Connect with us

Fitness

Train harder with the NordicTrack S22i exercise bike

Published

on

Train harder with the NordicTrack S22i exercise bike

About the NordicTrack S22i exercise bike

Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi

An excercise bike designed to take on Peloton.

The S22i is one of NordicTrack’s most popular exercise bike models. Like other connected exercise bikes, the S22i features a touchscreen to stream cycling classes from its exercise programming platform, iFit. The S22i’s 22-inch HD touchscreen tilts and rotates 360 degrees for easy viewing during off-bike exercise classes.

During cycling classes, you can use the auto-follow setting to match your instructor’s incline and resistance automatically or set your own levels. (Unlike other stationary bikes, the S22i has both incline and decline settings for a more immersive workout experience.) The S22i ranges from a 20% incline to a 10% decline and it has 24 levels of resistance. You can use it with or without cleats and it comes with two 3-pound dumbbells that you occasionally use during iFit classes.

It’s 61 inches long, 22 inches wide, and 58 inches tall, about average for an exercise bike. It weighs 205 pounds and has a 350-pound weight limit—one of the better weight capacities among bikes we’ve tested.

Advertisement

What does the NordicTrack S22i exercise bike cost?

The S22i costs $1,999, and you get a 30-day free trial of iFit. After your trial period, an iFit membership costs $39 a month, or you can pay upfront for an extended plan and save some money. A year-long membership costs $396 ($33 a month), a two-year membership costs $699 ($29 a month), and a three-year membership costs $899 ($25 a month).

Shipping is free, but you can upgrade to room-of-choice delivery and assembly for $199.

It’s less than our favorite exercise bike, the Peloton Bike+, which costs $2,495 plus a $44 monthly membership fee. However, our best “basic” bike, the Schwinn IC4, costs only $999—though, you won’t have a touchscreen to stream exercise classes on.

What we like about the NordicTrack S22i exercise bike

iFit gives you a challenging workout

NordicTrack S22i screen

Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi

You can do training regiments with iFit, as well as take off-bike courses for strength and other exercises.

The S22i made it easy to get my heart pumping and legs working. I just hopped on the seat, started a class, and let the bike do the rest. The auto-follow setting makes it easy to focus on your instructor and your feet as the bike automatically adjusts to various inclines and resistance levels.

Advertisement

iFit offers thousands of classes spanning all expert levels and durations. I enjoyed taking classes anywhere from 30-45 minutes at the intermediate level. I don’t cycle often, but these classes didn’t feel too challenging or overwhelming. I was able to push myself and get my heart rate up without worrying about injuring myself or feeling too fatigued to finish class.

You can still adjust the difficulty to your liking when using the auto-follow setting. When you adjust the incline or resistance, iFit modifies the rest of your session accordingly. This made it easy to adjust the difficulty without having to start over and find a whole new class.

It’s easy to take off-bike classes

While I love cycling for a low-impact cardio workout, I enjoy switching up my routine with strength training and yoga sessions for a more well-rounded exercise regimen. iFit offers all sorts of workout classes, and the S22i’s swivel screen makes it easy to follow your instructor during off-bike sessions.

I enjoy iFit’s strength, yoga, and Pilates classes just as much as its cycling programming. The instructors are equally as fun and informative, and there are hundreds of classes to choose from based on your experience level, desired duration, and goals.

The bike is quiet

Though spin bikes aren’t necessarily known for being as noisy as treadmills or rowers, I was pleasantly surprised at how quiet this bike is. Its electromagnetic resistance is near silent, even when the incline and resistance levels adjust.

Advertisement

The bike’s almost silent operation makes it easy to hear your music and instructor, and you don’t have to worry about disturbing neighbors during early-morning workouts.

What we don’t like about the NordicTrack S22i exercise bike

The seat isn’t the most comfortable

Woman using the NordicTrack S22i sitting up.

Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi

The seat can be a bit stiff.

The seat is too stiff for my liking and gets uncomfortable during bike rides longer than 30 minutes. After a handful of rides, it started to wear in and now feels more bearable, but I would still recommend a good seat cover to make your workouts more pleasant.

What other people are saying

The S22i has a 4.8-star rating on NordicTrack’s website from more than 100 reviews. Many reviewers love the quality of the bike and iFit’s workout classes.

“We have really enjoyed the bike so after a couple of months,” one reviewer says. “The variety of rides and trainers is great. Trainers are top notch and the exercise regimen is challenging but flexible enough to adapt to your level of fitness. Highly recommend!”

Advertisement

The main complaints users have about the S22i is that it can be difficult to figure out how to set up and adjust, and that iFit can be difficult to navigate.

“The screen is somewhat insensitive to touch,” one reviewer says. “Sometimes you really have to pound on it to get it to respond. It is also a little too far away to reach easily when riding. As far as getting started with the bike, the manual is not all that great. It is hard to figure out basic settings at first, like how to adjust volume for the trainer and music. The ‘follow the trainer’ auto-adjust is confusing and [getting] to the settings and toggles is not very obvious.”

Warranty

NordicTrack offers one of the better warranties compared to those offered by competing brands we’ve tested—10 years on the frame, two years on parts, and one year on labor.

You can purchase a three-year extended warranty for parts and labor for $200, or a three-year maintenance plan which extends the parts and labor warranties to three years each and includes an annual fifteen-point maintenance check.

Should you buy the NordicTrack S22i exercise bike?

Yes, it’s an excellent workout bike for all

Woman leaning forward on NordicTrack S22i

Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi

It’s a good alternative to Peloton.

Advertisement

I love using the S22i. iFit’s classes are fun and challenging and it’s easy to adjust the workouts to your abilities and goals. The bike is quiet and its 350-pound weight limit means people with many different body types can use it.

My only complaint is the seat isn’t very comfortable, especially on longer rides. However, it started to break in after a few sessions, and if it’s still stiff, this can easily be solved with a good seat cover.

Product image of S22i

S22i

The S22i is a great exercise bike and iFit’s classes are some of the best we’ve tried.

Meet the tester

Esther Bell

Esther Bell

Senior Staff Writer, Health and Fitness

Advertisement

Esther is a writer at Reviewed covering all things health and fitness.

See all of Esther Bell’s reviews

Advertisement

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you’re confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we’ll compare notes.

Shoot us an email

Advertisement

Fitness

We have tested the Renpho Lynx smart ring — it’s somewhat disappointing

Published

on

We have tested the Renpho Lynx smart ring — it’s somewhat disappointing

Why you can trust Live Science


Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you. Find out more about how we test.

Renpho is widely known for its affordable massage guns, body measuring tapes and smart scales, many of which have landed in our round-ups of the best health and fitness products we have tested. This company has been a global powerhouse in the wellness industry for nearly a decade now, and has amassed legions of loyal fans worldwide. And now

Renpho has ventured into the highly competitive world of fitness trackers with the release of its first-ever smart ring — the Renpho Lynx.

Continue Reading

Fitness

Need a More Efficient Fitness Routine? Remove the Guesswork With These 5 Workout Splits Tailored By Goal.

Published

on

Need a More Efficient Fitness Routine? Remove the Guesswork With These 5 Workout Splits Tailored By Goal.

If you’ve ever walked into the gym and drawn a blank on what to do, you’re not alone. But instead of just whipping out a few reps on whatever piece of equipment is free, let us introduce you to workout splits.

As the name suggests, workout splits divide your workout sessions for the week based on body part, body region, or movement type, says Rebecca Stewart, CPT, a certified personal trainer, mobility coach, and pain-free performance specialist. “Splits are a way of organizing your workouts that’s most effective for your goals and lifestyle,” she explains. For example, someone focused on strength gains can plan their workouts around the big three lifts like squats, bench press, and deadlifts, while someone focused more on aesthetics, such as bodybuilders, might split their workouts by body part.

Meet the experts: Rebecca Stewart, CPT, is a certified personal trainer, mobility coach, and pain-free performance specialist. Sarah Pelc Graca, CPT, is a certified personal trainer and founder of Strong with Sarah Weight Loss Coaching.

Workout splits are also great for those who want to progress specific lifts or get stronger in certain areas, which they may not be able to do as quickly with full-body training, Stewart says. (Although the full-body split exists, too.) Plus, divvying up your workouts into splits prevents overtraining issues like fatigue and muscle breakdown since each body part is allowed adequate time to recover (at least 48 hours).

Ready to get stronger? Here are the 5 best workout splits to try based on your lifestyle and goals, according to trainers.

Advertisement

5 Best Workout Splits For Every Workout Goal

1. Push/Pull/Legs Split

Best For Beginners

Monday: Push day (chest, shoulders, and triceps)
Tuesday: Cardio
Wednesday: Legs and core
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Pull day (back and biceps)
Saturday: Cardio or recovery (yoga, stretching, etc.)
Sunday: Rest

The push/pull/legs split is a great beginner workout plan that builds strength and muscle while still allowing generous recovery time. “Push/pull/legs is super effective because it’s built around how your body naturally moves, instead of just isolating one muscle at a time,” says Sarah Pelc Graca, CPT, a certified personal trainer and founder of Strong with Sarah Weight Loss Coaching.

It makes your workouts more efficient, mimicking everyday functional movements, like lifting groceries, pushing a heavy door, or climbing stairs. The workout structure also allows for better recovery since you’re not overworking the same muscles day after day, though you’re still training them frequently enough to see great progress, Pelc Graca says.

Benefits:

  • Allows for ample recovery
  • Builds strength and muscle mass
  • No overlap in muscle groups
  • Focuses on weaker muscles with more intensity

Downsides:

  • Typically requires more equipment
  • May take longer in the gym
  • Less flexibility

2. Upper/Lower Split

Best For Weight Loss

Monday: Lower body (hinge focus)
Tuesday: Upper body (push focus)
Wednesday: Cardio or recovery (yoga, stretching, etc.)
Thursday: Lower body (squat focus)
Friday: Upper body (pull focus)
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Rest

The upper/lower split can help with weight loss for a few reasons. First, “since you’re alternating muscle groups in an upper/lower split, your body gets just enough recovery while still staying active most days of the week,” Pelc Graca says. Plus, these workouts usually include big compound moves that work multiple muscles (like squats, rows, and push-ups). So, you’ll “burn more calories and build lean muscle” very efficiently, she says.

Advertisement

Also, when you organize upper/lower workouts by movement patterns like push, pull, squat, and hinge, you’re hitting your body in a well-rounded way which will help you increase strength, gain muscle, and lose fat, Stewart adds.

Join Women’s Health+ today for member-exclusive workout and meal plans.

Benefits:

  • Builds strength and muscle mass
  • Weekends are free
  • Hits each muscle group twice a week
  • Allows for adequate recovery between muscle groups

Downsides:

  • Lack of flexibility
  • Skipping a workout can create gaps in your progress
  • May take longer in the gym

3. Full Body Split

Best For Those With A Busy Schedule

Monday: Full body
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Full body
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Full body
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Rest

The full body split focuses on working all major muscle groups in each session. “It’s ideal for those with limited time who still want to see meaningful progress in strength and muscle development,” says Pelc Graca. “For a lot of people, especially those short on time, this is one of the most efficient and effective ways to train because two to three full-body workouts a week leads to great results when you’re consistent and focused on quality movement,” Pelc Graca says.

Benefits:

  • Efficient for busy schedules
  • Great for beginners and general fitness
  • Promotes full-body strength and muscular balance
  • Easy recovery with rest days between workouts

Downsides:

  • Workouts may be lengthier because they cover the full body
  • Limited exercises per muscle group compared to more targeted workout splits

4. Body Part Split

Best For Hypertrophy

Monday: Back
Tuesday: Chest and abs
Wednesday: Lower body
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Shoulders
Saturday: Arms and abs
Sunday: Rest

Advertisement

This one is often referred to as a “bodybuilder split” due to the emphasis on training each part of the body individually, says Stewart. “This split promotes muscle growth because you’re able to train each portion of the body with more intensity and more reps and sets than you could in a full-body workout,” she explains.

That said, this split is lengthier and if you miss a workout, it can throw off your entire plan. “I’d generally only recommend this plan for advanced lifters that want to dedicate more time to the gym,” Stewart adds.

Benefits:

  • Allows for adequate recovery
  • Focuses on training muscle groups individually
  • Builds strength and muscle mass
  • Helps identify and fix muscle imbalances and weaknesses since it works the different areas evenly

Downsides:

  • May require more time in the gym
  • Lack of flexibility
  • Skipping a workout can throw off the plan
  • Less suitable for beginners

5. Functional Training Split

Best For Experienced Lifters, Athletes Training For Performance, Or Those Training For Longevity

Monday: Full body pull day (hinge focused)
Tuesday: Full body squat and push day
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Rotational core work (such as Russian twists and planks)
Friday: Full body carrying and conditioning (such as farmer’s carry and sled pushes)
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Rest

The functional training split is structured around movement patterns you normally do in everyday life (instead of isolating individual muscle groups). This split is helpful for athletic or performance-based training, and those who want to train to move well for as long as possible “since it blends strength and function for real-life application,” says Pelc Graca. So, when you train a farmer’s carry, it may mimic bringing in a heavy load of groceries, and when you do a sled push, it’ll make pushing a shopping cart or bulky piece of furniture easier IRL.

Advertisement

Just note that functional splits can be a bit more complex, which is why they’re usually better for folks who have some lifting experience. “These workouts are built around how we move in real life using complex moves—lifting, rotating, carrying, and bracing—instead of just working individual muscles, so they often involve more coordination and full-body control,” Pelc Graca says.

Benefits:

  • Builds functional strength and coordination
  • Improves athletic performance and injury prevention
  • Activates the core in most sessions

Downsides:

  • Less traditional, so may feel unfamiliar for gym-goers used to body part training
  • Requires thoughtful programming to balance volume and intensity

How To Find The Best Workout Split For You

While a lot comes down to your personal preferences and goals, here are a few tips to consider when thinking about your optimal training split:

Goals

Whether you’re aiming for muscle growth, weight loss, or overall fitness, select a plan that best suits your specific goals right now, says Stewart. For example, push/pull/legs splits are excellent for muscle growth, while upper/lower splits are typically best for weight loss, she adds.

Schedule

Decide how much time you can realistically dedicate to exercise each week and choose a plan accordingly, says Stewart. “A training schedule is going to be very different for someone who can train two to three days for 30 minutes, versus someone who wants to spend an hour in the gym five to six days a week,” she adds.

Injuries Or Weaknesses

If you have a shoulder injury, a whole day dedicated to shoulders isn’t going to be in your best interest, says Stewart. On the flip side, if you want to grow your bicep strength, for example, having a dedicated arm day might be better for your goals, she adds. Listen to your body and find a plan that feels best.

Recovery Needs

Depending on the demands of your job and lifestyle, you may need more or less recovery time. “Rest days away from the gym are important not only physically but also mentally so you don’t get burnt out on your training schedule,” says Stewart. Plus, regardless of the split chosen, Pelc Graca says it’s important to incorporate deload weeks (where you dial things back, whether it’s lifting lighter weights, doing fewer sets, or focusing on easier movement) or rest weeks every four to eight weeks to support long-term progress and injury prevention.

Advertisement

No matter what results you want to achieve or how experienced you are, workout splits are the key to organizing your exercise schedule to ensure you hit your goals. But here’s the ultimate secret: The most effective split is the one that best suits you and your lifestyle.

Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. She’s a mass consumer of social media and cares about women’s rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.  

Continue Reading

Fitness

Fitness expert shares low-effort movement routines for days you’re too tired to exercise: ‘Even a few minutes of…’

Published

on

Fitness expert shares low-effort movement routines for days you’re too tired to exercise: ‘Even a few minutes of…’

We all have those days when exhaustion hits, and the thought of a full workout feels impossible. Skipping exercise entirely can make it harder to stay consistent, but even small movements count. Spoorthi S, fitness expert at cult shares with HT Lifestyle simple, low-effort routines to keep your body active and energised, even on the laziest days.

Stay active with low-effort routines on exhausting days, says fitness expert. (Unsplash)

“If the idea of a ‘proper workout’ feels exhausting before you even begin, you’re not lazy, you’re likely fatigued,” explains Spoorthi S. “Long work hours, mental overload, poor sleep, and constant stimulation drain the nervous system, making intense exercise feel overwhelming. But an important thing to note is that movement doesn’t always have to be intense to be effective.” (Also read: Hyderabad eye surgeon explains why most vision loss in India is preventable but often detected too late )

“Low-effort movement routines can help you stay active, improve circulation, reduce stiffness, and even restore energy without demanding willpower or motivation. When energy is low, the goal should shift from ‘burn calories’ to ‘just move a little.’ Gentle movement stimulates blood flow, improves joint lubrication, and activates the parasympathetic (rest-and-recover) nervous system. This can reduce stress hormones like cortisol and actually help you feel more energised post-movement, rather than depleted,” she adds.

“Think of these routines as maintenance, not training,” says Spoorthi S.

Low-effort movement routines to try

Advertisement

1. A quick mobility refresh

“Especially ideal for those who sit for long hours. Simple movements like neck and shoulder rolls, spinal flexion and extension, hip rotations, and ankle mobility can reduce stiffness and improve overall movement quality,” she suggests.

2. Easy-paced walking

“A relaxed 10–20-minute walk outdoors supports mood, digestion, and circulation. There’s no need to chase step counts or pace, consistency matters more than intensity,” Spoorthi explains.

3. Short movement breaks during the day

“Every hour or so, take one to two minutes to stand up and move. Light squats, wall push-ups, gentle twists, or even walking around the room help prevent fatigue and maintain energy levels,” she adds.

4. Slow movement paired with breathing

“Combining controlled, slow movements with deep breathing helps downshift the nervous system. This reduces mental overload and creates a sense of calm without complete rest,” says Spoorthi.

5. Gentle stretches to wind down

Low-intensity stretches for the hips, hamstrings, and back in the evening help the body relax, release tension, and prepare for better sleep and recovery,” she advises.

Advertisement

“Remember, the goal on low-energy days isn’t to push hard, it’s to keep moving gently and consistently. Small, mindful movements can go a long way in maintaining health, mobility, and energy,” concludes Spoorthi S.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

Continue Reading

Trending