NordicTrack Commercial VU29

Quick Summary

The newest addition to the NordicTrack family of exercise equipment comes with bigger and better features, as the NordicTrack Commercial VU29 rolls off the line and into 2021. An upgrade from the lineup’s other upright exercise bike, the Commercial VU19, the VU29 comes with nearly double the screen size and a slightly bigger frame. Priced at $1,299 for 2021, it’s a jump up from the VU19’s $999, but in exchange, the customer is getting a bigger bike and screen, although no on-board programs. As with a growing number of the NordicTrack products, the bike comes with a 1-year Family Membership in iFit Coach included with the purchase. That offers a value-added bonus of $468 which should be taken into consideration. Silent magnetic resistance offers a smooth ride in near-silence, which counts for much when considering the bike for a home.

Specifications

Model	NordicTrack Commercial VU29
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the bike's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	93.75%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$1000 - $1,500 Exercise bikes from $1,000 to $1,500 are both reasonably priced and highly effective.
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.	$1299
Resistance The flywheel in an exercise bike is what creates resistance. You can choose the level of resistance to increase your workout intensity.	24"
Resistance Type The type of resistance shows what kind of flywheel is being used (if any), and its weight if the manufacturer provides it.	Magnetic
Type Type refers to the style of the ride: Recumbent bikes allow you to lay back, while Upright bikes are more like road bikes (lean forward).	Upright
Drive System The bike's drive system is how your pedaling interacts with the rest of the bike (flywheel) to give you a good workout.	Silent Magnetic Resistance
Frame It's important to choose an exercise bike that will last, and the material of the frame determines how durable the bike is.	Steel
Seat The most important part for comfortability during your workout, the seat should be adjustable and have ample cushioning.	Oversized
Pedals Pedals are the driving force for an exercise bike, and should be comfortable, adjustable, and easy to control without slipping.	Oversized Ergonomic Pedals with Adjustable Straps.
Programs Bike Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	n/a
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	Bluetooth Compatible
Display Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	14" HD Smart Touchscreen
Max. Weight Max. User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that the bike can safely support, which can represent durability.	325lbs
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	55.5 "x 25"x 41.5" Weight: 115lbs
Accessory Tray Some bikes include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers
Cooling Fans
Portable? Some exercise bikes can fold up and/or have wheels that make it easy to roll them around for convenience and to save space.
Warranty The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.	10-year Frame; 2-year Parts; 1-year Labor

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Heavy-duty steel frame.
Oversized Ergonomic Pedals with Adjustable Straps.
Oversized Cushion Seat.
AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan.
Automatic Trainer Control.
Horizontal and Vertical Seat Adjustment.
iFit-enabled with 1-year Family Membership included.
Google Maps™ Technology.
325lb weight capacity.
10-Year Frame, 2-Year Parts Warranty, 1-Year Labor Warranty.
One Touch® Controls.
Silent Magnetic Resistance.

Cons:

No on-board workout programs.
No heart-rate sensors.
Not foldable or compact.
No transport wheels.
No moving arm feature.

Full Review

With great expectations, the NordicTrack Commercial VU29 enters the market of upright exercise bikes. Measuring 55.5 inches high by 41.5 inches wide and 41.5 inches long, the unit has an in-box product weight of 115 lbs, making it a little heavier than the Assault AirBike by LifeCORE at 98 lbs. The extra weights assures a little more stability perhaps and the unit sports a solid 325lb weight capacity. That said, it’s not so big as to dominate a home, nor is it too heavy to move around if need be. Produced by NordicTrack, customers have access to customer service and tech support by way of multiple routes.

The NordicTrack Commercial VU29 represents an upgrade from the VU19. The most notable improvement is the move to a 14-inch HD Smart Touchscreen over the 7-inch, and customers do get a 1-year Family Membership to the iFit Coach program. That said, the VU19 came equipped with built-in workout programs whereas the VU29 does not. Customers who opt out of the iFit subscription after their initial year can use the smart screen in other ways, or operate the machine independently.

Workout Programs

The NordicTrack VU29 is clearly designed with iFit in mind. The dynamic workout universe brings live and pre-programmed workout options to the home, as well as professional trainers who can control the machine’s resistance from remote locations. With 24 levels of digital resistance by way of magnets, the user can stream an ever-expanding number of workouts with any goal or style in mind. Google Maps technology is also part of the package, meaning users can virtually ride anywhere in the world while their stats are tracked. The Family Membership affords up to the four user profiles, meaning multiple members of the family can customize their workouts to their own goals and numbers.

Features

One of the VU29’s highlights is the Silent Magnetic Resistance system. The bike features 24 digital resistance levels and a 19lb flywheel. The benefit to magnetic resistance is the smooth and noise-free ride, and with a 19lb flywheel, most users should have no trouble with the fluidity. Oversized ergonomic pedals with adjustable straps are afforded the feet, while an oversized cushion seat adds to the bike’s comfort level. The VU29’s seat offers both vertical and horizontal adjustment, and an AutoBreeze Workout Fan is also included.

The bike is equipped with a 14-inch HD Smart Touchscreen, as well two 2-inch digitally amplified speakers, for a holistic workout experience. The unit is Bluetooth compatible meaning other devices can be utilized as well in addition to the screen. The machine is equipped with One Touch Controls for speed and ease of controls.

Another highlight is the fact that the VU29 comes iFit-ready and with a 1-year Family Membership included with purchase. Unlike the VU19, the newer model does not come with pre-loaded workouts. The machine works with or without the iFit program, but if users do want to cancer their subscription, they can either utilize the screen for another purpose or perhaps simply ride solo. Another point of note is that the bike does not come with transport wheels or included heart-rate sensors.

Warranty & Guarantee

The NordicTrack Commercial VU29 warranty includes:
– Frame: 10 years
– Parts: 2 Years
– Labor: 1 year

Conclusion

The NordicTrack Commercial VU29 upright exercise bike is a great bike for under $1,500. It has a good sized screen and very strong warranty. It’s missing some bells and whistles, to include transport wheels and heart-rate sensors, as well as pre-loaded workout programs. That said, the iFit Coach package which comes with is a solid $486 value-added consideration and offers users a high-quality experience.

Rating: 93.75/100