If you have ever worked out at a gym or are a home gym enthusiast, you probably must have come across the brands called NordicTrack and Sole. They are well-known brands in the fitness equipment industry.
Both brands offer a range of cardio machines like treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, and rowers. They also offer strength training equipment like home gym systems and free weights.
Today we will be talking about the ellipticals offered by these brands.
NordicTrack offers different types of ellipticals, compact designs, better consoles, and workout programs in the form of iFIT membership. On the other hand, Sole offers a wide variety, better weight capacity, and warranty.
Sole ellipticals can be pricier, but they provide value for money. But NordicTrack would be the better choice if you are on a budget.
So, NordicTrack vs. Sole elliptical – which machine should you bring home? We will try to answer this question with a detailed comparison below.
What Ellipticals Does NordicTrack Offer?
You can find four machines on NordicTrack’s website under the elliptical tab. The ellipticals are as follows:
- NordicTrack FS14i
- NordicTrack FS10i
- NordicTrack Commercial 14.9
- NordicTrack Commercial 9.9
The FS14i and FS10i are center-drive ellipticals, whereas the Commercial 9.9 and 14.9 are front-drive ellipticals.
NordicTrack also offers two rear drive ellipticals, the SpaceSaver SE7i and SE9i. These models may be only available on the brand’s website in selected regions. You can try buying them on Amazon, Walmart, or other third-party vendors.
What Ellipticals Does Sole Offer?
In comparison to NordicTrack, Sole offers a wider range of ellipticals. You can find up to seven ellipticals in its product range. The ellipticals are as follows:
- Sole E25
- Sole E35
- Sole E55
- Sole E95
- Sole E98
- Sole E95S
- Sole E20
All of these models are front-drive ellipticals.
Sole has several improvements to its elliptical designs in 2023. For example, the E25 now features a power incline that you can set at 20 different levels to add resistance.
NordicTrack vs. Sole Elliptical – Which One is Better?
We now have a brief idea about the brand and the ellipticals they offer. Let us delve deeper into the ellipticals and compare factors like design, stride, weight, pricing, and financing.
1. Design
The difference between front, center, and rear drive ellipticals is the position of the flywheel.
The front drive ellipticals simulate the experience of walking uphill. The rear-drive ellipticals are more like walking on a flatter surface. The center drive ellipticals promote an upright posture and are much more compact than the other two design types.
As mentioned above, NordicTrack offers all three types of elliptical designs, whereas Sole offers only front-drive ellipticals.
NordicTrack ellipticals offer accessories like workout fans, upper body grips, water bottle holders, and oversized pedals, some including cushions.
Similar accessories are offered by Sole ellipticals as well. Both brands offer quality construction; design-wise, they are neck to neck.
2. Size
Space is typically a priority requirement for home gyms. So compact machines work well. Front and center drive ellipticals, thus, are the best models of ellipticals for home gyms.
Apart from the machine size, you also need to leave space around the machine to have a free range of motion and can move around safely.
Size-wise, NordicTrack offers more compact ellipticals. For example, Commercial 14.9 has a 67 L x 29 W x 69 H inches footprint. In comparison, the E95 has a footprint of 83 L x 34 W x 70 H inches.
Overall, Sole ellipticals take up more space. They might take up a few more inches than their NordicTrack counterparts. But with home gyms with space constraints, the elliptical size could make a major difference.
3. Console
NordicTrack offers 7, 10, and 14 inches smart HD displays. They also have touchscreen abilities. They include Bluetooth audio capabilities, digitally amplified speakers, and automatic trainer control.
The large and full-screen displays provide an immersive experience regardless of the NordicTrack elliptical you choose. You can follow workouts without needing any other device.
On the other hand, the console quality of Sole ellipticals depends on the model you purchase. For example, the E25 has a pretty basic 7.5 inches LCD dual-lit display. The E55 also has a 9 inches LCD with white back-lit.
The premium models like E95 and E98 come with 13.3 touchscreen displays.
Console-wise, NordicTrack offers a better user experience.
4. Handlebar Controls
All Sole ellipticals include handlebar controls. You can control the incline from the left handlebar and the resistance level from the right.
If you are targeting your upper body, you are anyway holding onto the handlebars. So with a slight adjustment, you can tune the elliptical to your needs. It may seem like a small design feature, but it can make your overall workout experience smoother.
NordicTrack offers this feature only on its Commercial 14.9 and FS14i models.
5. Stride
The stride length of the elliptical plays a part in your posture and technique when working out. You should pick a length according to your height so you do not feel cramped or find yourself overextending. Both cases can result in injury.
Typically, for users below the 5 ft 8 inches mark, a stride length of around 6 to 20 inches should be enough. Taller users would need longer stride lengths, or their movements could be cramped.
NordicTrack ellipticals offer stride lengths from 18 to 32 inches. They are auto-adjustable, so a single machine can suit users with varying heights.
Sole ellipticals typically offer a stride length from 18 to 20 inches. The new E95S model is the only elliptical that offers a maximum stride length of 24 inches.
6. Weight Capacity
You should consider the maximum weight of the user working out on the elliptical. If you exceed the weight limit of the elliptical, you could risk injury while training.
NordicTrack supports a maximum user weight from 350 lbs to 375 lbs.
Most Sole ellipticals can support a maximum user weight of 350 lbs to 375 lbs. The premium models can support up to 400 lbs.
7. Resistance
Resistance levels on ellipticals help you build your endurance and stamina. It can help you get more from a workout in the same period.
NordicTrack ellipticals include effective inertia-enhanced flywheels for a smoother and balanced spinning motion. They offer Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR). Their resistance levels range from 22 to 26.
Most Sole ellipticals offer up to 20 resistance levels. The E98 offers up to 40 resistance levels. The E98, though, is one of the most expensive ellipticals on the list.
8. Workout Programs
When it comes to workout variety, I would deem NordicTrack to be the clear winner. iFIT Health & Fitness is NordicTrack’s parent company. Depending on the elliptical you purchase, you get 30 days to 3 years of iFIT membership.
You can access trainer-led workouts. With Google Maps technology, you can work out anywhere in the world, right from the comfort of your home gym. You can keep track of several statistics like heart rate, calories, and session-specific details.
Another advantage being you can access both on and off-the-equipment workouts, providing a more holistic fitness experience.
On the other hand, Sole offers programs according to the elliptical. For example, with E95, you get around 22 programs like cardio, strength, hill, fat burn, and more.
You can download the SOLE+ app to keep track of your workout records. The app syncs with the elliptical. You can access in-depth records and work towards your fitness milestones.
9. Price
In terms of pricing, both NordicTrack and Sole offer mid to high-tier ellipticals. There are budget-friendly options available. But most machines are around the $1200 mark.
If we consider the original pricing, the NordicTrack ellipticals start from $1499 and can go up to $2499. But during the sale period, you may be able to get a good discount of up to 30%. For example, the original price for FS10i is $1999, but you can get it for $1299 during the sale.
Sole ellipticals are comparatively more expensive than NordicTrack. Sole ellipticals come with a different MSRP and web price. And during sales, the price further drops.
For example, the MSRP for E25 is $2199.98, the web price is $1199, and during the sale, it is $1,099.
At the time of writing, Sole is offering a sale on its website, and its elliptical prices range from $599 to $2599. Without the sale, the prices range from $899 to $5000+.
10. Financing
NordicTrack offers financing options that extend for a longer period, for example, 12 to 39 months. This, in turn, offer low monthly payments. Longer installment periods attract around 4.99% APR.
On the other hand, Sole offers financing options for shorter periods, like 12 to 24 months. The first 12 payments from the date of purchase have 0% APR and then 29.99% APR for 12 payments.
Let us compare two similarly priced ellipticals. The FS14i is available for around $2299 or 64/monthly. The Sole E95 is available for around $1999 or at $108/month.
11. Warranty
NordicTrack offers a standard warranty period on its ellipticals. For example, you get a 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and a 1-year labor warranty.
You can separately purchase extended standard or preventative maintenance service plans. These include home visits for equipment checks and repairs.
Sole typically offers a lifetime warranty on its frame and flywheel. The warranty period can differ for electronics, parts, and labor. Some elliptical parts are covered for two years while others are covered for five; it depends on the model.
You can buy extended protection for your Sole elliptical. This includes benefits like product repair, protection from accidental damage, and failure protection.
NordicTrack vs. Sole Elliptical – Comparison Table
| Factor | NordicTrack | Sole |
|---|---|---|
| Ellipticals | NordicTrack FS14i NordicTrack FS10i NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i | Sole E25 Sole E35 Sole E55 Sole E95 Sole E98 Sole E95S Sole E20 |
| Stride Length | 18 to 32 inches | 18 to 24 inches |
| Maximum Weight Limit | 350 to 375 lbs | 350 to 400 lbs |
| Resistance Levels | 22 to 26 | 20 to 40 |
| Console | 7, 10, and 14 inches smart HD touchscreen | 5.5 inches LED 7.5 and 9 inches LCD 10.1 and 13.3 touchscreen |
| Workout Programs | iFIT membership | Around 20 built-in programs SOLE+ app |
| Price | $1499 to $2499 (original pricing) | $899 to $2500+ (original web pricing) |
| Financing | Available (12 to 39 months) | Available (12 to 24 months) |
| Warranty | 10-year frame warranty 2-year parts warranty 1-year labor warranty | Typically lifetime warranty on frame and flywheel 2 to 5-year parts warranty 1 to 2-year labor warranty |
FAQ’s
Yes. Sole offers good-quality ellipticals. You have seven different options to choose from. It offers a stride length of up to 24 inches which works for most users. It typically offers a lifetime warranty on its flywheels.
Yes. NordicTrack offers budget-friendly and compact-sized options that can make a good addition to any new home gym. The inertia-enhanced flywheel makes for a smooth operation. With the iFIT membership, you can access workouts on and off the elliptical.
The most budget-friendly elliptical from NordicTrack is Commercial 9.9 at $1499; from Sole, it is E20 at $899. If possible, try purchasing around the sale time, wherein you could get $300 to $500 off.
Summary
NordicTrack vs. Sole elliptical – the choice depends on what you are looking for.
If you have limited space in your home gym, then explore the center drive ellipticals from NordicTrack. Similarly, NordicTrack would be the better brand if you are on a budget or want access to diverse workout programs.
If you have the budget, consider investing in a Sole elliptical. You get a wider selection of products, better weight capacity, and a lifetime warranty. You can use the SOLE+ app to sync your workout records and track milestones.
We hope the above brand comparison helps you find the right elliptical for your home gym.