistance | 24 |
| Seat type | Ergonomic Padded Saddle |
| Programs | iFit |
| Flywheel | Inertia-enhanced Flywheel |
| Weight capacity | 350 LBS |
| Dimensions | 61.0" L x 22.0" W x 58.0" H |
Why You Should Trust Our Reviews
Black Friday 2023 alert! The NordicTrack S22i has a Black Friday Deal!
Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The NordicTrack Commercial S22i
At ExerciseBike.net, we bring you comprehensive reviews of exercise bikes so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the exercise bikes we review. We install them, ride them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every exercise bike we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles riding. We listen and record the sound of the motor, try out all aspects of the console and try the bike’s features, such as iFit.
Every exercise bike we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think.
Our reviewers are exercise bike and fitness experts. Brian, the author of this review, is a competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He is an expert at exercise bikes, has been on this bike, and you can trust his opinion on all of the bikes he reviews.
In Brief
The 2023 NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle has several key features that might make it a compelling choice for your fitness needs. First, it offers an immersive training experience with its huge 22-inch interactive touchscreen, which I found made it easier to work out and be distracted. I was able to simulate an outdoor riding experience without being outside. It is well built, durable, and from my experience had a very smooth and stable ride. I also tested extensively the incline/decline features, which are features you don’t usually find on stationary bikes, and was able to use those features to push my workouts even harder. The seat and handlebars were easy to adjust, which is great as I often find that the bikes don’t fit me well.
Pros of the NordicTrack Commercial S22i
- 22-inch HD Touchscreen: NordicTrack named the Commercial S22i Studio Cycle after its impressive, rotating 22-inch touchscreen which has HD resolution for iFit workouts. This screen also tilts and rotates 360 degrees for those who include floorwork in their routines. I rode this using outdoor trails and the screen made the ride feel like I was outside.
- On-Demand Cycling Classes: iFit makes it easy to stay motivated. As well as giving you the chance to mix up your workouts each time you hop on the bike, you’ll also get lots of encouragement from world-class personal trainers during rides. If you use the S22i with iFit, each time you power up your bike, the big screen will welcome you with tailored workout suggestions. The spin studio videos provide a sort of virtual reality gym experience in which the iFit instructor addresses the camera with specific tips and general encouragement. I’ve used iFit classes before on many, many bikes and treadmills, and always found the classes to help push me a bit harder.
- Quiet Magnetic Resistance: This bike is quiet! In my experience, I could barely hear it when riding, which made the other members of my household much happier. The S22i uses NordicTrack’s SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance. This friction-free resistance system helps the bike operate quietly. You can choose from 22 digital resistance levels for tailored strength training along with cardio exercise.
- Upper-Body Exercise: As a body builder, I really appreciated that the unit also ships with a pair of three-pound dumbbells. Adding weights to my cycling helps with my overall fitness goals. Storage is provided below the bike’s console (behind the handlebars), so your weights are always within easy reach, making it easy to pack in some upper-body exercises during rides. Not sure where to start with this? No problem… many of the iFit cycling videos provide instruction on how to incorporate upper-body workouts into your rides.
- AutoBreeze Workout Fan: For my harder workouts I really liked the workout fan. It helped cool me down, and it offered two fans with multiple settings.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: My workouts often have a heart rate goal. I tested the contact pulse sensors, and they have compatibility with the Bluetooth chest straps for wireless heart rate monitoring. Tied with iFit, you can automatically chart your pulse to track your cardio health in the long term. I found these easy to use, and very accurate, in my tests. Compared to my Apple watch, the numbers were almost identical.
- Adjustable Saddle: I often find bikes hard to fit my body structure, and the adjustable saddle on this bike made riding much easier. This bike’s saddle is adjustable vertically, horizontally, up, and down to fit a wide range of user heights. It’s padded to promote comfort and endurance. Additionally, it’s interchangeable with standard road bike saddles.
- New Pedals: In my experience, toe clips made riding much easier outside, and it was nice to see this bike had the hybrid SPD-Toe Clip pedals. I was able to push myself harder in my cycling with the toe clips, and it made the ride feel more like I was outside.
- Compact Steel Frame: Compared with most home fitness machines, indoor cycle trainers need little space. The NordicTrack S22i is 63 inches long by 22 inches wide.
- Transport Wheels: The S22i has transport wheels for easy repositioning after workouts. Just tilt the bike to roll it into position.
- Emergency Stop: A standard feature, that I’m always glad to have, a prominent red brake button lets you quickly stop the wheel.
Cons of the NordicTrack Commercial S22i
- Slow Customer Service: Typical wait times for NordicTrack customer service have been long in anonymous shopping experiences and according to customer reviews.
- Uncomfortable Set: The seat was a little bit hard, but this is common in spin bikes, and you can always add padding.
NordicTrack Commercial S22i Specs
| Rating | 9 |
|---|---|
| Type | Indoor |
| Console display | 22” Smart HD Touchscreen |
| Compact storage | no |
| Resistance | 24 |
| Seat type | Ergonomic Padded Saddle |
| Programs | iFit |
| Flywheel | Inertia-enhanced Flywheel |
| Weight capacity | 350 LBS |
| Dimensions | 61.0" L x 22.0" W x 58.0" H |
Priced at $1,899 before discounts and free shipping, the S22i is NordicTrack’s premium Commercial Studio Cycle for 2022. You can easily distinguish the S22i from the cheaper S15i because of its 22″ screen and 24 levels of digital resistance. The S15i has a smaller 14” screen and 22 levels, but other components of the two bikes are identical. That said, the S15i now comes with a great pricing deal where customers get the bike cost-free in exchange for a four-year commitment to iFit, valued at $1,872. If you were going to buy the app anyway to go with the bike, it’s a hard deal to pass by. These features include the improved non-slip, multi-position handlebars; power incline (and decline) with settings from -10% to +20% by way of a new DC Incline/Decline Motor; Hybrid SPD+Toe Clip Pedals; wireless telemetry; and Bluetooth-enabled speaker systems with new 30W Premium Audio. I also love that both bikes include a set of 3 lb. dumbbells for upper-body workouts.
It’s worth noting here that MYX Fitness recently entered the ring with a close-to-Peloton experience for a very reasonable price. If a connected bike with a built-in screen is what you’re interested in, but you’re finding the price of entry of the S22i a bit too daunting, I’d recommend a read of my full MYX Fitness Bike review.
So, how does the NordicTrack S22i compare with the Peloton studio cycle? Most obvious is the identical 22” screen size, which helps to create immersive workout experiences. Both bikes are wonderfully compact too.
One important difference is that only the NordicTrack S22i has power incline/decline. This is an exciting feature to use alongside iFit workouts and Google Maps riding trails as it really brings your ride or routine to life.
Another key difference is the type of instruction available with your $39 monthly membership. With NordicTrack, your iFit spin videos aren’t offered live like some of the Peloton classes, and the selection of spin classes is smaller. Peloton has a pretty impressive daily live schedule of spin classes for you to choose from. The trade off is that iFit includes many other benefits such as global workouts in beautiful locations, Google Maps rides where you virtually bike outside, a larger variety of personal trainers, and lots of other personal training related tips and tricks. It’s also more interactive because iFit instructors can control your resistance and incline during workouts where Peloton workouts require you to adjust your resistance manually. During iFit workouts, your trainer automatically adjusts your machine to match their instructions, fully immersing you in the class. Both bike memberships provide exercise guidance in areas outside the cycling arena from resistance training and kickboxing to meditation and more.
Standard warranty coverage for the NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle includes 10 years of coverage for the frame, 2 years for parts, and 1 year for labor. Dig deeper into the pros and cons of the NordicTrack S22i below.
Who Should Use The NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle?
The S22i is optimized for fast calorie burn. Its custom workout videos appeal to people who’d appreciate some upper-body exercise along with cardio training.
Thanks to 24 resistance settings, this bike can offer a just-right challenge to just about anyone. Owing to its adjustability and 350-pound weight limit, it’s also a comfortable and safe ride for adults of most sizes.
Like any NordicTrack machine, the S22i delivers the best value to people who enjoy trying new workouts on a regular basis. If you think that studio-like training experiences, an unlimited number of Google Maps workouts, and other customized workout programs will help you to stay motivated, then NordicTrack is a great brand for you in general.
NordicTrack studio cycles are for high-energy training. If you seek mostly low-intensity rides that are gentler on your knees, then a different style of exercise bike – especially a recumbent bike – could be a better match.
Bottom Line
For years, iFit has helped to make NordicTrack a leading exercise bike brand. The Commercial S22i allows you to benefit from iFit personal training in a new way… videos of high quality spin classes on demand! You’ll also get access to the longtime favorite iFit feature — unlimited Google Maps workouts — with vivid landscape views and automated incline/decline.
All in all, the S22i is a fantastic option for alternating between gym-style training and scenic outdoor tours. You could spend less on an exercise bike that’s just as durable as the S22i, but its workouts probably won’t be as enticing or motivating. If saving money isn’t a top priority, then the high-tech S22i Studio Cycle is a logical finalist in your search for a fun spin bike.
What’s Changed in 2023
Each year manufacturers upgrade their models by adding more features, particularly to the tech and screen elements. This can be confusing for those shopping online. Let’s take a look at some recent changes that have made the S22i even more exciting in 2022.
New for 2022 over 2021
- Improved Comfort: Improved ergonomic paddled saddle with vertical and horizontal adjustment as well as new handlebars.
- Better Pedals: Hybrid SPD-Toe Clip Pedals allow for more footwear options and adaptability.
- Smoother Performance: A new DC Incline/Decline Motor and welded stabilizers improve the bike’s adjustment capacities.
- Entertainment: A new 30W Premium Audio addition makes this the most advanced bike yet in terms of immersive entertainment and training.
New for 2021 over 2020
- Better Screen: The 22-inch Smart HD Touchscreen features improved HD graphics, added processor cooling, and 360-degree rotation.
- Faster Connectivity: Improved dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi Connectivity make for faster performance, along with 2X more RAM.
- More options: The 2021 model has a new Android 9 OS.
- Improved Access: The 2021 model features improved Bluetooth capability and heart rate connectivity.
- Less Noise: For quieter home performance, the 2021 model sports new Quiet Drive Incline technology.
