NordicTrack Elliptical Review: Your Go-To Buying Guide

If you are searching for cardio equipment, you must have come across NordicTrack. It is a trusted brand in the fitness industry. It is known to offer high-quality equipment like treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, rowers, and other strength training accessories.

Today we will be exploring the different ellipticals on offer. These ellipticals offer a longer stride length, higher resistance levels powered by Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR) technology, and support a maximum user weight of up to 375 lbs.

Their range includes innovative machines that offer the benefits of an elliptical, treadmill, and stepper in one.

NordicTrack Commercial 9.9

3.2 Overall Editor Rating

NordicTrack Commercial 9.9

  • 350-pound weight capacity
  • Immersive 7-inch interactive HD touchscreen
  • Automatic Trainer Control
  • Power Adjustable Stride
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When looking for an elliptical for your home gym, you should consider factors like construction quality, design, footprint, stride length, resistance, incline, features, cost, and warranty.

Let us take a look at the NordicTrack ellipticals on offer and understand how they fare against our consideration factors.

What are the Different Ellipticals Offered by NordicTrack?

NordicTrack offers ellipticals under two main categories: Freestride Trainer and Front Drive.

The freestride trainer series presents a range of innovative machines by the brand. The single machine can be used as an elliptical, stepper, and treadmill.

As the name suggests, the front drive series is a range of ellipticals with a flywheel at the front.

NordicTrack also had rear drive ellipticals on its list, but they are no longer available on the website.

Here is a list of ellipticals offered by NordicTrack.

Let us explore each of these ellipticals in detail below.

1. NordicTrack Commercial 9.9

NordicTrack Commercial 9.9

Stability

Sturdiness

Ease of Use

Easy to assemble

Value for Money


Overall Rating: 3.2

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If you are looking for an entry-level model, consider the Commercial 9.9. It offers similar features to the ellipticals on the list at a lower price point.

The machine is originally priced at $1499. During sale periods, you can find the machine listed at $1299. There are also financing plans you can consider.

The Commercial 9.9 is a front-drive elliptical with a 25 lbs flywheel. It offers 22 digital resistance levels and a 0 to 20% power-adjustable incline option. It supports a maximum user weight of 350 lbs.

It offers a stride length of 17.5” to 18.7”. Again, this limits taller users above 5’9” from effectively using the elliptical.

It comes with a small 7-inch smart HD touchscreen. As with the other ellipticals, you get a 30-day free trial of iFIT membership.

Product Overview
Dimensions68.25″ L x 28.75″ W x 68.5″ H
Machine Weight244 lbs
Maximum User Weight350 lbs
Stride Length17.5" TO 18.7" Auto Adjustable Stride
Resistance22 Digital Resistance Levels
Incline0% to 20% Incline
Display7” Smart HD Touchscreen
iFIT30-Day Trial Included
Cost$1499
WarrantyFrame - 10-yearParts - 2-yearLabor - 1-year

Pros

  • It offers 22 digital resistance levels.
  • It provides a power-adjustable incline from 0 to 20%.
  • NordicTrack offers a good warranty on the elliptical.
  • It is a budget-friendly elliptical by the brand.

Cons

  • It has a small 7-inch screen.
  • It may not be suitable for taller users.
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2. NordicTrack Commercial 14.9

NordicTrack Commercial 14.9

Stability

Sturdiness

Ease of Use

Easy to assemble

Value for Money


Overall Rating: 2.6

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The Commercial 14.9 is another premium model, packed with features by NordicTrack. It has a front-drive design, so it takes up less floor space. It has a 32 lbs effective inertia-enhanced flywheel.

It has 26 digital resistance levels with SMR technology, so your workouts are relatively less noisy. It offers an incline feature of up to 20%, which is higher than the ones provided by the freestride trainer series.

It has an auto-adjustable stride of 17.5” to 18.7”. The stride length is good enough for most users. But if you are taller than 5’8” -5’9”, you might not be able to get a full range of motion.

Regarding technology, the elliptical is fitted with a 14-inch smart HD touchscreen. Here you can stream iFIT workouts and enjoy an immersive experience with digitally-amplified speakers and Bluetooth audio capabilities. A 30-day iFIT trial is included with the purchase.

The elliptical is priced at $1799. With a financing plan, you can choose to make payments over 12 or 39 months. Please note a longer payment cycle will attract an APR%.

Product Overview
Dimensions67" L x 29" W x 69" H 
Machine Weight210 lbs
Maximum User Weight350 lbs
Stride Length17.5"-18.7" Auto Adjustable Stride
Resistance26 Digital Resistance Levels
Incline0% to 20% Incline
Incline14” Smart HD Touchscreen
iFIT30-Day Trial Included
Cost$1799
WarrantyFrame - 10-yearParts - 2-yearLabor - 1-year

Pros

  • It has a 32 lbs effective inertia-enhanced flywheel.
  • It offers 26 digital resistance levels.
  • It provides 0% to 20% incline options.
  • It has a 14” smart HD touchscreen.

Cons

  • It may not be suitable for taller users above 5’9”.
  • It is comparatively an expensive elliptical.
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3. NordicTrack FS14i

NordicTrack FS14i

Stability

Sturdiness

Ease of Use

Easy to assemble

Value for Money


Overall Rating: 2.2

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If you are looking for a high-end elliptical with all the bells and whistles, explore the FS14i. The elliptical has a center drive design. It has a 20 lbs effective inertia-enhanced flywheel.

It offers 26 digital resistance levels and power adjustable incline. It has a 32 inches auto adjustable stride. This makes the machine suitable for taller users as well. You can easily control the ramp and resistance with the controls available on the handlebars.

It has a large HD touchscreen, two 2-inch digitally amplified speakers, Bluetooth audio capabilities, a workout fan, oversized cushion pedals, and a water bottle holder.

Besides working as an elliptical, the machine can simulate a stepper’s and a treadmill’s motion. The transition is not the smoothest and may take some time to get used to initially.

It is compatible with iFIT programs. A 30-day trial is included with your purchase.

The machine is bulky, with it weighing almost 300 lbs. If you are not mechanically inclined, you may need help with installation.

Product Overview
Dimensions58.5" L x 29.5" W x 74" H
Machine Weight287 lbs
Maximum User Weight375 lbs
Stride Length32” Auto Adjustable Stride
Resistance26 Digital Resistance Levels
Incline-10% Decline to 10% Incline
Display14” Smart HD Touchscreen
iFIT30-Day Trial Included
Cost$2499
WarrantyFrame - 10-yearParts - 2-yearLabor - 1-year

Pros

  • It works as an elliptical, stepper, and treadmill.
  • It offers a 32 inches auto adjustable stride.
  • It provides a power-adjustable ramp with decline and incline options.
  • It has integrated handle controls for resistance and ramp.
  • It has a 14-inch smart HD touchscreen.

Cons

  • The machine is heavy, so moving around may be difficult.
  • It is the most expensive elliptical by NordicTrack.
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4. NordicTrack FS10i

NordicTrack FS10i

Stability

Sturdiness

Ease of Use

Easy to assemble

Value for Money


Overall Rating: 1.5

View Latest Price

You can consider the FS10i as the sister model of the FS14i. It offers similar features at a lower price point. For example, the FS10i is priced at $1999, but you can get it at a sale price of $1499.

It has a center drive design with a 20 lbs inertia-enhanced flywheel. In terms of features, it offers an auto-adjustable stride of 32 inches. It supports a maximum user weight of 375 lbs.

It offers 24 digital resistance levels. You can adjust the elliptical incline from 0 to 10%. Like FS14i, it includes Bluetooth audio capabilities, transport wheels, and a water bottle holder.

It includes a 10-inch smart HD touchscreen that you can use to stream iFIT workouts. You get a 30-day free trial, post which you will be charged $39/month.

Again, the machine is on the heavier end, weighing about 284 lbs. So be careful when moving it around.

Product Overview
Dimensions58.5″ L x 29.5″ W x 74″ H 
Machine Weight284 lbs
Maximum User Weight375 lbs
Stride Length32" Auto-Adjustable Stride
Resistance24 Digital Resistance Levels
Incline0 to 10% Incline
Display10" Smart HD Touchscreen
iFIT30-Day Trial Included
Cost$1999
WarrantyFrame - 10-yearParts - 2-yearLabor - 1-year

Pros

  • It offers a 32” auto-adjustable stride.
  • It can support a maximum user weight of 375 lbs.
  • It can work as an elliptical, treadmill, and stepper.
  • It offers a series of built-in workouts.

Cons

  • The machine is heavy and difficult to move around.
  • It has a smaller screen than FS14i.
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NordicTrack Ellipticals – A Special Mention

NordicTrack offers two rear drive design ellipticals – SpaceSaver SE7i and SE9i.

You will not readily find these machines under the elliptical section of NordicTrack’s website. You may only see them on certain country-specific websites. You could also buy them from third-party websites like Amazon.

The rear-drive model offers low-impact workouts. The flywheel is located at the back of the elliptical. The design simulates the motion of walking on a flat surface. You can increase workout intensity with resistance and incline levels.

The best part of the series is that the machine can be folded when not in use. It has a design feature known as the Vertical SpaceSaver. This makes it easier to store the elliptical.

Here is a quick product description of the two ellipticals.

FeatureSpaceSaver SE7iSpaceSaver SE9i
Dimensions80" L x 32" W x 67" H 80" L x 32" W x 67" H
Maximum User Weight325 lbs330 lbs
Stride18" Auto-Adjustable Stride18" Auto-Adjustable Stride
Resistance22 Digital Resistance Levels24 Digital Resistance Levels
Display10” HD Smart Touchscreen14” Smart HD Touchscreen
iFIT30-day Trial included30-day Trial included
Cost$1299Around $1900
WarrantyFrame - 10-yearParts - 2-yearLabor - 1-yearFrame - 5-yearParts and Labor - 2-year

What Factors to Consider When Buying a NordicTrack Elliptical?

Here are some consideration factors that can guide you in the process of buying the ideal elliptical for your home gym.

1. Footprint

Look at the assembled dimensions of the elliptical. Also, consider the space you will need around the machine to get a full range of motion. For example, with the freestride trainer series, the vertical bars move in and out at the front of the machine. So, you cannot place the elliptical too close to a wall.

2. Stride Length

Stride Length

For most users, a stride length of up to 18” should be enough. For taller users above 5’9”, a 20” stride length or more is recommended. So ensure the elliptical stride can accommodate your height, or you could feel cramped when working out.

3. Weight Limit

All ellipticals have a maximum weight limit they can support. If you exceed the weight limit, it can affect the elliptical’s stability and lead to injury.

4. Resistance and Incline Levels

Increasing the resistance and incline levels can add intensity to your workouts. You can gradually move through the levels as your endurance improves.

5. Workout Versatility

Workout Versatility

To be honest, working on an elliptical can get dull after a time. This is why you need workout versatility to keep your routine interesting and motivating. NordicTrack does this with its built-in workouts and the iFIT membership.

6. Budget

When factoring in the budget, consider the equipment price, assembly, workout memberships, and maintenance. For example, with NordicTrack, an iFIT membership can cost $39/month after the trial period.

7. Warranty

Always look for gym equipment that offers a good warranty. In the case of NordicTrack, most elliptical frames are covered under a 10-year warranty.

FAQ’s

Do I have to purchase the iFIT membership to use the NordicTrack elliptical?

No. The ellipticals come with preloaded workouts. You can also create custom workouts in manual mode. So, you can use the elliptical without purchasing an iFIT membership.

Is it worth buying an elliptical from NordicTrack?

NordicTrack has over 40 years of experience manufacturing fitness equipment. It offers a wide selection of ellipticals for varying user needs. In terms of pricing, the machines are mid-range, and you also have financing options. So, yes, you should explore the elliptical range by the brand.

What is the best elliptical offered by NordicTrack?

The FS14i is one of the best ellipticals offered by NordicTrack. It is a pricier option but provides value with features like a quality console, 32” stride length, 26 resistance levels, and power-adjustable incline. Commercial 14.9 is also a good elliptical you can consider.

Should I buy an elliptical or treadmill for my home gym?

An elliptical would be better if you are injury-prone, have joint issues, or want a low-impact workout. With handlebars, you also work out your upper body. Treadmills offer higher-impact workouts and can comparatively help burn more calories.

Summary

NordicTrack offers front, center, and rear drive ellipticals. Its ellipticals are priced from around $1499 to $2499. They typically come with a good warranty of 10 years on their frames.

They offer features like inertia-enhanced flywheels, resistance levels powered with SMR technology, power-adjustable incline levels, auto-adjustable strides, and smart HD touchscreens.

If you are looking for a high-end model, consider the FS14i. The FS10i offers similar features at a lower price.

If budget is a priority, consider Commercial 9.9. And if you want the best of features at a medium price point, the Commercial 14.9 would be ideal.

We hope the above guide helps you find the ideal NordicTrack elliptical for your home gym.

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