About Bicycles Online > Fitness Bikes > NordicTrack GX2.5 Review

NordicTrack GX2.5 Review
Comfortable and Affordable Upright

NordicTrack has been making the most comfortable upright exercise bikes for in-home use for years now. First you have the thick, overpadded seat ~ which adjusts both vertically and horizontally followed by a comfortable, ergonomic frame design from NordicTrack (a trusted brand name in fitness equipment).

In addition to the comfortable, ergonomic design, the NordicTrack GX2.5 also comes with 20 built-in workout apps, 20 resistence levels, is iFit compatible, for additional motivational features, and is very reasonably priced.

You will probably be more comfortable on the NordicTrack GX2.5 than you would be on your own outdoor bike and you will basically get the same (or better) workout than you would outdoors.

As a matter of fact, with iFit Live and Google Maps technology, you could get the exact same workout as you could on an outdoor ride in your own neighboorhood, on local roads or on your favorite bike trail! (more on that below).

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Note: The Nordic Track GX2.5 Upright has been replaced with the newer, upgraded GX4.4 Pro (more on this newer model soon).

Please see our Exercise Bike Ratings page for a full listing of the exercise bikes that are available with prices and ratings.

(was selling from NordicTrack for $349).

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The NordicTrack GX2.5 Upright is the newer, upgraded version of the very popular NordicTrack GX2.0 Upright. NordicTrack kept the quality features that made the GX2.0 so popular (the features mentioned above plus a built in heart rate monitor, built in speakers with iPod/MP3 player jack and an excellent warranty) then went on to add the newer console, a new look  and additional workout programs.

Upright Exercise Bikes are generally a little more affordable than recumbent exercise bikes (and Indoor Cycles) but you still get many of the same features that you get on the more expensive recumbent bikes (the electronic console features, the heart rate monitors and the quiet magnetic ECB brake).

iFit Live and Motivation

This fitness bike can stand on its own based on the features mentioned above, but don't overlook the motivational and tracking features of the iFit Live module and how important motivation can be.

Not only does the iFit Live module give you more variety in your workouts, the tracking options allow you to share your workout data online with friends, family or collegues that may have similar workout or fitness goals (and this can be a powerful motivator).

With iFit Live and Google Maps you can select an existing route or you can create your own customized course (like a local bike route or trail that you have ridden) which can then be download to your fitness bike.

The virtual rides (routes and courses) that are downloaded to your iFit Live transmitter then control the magnetic resistance levels of your bike.

About-Bicycles Review

It is always a pleasure to ride one of the NordicTrack Upright bikes, especially after trying out other lower quality brands (I recently tested a lower quality brand upright (that actually cost more than the GX2.5!) and was able to directly compare that to the NordicTrack GX2.0 (the predessor of the GX2.5).

What I found is that the GX2 Uprights are just superior to other brands and in some cases even cost less. This may have to do with the fact that NordicTrack is owned by Icon Fitness (the largest fitness equipment maker in the world) and can often give you more for less due to their size advantage.

If you want a comfortable, high quality upright exercise bike with a well known brand name, a good warranty and at a very resonable price then I could easily recommend the NordicTrack GX2.5 Upright.

If you like motivational options that come with NordicTrack exercise bikes (the electronics and workout programs, etc.) but would rather use the iFit Card technology to avoid the additional costs of iFit Live, you can purchase the optional USB / SD Card adapter and iFit Exercise Bike Workout Cards from NordicTrack.com (see iFit Live Summary and Review)

Keep in mind that these are all options that you can choose when you purchase your bike or at a later date when you are ready for them.

Customer Reviews

At the time of this review there were no customer reviews on the NordicTrack GX2.5 available online (this bike is still very new). However, there were no shortage of reviews of the NordicTrack GX2.0 (the predecessor to this bike) online.

The overall rating, of the NordicTrack GX2.0, was 4 out of 5 stars at NordicTrack.com.

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Upright exercise bikes, including the NordicTrack GX2.5, are more similar to traditional bikes, provide an excellent low impact, aerobic exercise, are more compact and are usually more affordable than other home fitness equipment.

Aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular health and circulation and stationary bikes provide a safe, low impact aerobic exercise that has been used for fitness, weight loss, health and physical therapy for years.

NordicTrack GX2.5 Features at a Glance:

• Oversized, Fully Adjustable Padded Seat
  
• Pedals with Adjustable Straps
  
• CardioGrip™ Heart Rate Monitor
  
• iFit Live™ Compatible
  
• 20 Digital Resistance Levels
  
• 20 Built-In Workouts
  
• Compatible Music Port for iPod® and Intermix Acoustics™ 2.0 Sound System
• SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  
• Transport Wheels
  
• Weight Capacity: 275 lb.
• 15 lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
  
• 4" Backlit Display with RaceTrack™ Display
  
• Footprint: 60" L x 22.5" W x 41" H
  

Warranty:

Lifetime frame
1-year parts and labor.