The 4 Best NordicTrack Ellipticals for Your Home Gym

A quick look at the best NordicTrack ellipticals

• Best overall: FS10i FreeStride Trainer
• Best foldable: SpaceSaver SE9i
• Best luxury: FS14i FreeStride Trainer
• Best affordable: Commercial 9.9

NordicTrack is an American company that makes a wide variety of home exercise equipment.

Elliptical machines are popular among fitness enthusiasts, as they provide a great cardiovascular workout that’s easy on your joints (1, 2).

NordicTrack has three elliptical series that are designed to fit a range of fitness needs.

NordicTrack ellipticals

NordicTrack’s product line includes three series of ellipticals.

Here is a quick summary of each.

• FreeStride. The FreeStride trainers allow you to perform treadmill, stepper, and elliptical-style workouts. These machines are best suited for people who want variety, plenty of high tech features, and a longer stride.
• Front drive. The front-drive ellipticals are best for people looking for an intense workout, as they include heavy flywheels — a revolving wheel that controls the movement of the pedals and handlebars — to ensure a smooth and quiet experience.
• Rear drive. The foldable rear-drive models are designed to provide comfort, minimize impact, and save space. They’re ideal for users who prefer a balanced, neutral posture during moderate intensity workouts.

NordicTrack ellipticals are built to last and feature a commercial solid steel construction. The ellipticals on our list have an auto-adjustable stride length, which means that the machine adjusts to your movements.

The machines are covered under the following warranties if you experience an issue.

• 10-year period.
• The parts are for two years.
• One year on labor.

The company offers special financing for qualified customers.

Additionally, all of NordTrack’s ellipticals come with a free 30-day Family membership to iFit — an interactive training platform that provides access trainer-led routines, interactive studio classes, and on-demand workouts.

You can choose to renew your membership for a fee of either $386 for a family plan or $180 for an individual plan after the initial trial.

If you want to save money, you can opt out of the subscription and use the built-in workouts that come with each machine.

How to choose the best elliptical machine

There are a number of factors to consider before purchasing an elliptical.

• Size. Determine how much workout space you have and consider foldable options for easy storage.
• Workout goals and fitness level. Choose an elliptical that offers multiple resistance and incline levels to accommodate your workout goals.
• Specs and features. Consider which features are most important to you, such as the screen size, number of built-in workouts, or transport wheels.
• Flywheel weight. A high quality elliptical will offer a flywheel that’s at least 18 pounds (8 kg), which provides a smooth and quiet ride. Heavier flywheels — 20 pounds (9 kg) or more — will allow you to do more intense workouts, though they’re generally more expensive.
• Stride length. It’s important to ensure that the stride length is appropriate for your height. In general, people over 6-feet (183-cm) tall should opt for a stride length of at least 20 inches (50.8 cm). If multiple people plan on using the same machine, it’s worth considering an elliptical that offers an adjustable stride length.
• Budget. Decide how much you’re willing to spend. If you plan on using an app like iFit, you’ll need to factor in the cost of a yearly membership.
• Customer reviews. Scour online reviews to see what customers have to say, especially if you have specific concerns or training needs.

How we chose the best NordicTrack ellipticals

We rounded up the best options using the criteria below.

• Customer feedback. We selected models with mostly positive reviews.
• Features and extras. We considered which features and extras are worth the additional cost.
• Price. Our list includes ellipticals at a variety of price points.

The best NordicTrack ellipticals of the year.

Healthline’s picks of the best NordicTrack elliptical machines

Best overall

FS10i FreeStride Trainer

• Price: $1,899
• Size: 58.5 × 29.5 × 74 inches (149 × 75 × 188 cm)
• Weight capacity: 375 pounds (170 kg)
• Resistance levels: 24
• Incline: 0–10%
• Display: 10-inch (25.4-cm) smart HD touchscreen

The best overall option is the FreeStride Trainer, which has three machines in one.

In addition to an elliptical, the FS10i can also be used as a treadmill or step machine, making it easy to switch up your workout.

The center drive design helps you stay balanced, while the moving handlebars allow you to target your upper body.

The FreeStride Trainer has an option of an up to 32 inch stride to accommodate users of different sizes.

35 preset workouts range in difficulty and duration, and are also equipped with transport wheels.

Best foldable

SpaceSaver SE9i

• Price: $1,399
• Size: 80 × 32 × 67 inches (199 × 81 × 169 cm)
• Weight capacity: 325 pounds (147 kg)
• Resistance levels: 24
• Incline: 0–10%
• Display: 14-inch (35.5-cm) smart HD touchscreen

The SpaceSave SE9i is the best bet if you want to store your elliptical between workouts.

Since it is slightly longer than the other models, you need more workout space.

The SE9i has a number of training options, including 24 resistance levels and a 10% incline.

It also comes with a heart rate monitor and 30 built-in workouts, which were designed by personal trainers to optimize your performance and calorie burn.

The elliptical has a large flywheel that supports moderate intensity workouts.

However, if you plan on performing more intense interval-style training, you’ll want to choose one of the company’s front-drive options, such as the Commercial 9.9.

The SE9i has a stride length of 18 inches (46 cm) that is ideal for users between 5\’3″ and 5\’7″ tall.

Best luxury

FS14i FreeStride Trainer

• Price: $2,499
• Size: 58.5 × 29.5 × 74 inches (149 × 75 × 188 cm)
• Weight capacity: 375 pounds (170 kg)
• Resistance levels: 26
• Incline: -10% decline to 10% incline
• Display: 14-inch (36.6-cm) smart HD touchscreen

The FreeStride Trainer is worth considering if budget is not a concern.

The elliptical has a 14-inch (36.6- cm) touchscreen display for streaming classes, as well as being loaded with training features.

The FS14i can be used as an elliptical, treadmill, or stair climber.

It has a weight capacity of up to 175 pounds and an auto-adjustable stride of 81 cm.

There are 26 resistance levels, power incline and decline, and 35 trainer-designed workouts.

Best affordable

Commercial 9.9

• Price: $1,299
• Size: 68.25 × 28.75 × 68.5 inches (173 × 73 × 174 cm)
• Weight capacity: 350 pounds (159 pounds)
• Resistance levels: 22
• Incline: 0–20%
• Display: 7-inch (18-cm) smart HD touchscreen

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative that still provides a challenging workout, the Commercial 9.9 is a great option.

It is similar to the Commercial 14.9, except for a few features.

The Commercial 9.9 has 4 resistance levels, a smaller touchscreen, and a lighter flywheel, and is $500 cheaper.

Though, at 25 pounds (11 kg), the Commercial 9.9’s flywheel is still heavy enough to provide a smooth, quiet ride even during sprints.

The 7-inch (18- cm) screen has a number of features, including resistance, and 30 programmed workouts.

The machine can accommodate users up to 5\’7″ (180 cm) tall, and has an adjusted stride length of 17.5–18.7 inches.

Product comparison

The top four picks are compared.

How does NordicTrack compare to other elliptical brands?

NordicTrack ellipticals are not the only brand that sells elliptical trainers for home use.

Sole

Sole prides itself on offering top-of-the-line fitness products backed by impressive trial periods and warranties. The frames for all Sole ellipticals are covered under a lifetime warranty, with a 5-year warranty for the electronics and parts plus a 2-year warranty for labor. (The exception is for their “light commercial” equipment, which has a 3-year warranty for electronics and parts plus a 1-year warranty for labor.) The 30-day trial period and warranties are as good or better than those of NordicTrack.

The ellipticals offered by Sole are similar to those of NordicTrack. There are options for auto-adjustable stride length, power incline, and a subscription to the STUDIO class streaming service.

“Sole ellipticals don’t have a built-in touchscreen. You can still access STUDIO from your own device, but there is a tablet holder with ausb port and integrated speakers.”

The foot pedals on some Sole ellipticals areadjustable. You can adjust these based on your walking form to help you stay more comfortable.

The price of Sole ellipticals is higher than most NordicTrack models, but sale prices and going rates are similar to NordicTrack.

ProForm

ProForm has a wide variety of elliptical machines that are cheaper than NordicTrack ellipticals. Some of the equipment from NordicTrack and ProForm are similar to one another.

It’s important to note that several of the machines touted as “ellipticals” by ProForm are more similar to a stair climber than an elliptical machine, with a vertical stride of 10 inches and a horizontal stride of only 5 inches. This is similar to the stride needed to walk up a set of stairs, so it’s appropriate for most heights. That said, if you’re looking for a true elliptical, you’ll want to steer clear of these models (Carbon HIIT H7 and Pro HIIT H14).

“The brand offers a 20 inch stride length. This is considerably shorter than many NordicTrack ellipticals and would impact the experience for taller users who need a longer stride. If you’re taller than 6 feet, you should consider other brands because a 20-inch stride may feel short.”

ProForm also offers a “combo” machine, the Hybrid Trainer XT, that has an elliptical and a recumbent bike option. While these offer the ability to mix up your workout routine, the machine design requires a shorter stride length (15 inches) and will probably work best for users under 5 feet 6 inches tall.

Most of the ProForm ellipticals come with an HD interface and the option to subscribe to iFIT classes to follow along with the workouts. The class instructor can adjust the resistance levels on your machine for a more trainer-led workout.

The Pro 12.9 is the most comparable to NordicTrack. It has a 20-inch power-adjustable stride, a 0 to 20- degree incline, and 24 resistance levels. It can support users over 350 pounds. It is more affordable than many NordicTrack options, but an iFIT subscription will be added after the initial 30-day trial period.

ProForm provides a 10-year warranty for the frame, 2 years for parts, and 1 year for labor, which is similar to NordicTrack. They have a 30-day return policy as well.

Bowflex

Unlike other brands, Bowflex does not offer traditional elliptical trainers. Rather, they offer a series of Max Trainers, which are designed to function like a cross between an elliptical and a stair climber.

The Max Trainers are low impact cardiovascular alternatives. The cost of these is slightly higher than most NordicTrack ellipticals.

Bowflex offers online classes through their JRNY app. The most recent models include a full HD screen that integrates with entertainment apps like Netflix and Hulu so you can log in and watch your favorite shows while working out.

The horizontal stride is 4 inches and the vertical stride is 10 inches. This is appropriate for a more vertical step pattern as stride length is shortened when climbing vertically. The Max Trainer is not the best option for those who want a more traditional elliptical workout.

The warranty on the Max Trainer model is less robust than NordicTracks. The frame and parts are covered for 2 to 3 years, electronics are covered for 1 year, and labor is covered for 90 days.

“It might be difficult to get help if there is a problem because customer reviews don’t always favor Bowflex’s customer service.”

Frequently asked questions

Are NordicTrack ellipticals worth it?

NordicTrack has a good reputation, quality reviews, and a wide range of options when it comes to elliptical machines. The ellipticals are not the most expensive on the market, and they offer features that many reviewers enjoy.

If you decide to purchase a NordicTrack elliptical, make sure you choose a model that is designed for someone of your height and stride length to help you get the most out of every workout.

Is Sole better than NordicTrack?

Sole tends to place more focus on the structure and function of their ellipticals than on the technology that is integrated with them. The Sole ellipticals are not foldable.

Sole has a 30-day return policy but has longer warranties for the frame, parts, and service. Sales prices are often comparable to NordicTrack ellipticals.

Sole might be the better option if you’re looking for a long lasting, high quality elliptical and aren’t as concerned about space-saving or special features.

Do ellipticals work for weight loss?

Ellipticals can work for weight loss when they’re used on a regular basis and in conjunction with an overall health-promoting lifestyle and nutrient-dense eating plan. The duration and intensity of an elliptical workout will also affect how many calories you burn.

There is no “magic bullet” when it comes to weight loss, but a consistent workout plan (elliptical or otherwise) and a nutritious approach to eating that includes a modest calorie deficit will help (3, 4).

The bottom line

Elliptical workouts provide a low impact way to boost your heart rate from the comfort of home.

NordicTrack has several high quality models that are perfect for a variety of exercise needs and budgets.

When choosing a model, be sure to consider the available training options, stride length, price, and special features.

You can try out the models at your local sporting goods store.