Nordictrack VU 19 Bike Review
How Does the Nordictrack Commercial VU 19 Stack Up?
The Nordictrack Commercial VU 19 bike is a new premium upright bike with something you don’t often find on other brands – a full-color, HD touch-screen console.
So you can check on your workout stats with a swipe of your finger – or enjoy iFit workout scenery in full color as you bike.
There’s also a tablet holder above the console so you can surf the net or watch your favorite Netflix shows as you workout.
And the 19 pound enhanced inertia flywheel helps to add stability to the bike, making it great for heavier workouts.
So how does the Nordictrack VU 19 bike measure up? Is it a good choice for you?
Here’s a review of the pros and cons of this bike to help you decide:
The Basics:
Price: $1099 + Free Shipping
Resistance: 24 Levels
Built-In Workouts: 32
User Weight Capacity: 325lbs
Footprint: 43.5″ L x 25″ W x 66″ H
iFit Compatible
iPod Dock
Warranty: Lifetime Frame, 3 year parts, 1 year labor
Strengths of the Nordictrack Commercial VU 19 Upright:
Multi-Color Console with Touch-Screen
The Nordictrack VU 19 bike has something you don’t usually find on an upright exercise bike – a 7-inch touch screen, HD, full-color console.
So you can see your workouts stats easily with a swipe of your finger. You can also watch iFit world scenery in full color as you bike for some virtual-reality fun (more on iFit below).
There’s also a dual-speed console fan to keep you cool and an auxiliary music port with speakers. So you can plug in your phone and play your favorite workout tunes as you bike.
Tablet Holder Above the Console
There’s also an extra-sturdy bracket to hold your tablet above the console. So you can attach your tablet and surf the net or your favorite shows online as you workout.
19 Pound Enhanced-Inertia Flywheel
A heavier flywheel helps to add a smoother feel to your ride – especially during the resistance transitions. This is a pretty decent flywheel for a bike under $1000 – and helps add some stability to the bike as well.
Adjustable Seat With Extra Padding
The seat is easily adjustable vertically and horizontally so you can find the right fit for your height. The seat is also oversized with extra padding for added comfort.
See the World with iFit Coach
iFit connects your bike to the Internet using the Wi-Fi in your home. From there you ride famous trails all over the world – from the shores of Hawaii to the rugged terrain of the Swiss Alps. You’ll see real landmarks pass you by in the console screen as you cycle – for some virtual reality fun.
Don’t want to choose a famous trail to bike?
Use the Googlemaps feature to plot out your own trail (like your old neighbourhood for example). It’s the next best thing to being there!
There’s also an option to track your workouts online, set new goals and see how far you’ve come. iFit basically turns a boring old bike into your own personal trainer studio.
And the best part?
As of this writing, you can currently get a limited time Full Family membership to iFit Coach included here with the Nordictrack VU 19 bike. So you can try iFit out first to see if you like it!
Two Ways To Track Your Heart Rate
You can track your heart rate with the EKG hand grip sensors on either side of the console. Or you can also use the wireless chest strap that is included with this bike.
A lot of people prefer the chest strap since it tends to be more accurate than hand sensors. It’s also a lot more convenient than having to continually grasp the hand sensors to get your heart rate reading.
Weaknesses of the Nordictrack VU 19 Bike:
While this is a small thing, we found that the water bottle holder is placed a little too low on the frame to be easily accessible for most people. It can be uncomfortable to try and reach it.
Also, the Commercial VU 19 bike doesn’t have some of the high-end bells and whistles of other Nordictrack upright bikes (like the incline and decline on the Nordictrack S22i Then again, at this price point, you can’t really expect them.
Bottom Line?
If you’re looking for a premium upright with extra entertainment options – for a super-affordable price – you’ll probably love the Nordictrack Commercial VU 19 Exercise bike.
Is it really a “Commercial” bike? Probably not. But it is built strong, heavy and stable to take long, intense workouts.
And it also includes a lot of features you don’t usually get with other upright bike brands like the full-color console, iFit Coach workouts and free heart rate monitor. Overall, great value at a fantastic price.
How To Save:
You can get the Nordictrack Commercial VU 19 bike by going direct through the Manufacturer here. You’ll get the limited time Family iFit Coach membership included. They’re also offering Free Shipping which can save you about $150.
Click Here to Save on the Nordictrack VU 19 Bike
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