Are you looking for an elliptical for your home gym? Are you confused about what brand of equipment to pick?
ProForm and NordicTrack are popular brands that offer cardio machines. They offer mid to high-tier ellipticals. You can choose from front, rear, and center drive elliptical designs.
ProForm is for people looking for budget-friendly ellipticals that take up minimum space in their home gyms. NordicTrack is for people looking for an elliptical that can support a higher user weight and offers longer stride length and more resistance levels.
Both brands also share similarities like access to the iFIT membership, warranties, and financing options.
ProForm vs. NordicTrack elliptical – so what should you pick? We will attempt to answer this question by comparing the brands below.
An Overview of Brands – ProForm, And NordicTrack
Both ProForm and NordicTrack are well-known names in the fitness equipment industry. Their product range includes treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, rowers, strength training equipment, and accessories.
The general perception is that NordicTrack is more of a premium brand of gym equipment. On the other hand, ProForm is for beginners and users looking for budget-friendly options.
But did you know both brands are owned by the same parent company, iFIT Health & Fitness? The company was initially known as ICON Health & Fitness. It was rebranded in the middle of 2021.
This is why ProForm and NordicTrack offer the iFIT membership program. Here you can access trainer-led workouts that automatically adjust your machine’s incline, resistance, or speed.
You can also access other trainer-led programs which you can use on or off your equipment.
Ellipticals Offered by ProForm
ProForm currently offers four elliptical machines on its website. They are:
- ProForm Pro HIIT H14
- ProForm Carbon HIIT H10
- ProForm Carbon EL
- ProForm Carbon E10
The ProForm Hybrid Trainer XT is no longer available on the brand’s website, but it can be purchased through third-party vendors like Amazon. The machine is a combination of an elliptical and a recumbent bike.
The HIIT trainer series offers vertical and horizontal stride lengths of 10 and 5 inches, respectively. And the Carbon series has a power-adjustable stride length of 19 inches.
The costs for these machines start from $599 and can go up to $1799.
All of these models are front-drive ellipticals, so comparatively, they take up less space. They can be good cardio additions to home gyms.
Ellipticals Offered by NordicTrack
NordicTrack also offers four ellipticals on its website. These machines are:
- NordicTrack FS14i
- NordicTrack FS10i
- NordicTrack Commercial 14.9
- NordicTrack Commercial 9.9
The NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i and SE9i are two other ellipticals you may not find on the brand’s website. But these are comparatively budget-friendly options that you can purchase from Amazon.
NordicTrack offers front, center, and rear drive ellipticals. So you can choose a design that best suits your fitness needs.
These machines offer significantly longer stride lengths with values ranging from 18 inches to 32 inches.
NordicTrack ellipticals start from $1299 and can go up to $2299.
ProForm Vs. NordicTrack Elliptical – How Do They Fare Against Each Other?
So now we have a basic understanding of the brands and the ellipticals they offer. Next, let us compare the ellipticals on their designs, specifications, and other features to know which brand is better.
1. Design
As mentioned above, all ProForm ellipticals have a front-drive design. The flywheel of the machine sits at the front of the machine. So this provides a natural incline to the movement pattern.
The frames are designed using high-quality steel construction. They have an inertia-enhanced flywheel.
The machines come with oversized pedals, but only the Pro HIIT H14 and Carbon HIIT H10 include cushioned pedals.
Moving on to NordicTrack ellipticals. The machines have commercial solid steel construction.
You will find machines with the flywheel positioned at the front, rear, and center. The flywheels are 20 to 32 lbs effective inertia-enhanced. They can mimic walking uphill or on a flat surface, depending on the model you choose.
They also come with oversized pedals. But it is the FS14i and Commercial 14.9 that have cushioning.
Both brands offer similar designs and build quality. If I had to choose, I would give NordicTrack the upper hand.
2. Stride Length
The length between the two pedals is known as the stride length in the elliptical when they are the farthest from each other. You must choose a machine with the appropriate stride according to your height.
If the length is too short, your movement will be cramped, and you could risk injuring your back. On the other hand, if the length is too long, you risk hurting your knee and leg muscles. You will find yourself overextending.
ProForm ellipticals are suited for users under 5’7” to 5’8” as their stride length is around 19 inches.
NordicTrack ellipticals are suited for short and tall users. This is because some machines offer an 18 inches stride length. The machines that offer 32 inches stride length are auto-adjustable.
So, if your height is around the 5’8” mark, both brands will work for you. But taller users above the 5’9” mark should opt for the NordicTrack ellipticals.
3. Incline and Resistance Levels
ProForm elliptical resistance levels are powered by Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR) technology. The resistance levels range from 18 to 26.
The same goes for NordicTrack ellipticals. They include SMR technology. The resistance levels range from 22 to 26. They also have power-adjustable incline options.
In terms of resistance, both brands have similar technology and levels.
4. Weight Limit
The ProForm ellipticals support a weight limit from 275 lbs to 325 lbs. The Carbon E10 and EL support a maximum weight of 275 lbs. The Carbon HIIT H10 and Pro HIIT H14 support a maximum weight of 325 lbs.
The NordicTrack ellipticals support a weight limit from 350 lbs to 375 lbs. The Commercial 9.9 and 14.9 support a maximum weight of 350 lbs. The FS10i and FS14i support a maximum weight of 375 lbs.
You should consider the maximum weight of the user training on the machine. Putting more weight on the elliptical than it can handle can affect its stability. This, in turn, can be a safety issue for the user.
5. Technology
In terms of technology, the ProForm and NordicTrack ellipticals share more similarities than differences.
For example, the ProForm ellipticals offer displays from 5” high-contrast to 10” and 14” smart HD touchscreens. The NordicTrack ellipticals offer 7”, 10”, and 14” smart HD touchscreens.
ProForm offers accessories like a CoolAire fan, dual 2 Bluetooth speakers, integrated tablet holder. NordicTrack offers accessories like an AutoBreeze workout fan, Bluetooth audio capabilities, and digitally amplified speakers.
6. iFit Membership
As the same parent company owns both brands, they offer iFIT memberships on a trial basis. The trial period depends on the elliptical you buy.
For example, ProForm offers a 30-day iFIT trial with Carbon EL and Pro HIIT H14. It offers a 3-year family membership with Carbon HIIT H10 and Carbon E10.
On the other hand, NordicTrack offers a 30-day iFIT trial on all its ellipticals.
You will need a credit card for the activation process in both cases. The subscription auto-renews post the trial period.
7. Cost
If budget is a priority, then ProForm has the slight upper hand. You can get a good elliptical around the $1000 mark. With NordicTrack, the starting price for ellipticals is $1299.
I say a slight upper hand because as you compare the ellipticals above $1000, they offer similar features.
For example, you can get the NordicTrack FS10i for around $1299 during a sale. It compares well to ProForm Carbon E10, which is available for around $1400.
They have similar features like the smart HD touchscreen, workout fan, adjustable incline, resistance levels, and warranty. In fact, it is the FS10i that supports more weight and has a longer stride length.
So, overall, ProForm may be the cost-friendly option. But if you plan to spend around $1400, it would be best to compare individual ellipticals.
8. Financing
ProForm and NordicTrack offer financing options for their ellipticals. You can make monthly installment payments for periods ranging from 12 to 39 months.
In some cases, the brands may charge an APR on longer installment periods; it depends on the elliptical you buy.
For example, for Commercial 14.9, NordicTrack can charge a 4.99% APR for a 39 months installment period.
9. Warranty
Warranty is another factor that is the same for both brands. For most ellipticals, the typical warrant offered is as below:
- 10-year frame warranty
- 2-year parts warranty
- 1-year labor warranty
Both ProForm and NordicTrack also offer service plans for their equipment. You can separately purchase standard and premium plans. These include services like annual preventative maintenance, performance checks, and in-home repairs.
ProForm Vs. NordicTrack Elliptical – A Quick Comparison
| Characteristic | ProForm | NordicTrack |
|---|---|---|
| Elliptical Models | Available on website: • ProForm Pro HIIT H14 • ProForm Carbon HIIT H10 • ProForm Carbon EL • ProForm Carbon E10 Not available on website: • ProForm Hybrid Trainer XT | Available on website: • NordicTrack FS14i • NordicTrack FS10i • NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 • NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Not available on website: • NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i • NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i |
| Stride Length | 10 inches vertical, 5 inches horizontal Up to 19 inches | 18 to 32 inches |
| Maximum User Weight | 275 to 325 lbs | 350 to 375 lbs |
| Resistance Levels | 18 to 26 | 22 to 26 |
| Display | 5 inches high-contrast 10 and 14 inches smart HD touchscreen | 7, 10 and 14 inches smart HD touchscreen |
| Cost | $599 to $1799 | $1299 to $2299 |
| Workout Programs | iFIT membership | iFIT membership |
| Financing | Available | Available |
| Warranty | • 10-year frame warranty • 2-year parts warranty • 1-year labor warranty | • 10-year frame warranty • 2-year parts warranty • 1-year labor warranty |
FAQ’s
The Pro HIIT H14 would be my top pick for an elliptical by ProForm. It comes with 26 resistance levels, oversized cushioned pedals, and supports a maximum weight of 325 lbs.
No. NordicTrack and ProForm are not the same brands but belong to the same parent company, iFIT Health & Fitness. This is why you may notice similarities in their elliptical features, warranty, and iFIT membership.
Yes. NordicTrack offers a range of quality ellipticals with design options, longer stride lengths, resistance levels, and weight capacity. It offers a good warranty. Overall, NordicTrack is a well-known brand with positive customer reviews.
Summary
ProForm vs. NordicTrack elliptical – the choice between the two comes down to your fitness goals, budget, and space requirements.
For example, if you want a budget-friendly elliptical for your home gym, explore the ProForm brand.
NordicTrack machines would be ideal if you are looking for ellipticals with longer stride lengths and support a higher user weight.
As the same parent company owns both brands, you get to access the iFIT membership and make the most of the flexible financing options.
If you own an elliptical from either of these two brands, please share your experience in the comments.