Buying the Best Nordictrack Elliptical for Your Home Gym

You've wanted to buy a new elliptical machine. You decided Nordictrack Elliptical is the way to go. Which is the best Nordictrack Elliptical for home use?

Does the Nordictrack Elliptical Machine Fit My Home Gym and Fitness Needs?

An excellent basic home gym may eliminate the need for a personal trainer and added gym membership expenses. With so many elliptical machines on the market, it can be a tough decision. Nordictrack Elliptical machine is a substantial financial investment in your health and wellness goals. Will it fit into your space-challenged apartment or minimalist lifestyle? What if you make the wrong choice and then incur the headache of returning it to the store or paying exorbitant return shipping fees? Are you ready to commit to any fees for the technology of fitness products like Nordictrack elliptical machines?

Depending on your personal fitness goals, lifestyle, and workout needs, there is a Nordictrack Elliptical for you. Every model varies in pricing, resistance levels, touchscreen sizes, actual size, flywheel placement, magnetic resistance, and stride placement. Added bells and whistles come standard with nearly every model, making deciding much simpler.

Expect all the latest features from this highly-rated fitness giant, like access to iFit, a virtual coaching app. Nordictrack Elliptical series offers world-class training from your living room with options for virtual controls of your machine. All models incorporate a cooling fan to make those marathon workouts more comfortable. There isn’t much that Nordictrack could have added to improve the user experience.

A great elliptical machine like the Nordictrack Elliptical makes low-impact fitness training a breeze. Ellipticals provide total body workouts with a minimal impact on the knees and joints. They fit into any fitness level, from sedentary or seniors to athletic, well-conditioned fitness enthusiasts. The variety of exercises an elliptical trainer offers is only as limited as the imagination.

There are three configurations of Nordictrack Elliptical machines: center-drive, front-drive, and rear-drive. Where the drive is on the machine affects the total workout. Expect a front-drive machine to be a little noisier than a rear-drive machine. A center-drive machine provides more safety benefits than either front or rear drives and a more natural movement pattern, following and, in some cases, predicting the body's natural movement. Motion is centered, thus keeping your body stable on the machine and better overall form. The center drive is a pricier option than the other configurations.

Let's explore each Nordictrack Elliptical model's features, benefits, and cost.

Nordictrack FreeStride Trainer Series 14i

Nordictrack Elliptical FreeStride Trainer Series 14i model offers everything any fitness enthusiast is seeking. The price point is at the high end of ellipticals: $2,499. It is a center-drive elliptical machine. 3-in-1 technology turns your elliptical cross-trainer into a home gym in a snap. The capability to seamlessly have the benefits of a treadmill, cross country skier, and stepper makes for a versatile elliptical cross-trainer. Download the iFit app and experience a live workout experience that will make you feel like you're in an upscale fitness class without any excessive or distracting noise pollution. Take a trek to a faraway land or hike your bucket list mountain range. The choice is yours with iFit's global workout option. You will get a free 30-day family membership trial to see if this luxury level on-demand personal trainer service is worth the cost, which is an extra $39 per month plus taxes and fees. The individual plan comes in slightly less at $15 per month.

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High-Tech

See all the action with a generous 14" Smart Touchscreen. Let the trainer lead the way from anywhere with Automatic Trainer controls on resistance and incline levels. Get a world-class exercise class for 30 days on the house with an iFit Family Membership. Bluetooth technology is built into the machine for a more hands-free experience. The energy and motivation from the coaching sessions pump through your room in surround sound with 2 2" digitally amplified speakers.

Engineered for Comfort and Performance

Nordictrack Elliptical FreeStride Trainer Series 14i brings gym performance into your home with center-drive technology. The 14i has a 20 lb. effective inertia-enhanced flywheel for predictive movement. SMR Silent Magnetic Resistance provides a smooth and quiet exercise routine. There is no contact from moving or touching parts, thus, there is no friction. There is a 32" Auto Adjustable Stride. There are 26 digital resistance levels. Increase the difficulty of your workout with a -10 decline to a 10% incline. The incline is also power-adjustable. Control your Series 14i with one-touch operation. The Nordictrack Series 14i is engineered out of commercial-grade solid steel for durability. The weight capacity for the 14i is 375 lbs.

Stay cool while working up a healthy sweat with a built-in AutoBreeze workout fan. The intensity of the workout controls the intensity of airflow. Soft Touch upper body grips protect your hands from contact fatigue. Oversized cushion pedals offer additional space for your feet and lessen cramping.

Nordictrack FreeStride Trainer Series 10i

Expect the same high-end performance and bells and whistles from the Nordictrack Elliptical FreeStride Series 10i as its sister FreeStride Series 14i. The main differences between the 14i and the 10i are several tech and engineering features. The 10i has a smaller 10" HD touchscreen. There are 24 digital resistance levels on the model instead of 26. The incline control is 0-10%. Otherwise, the Nordictrack Elliptical has all the exact specifications of its sister machine. The most significant difference is its lower price: $1899 retail.

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Nordictrack Front-Drive Elliptical Machines

Nordictrack elliptical front-drive machines are an excellent choice for those who require the best but wish to stay within a budget. The Commercial series does not cut any corners for the sake of pricing. Many features of pricier models are in every front-drive offering. Nordictrack elliptical models boast impressive customer feedback and satisfaction at every price level. Enjoy 30 days of free access to iFit's high-energy fitness classes with pro-level trainers at your fingertips. For an immersive experience, cast the small screen onto your big screen TV with Bluetooth technology built into the machine. 

What Is a Front-Drive Elliptical Machine?

A front-drive elliptical machine has a flywheel (or drive wheel system) placement at the front of the machine. Pedals are usually powered by wheels attached to a track. This particular elliptical configuration is slightly prone to be noisier than a center-track machine. The positive is that the Nordictrack elliptical features SMR-Silent Magnetic Resistance technology which reduces excessive noise output. The lower pricing of the front-drive machines and the smaller compact size may entice buyers. The feel of a rear drive is achievable with added features like adjustable incline and articulating pedals.

NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical Machine

NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 elliptical machine is a front-drive model that offers many top-notch features. These make low-impact exercise gratifying. Level up your home gym with state-of-the-art features and integrated interactive training sessions. A power-adjusted incline simplifies resistance training. Incline levels range from 0% decline to 20% incline when you're ready to increase your physical endurance. Get excited about your fitness goals with iFit's world-class on-demand fitness classes and enthusiastic trainers to support you.

Consumer Reportsranks the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 elliptical machine as one of its top-rated elliptical machines. It rates 6th out of 72 out of 100. It meets the criteria in 4 distinct categories: ergonomics, exercise range, ease of use, and construction. The Consumer Reports elliptical trainer review adds confidence that buying the Commercial 14.9 model is a good choice. Ergonomics,  according to the Merriam- Webster Dictionary, is an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely. Exercise range measures the intensity of the workout based on heart rate data and targeted heart rate zones. Ease of use is self-explanatory: how easy is it to put together out of the box and utilize it according to the desired intention. Construction should be safe, sturdy, and of materials that can withstand damage and stand the test of time.

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Technology Specs

Enjoy your invigorating iFit workouts with a 14" Smart HD Touchscreen monitor. Opt to widen your view to a widescreen to suit your fancy or rock out to your streaming music library with Bluetooth built-in. When it's time to turn up the intensity, the advanced trainer controls pick-up resistance levels. The power-adjustable incline gives control back to you if your trainer pushes the intensity past your tolerance. 26 digital resistance levels offer choices that promote confidence and growth in workout duration and intensity. Silent magnetic resistance offers a quiet ride unique for front-drive elliptical machines. The amount of high-tech bells and whistles is considerable for the price.

Construction

The NordicTrack Elliptical Commercial 14.9 features materials that won't likely fail over time. Commercial-grade solid steel frames can withstand up to 350 pounds. There are oversized levelers, so your machine stays planted on the floor and avoids any rocking or sudden movements. Front-mounted wheels make moving this sturdy piece of equipment around your home or if moving. The elliptical machine can fold up for those who need to consider space when packing the Nordictrack Elliptical machine away into storage.

Warranty

The Nordictrack Commercial 14.9 offers a warranty just in case anything goes wrong with your elliptical trainer. The steel frame has a 10-year warranty. There is a 2-year warranty on the parts. You'll receive 1-year on the labor. While this model has great benefits and should last for a very long time, it is always helpful to know that if it failed to meet your satisfaction over time, someone at Nordictrack would be able to assist with your Nordictrack elliptical machine.

Nordictrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical

An ideal front-drive Nordictrack elliptical for the mid-price consumer, the Commercial 9.9 elliptical machine offers a complete experience at a mid-range price point. Experience interactive and motivational 30-day iFit workout access for the best personal trainer sessions without leaving home. Google Maps technology lets to take a trip down your street or travel new paths and take in the scenery while on your fitness quest. The live access to dedicated fitness trainers inspires a push toward that goal or last mile. Extra quiet SMR-Silent Magnetic Resistance provides whisper-soft traction. Immerse yourself in sound and sensory with Bluetooth built right into the 7" HD Smart touchscreen. Take your workout to the next level with 22 digital resistance level selections. A 0% decline to a 20% incline will make you feel like climbing a mountain is possible or keep you firmly on the ground. Commercial-grade steel frame accommodates a 350-lb capacity.

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Flywheel Facts

The flywheel weight of your Nordictrack elliptical machine will make a difference. When you purchase an elliptical, the weight should be at least 20 lbs. The Commercial 9.9 model comes with a 25-lb. effective inertia-enhanced flywheel. "The heavier the flywheel, the smoother and quieter the machine runs."

Heart Monitoring

There are considerable benefits to monitoring your heart rate while using the Nordictrack Commercial 9.9 or any other model of fitness equipment. According to the associate director of the Cardiovascular Performance Program at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Aaron L. Baggish ( Harvard Health Publishing): "Whether you're just getting started with an exercise routine or are a committed fitness enthusiast, tracking your heart rate can help you maintain the necessary moderate level of intensity for optimal benefits without worrying about doing too much or too little." New technology offered by Nordictrack will allow you to do so conveniently with iFit ActivePulse Machine and measured heart rate will loop between your measured heart rate and Nordictrack elliptical trainer's speed and incline.

Price Point

NordicTrack Commercial Series 9.9will not disappoint when it comes to being a budget-conscious purchase. Priced at $1299, the value and the quality are unrivaled in the market and allow anyone to add fitness goals to attainable objectives. There is no lack of bells and whistles for the price point, making it a great entry-level buy. It is always a good time to become health-conscious.

Nordictrack SpaceSaver SE9i

When you are space-challenged like many, size options of Nordictrack ellipticals for ease of storage are a discussion to have. When it comes to home gym equipment like elliptical machines, Nordictrack elliptical SpaceSaver SE9i answers the challenge with the Nordictrack SE9i model. The vertical Space Saver design keeps the bulkiness and size of fitness equipment at bay. When you’re finished with your workout, take back your floor space by folding it and storing it wherever you need to. Twenty-four resistance levels will keep your workout interesting. An18-lb. Effective inertia-enhanced flywheel offers just enough power, and the SMR silent magnetic resistance keeps the rear-drive quiet as a mouse. The SpaceSaver SE9i safety feature of putting away exercise equipment when finished increases when there are young kids or pets around that could get injured by a machine left unattended.

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Nordictrack SpaceSaver SE7i

For the same benefits as the Nordictrack Elliptical SE9i, but with a price that can’t be beat, try the Nordictrack SpaceSaver SE7i. Today it could be yours at a 0%APR or $1249. The 10" HD Touchscreen is a good size for enjoying your virtual fitness coaches. Having a Nordictrack elliptical machine in your home is daily access to a high-tech powerhouse, and the price point is quite tempting. It folds just like the Nordictrack elliptical SE9i. Rear-drive technology is often found in pricier equipment as it has a more natural feel, like walking or running. Commercial-grade steel frames ensure a long life span for your Nordictrack elliptical. A weight capacity of 325-lbs. should work for most users.

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Nordictrack Studio Elliptical

For the deal seekers in the house, don't let this superb buy get away. Nordictrack elliptical Studio Elliptical (or SE first generation) is an excellent way to experience the Nordictrack brand without breaking the bank. The monitor is not a smart one and is small by comparison: 5". It is a high-contrast screen. Enjoy the 20 levels of resistance and create your personalized workout routine. The front-drive flywheel construction features a 16-lb. wheel. It is small compared to other Nordictrack elliptical offerings, but it is not the smallest wheel on the market. The weight recommendation for Studio Elliptical (SE) is 300-lbs. You don't have to miss out on the excitement of iFit workouts. The 30-day trial also comes standard with SE. Kickstart your fitness and health goals with this base model Nordictrack SE and make every dollar count at $899 with free threshold delivery.