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Their screen size is the same but the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 and the NordicTrack S22 still vary in a few important areas.
The main differences between the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 and the NordicTrack S22 are that the NordicTrack S22i has a higher weight limit, incline and decline options, handlebar incline and resistance adjustment buttons, SPD-compatible pedals, potentially a heavier flywheel, workout fans, and more positive customer reviews.
On the other hand, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 has a lighter weight, slightly more compact dimensions, and a price that is a lot more budget-friendly.
If you weigh above 250 pounds (113 kg) (the weight limit of the ProForm bike), the decision is clear. In that case, you want to go for the NordicTrack S22i.
Besides that, you want to think about your budget, how much you like the better features of the NordicTrack S22i, and how much you want to risk spending extra time talking to ProForm customer support.
When the ProForm Pro Studio Bike Pro 22 works as it’s supposed to, it is a good indoor cycling bike that can save you a good amount of money over choosing the NordicTrack bike.
At the same time, investing more into the NordicTrack S22i can also definitely make sense if you have the budget for it, don’t like to waste time, and like features like the incline and decline settings.
Differences ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 vs NordicTrack S22i
Their screen sizes may be the same but the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 and NordicTrack S22i still have many differences in other areas.
This will influence what indoor cycling bike the best choice is for your personal situation and preferences.
| Feature | ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 | NordicTrack S22i |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 250 Pounds (113 kg) | 350 Pounds (158 kg) |
| Incline Options | No | 0% to 20% |
| Decline Options | No | -10% to 0% |
| Handlebar Incline & Resistance Adjustment Buttons | No | Yes |
| Pedals | Toe Straps | Dual-Sided with Toe Cage & SPD-Compatible Clips |
| Weight | 144 lbs (64.3 kg) (Box Weight) | 205 lbs (93 kg) (Box Weight) |
| Workout Fans | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 56.5″ L x 21.9″ W x 54″ H | 61″ L x 22″ W x 58″ H |
| Price Category* | $$$$ | $$$$$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Price category at the time of writing
Common features ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 and NordicTrack S22i
Before investing in either the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 or NordicTrack S22i, you may also want to know about their common features.
| Feature | ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 | NordicTrack S22i |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance Levels | 24 Levels | 24 Levels |
| Resistance Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Flywheel Weight | 32 pounds (14.5 kg) | 32 pounds (14.5 kg) |
| Position Flywheel | Front | Front |
| Handlebar Style | Elevated Bullhorn | Elevated Bullhorn |
| Handlebar Adjustment | Height | Height |
| Seat/Saddle Style | Competition | Competition |
| Adjustable Seat | Height & Fore/Aft | Height & Fore/Aft |
| User Height Range | Not Mentioned | 28 to 41 Inches (71.1 cm to 104.1 cm) Inseam Range |
| Screen | 22″ Smart HD Touchscreen | 22″ Smart HD Touchscreen |
| Screen Mobility | Swivels/Rotates And Tilts | Swivels/Rotates And Tilts |
| Device Holder | No | No |
| Workout Programs | 30-Day iFIT Family Membership Included | 30-Day iFIT Family Membership Included |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor, Bought Separately | Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor, Bought Separately |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Dumbbells | Two 3-Pound (1.4 kg) Dumbbells Included | Two 3-Pound (1.4 kg) Dumbbells Included |
| Bottle Holder | 2 Medium | 2 Medium |
| Warranties* | 10 Years Frame Warranty, 2 Years Parts Warranty, And 1 Year Labor Warranty | 10 Years Frame Warranty, 2 Years Parts Warranty, And 1 Year Labor Warranty |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
Differences ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 vs NordicTrack S22i in detail
If you are more experienced with exercise bikes and know what you want in them, the price and feature differences could be enough to decide between the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 and NordicTrack S22i.
On the other hand, you may also still be confused about what certain features mean, why they are important, and to what extent the difference should play a role in your decision.
If that is the case, the more detailed descriptions of the differences below can help you make a better decision.
Weight limit
Indoor cycling bike weight limits sound and are relatively straightforward details but they matter in more ways than one.
Before going into the consequences, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 has a weight limit of 250 pounds (113 kg). The NordicTrack S22i is a good amount sturdier with a weight limit of 350 pounds (158 kg).
First of all, going over these numbers can simply make the exercise bikes break down. Secondly, even if they don’t, going over the weight limit can speed up wear and tear and void your warranties.
Besides these consequences, the weight limit of an indoor cycling bike is also an indication of the sturdiness of its materials and construction.
It is clear that the NordicTrack S22i does a lot better than the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22.
Even if you do not weigh more than 250 pounds (113 kg), the weight limit of the NordicTrack exercise bike may give you a more secure feeling.
Winner: NordicTrack S22i
Incline and decline options
The NordicTrack S22i has incline and decline options ranging from -10% to 20%.
These things mean that you can raise the front part or back part of the indoor cycling bike to get a feeling that is more similar to riding uphill or downhill with a real bike.
Incline and decline options are relatively unique features for exercise bikes. Models like the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 do not have these options.
Something to keep in mind is that these incline and decline options do not really have any impact on how hard or easy your workouts are.
They are mostly there to add variety and fun to your workouts and make certain IFIT workouts feel more immersive.
In turn, you can argue that the extra enjoyment can help certain people stay more consistent with their exercise routine.
How important these incline and decline options are to you depends on personal preference. Some people will not really care about them. Others will find this a valuable addition to the NordicTrack S22i.
Winner: NordicTrack S22i
Handlebar adjustment buttons
Both the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 and NordicTrack S22i have 24 resistance levels. These allow you to keep things interesting and train at the right intensity level for your capacity and training goals.
One difference in this area between these two indoor cycling bikes is how you can switch between the different resistance levels.
In the case of the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22, you have to reach for the screen. For people who like to lean forward on their handlebars, this means getting up at least slightly.
On the flip side, the NordicTrack S22i allows you to stay in the same position. This is thanks to the incline, decline, and resistance adjustment buttons on the ends of the handlebars.
While these buttons are nice additions, something important to note is that many people won’t have to manually adjust resistance (or incline/decline) anyway.
This is because IFIT works in a way where many of the workout videos automatically adjust the incline, decline, and resistance for you. If you are getting one of these indoor cycling bikes, you will likely also get the IFIT Membership.
So the NordicTrack S22i is just a bit more convenient than the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 for people who like to lean on their handlebars.
However, due to the IFIT resistance adjustment, most people will not care too much about this difference.
Winner: NordicTrack S22i
Pedals
Similar to regular bikes, indoor cycling bikes can come with different types of pedals.
The ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 keeps things relatively basic with its toe strap pedals.
The NordicTrack S22i also has the toe straps but also includes SPD-compatible clips. This allows you to use the cycle with SPD shoes. In simpler words, these are shoes that clip onto the pedals.
While there are some differences in terms of high-level performance, in terms of getting a good workout, both indoor cycling bikes will be good enough.
This detail of the NordicTrack S22i will mostly be a benefit for people who have a personal preference for SPD-compatible clips.
Winner: NordicTrack S22i
Overall weight
How much an exercise bike weighs is another relatively straightforward detail but you may be unsure about how this influences your experience in any way.
There are a few exceptional cases where the floor has a limited weight capacity. In a situation like that, you definitely want to double-check the weights of the exercise bikes you are considering.
That being said, most people will care more about this detail because both the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 and NordicTrack S22i have transport wheels.
It will be easier to move around the 144 lbs (64.3 kg) (box weight) of the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 than the 205 lbs (93 kg) (box weight) of the NordicTrack S22i.
Some people will just put their exercise bike somewhere and almost never move it again. In that case, this difference is not that relevant.
That being said, if you plan to move your indoor cycling bike around in between workouts and you are not that strong, you will likely prefer the weight of the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22.
Winner: ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22
Price
Besides in terms of weight and length, most people will prefer the features of the NordicTrack S22i over the ones of the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22.
One thing to keep in mind is that price typically matters too when choosing an exercise bike.
Exactly how much each indoor cycling bike is depends on where you get them and can change over time.
That being said, at the time of writing, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 is a lot more budget-friendly than the NordicTrack S22i.
Additionally, keep in mind that the IFIT Membership is recommended to get the most out of these exercise bikes. This involves extra subscription costs over time on top of the initial investment.
Winner: ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22
User reviews
Since ProForm and NordicTrack are owned by the same company, you would expect that the price and feature differences would give a good idea about whether the Studio Bike Pro 22 or the S22i is the right choice for you.
That being said, sometimes customer reviews uncover downsides that are not on the product page or trends in quality issues.
In the case of this comparison, customers tend to be more positive about the NordicTrack S22i than the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22.
There are a decent number of cases where the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 did not work on arrival. Additionally, there are a few software issues here and there.
ProForm customer support can be a bit faster in their responses and solutions in these cases.
The NordicTrack S22i still has a few cases of faulty parts but these seem to be a lot less common. Software issues tend to be just a bit more common than that.
Additionally, for both indoor cycling bikes, some customers are surprised about how important the IFIT Membership is for the whole experience of the machines.
While there are still a good amount of customers who are happy with their ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22, people tend to be more positive about the NordicTrack S22i.
Is the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 or NordicTrack S22i right for you?
In short, the NordicTrack S22i has a higher weight limit, incline and decline options, handlebar incline and resistance adjustment buttons, SPD-compatible pedals, potentially a heavier flywheel, workout fans, and more positive customer reviews.
On the other side, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 has a lighter weight, slightly more compact dimensions, and a price that is a lot more budget-friendly.
First of all, people who weigh more than 250 pounds (113 kg) definitely want to choose the NordicTrack S22i.
Besides that, your decision becomes a question of your budget, how much you prefer the better features of the NordicTrack bike, and how much you want to risk spending a lot of time trying to reach ProForm customer support.
If it works on arrival, the ProForm Pro Studio Bike Pro 22 is still a good indoor cycling bike. Choosing this option can save you a good amount of money.
On the other hand, investing more into the NordicTrack S22i can also definitely make sense if you have the budget for it, don’t like to waste time, and like features like the incline and decline settings.
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