What is iFit and Should You Get It?

If you’ve been looking at exercise equipment these days you’ve likely come across something called iFit. It is one of the latest developments in the world of fitness machines. Many of the latest makes and models of ellipticals and treadmills feature built in iFit technology. But what exactly is this newfangled feature and is it really worth spending a little bit more for an elliptical machine that includes it?

Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about iFit in a nutshell:

What is iFit?

iFit is an integrated workout system that can link fitness equipment to the Internet, giving you access to an almost limitless supply of workout enhancing information, including nutrition tips, calorie trackers and mapping programs that allow you to download a specific route for your workout, tailored to your individual needs.

While most ellipticals come with a range of workout programs included, iFit can take that to the next level by expanding your horizons and giving you endless programs that you can use on and off the elliptical.

To see all of the current models that carry iFit you can see them at NordicTrack here and ProForm here.

Included in the latest iFit package is iFit Nutrition, Workout Tracking, GlobeTrek workouts, LiveCast health club training, access to exclusive personal trainer designed workouts, and iFit Google mapping.

The nutrition and workout trackers can help you stay on top of calories burned to ensure that you are maximizing weight loss and getting the most benefits possible from your workout, whether you are looking to lose weight or just stay in shape. Workouts from professional trainers all over the world are an added bonus.

iFit’s direct connection to Google Maps literally lets you workout wherever you want, around the world. Simply download the route you want from Google and your machine will automatically take you through all of the ups and downs of that particular terrain. This is especially handy if you are training for a specific race. You can download the route of the race itself and be able to adjust your machine, and your body, to the nuances of the terrain. And you watch this all unfold right on the touchscreen on your elliptical. Yes, it is definitely as cool as it sounds!

How much does iFit cost and which ellipticals have it?

Of course, like all good things, iFit does involve some extra expense. Currently all NordicTrack and ProForm ellipticals come with iFit, as does some Matrix ellipticals. Most have touch screens as well.

As of this writing, the program is simply called iFit, and it is available as an individual or family plan. The individual plan is $180 per year, and the family plan is $39 a month or $396 per year. Most NordicTrack and ProForm ellipticals come with one free month of iFit so you can try it out to see if it’s something you enjoy.

There are also machines that come free if you commit to 3 years of iFit, like the ProForm Carbon E10. So the machine itself is at no cost, but you do have to pay for iFit for that three year period.

It may seem like a bit much on top of the price of the elliptical itself, but most people feel it is well worth it in order to get the most out of your machine. Since iFit is produced by iFit Health & Fitness, it is only available for brands that fall under the ICON umbrella. That includes NordicTrack, ProForm, HealthRider and FreeMotion.

Of course, you’ll also need a wireless home network in order to access iFit but once you have your account set up, you can access it from any iFit compatible machine, so you can get the same individualized workout you’d get at home at the gym by logging into your account from the gym machines.

iFit is the next dimension in exercise technology and it is already having a major impact on exercise enthusiasts around the world. You can get in on the fun when you purchase your next elliptical by making sure you buy an iFit enabled or compatible machine. Then the workout you want will just be a few keystrokes away!

To see all of the current models that carry iFit you can see them at NordicTrack here and ProForm here.

What’s the bottom line?

Do you need iFit on your elliptical? Of course not. Is it really cool and if you are considering an iFit brand elliptical is it worth it? We believe so for one simple reason…

The more you enjoy working out, the more often you will do it. So anything that adds to your enjoyment, that motivates you to get on the machine every day, is a very good thing indeed. The workout programs and tracking are great, but we believe the coolest feature is the ability to run anywhere in the world and actually see it while you work out. It really amps you up to actually follow a marathon path, hike through mountains, traverse bridges, go through national parks…it really is like you are there.

Why stare at the wall in front of you or watch the same videos over and over again when you can literally work out anywhere in the world?

iFit is very cool, that’s the bottom line. It’s a relatively small monthly or yearly fee, and if it will get you on the elliptical a few more times each month it’s certainly worth it. And if you decide for whatever reason that it’s not for you, although we don’t see how that would be possible 🙂 you can always just cancel it.

And again, if you’re looking at a Horizon or Sole or other brand that doesn’t have iFit compatibility, it’s certainly not a deal breaker. Other brands offer their own version of iFit, or at least the ability to link to one fitness app or another, so you’ll be just fine without it.

Have you used iFit? Tell us about it!