NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle Review

Our Rating

Rating: 95.1/100. Home exercise bikes for 2020 are connecting with the outside world. A prime example is the new NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle with iFit Coach personal training app. This luxury ride is equipped with a vibrant 20-inch screen for viewing iFit Coach workouts. The workout selection includes dozens of LiveCast spin class videos, plus an unlimited number of virtual outdoor bike workouts with Google Maps street views. All iFit Coach workout files, including the bike class videos, can control the Commercial S22i resistance and incline to support your workout goals. While we love the ‘full meal deal’ that is the S22i, we entirely understand that this bike won’t be in everyone’s budget, but thankfully those looking to save aren’t left high and dry. Recently the MYX Fitness Bike entered the category as an affordable alternative (read the full review of the MYX Fitness Bike here).

The Nordic Track is a luxury indoor exercise bike offering a lot of features, very sharp style and smooth ride. This bike is one of my personal favorites for its lightweight magnetic flywheel that barely makes a sound when riding. The bike is equipped with a 20” HD touch screen that swivels allowing riders to move the screen when doing workouts that have floor work involved. It is a bit heavier than other models and requires more space due to the larger screen but the bike itself can accommodate riders up to 350lbs.

The new S22i is NordicTrack’s most advanced cycle trainer for the 2019 model year. It leads their new Commercial Studio Cycle Series, which is also home to the S10i. Compared with similar but cheaper NordicTrack bikes, these fitness machines have the advantage of tilting for downhill and uphill training. The Commercial S22i alone is further distinguished by its 20” screen. (The S10i has a 10” monitor.) With HD resolution this extra-wide display can help you immerse in studio bike classes or take mini mental vacations with scenic Google Maps footage.

It comes with 2 three pound dumbbells, 2 water bottle holders, 22 levels of resistance and electronic movement for incline and decline.  This bike is designed for more advanced riders based on the overall design, features and higher price point coming in at $1999.  While new riders would also enjoy this bike, the amount of options and perks may be overwhelming.

The S22i has a lot to offer to its riders so it is no surprise that assembly is a bit more taxing than other indoor bikes and may take you some time to set up, as there are many parts. However, once you have the bike set up you will be thrilled at the amazing positioning of the bike in general, very much like a road bike allowing riders to easily transition from the road to the S22i. The handlebar positions are parallel to the floor versus angled upwards, which is a preferred feature from an ergonomic perspective. The handlebars also include an elevated middle piece to position hands for a more aerodynamic position as if you were riding on an open highway.

With any NordicTrack cycle trainer, 24/7 personal training from iFit Coach is a highlight. The iFit Coach app is built into the NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle, and iFit can be downloaded to iOS and Android devices. The mobile apps offer a host of benefits, effectively providing ‘round-the-clock health and fitness coaching if you please. For starters, upon waking each morning you can check an encouraging statistic: an estimate of calories burned while sleeping! The app also provides a calorie intake suggestion for the day, and iFit Coach can automatically calculate and log your calorie burn for walking, swimming and other activities if it’s paired with a wearable activity tracker.

Google Maps and iFit Coach are built into the console of this bike, which offer a large variety of ride options such as outdoor rides, spin classes and biking in various areas of the world. One thing to be noted with these programs is that there is a cost to upgrade and on this particular model is roughly $30-40/month. Upgrading will allow you to unlock more features otherwise you have a variety of programs included with the system. The outdoor rides are excellent with IFit Coach as you are riding behind a real rider in various locations around the world. The rider/instructor advises you on posture, cadence, resistance, etc. so you can learn about the bike while exploring new surroundings. Similar to the Proform Tour de France 1.0 model bike, the 22S1 actually moves with incline and decline creating a more realistic feel when going up or down hill. The spin classes are well designed with many different types of classes to choose from and the option to join a live class. While the music could be improved, most of the instructors are motivating and can actually change the resistance on your bike to challenge you.

This bike is very efficient in simulating a road bike, as the flywheel is one of the smoothest on the market. Unlike other indoor exercise bikes, the pedaling is smooth and natural, allowing you to nearly forget you are stationary. While the pedals come with standard cages, the universal model allows you to easily switch to a different pedal that would be compatible with your own clips. This bike packs a lot of power with multiple resistance levels and the adjustment knobs are easy to move with a simple twist and pull system. Other exercise bikes include crank-style knobs that can be complicated and frustrating to new riders.

The screen itself is larger than most models which is great for the workouts that are off the bike, however, may be too large for riders using this bike in smaller spaces as maneuvering this bike is more challenging. There is also no accessory tray on this model much like the Tour de France, so you don’t have anywhere to place your phone, keys or remote if needed. The commitment to a year of purchasing the iFit Coach also may be a turn off for some riders.

Great features about this bike are definitely its overall look; black with slight orange accents. The actual positioning of this bike is excellent if looking to ride most similar to a road bike. The flywheel is the best I have seen on the market and offers the smoothest ride you will have on an indoor bike due to its magnetic power.

Full price for the new NordicTrack S22i is $2,399 including delivery… but you could surely own the bike for less; NordicTrack frequently updates its website with sale prices. An extra cost at check-out is the iFit Coach fee for spin class videos and other personal training. Warranty details for this machine are provided below.

Overall, this bike is an amazing model and geared towards more advanced riders in the style and programs it offers. The price of this bike is slightly higher due to its elite form and features so if you’re new to riding you may want to start with a smaller, more simple bike. The Nordic Track s22i is worth our high rating because it aims to please and absolutely succeeds!

Pros:

• iFit Coach enabled for spin class videos and interactive workouts
• 22” touch screen with high definition
• 22 resistance levels
• Quiet magnetic flywheel system
• Slope settings from -10 to 20 percent
• Adjustable padded saddle with universal stem
• Caged pedals; also compatible with road bike pedals
• Multigrip handlebars
• Set of three-pound dumbbells for upper-body exercise
• iPod-compatible sound system
• Wireless heart rate receiver
• Contact heart rate sensors
• Two water bottle holders
• Auto-adjusting workout fan
• 350-pound user weight capacity
• Transport wheels

Cons:

• Costs a lot more than the average home exercise bike
• Assembly involves many steps; you might prefer professional assembly, which adds $250 to your investment
• Requires iFit Coach membership for 12 months; cheaper bikes make iFit Coach optional
• NordicTrack has a reputation for slow customer service

Introduction

The Commercial S22i Studio Cycle is a digitally connected home exercise bike with 22″ monitor enabled for iFit Coach. This elite fitness machine can stream LiveCast videos filmed at the iFit Coach spin studio, and it also lets you cycle in virtual outdoor environments: Pedal with Google Maps landscape views and synchronized incline changes! Specs include power decline/incline settings of -10 to 20 percent; 22 resistance levels with quiet magnetic shifting; and an iPod-compatible speaker system. Below are details about iFit Coach workouts, components and the free S22i warranty.

Workout Programs

The S22i Studio Cycle is sold with a 12-month membership to iFit Coach, an advanced app for personal training. One membership is enough for the typical household; it allows up to four user profiles. With a user profile you’ll get customized workout program suggestions each time you ride. Two main types of bike workout programs are featured: spin class videos and Google Maps programs. A couple other types are also described below.

First, spin class videos that control bike resistance are the newest iFit Coach benefit. Class videos are filmed at an iFit Coach gym, and like other iFit workouts they’re available on demand. Each video features a world-class personal trainer and a studio filled with “riders like you” on NordicTrack cycle trainers. Many of the classes include upper-body strength training along with cycling; the instructor leads you through exercises with hand weights that ship with the S22i and other models.

Next, Google Maps workouts let you virtually hit the road (or maybe an unpaved trail) while riding the S22i Studio Bike. iFit Coach suggests routes that are scenic and suit your fitness goals, plus you can create customized Google Maps workouts anytime. When you create workouts, you can get social too: iFit Coach lets you challenge other riders to your courses.

Additionally iFit Coach has a selection of HD video workouts for virtually experiencing segments of Tour de France races. These are similar to Google Maps workouts, but the footage is especially vivid and immersive.

Finally, non-bike workout videos are included with iFit Coach membership too. You’ll get on-demand mobile access to hundreds of videos in lots of diverse categories.