NordicTrack Exercise Bike Reviews

This site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Read Our Disclosures

NordicTrack exercise bikes are available to suit all fitness levels and goals, with recumbent, upright, and spin style designs all available.

Despite taking up a fraction of the space compared to their ellipticals and treadmills, their upright and recumbent bikes are fitted with similar consoles that let you enjoy a wide range of workout programs.

This guide is designed to walk you through what to expect from each model. But it’s really more of a summary of features than a detailed explanation.

If you do want to find out more about a specific bike, we also have in-depth reviews available for you to read. That’s where we’ll take one of the NordicTrack exercise bikes and examine its design features, console, and workout programs, then compare them to other similarly priced bikes.

The goal of this guide and our reviews is to help you find the bike that best suits your own fitness goals and budget.

We try to keep our tone as unbiased as possible, but we will give honest feedback on the features (or lack thereof), and suggest a different model if we think it’s a better option.

Recumbent exercise bikes

Each one of NordicTrack’s recumbent bikes is built around a low profile frame with a Step Thru™ design, making it easier to get on and off the seat.

Although there are many more similarities in their designs, it’s the differences that we’re going to be highlighting below.

The GX 4.5 is generally considered the entry level bike, which is why you’ll have to sacrifice a number of workout programs and resistance levels, if you want to choose this model over something like the VR Pro.

NordicTrack GX 4.5 Recumbent Bike

Review rating:
Also known as the NordicTrack GXR4.2 in the UK, this is generally considered their entry level recumbent bike, which also makes it the most affordable.

However, this doesn’t mean to say your workout experience suffers, as you can still choose from 24 of the same preset workouts that are included on the higher priced GX 5.0 and VR Pro.

The console even provides you with OneTouch controls for switching between the 22 resistance levels, and a port for connecting your iPod.

Unfortunately the screen size is smaller than on the other two bikes, but the backlight creates enough contrast to clearly see your workout feedback.

This includes your resistance level, workout duration, heart rate, and how many laps you’ve completed of a quarter mile track.

At 300 lbs the weight capacity also isn’t as high as the VR Pro (350 lbs), but it’s on the same level as recumbent bikes from other companies, such as the R614 from Nautilus.

Read the full reviewCheck price

NordicTrack GX 5.0 Recumbent Bike

Review rating:
As the next bike recumbent bike in the GX collection, you’re getting 6 more workout programs, a heavier flywheel, and a wider range of resistance levels than the GX 4.5.

However, you’re losing the OneTouch resistance buttons that made the entry level model easier to use. There also isn’t a workout selection menu because the console is missing a touch screen.

When you combine this with the fact that only the VR Pro model has resistance controls built into the seat handles, you could be spending a lot of time leaning forward to reach the console.

This obviously isn’t ideal on a bike where the goal is to create a low impact workout in a reclined position, but at least you now have a cooling fan, which was missing from the GX 4.5.

Read the full reviewCheck price

NordicTrack VR Pro Recumbent Bike

Review rating:
As their top-of-the-line recumbent bike, NordicTrack actually combine many of the best features from the earlier two models.

OneTouch resistance controls that were missing from the GX 5.0 make a comeback, and you retain the multi-speed cooling fan.

The number of resistance levels increases to 26, with a backlit display screen that’s 40% larger than on the GX 5.0. This makes it easier to read important workout information, such as current resistance level, heart rate, and number of calories burned.

You also have controls for adjusting the resistance setting built into the seat handles, with a Polar® wireless chest strap included for telemetry heart rate monitoring.

The 350 lb weight capacity puts it level with the GX 5.0, the ProForm 440 ES, and the Nautilus R616.

Read the full reviewCheck price

Upright exercise bikes

NordicTrack’s upright bikes offer a similar scaling of features as their recumbent bikes, where the top-of-the-line GX Pro designs arrive with iFit already enabled. They also feature a tablet holder at the top of the console to prevent hiding any buttons on the console or feedback on the screen.

Although it’s only the GX 4.6 Pro model that’s fitted with full colour, web-enabled touch screen, the other bikes still represent some of the best designs in their price range.

This means offering a range of workout programs that rivals competing designs from the likes of Schwinn, Nautilus, and ProForm.

Adjustability is a major focus with these bikes, which is why many of them have been designed with saddles that adjust horizontally as well as vertically. Some also allow you to adjust the angle of the console.

The combination of workout programs for all fitness levels and settings to cater for different user heights makes them ideal for family environments.

NordicTrack GX 2.7 Upright Bike

Review rating:
As one of their entry level models, the GX 2.7 doesn’t provide quite the same immersive cycling experience as the GX 4.6 Pro, but still has 20 onboard workouts to choose from.

You’re also getting the full range of adjustability, where you can change the horizontal and vertical position of the saddle, as well as the angle of the console.

Heart rate monitoring is available via the touch sensors built into the handles, but we do feel a little let down by the 275 lb weight capacity.

Although this is something that increases to 300 lbs with the GX 4.2 Pro, most bikes at this price range tend to have a 300 lb limit as standard, including the Nautilus U614 and Schwinn 150.

However, if the lower weight capacity isn’t an issue, then you still have a high quality upright bike that has a major advantage over the Schwinn and Nautilus bikes. That is it’s compatibility with iFit.

Nautilus does give you the option to sign up for an online account through NautilusConnect, where you can log all your workout data and sync with MyFitnessPal. But this doesn’t give you any more workout programs, with 22 programmed into the console as standard.

Read the full reviewCheck price

NordicTrack GX 4.2 Pro Upright Bike

Review rating:
By upgrading to the GX 4.2 Pro you can benefit from an increase in workout apps (now 28 instead of 20), a larger flywheel, and weight capacity, with a frame that now supports up to 300 lbs.

Unfortunately this is the last bike in the collection to be classed as ‘iFit compatible’, which means you have to purchase an iFit module and subscription if you want access to the full range of workouts.

If you’re able to extend your budget, the GX 4.4 Pro is iFit enabled, meaning you simply need to connect to a wireless network and sign into your account.

As with their recumbent bikes, by upgrading from the entry level model you actually lose the OneTouch controls that made it easier to switch between resistance levels.

You also lose the ability to adjust the angle of the handlebars, which is strange considering the Nautilus U614 and U616 bikes both have it as a feature.

This isn’t a feature that makes an appearance on the later GX 4.4 Pro and GX 4.6 Pro bikes either, making it exclusive to their entry level model.

However, your forearms are now better supported for a wider range of grip positions, and the console still offers iPod compatibility.

Read the full reviewCheck price

NordicTrack GX 4.4 Pro Upright Bike

Review rating:
If you’re on a strict budget, the GX 4.4 Pro might be a better option than the GX 4.6 Pro, as it’s essentially a very similar bike with some stripped down entertainment features, costing $200-$300 less.

Being this much more affordable doesn’t mean you’re left with a mediocre mid-range exercise bike, as you’re still getting many of the same entertainment features as the top-of-the-line model. This includes touch and telemetry heart rate monitoring, iPod compatibility, an integrated tablet shelf, and an iFit enabled console.

Of course, there have to be some differences, and you’ll have to sacrifice the web-enabled color touch screen, meaning you can’t browse the internet or view your progress around a virtual route the same way you can with the GX 4.6 Pro.

However, the OneTouch resistance controls and position of the tablet holder are a couple of useful upgrades over the earlier GX 4.2 Pro bike, as is the heavier 19 lb flywheel.

But the two bikes (GX 4.2 Pro and GX 4.4 Pro) do have many similarities, such as the number of onboard workouts and resistance levels, weight capacity, and screen size. So if you have the option to choose between the two, which is the best option for your own fitness goals and budget?

Read the full reviewCheck price

NordicTrack GX 4.6 Pro Upright Bike

Review rating:
As the top-of-the-line upright bike in their GX collection, the GX 4.6 Pro is fitted with all the advanced design and entertainment features you could hope for, including a large collection of onboard workouts and an iFit enabled console.

Choosing an iFit enabled exercise bike means you’ll have access to an entirely new workout experience, especially with the benefit of a web-enabled color touch screen that lets you view many of the cycle routes via Google Maps and Street View.

Before you start your workout you can choose a program from their online library, then follow a profile of resistance settings designed by a certified personal trainer. When the workout ends, you can upload your workout stats to iFit and log your progress alongside your nutrition for a complete overview of your health and fitness routine.

The flywheel weight and number of resistance levels are also amongst the highest we’ve seen on any stationary exercise bike, even those costing many multiples of the GX 4.6 Pro.

But the main upgrade that really sets this bike apart is the technology inside the console. This includes the color touch screen with a wide viewing angle, but also the Bluetooth heart rate monitoring and iPod compatibility.

But are there really enough upgrades to justify the difference in price, or does the earlier GX 4.4 Pro model represent better value for money?

Read the full reviewCheck price