Mobia vs Treadclimber vs Incline Trainer
Overview
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Bowflex models referenced in this article were discontinued by Bowflex in 2011. Click here to read the review of the most current treadclimbers.
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For some time now our readers have asked us a simple question: Which is best, Mobia by Nautilus or a Bowflex TreadClimber?
This is because the features Mobia has resemble to the Bowflex Treadclimber features a lot. And it’s normal this happens taken the fact that Mobia and Bowflex are developed manufactured and marketed by the same company, Nautilus Inc.
As a parenthesis, Nautilus Inc. Owns many brands, not just Mobia and Bowflex. They own also PEARL iZUMi, Schwinn Fitness, StairMaster, Trimline and Universal brands. The company was created in 1986 and since then they have dedicated their activity to creating and selling fitness equipment. At this moment they represent a strong name in the fitness equipment market.
This article is based on our experience so far and it’s about a comparison between Mobia vs Treadclimber vs Incliner, more specific between Mobia vs Bowflex TC 5500 Treadclimber vs NordicTrack X7i Incline Trainer Treadmill.
All the details this review includes are based on our personal experience with each of the 3 machines we tested, their training purpose and most importantly their price!
Nautilius Mobia
Resembling Features Between Mobia, Treadclimber TC 5500 and NordicTrack X7i Incline Trainer:
- Incline:
All three machines use the Incline feature as the main tool to work your muscles really hard during exercise.
Mobia, Bowflex Treadclimber and Incline Trainer have the same purpose: burn calories fast. They just propose 2 different ways to do it (Mobia and Treadclimber rely on their combination between treadmill and a stair climber while Incline Trainer relies on its treadmill’s features and high incline). - Dimensions:
Belt Dimensions of the NordicTrack Incline Trainer X7i are: Width 22” (55.88 cm) x Length 55” (139.7 cm).
Technical Dimensions of 5500 TC Bowflex are: Length 55” (139.7 cm), Width 31.5” (80 cm), Height 55.25” (140.3 cm), assembled weight 218 lbs (98.9 kg)
Technical dimensions of Mobia are: : Length 52” (132 cm), Width 28” (71 cm), Height 51” (130.3 cm), assembled weight 200 lbs. (90.7 kg)
As you can see, the differences are very small. For tall people, these small differences matter. For the others, they don’t count. Bowflex has larger dimensions than Mobia, but they are insignificant from our point of view. The most important dimension is the length which, as you can see, it’s almost the same on all 3 machines.
Resembling Features Between Mobia Nautilus and Treadclimber TC 5500:
Click Specifications to see detailed model info
Speed : Both Mobia and Bowflex have the a maximum speed level at around 4mph ( 7km/h)
Supported User Weight : 0-300 lbs (0-136 kg) Both machines have the same limitations for the User Weight.
Workout Setting Cylinders : Both machines use the same workout setting cylinders that you have to set manually before each workout. If you want to change the steps resistance during the exercise you must stop, get off the machine, change both cylinders settings, get back on the machine and start the workout.
Service/Set-up Mode on Mobia is the same with Configuration mode on Bowflex. : Different Features Between Mobia, Treadclimber TC 5500 and NordicTrack X7i Incline Trainer:
Supported User Weight : While Mobia and Bowflex TC 5500 have only 300lbs maximum supported user weight, NordicTrack X7i Incline Trainer can support as much as 350lbs.
Warranty : Bowflex has a slightly improved warranty than Mobia but is still too little for the price paid. You get 5 year motor warranty, 3 years for parts and electronics, 2 years for the hydraulics for Bowflex TC 5500. For Mobia you receive 2 years for the motor, 2 years for the parts, 2 years for electronics and 2 years for the Hydraulics. For the NordicTrack X7i Incliner you get a Lifetime Frame Warranty, a Lifetime Motor Warranty and 1-Year Parts & Labor warranty.
Similar Features
Workouts
All three machines have manual and custom workouts included (but in the limitation of each machine’s speed and incline).
This means that with Mobia you can choose the Quick Start workout (predefined values) or the custom workout (based on your own height and age). This machine has the simplest workout options of all 3.
Bowflex 5500 comes with additional workouts than Mobia which allow you to have a more interactive training: you can set goals based on your age and weight, receive trophies when you reach them and get into more challenging workouts based on your success (we refer to the 9 Landmarks workouts).
But the most interesting of all is NordicTrack Incliner with the iFit LIVE Module included in its price. The iFit LIVE module gives you a personal trainer, Jillian Michaels. In just a few words, with iFit LIVE you have an automatic incline change during live terrain simulator workouts. And you can enable new workouts every time the module is connected through the Internet with the iFit website. Jillian is side by side with you to offer advice and valuable workout tips. The disadvantage is that when you lose the connection to the Internet you can’t use the Module either and the technical specs involved in using the module may require you to call a technician more often than the other 2 options. Still, NordicTrack X7i Incline Trainer has the most various workouts of all 3 training machines.
NordicTrack X7 Incline Trainer
Design
When it comes to design, each machine has its personal look. To select the best looking option depends on each person’s taste.
Mobia has a futuristic look and fits perfectly in a home with modern architecture and design. Some say Mobia has a look that attracts mostly women. And we can confirm it’s true, at least among us and our friends.
The men in our group preferred Bowflex instead of Mobia.
NordicTrack Incliner has the classic look of a treadmill. The colors match with Bowflex TC 5500, even the frame which is made of steel. From all 3, NordicTrack summed the less points at design in comparison with the other 2 options.
Price
This is a very important point.
Mobia costs $1,700.
Bowflex TC 5500 TreadClimber costs $3,300.
NordicTrack X7i Incline Trainer (with iFit LIVE included) costs $2,000.
Different Features Between Mobia Nautilus and Treadclimber TC 5500:
- You have no leveler on Bowflex but you have one on Mobia.
- Bowflex has the new and more challenging GO console with the unlock reward and 9 landmarks features.
- Bowflex allows to use the treadclimber as a treadmill by locking the 2 treadlers, while Mobia doesn’t do that. Still, treadmill mode is useful only for warm-ups and cool-down (it’s totally impractical for running)
Conclusions
From out point of view, the differences between Mobia and Bowflex TC 5500 don’t reflect on the $1,300 price difference between them.
NordicTrack Incliner has the features of a treadmill (so you can use it to run too!) and a high incline option. The high incline feature is the one that makes it comparable with Mobia and Bowflex. If you set the treadmill at 4 mph speed and 40% incline you have a similar workout feeling. But, if you want to change the incline and speed without getting off the machine, you have all controls available at just one push away. Not to mention the iFit LIVE module which makes it really worthy you look into this option.
The warranty is not something we rely on to make this comparison as we haven’t experienced on our own what it means to need to contact the Support Representative and ask assistance for any of the machines analyzed in this review. We hope our readers can help us establish which is the best option when it comes to Support and technical assistance, plus reliability and resistance over years of intensive use.
As a last remark we would like to mention we prefer the NordicTrack X7i Incline Trainer most of all.
But it would be unfair to name our preference the ‘best machine’ of all. This award depends entirely on the personal needs of each person. So you can tell us which is best for you and why.
Our recommendation is to go with the option that makes you feel you bought a machine that represents you, resists many years and helps you reach your goals.
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