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While they may look similar, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro and NordicTrack S15i have many differences. Find the best option for your situation.
First of all, this comparison reviews the “regular” ProForm Studio Bike Pro. If you are interested in the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 instead, you can check out the comparison with the NordicTrack S22i.
That being said, the main differences between the ProForm Studio Bike Pro and the NordicTrack S15i are that the ProForm Studio Bike Pro has negligibly more compact dimensions, a lighter weight, and a price that is initially a good amount more budget-friendly.
On the other hand, the NordicTrack S15i has a higher weight limit, a bigger screen, incline and decline options, a longer IFIT Membership, handlebar adjustment buttons, two bottle holders, and workout fans.
Something to note is that, at the time of writing, the ProForm model comes with 3 years of IFIT whereas the NordicTrack model comes with 4 years of IFIT. This makes the price difference smaller in the long term.
If you want to move your exercise bike around a lot, are currently on a budget, or plan to use your machine for exactly three years, you could consider the ProForm Studio Bike Pro.
However, you will likely want to initially invest a bit more into the NordicTrack S15i. After four years, the investment is similar but you still have the NordicTrack S15i features which most people will prefer.
Differences Proform Studio Bike Pro vs NordicTrack S15i
At first sight, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro and NordicTrack S15 may look very similar.
However, these indoor cycling bikes vary in a few important areas. This influences what model the best is for what types of people and situations.
| Feature | ProForm Studio Bike Pro | NordicTrack S15i |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 250 Pounds (113.4 kg) | 350 Pounds (158 kg) |
| Screen | 10” HD Touchscreen | 14” HD Touchscreen |
| Incline Options | No | 0% to 20% |
| Decline Options | No | -10% to 0% |
| Workout Programs* | 3-Year iFIT Family Membership Included | 4-Year iFIT Family Membership Included |
| Handlebar Incline & Resistance Adjustment Buttons | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 56.5″ L x 21.9″ W x 52″ H | 60″ L x 22″ W x 58″ H |
| Bottle Holder | 1 Medium | 2 Medium |
| Workout Fans | No | Yes |
| Weight | 140 lbs (63.5 kg) (Box Weight) | 203 lbs (92.1 kg) (Box Weight) |
| Price Category** | $$$$$ | $$$$$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*NordicTrack and ProForm websites at the time of writing, often varies in other places
**Price category at the time of writing
Common features Proform Studio Bike Pro and NordicTrack S15i
Before investing in the ProForm Studio Bike Pro or NordicTrack S15i, you may also want to know about their common features. These can be important in certain situations too.
| Feature | ProForm Studio Bike Pro | NordicTrack S15i |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Resistance Levels | 22 Levels | 22 Levels |
| Automatic Resistance Adjustment | In Certain IFIT Workouts | In Certain IFIT Workouts |
| 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 | 28 to 41 Inches (71.1 cm to 104.1 cm) Inseam Range | 28 to 41 Inches (71.1 cm to 104.1 cm) Inseam Range |
| Pedals | Toe Straps | Toe Straps |
| Screen Mobility | Rotates And Tilts | Rotates And Tilts |
| Device Holder | No | No |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor, Bought Separately | Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor, Bought Separately |
| Dumbbells | Two 3-Pound (1.4 kg) Dumbbells Included | Two 3-Pound (1.4 kg) Dumbbells Included |
| 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
Confusing differences Proform Studio Bike Pro vs NordicTrack S15i explained
Most people will be able to decide between the ProForm Studio Bike Pro and NordicTrack S15i by looking at the price and feature differences.
That being said, you may not be completely sure about what certain features mean or why they are important. You can find some of the most confusing differences explained in more detail below.
Incline and decline options
This is a relatively unique feature when it comes to exercise bikes but some models allow you to raise the front or back part of the bike. These things allow you to train at different incline and decline levels.
The ProForm Studio Bike Pro sticks to the more standard design which means no incline or decline levels.
On the other hand, the NordicTrack S15i allows you to train at angles that vary from -10% to 20%.
Different incline and decline levels on an exercise bike do not really have an impact on the training aspect of your workouts. However, they can make many IFIT workouts feel more immersive and fun.
How important this difference is to you depends on things like your personal preferences and training goals. In any case, the NordicTrack S15i wins in terms of the incline and decline options available.
Winner: NordicTrack S15i
Handlebar adjustment buttons
The ProForm Studio Bike Pro and NordicTrack S15i both have 22 resistance levels to help you train at the right challenge level.
To switch between these levels, both indoor cycling bikes have the relatively standard turning knob. Additionally, certain IFIT workouts automatically adjust the resistance.
These things aside, the NordicTrack S15i has additional adjustment options. There are buttons on the ends of the handlebars that allow you to change the resistance, incline, and decline, levels.
While they did deserve an explanation, most people will not care about these buttons too much because of the automatic resistance adjustment.
That being said, individuals who like to lean on their handlebars and adjust their resistance themselves will find this a welcome addition to the NordicTrack S15i.
Winner: NordicTrack S15i
Weight
The weight of an exercise bike is not confusing in terms of what it means. However, it is not always instantly clear how this detail influences your experience of the cardio machine.
First of all, there are some 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 ProForm Studio Bike Pro and the NordicTrack S15i.
That being said, most people will care more about the weights of these machines in terms of moving the indoor cycling bikes around.
The ProForm Studio Bike Pro and Nordictrack S15i both have transport wheels.
However, it will be easier to move the 140 lbs (= 63.5 kg) (box weight) of the ProForm Studio Bike Pro than the 203 lbs (92.1 kg) (box weight) of the NordicTrack S15i.
Winner: ProForm Studio Bike Pro
Price
The ProForm Studio Bike Pro and NordicTrack S15i each have their upsides and downsides. Something that could make your decision between these exercise bikes easier is a big difference in price.
Exactly how much each machine costs depends on where you get them and can change over time.
That being said, at the time of writing, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro package is initially a good amount more budget-friendly than the NordicTrack S15i package.
Keep in mind that the ProForm Studio Bike Pro package comes with 3 years of IFIT Family Membership whereas the NordicTrack S15i comes with 4 years of IFIT Family Membership.
If you plan to use your exercise bike for longer than 3 years and plan to keep your IFIT subscription, the price difference becomes a lot smaller.
Winner: ProForm Studio Bike Pro
User reviews
Since ProForm and NordicTrack are owned by the same company, you would expect that the price and feature differences give a good idea about whether the Studio Bike Pro or S15i is the right choice for you.
Even so, customer reviews sometimes uncover downsides that are not on the product page or trends in quality issues.
The ProForm Studio Bike Pro does not have the most customer reviews (yet) but customers currently tend to be more positive about the NordicTrack S15i.
There are some cases where the ProForm Studio Bike Pro arrives with faulty parts, has early wear and tear, and has software issues.
These things also occasionally happen with the NordicTrack S15 but less often.
In the case of both indoor cycling bikes, customers are sometimes surprised about how important the premium IFIT Membership is for the overall experience of the machine.
Both exercise bikes have things that can be done better. However, customers are currently definitely more positive about the NordicTrack S15i.
Is the Proform Studio Bike Pro or NordicTrack S15i right for you?
In short, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro has negligibly more compact dimensions, a lighter weight, and a price that is initially a good amount more budget-friendly.
On the other side, the NordicTrack S15i has a higher weight limit, a bigger screen, incline and decline options, a longer IFIT Membership, handlebar adjustment buttons, two bottle holders, and workout fans.
Something to keep in mind is that, at the time of writing, the ProForm model comes with 3 years of IFIT whereas the NordicTrack model comes with 4 years of IFIT. This makes the price difference smaller in the long term.
People who plan to move their exercise bikes around a lot, are on a budget right now, or plan to use their machine for exactly three years can consider the ProForm Studio Bike Pro.
That being said, most people will likely prefer initially investing a bit more into the NordicTrack S15i.
If you plan to use your indoor cycling bike for more than four years, the investment required is similar but the NordicTrack has features that most people will prefer.
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