The NordicTrack Commercial VR Bike – Heavy-Duty Design, Low Price

The exciting NordicTrack Commercial VR bike offers a heavy-duty steel frame, traction-control pedals, a balanced flywheel, and an incredibly strong resistance system – all for a low price of just $599.

The Bike

The console and the Clearview™ backlit LCD display are very well laid out and simple to use. The bright blue display shows your readouts for speed, time, distance, RPM, carbs burned, calories burned, and pulse.

The specs on the NordicTrack Commercial VR bike are:

• 20 Resistance Levels
• 30 Workout Programs
• Compatible plug-in for Mp3/iPod®
• Interplay™ Music Port w/speakers
• iFit™ Workout Card Technology*
• CardioGrip™ Heart Rate Monitoring
• Adjustable Handlebars
• Pedals with Toe Straps
• CoolAire™ Workout Fan
• Max user weight – 350 lbs
• Rear Stabilizers, Frame Levelers, Transport wheels
• Dimensions: 59"L x 18"W x 28"H
• Warranty: lifetime frame, 1-year parts and labor

* Workout cards sold separately.

The Buzz

UPDATE:  The original Commercial VR bike has been discontinued and replaced by three new, upgraded VR Series models. Read our NordicTrack bike reviews to learn more about these and other new models.

The NordicTrack Commercial VR bike features an iFit slot which gives you the option of buying additional training programs designed by Jillian Michaels of The Biggest Loser as well as other personal trainers.

It isn’t necessary to use iFit since the 30 programs pre-installed are more than enough to keep you challenged and motivated. The easy-to-use console also features 1-Touch Resistance™ so that you can adjust your resistance with the touch of a single button rather than scrolling through options.

More pluses: The slide mechanism for adjusting the seat is marked at intervals so you don’t have to guess each time you adjust the bike after another family member has used it. The handlebars on the seat and those next to the console have pulse sensors for heart rate monitoring.

Two Cons: Look at the picture of the NordicTrack Commercial VR and note that this is not a ‘step-through’ design for easy mounting. You will have to step over the center frame to mount the bike.

If this will be a problem for you, get a recumbent with an open frame. Also, note that the backrest is very narrow and so this seat might not be as comfortable for large people with wide backs.

Our Take on the VR Exercise Bike

Reviews on the NordicTrack Commercial VR are above average; many users remark that the bike surpassed their expectations. We have just one niggling complaint: that NordicTrack has a habit of throwing around the world “commercial” when naming products and this goes for ellipticals and treadmills as well as bikes.

So don’t be fooled: the Nordictrack Commercial VR bike is not a health-club quality model, despite the marketing angle of a tough name. However, the “wow” factor on this model for just $599 is just remarkable. This is an excellent design from NordicTrack, probably the best indoor bike they make.