NordicTrack R35 Recumbent Bike Review 2024

In-depth NordicTrack R35 Recumbent Bike Review: Testing & Analysis

Dimensions/Storability

Recumbent bikes are large pieces of fitness equipment.

They aren’t very tall, so they don’t require tall ceilings, but they take up a decent amount of floor space. The NordicTrack R35 is 68” long by 24” wide by 53” high. You’ll need this amount of room plus a few extra feet for getting on and off the R35 when determining where to fit it in your home.

The R35 weighs 192 lbs when it’s delivered in the box.

It’s heavy and hard to move. There are 2 front-mounted transportation wheels. To wheel it around, you need to tip up the back end of the machine. Unfortunately, there isn’t a handle to help lift it up. Because of this, we suggest keeping it in the spot where you plan on using it. I wouldn’t plan on moving it often. The R35 also doesn’t fold up, so it isn’t storable. It requires a designated space.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

The NordicTrack R35 Recumbent Bike includes a 14” touch screen with the option to stream iFIT workouts.

Here is what to expect with a membership to iFIT.

iFIT

What is iFIT? iFIT is a complete training platform designed to keep you motivated while using various fitness equipment from brands like NordicTrack and ProForm. There are workouts meant for the treadmill, exercise bike, rower, and elliptical. There are also mat workouts for strength training, meditation, and yoga.

The R35 comes with access to all of iFIT’s exercise bike workouts. You can also take mat classes before or after your sessions on this recumbent bike.

When purchasing the NordicTrack R35, you can get a free 30-day trial to iFIT if you are a new member. Returning members have the option to pay $39 per month, or take advantage of paying a lump sum upfront to cut down on the monthly price. 1-year upfront is $396 which is $33 per month. 2 years is $699 and 3 years is $899 which comes out to $29 and $25 per month. If you know you want to use iFIT, taking advantage of buying a membership ahead of time can help you save later.

What is so special about iFIT? The outdoor workouts are one of a kind. These feature instructors who guide you through various locations all over the world.

There are literally workouts filmed on every continent.

iFIT also has studio-filmed workouts. A camera points at the instructor as they lead you through workouts on various equipment.

iFIT has over 17,000 workouts and counting. Unfortunately, there aren’t any workouts filmed on recumbent bikes in its library. We have found taking outdoor rides where the instructor rides a bike, is engaging and works just fine on the R35.

If you don’t want to follow along with an iFIT instructor, you can draw routes on a Google Map.

The Google Map feature lets you create your own route. Google Images display on the screen during the workout, of the location.

During trainer-led workouts and Google Map workouts you create the R35 will automatically adjust the resistance. This is based on the instructor’s cues. Since there aren’t any recumbent bike-specific workouts, the AutoAdjust feature in iFIT goes off of metrics that are more appropriate to achieve on indoor cycling bikes. For example, when I was taking an outdoor ride, the suggested rpm range was 80 rpm. This is a pretty fast pace to pedal on a recumbent bike. I ended up ignoring the suggestion and turning off AutoAdjust so I could pedal at a pace that worked for me. You might need to do this when taking iFIT cycling classes on the R35 Recumbent Bike. I recommend turning off the Auto-Adjust feature and going at your own pace.

For music, iFIT uses a Feed.fm system where there are different playlists of songs split into different genre stations. The music plays in the background of each workout. You can switch between stations throughout your workout to change songs. It would be nice if the studio-filmed workouts featured curated playlists. I think it would help add to their overall energy and experience.

The outdoor classes are our favorite and we highly recommend checking them out as well as iFIT’s other workouts and features on the NordicTrack R35 Recumbent Bike.

Onboard Workouts

Without iFIT, you’re still able to use the R35. Manual mode is available, as well as a featured iFIT workout to take for free.

There aren’t any streaming apps like Netflix available with or without a subscription on the R35. The content on the screen is iFIT and the free version.

With the design, you could easily park the R35 in front of a TV to watch whatever you want.

Console

The console is pretty simple on the R35. At the center is a 14” touch screen for streaming iFIT. This is a good size for a recumbent bike. Any larger and I think it would be too much. On this machine, you sit fairly close to the screen, so this size is nice without being in your face or excessive.

The screen slightly tilts up and down to avoid overhead glare. It doesn’t pivot to either side of the bike, however, if you want to take mat classes on iFIT, seeing the screen from off the recumbent bike is plenty convenient without an adjustable screen.

The overall layout is easy to use.

There are resistance buttons below the screen. These adjust the resistance 1 level at a time. There aren’t numbered buttons to hop from high and low. If you want to jump between resistance levels, you can on the screen in iFIT workouts and manual mode.

The right handle also has resistance buttons that function like the ones on the console below the screen.

The left handle has volume buttons to adjust the speakers, easily.

The left side of the console has buttons for the speakers, too. The speakers have a great volume range. You can also connect your Bluetooth headphones to listen to the iFIT instructors with a membership. You can’t play music from your device through them, though.

The fan is a nice feature. The air hits my face and there are 3 airflow settings. It adjusts on the console with the labeled buttons.

2 cup holders sit on either side of the bike directly behind the seat.

You just have to reach back to grab your water, which isn’t great, but they’re nice to have. Other than this, there isn’t any other storage. There isn’t a place to put your device or a book.

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Build Quality

The overall build quality of the Commercial R35 is impressive. This is a large machine, and the construction backs up the features.

Most often, 350 lbs is the heaviest weight limit we see for exercise bikes. A large weight capacity is often a good indication of a well-built machine. The R35 handles people up to 350 lbs.

Frame

The frame is made out of steel to support the base of the bike. There are steel stabilizers on the floor. This contributes to the overall weight and stability of the recumbent bike. Although there are plastic components, the steel frame and beam that connects the back of the bike to the front, make this a really solid machine. A steel beam also extends up to support the console and touch screen. The seat is also fastened to a steel piece.

With this design, we didn’t experience any rocking or movement of the base or console.

It feels like it can handle a lot of use. We recommend the NordicTrack Commercial R35 for those who want to use a recumbent bike for multiple hours per day or for households with a few users.

Pedals

The pedals are pretty standard with top straps to help secure your feet.

You can simply slide your feet under the straps onto the pedals, easily. They’re compatible with athletic shoes and your feet shouldn’t slip if they have some tread. The pedals have some texture to help prevent slipping, too.

The pedals are fixed but the seat adjusts so you can reach them. They move in a circular motion.

Seat

The seat is adjustable forward and backward. Our team ranges from 6’5” to 5’1” and we all fit well on the NordicTrack R35. It has a large range to adjust the seat.

The seat has decent cushioning.

It feels plenty comfortable, like sitting in a dining room chair. The seat back is made out of mesh which is nice if you get sweaty. It has some lumbar support for comfort, too. What’s nice about adjusting the seat is that it lowers as you adjust it forward and raises as you adjust it back, to work better for taller and shorter folks.

It adjusts with a small lever under the seat. The seat only adjusts forward and backward, you can’t adjust the angle of the seat back. You shouldn’t need to though. It’s plenty comfortable as is. It’s also large enough to support users of most sizes.

The seat is what makes this machine best for those with mobility issues because it feels like you’re sitting in a chair.

Handles

The handles are attached next to the seat on either side. They’re convenient to grab when you’re seated. The handles have adjustment buttons on them, too. The right handle adjusts the resistance one level at a time. The left handle has speaker volume buttons to adjust the speakers louder or softer.

I like using these adjustment buttons better than the ones on the console because they’re easier to reach. I can reach the screen and console, just fine though.

Flywheel

Flywheels on exercise bikes help to contribute to their overall stability and smoothness. We like to see flywheels weigh at least 20 lbs on exercise bikes with weighted ones.

The NordicTrack R35 Recumbent Bike has a 25 lb flywheel.

It’s “inertia-enhanced”, which means it is made to maintain a smooth and consistent pedal stroke. The pedal motion is definitely smooth and quiet.

Resistance

The resistance is magnetic, adjusting between 26 different levels. NordicTrack claims it is silent. It isn’t completely silent, but it’s quiet. The R35 is appropriate for most homes. You can hear it make a low hum noise when it adjusts the resistance. When you’re at a steady resistance level, it doesn’t make noise.

The resistance provides a big range of tension to pedal against. The resistance feels more challenging than I was expecting for a recumbent bike. Even while pedaling at level 1, there is some resistance felt against the pedals. It isn’t much, however, the resistance really cranks up at over level 10 or so. Once you get up to level 26, you’ll be feeling your quads and hamstrings.

The range of resistance is good for pedaling casually at the light resistance levels and working your leg muscles at the higher resistance settings. You can vary your training, and even get your heart rate up a bit on this recumbent bike.

Warranty

NordicTrack includes their standard 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and 1-year labor warranty with the purchase of the Commercial R35 Recumbent Bike. For set-up, it’s a good idea to have another person (or 2) for assembly because this is a large and heavy machine.

Should You Buy The NordicTrack Commercial R35 Recumbent Bike?

The NordicTrack R35 Recumbent Bike is made for home use. It’s a good option if you have mobility issues and need a low-impact exercise bike that places you in a seated position that’s similar to sitting in a chair.

We appreciate that it includes a 14” touch screen for streaming iFIT. It is also suitable to put in front of a TV if you don’t want to stream iFIT though.

Overall, we’re impressed with the build quality of the R35. This is a large machine, which most recumbent bikes are, but the R35 is functional, quiet, and provides a good workout. The 26 levels of adjustable magnetic resistance make for easier and more intense training when you want. It is good for leisurely pedaling at the lower resistance levels, but still will work your leg muscles and get your heart rate up at the high resistance settings.

The 350 lb weight limit is appreciated, as well as the adjustable seat with lumbar support for added comfort. The NordicTrack R35 has rightfully earned the title of the best recumbent bike overall from our team because of its training options and overall quality.

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NordicTrack R35 Recumbent Bike Review FAQs / Q&As

Can I use the NordicTrack R35 without iFIT?

Yes, the R35 can be used with a subscription to iFIT. Without iFIT, you have access to a featured iFIT workout and manual mode.

What is the weight limit for the NordicTrack Commercial R35?

The Commercial R35 Recumbent Bike has a 350 lb weight limit.

Is this NordicTrack R35 Recumbent Bike review a paid review?

We were not paid to create this NordicTrack R35 review. NordicTrack sent us the recumbent bike, but this review was compiled with all of our unbiased opinions. We do have affiliate links. This is how we get paid. If you purchase through one of our links, we earn a commission. Along with NordicTrack, we work with several fitness brands to test out all kinds of equipment on the market. This allows us to recommend the best because we’ve actually spent time on machines to determine if they’re worth it or not.

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About the Author

Sydney Kaiser, ISSA-CPT, ISSA Nutritionist Certification
Sydney is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer, and sports nutritionist who combines her passion for fitness, health, and wellness with her passion for writing. After graduating from UC Riverside with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, she began teaching indoor cycling and Lagree Fitness group fitness classes to people of all ages and abilities. Raised in Central Michigan, Sydney grew up training and competing on the Arabian Horse Association circuit through both Regional and National levels in Dressage and Sport Horse classes. In college, Sydney went on to compete at the collegiate level as a Division 1 equestrian athlete. Here at TRG, Sydney relies on her extensive background in fitness when reviewing and recommending all kinds of fitness, recovery, and health-related products.

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