NordicTrack S24 Studio Bike | Netflix and Cycle
Reviewed by TreadmillReviews.com
Stream your favorite TV shows and movies while the bike adjusts the resistance for you.
The best treadmill reviews you can trust
The best treadmill reviews you can trust
Stream your favorite TV shows and movies while the bike adjusts the resistance for you.
Updated: March 11, 2025
I typically test exercise equipment at the end of the day because who wants to sit at a desk surrounded by colleagues while smelling like a gym sock? When it gets late in the day, and I know it’s time to cycle on the NordicTrack S24, I feel a little devious. I’m at work, but I’m also about to watch Netflix, potentially.
You see, when I test out exercise equipment, I test out all the features. That means watching my favorite TV shows and movies while taking an iFIT class. That’s one of my favorite features about this bike. You get automatic and personalized resistance adjustments while streaming entertainment from one of the apps included with iFIT.
There’s more to love about this bike and iFIT, so keep reading to discover everything I found out while training on the NordicTrack S24 Studio Bike.
Some bikes are just more comfortable than others, and the NordicTrack S24 is one such bike. I’ve been testing a lot of exercise bikes recently, and the S24 rises to the top as one of the most comfortable. Its geometry and components are just right.
At about 200 lbs and with a 350-lb weight capacity, the NordicTrack S24 is a solid exercise bike. Its frame is made of thick steel that promises to keep you secure during the toughest indoor ride.
I used to complain about testing out NordicTrack bikes because as fun as the classes were and as great the bike’s performance was, the saddles were so uncomfortable. I’m glad that NordicTrack has switched things up. The S24 (and the X24, for that matter) has a comfortable saddle that I don’t mind for even hour-long rides or longer.
The saddle adjusts up, down, forward, and backward. It accommodates a cyclist from around 5’ tall to 6’6” tall. I am 5’4” and felt quite comfortable on the S24. I normally position the saddle on the second level vertically, with it scooted as far forward as possible.
Despite the wide range in the saddle height, the handlebars are not nearly as adjustable. They only have four different levels. If you are on the taller side, the handlebars might feel short to you. I prefer a more upright cycling position, so I keep the handlebars at their maximum height.
The handlebar’s texture is nice. It kept my hands from sliding around even when I started to sweat. I’m not as big of a fan of the shape of these handlebars because I like a more central grip, but overall, they are fine.
The pedals are hybrid, so there are SPD clips for cycling shoes on one side. On the other side, there are flat pedals with toe cages. It’s a great choice if you don’t have cycling shoes yet but might want to try them out in the future.
There are 24 resistance levels on this bike. It uses magnetic resistance, which keeps its performance quiet and allows it to be controlled digitally. Magnetic resistance also requires less maintenance than friction resistance.
Magnetic resistance works by bringing a set of magnets closer to or farther from the flywheel. The S24 has a heavy flywheel. We estimate the weight to be about 32 lbs, considering its similarity to previous NordicTrack exercise bikes with a similar flywheel.
Pedaling on the S24 feels very smooth. That’s partially due to the heavy flywheel and partly due to the belt drive. The belt drive also helps keep this exercise bike very quiet.
The first thing you should know about the NordicTrack S24 and its features is just how integral iFIT is to the experience on this bike. Everything, from the screen to the speakers, is designed to draw you further into the virtual outdoor class experience.
NordicTrack has made some serious changes to their consoles with their newest lineup of fitness equipment. The S24 has no buttons off of the screen. And honestly? I didn’t miss them much.
There is no better way to experience the iFIT platform than with a 24” touchscreen display. I don’t think a bigger screen could even comfortably fit on a bike. The S24’s screen is high-quality, with reduced loading times and little lag. The only complaint I have is the amount of glare the screen shows.
I really like how the screen rotates from side to side and can tilt up and down. iFIT has off-bike classes for strength and yoga, but this screen works for those, too. Just rotate the screen around and set up your workout station near the bike. Even at a reasonable distance, the screen is easy to see.
The S24 has a set of front-facing speakers at the bottom of the console. While I used to say that Peloton has the best audio quality, I think NordicTrack and iFIT have closed the gap. It sounds clear. I like that I can control the entertainment and iFIT audio separately to get the right mix.
If you want to train without disturbing anyone around you, connect headphones via Bluetooth to the S24’s console. Connecting a device from the workout settings menu is super easy.
While my Garmin watch connected easily, Apple Watch users should note that their devices are not compatible.
A dual set of fans sits below the screen and above the speakers. These fans have three speeds and an auto mode. The automatic mode allows the fan speed to adjust based on your training intensity. If your workout intensity increases, so will the fan speed.
Lightweight dumbbells are an exercise bike staple. I must admit that they are the accessory/feature that I neglect the most, but with the S24 Bike, they are included with your purchase.
There is one water bottle holder on the bike. I sometimes use it to hold my phone on shorter rides, too.
Whether you are new to indoor cycling or a veteran of the sport, the NordicTrack S24 is ready for your best effort. Though it only has 24 resistance levels, it feels quite challenging. I’m not hanging out in the higher levels for very long (if at all). The only downside to an all-out effort on the S24 is that the handlebars shift a little.
The NordicTrack S24 is suitable for sprint intervals and endurance rides. iFIT has a nice variety of classes to help you balance working hard and recovering. But it’s more than the onscreen workouts and resistance that make it suitable; it’s also comfortable enough for your toughest rides.
Subscription services are quite controversial for fitness equipment shoppers: some love them, while others hate them. The NordicTrack S24 is solidly for the individual who loves them. iFIT is a $39/month subscription that covers five profiles and any compatible equipment you should buy.
iFIT is a training platform with thousands of classes. Each workout is guided by a trainer and takes place either in a studio setting or outdoors along routes and trails. The outdoor content is iFIT’s specialty, and the S24 is the perfect way to tour faraway locations on a virtual bike ride.
You can train hands-free on this bike with iFIT’s automatic resistance adjustments. You can either follow the preset levels or turn on SmartAdjust for personalized resistance settings. SmartAdjust learns your fitness level by analyzing your performance in workouts and taking into account any time you override the preset resistance levels.
One thing you may notice about iFIT classes is that they are designed for the X24 bike, which also has an incline feature. While I found following along on the S24 enjoyable and relatively smooth, there are times when the trainer’s cues won’t apply to you because of the S24’s lack of incline feature.
You aren’t limited to just this class format with the iFIT platform. You can also design your own workouts in the “Create” tab. Here, you can create a custom interval workout, a target workout, or build from a template. You can even use the Google Maps integration to design custom routes.
With Google Maps, you can create a route almost anywhere in the world. Your indicator will progress along the route synced to the speed you are pedaling. Your resistance automatically adjusts according to the real-world terrain of the route you created.
I actually like the Google Maps feature on the S24 more than on the X24 because the X24’s incline adjusts, but not the resistance.
The fun doesn’t stop there. iFIT also includes several entertainment apps: Netflix, Prime Video, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, Pluto TV, and iHeartRadio. You can stream these apps while training in any of the workout options, including with iFIT classes.
You can also train in manual mode by pressing the quick-start button. This method is definitely the fastest way to get into a workout. But if your struggle is finding the right iFIT class, you can also enable the AI Coach, Tailor.
With the AI Coach enabled, Tailor will text you to learn about your training goals. Tailor can schedule workouts, saving you the time of scrolling through iFIT’s extensive list of classes and training series. You can ask Tailor questions, and Tailor will also send you training advice occasionally. Right now, Tailor isn’t as refined as I would like, but it is a great start.
If you decide iFIT is not right for you, you can still use the NordicTrack S24 Exercise Bike. If you don’t create an iFIT account at all, don’t connect the bike to Wi-Fi. Then, you can just train in manual mode.
For more training options, create a free iFIT account and connect to Wi-Fi. You can take a few featured iFIT classes and a few preset workouts similar to the template workouts available for subscribers. Keep in mind that iFIT has been known to change what they offer to non-subscribers regularly. Sometimes there is more, and sometimes there is less.
The NordicTrack S24 Studio Bike is more than an exercise bike. It’s your gateway to a virtual outdoor world where iFIT’s professional coaches guide you along your fitness journey. It has automatic resistance adjustments and features that allow you to personalize your workout.
I’ve been streaming Netflix shows on the S24 Bike. It’s a great incentive to keep pedaling, and workouts have never passed faster than when I’m immersed in a good show or movie. iFIT’s outdoor classes are also fun to watch, especially when I connect my Spotify account to listen to my workout playlists for extra motivation.
The NordicTrack S24 is best for someone who wants to subscribe to iFIT and take advantage of all the cool tech features. The 24” touchscreen has limited features without an active membership, so I really think the two together are the best setup.
