NordicTrack S27i Review

Our Rating

Rating: 96.9/100. 

Boutique fitness classes, on average, cost around $35 per session, and there is a good reason why. The professional, targeted support you get from fitness experts increases your chances of hitting your fitness goals. Now, imagine the ability to tap into that potential in the privacy of your own home for just $39 per month. The NordicTrack S27i comes complete with a 30-day free iFit Family Membership that taps you into elite fitness programming by certified personal trainers able to guide your exercise and target specific needs. With its 27” Smart HD Touchscreen, you can effectively immerse yourself in exciting virtual outdoor bike workouts using Google Maps street views. Best of all, since your trainer can remotely control your resistance settings, you don’t have to worry about a thing other than giving every workout your 100% effort. While similar to the S22i, also in the Studio Series, the S27i option is the premium choice with significant technological enhancements for a more realistic iFit experience. NordicTrack’s S27i exercise bike is priced at $2,499, which is well within the price point for a product of this quality, so let’s dive in and learn more about all its features and benefits. 

This solid piece of exercise equipment is manufactured using premium steel, and its sleek look is matched by a smooth ride with a clever combination of SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance and the inertia-enhanced flywheel built to stand the test of time. Whether you’re on or off the bike, engaging with your on-screen instructor is simple since the monitor tilts and pivots for the best possible view. With a user weight capacity of 350 pounds, the S27i can accommodate a broad range of people, an added benefit considering the Family iFit Membership. 

NordicTrack has gone above and beyond any of their previous products when it comes to screen size, and it’s paired with an equally impressive audio system. Whether engaging with your iFit programming or jamming out to your favorite song, the 30 W sound system is unlike any other you’ve experienced on cardio equipment. If you decide you don’t wish to continue the iFit membership past the 30-day trial period, you can still use the bike and its 24 resistance levels for variety and challenge in your regimen. 

Let’s face it. An exercise bike alone won’t provide you with a balanced exercise “diet” in that you don’t get much of an upper body workout. That’s why a 3-lb dumbbell set is included with your purchase. Whether you use them while pedaling or off the bike, the pivoting screen allows you to engage with any of iFit’s comprehensive strength training programs. 

The S27i exercise bike has a footprint of 57” L x 28” W x 65” H with an in-box product weight of 217 lbs. The bike is designed for maximum versatility with vertical and horizontal seat adjustments and handlebar adjustment lift assist. Riders also get to enjoy the option of two-sided SPD pedals that secure your connection to the bike and provide maximum efficiency. If you’ve avoided exercise bikes in the past due to the discomfort common during the early stages, NordicTrack has equipped you with an ergonomic padded saddle to significantly improve the smoothness of your riding experience while the AutoBreeze™ Fan keeps you cool. 

Undoubtedly, one of the biggest selling points of the NordicTrack S27i exercise bike is the high-caliber personal training provided through the iFit membership. Since the program is built into the machine, trainers can take care of making resistance adjustments, allowing you to put all your focus into your effort. The app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and unlocks premium fitness guidance at a fraction of the cost you’d expect to pay at a gym or studio. Even better, coaching doesn’t end when you finish your workout. Your caloric burn will be tracked anytime you have your device on you including during sleep. This is especially helpful for anyone trying to reach a specific deficit for weight loss purposes. Although the free membership expires after 30-days, that’s more than enough time to decide if you’d like to move forward with a paid membership. 

If you plan to move in the near future or see yourself needing to transport your bike around the house, the heavy-duty steel construction can be intimidating. However, the front-mounted transport wheels make it simple to reposition the S27i. Customers rave over the added processor cooling that allows the 27” Smart HD Touchscreen to display an improved graphic experience that makes every ride more realistic. The AutoAdjust feature allows your iFit trainer to control the incline and decline between 20% to -10%, and they know the precise adjustments needed to further the emulation of riding across particular terrain. 

Since the S27i is designed for home use, there isn’t an accessory tray, and this is pretty common. Considering all the hard work of programming is provided through iFit, and your audio and visual needs are taken care of, there’s not much of a need for added accessories, so most customers haven’t considered this lacking to be of particular concern. 

NordicTrack’s S27i sells for $2,499, and this is a reasonable price considering the enhanced electronics and integrated iFit technology. Its high-quality construction seals the deal for anyone looking for a full-body piece of fitness equipment. If, on the other hand, you aren’t the type who uses all the fancy extras, the added cost may not be worth it. In your case, you should check out something like the Echelon EX3. While a quality bike, it comes in at a much lower cost by cutting out technology.  

Pros:

• 30-day iFit Family Membership provides immersive experience 
• 27-inch HD Touchscreen
• HD Graphics with Processor Cooling
• 30 W premium audio
• 24 resistance levels
• SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
• Ergonomic padded seat
• Two-sided, SPD compatible pedals
• Adjustable handlebars
• Set of 3-lb dumbbells for strength training
• Dual water bottle holders
• Transport wheels

Cons:

• No heart-rate monitor included in purchase
• Pricey

Introduction

NordicTrack has upped its game with their largest bike touchscreen to-date. Their S27i exercise bike’s 27-inch monitor is integrated with iFit to allow endless group workouts as well as landscape views around the world using Google Maps. To make the experience as realistic and immersive as possible, the whole getup is complete with an impressive 30 W audio system and the ability of certified personal trainers to adjust resistance and incline. 

Workout Programs

While there are no built-in workout programs included on the S27i, this concept is becoming outdated as technology like the iFit cycling experience continues to grow in popularity. Rather than being restricted to a handful of pre-programmed workouts, endless opportunities are available to keep exercise fun and varied that include spin classes and virtual travel routines. Best of all, since multiple user profiles can be created through the 30-day membership, it’s a fitness tool that provides the whole family a tailored workout experience. 

Not only can you get in a great cardio session, but the iFit experience provides the complete fitness package. Users can explore hundreds of workouts ranging in category from strength and cross training to yoga, mindfulness, boot camp, and more. Included with your purchase is a 3-lb set of dumbbells you can use on or off the bike. 

Unlike built-in programs, iFit gets to know the needs of each individual rider. Using the details of each profile, suggestions are made in terms of scenic routes and particular types of group spin classes best suited to meet specific fitness goals. Those who are motivated by a strong competitive edge will appreciate the live workout leaderboards across the iFit community. 

Fitness App Compatibility

Considering the NordicTrack S27i is specifically designed to work with iFit, this is going to provide the most efficient programming. However, there are many complementary apps to consider if you want to take your fitness journey to an even more regimented level of precision. Nike Run Club is one such example. Although designed for running, it could also be used to track outdoor biking, and this can be an excellent option if you supplement your indoor exercise biking with outdoor excursions. The app comes complete with challenges, GPS distance tracking, professional coaching, and no charge. 

Read Our Nike Run Club Review

Proper exercise isn’t complete with poor nutrition, and the Noom app is an excellent way to ensure a higher level of accountability in the kitchen. Using a psychological approach, your overall relationship with food is considered to foster the long-term results needed for lasting success. With access to a growing database of foods and backed by scientific studies and endorsements, this could prove to be the excellent companion to the iFit coaching you get with the S27i. 

Read Our Noom Review

NordicTrack S27i 

NordicTrack’s S27i is known for having the largest screen the company has yet to offer on a bike. When paired with the impressive 30 W audio system, riders get to enjoy a truly immersive experience with the integrated iFit Family Membership. 

If fiddling with resistance with no real plan of how to incorporate exercise to work toward your specific goals is an issue, you’ll appreciate the AutoAdjust™ feature that allows your virtual trainer to make all these adjustments for you to match the terrain or training style being used during any given time. 

With your S27i order comes a set of 3-lb dumbbells you can use while you ride to incorporate upper body strength training as part of your cardio regimen. NordicTrack has also made improvements to both the handlebars and seats to enhance adjustability and comfort to meet the needs of a broader range of consumers. Those who closely track their physical training will appreciate the Bluetooth Heart Rate Connectivity, and the premium frame can support riders up to 350 lbs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the NordicTrack S27i worth the cost?

Unless you don’t see yourself using the integrated technology, the benefits are well worth the cost. 

Do I have to subscribe to iFit to use the NordicTrack S27i ?

The bike can be used in manual mode, but you’ll have to develop your own workout plans. 

Does the NordicTrack S27i have Bluetooth?

Yes, it features Bluetooth Headphone & Heart Rate Connectivity

Can you watch TV or Netflix on a NordicTrack S27i?

The S27i screen is built to work with iFit. 

Does the NordicTrack S27i incline or decline?

Yes, it features an incline/decline range of 20% to -10%

How difficult is the assembly of the NordicTrack S27i?

It’s a little bit heavy, but, once you get it in the house, it’s easy to put together. 

Warranty & Guarantee

The standard warranty for the NordicTrack Commercial S27i Studio Cycle provides:

– Frame: 10 years

– Parts: 2 years

– Labor: 1 year

The bike also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and free shipping.

Conclusion

As the newest addition to NordicTrack’s family of studio bikes, the S27i is a technologically-enhanced option for anyone who appreciates all the bells and whistles. With a sticker price of $2,499, it’s a larger investment than other options in NordicTrack’s lineup of premium exercise bikes, but it has so much more to offer. With a 10-year frame warranty and 30-day money back guarantee, you can rest assured knowing you have peace-of-mind in a machine that’ll last.