NordicTrack Elliptical Reviews – Great Features & Awesome Workouts

NordicTrack ellipticals are the most popular cross trainers on the market today, with a wide variety of models to fit every budget and fitness level.

The company leads the pack in the mid-price range, with the best selection of built in workouts, advanced technology and plenty of extra features to keep you focused and motivated.

Let's get into our reviews to see what these top selling ellipticals are all about...

A Look at the Current NordicTrack Elliptical Lineup

At any given time the company offers a choice of about a half dozen NordicTrack elliptical trainers ranging in price from $1,299 to almost $2,999, although the ones that are around $1,500-$2,500 are by far the most popular with buyers.

NordicTrack’s philosophy and goal remain the same as it always has...making a competitively priced exercise machine with all of the features and capabilities the user could want, whether it's a beginner or a seasoned athlete.  

They cater to a wide range of individuals, and that's what makes them so popular.

The current 2026 lineup consists of the X Series, Step Climbers & AirGlide Series.

X Series 

Previously called the FreeStride Trainers, the X Series consists of just the new X16, although they will probably be adding other models in the near future.

These ellipticals give you the most freedom of movement of the entire lineup, combining a stepper, and elliptical and a treadmill in one.

The X16, which replaced the previous FS models, has a large 16" touch screen with tilting capability for a better viewing angle on and off the machine.

It has 10% incline capability as well as -10% decline capability, something you rarely find on residential or commercial ellipticals. You get a generous 32" stride, 26 resistance levels as well as iFIT workouts, which are available on all models.

The X Series are definitely NordicTrack's top of the line models.

Step Climbers

The latest models in the elliptical series are the Step Climbers, which are very similar to the Bowflex Max Trainers that have been around for quite some time.

These models are very compact and are like ellipticals combined with stair climbing machines that you find in most health clubs.

The base Step Climber gives you 22 resistance levels, fixed and moving arms and a 10" pivoting touch screen. The up-level Step Climber XL is very similar to the base model, only with a larger 16" pivoting touch screen.

AirGlide Series

The front drive ellipticals are the only remaining traditional ellipticals in the lineup, requiring a bit more space than the mid-drive X Series and Step Climbers

On a front drive machine you are leaning slightly forward, as opposed to a more straight posture on a rear or mid drive.  However, it is not a significant difference.

In this series there is just one model currently, the AirGlide 16, which replaced the previous AirGlide 7i & AirGlide 14i.

These ellipticals also offer new tilting consoles, found on the company's new treadmills as well, which allow you to choose the ideal viewing angle.

The AirGlide 16i gives you a 16" touch screen, 15 degrees of incline/5 degrees of decline, a 19" power adjustable stride and 26 resistance levels.

So that's a recap of all of the current NordicTrack ellipticals. You have the X Series, the Step Climbers & the AirGlide series, with one or two models to choose from within each.

Which NordicTrack Elliptical Should You Choose?

There are certainly a lot of choices and it can be difficult to decide which NordicTrack elliptical to choose.  

The AirGlide Series is the most affordable, so if budget is a concern definitely lean towards those front drive ellipticals.

The X Series, as we've mentioned, give you the largest stride ranges, so you can really emulate a full sprint.  Those who prefer to stretch out and run like you are on a treadmill will really enjoy this series.  However, they are also the priciest of the NordicTrack ellipticals.

The Step Climbers are great for those with tight spaces as they don't take up much room at all. They also combine elliptical and stepper workouts in one so that's a plus for many. Consider those if you are a fan of climbers in addition to ellipticals.

Each series typically has entry level and up-level choices, usually adding more workouts, more resistance levels and sometimes more incline, as well as a touch screen, as you move up.  So consider how much you actually have to spend.

What do we recommend here at All Ellipticals? We're glad you asked!

Our expert's top choices are the X16 and the Step Climber XL.

When reviewing all of the features and capabilities of the entire NordicTrack elliptical lineup, these models have the right capability/price ratio.  

So to sum up, look at the AirGlide series if there are budget constraints...if you're more open, absolutely opt for one of the X Series or the newer Step Climbers.

NordicTrack Elliptical Pros

Consumers tend to be very pleased with their NordicTrack elliptical trainers, as they have features that are typically only found on much more expensive trainers.  

Besides the great prices, here are the main attractions of the brand:

Huge Workout Selection - no other ellipticals give you as many different built in workouts as NordicTrack does.  Although the amount varies from one model to the next, they all give you plenty of programs to choose from, including intervals, heart rate, distance, calories, and more.

Stride Length Variety - whether you like fixed or adjustable, are short, average or tall, there is a machine that will fit your needs.  They offer a wide range of stride lengths so everyone gets the perfect fit.

Advanced Consoles - the consoles on all NordicTrack ellipticals are user friendly, with one touch controls and plenty of workout feedback.  The more expensive models even have Smart HD touch screens, which you don't even find on some commercial trainers.

Plenty of Resistance Levels - even the lower priced models give you a ton of resistance levels to choose from, so even if you go with a manual program you can ramp up your training and work your way up through all of the different levels.

iFit Technology - all of the ellipticals from NordicTrack now come with IFIT workouts, a unique suite of tools including personal trainer workouts, nutrition plans, tracking/sharing and Google maps to train anywhere worldwide. It's an immersive workout experience that you won't get anywhere else. Oftentimes your elliptical will come with a free year of iFit, so you can try it out and see if you like it.

Solid Warranties - a good sign of a company's confidence in their products, the newest NordicTrack ellipticals come with solid coverage on the frame and extended coverage on parts and labor as well.

Tons of Extras - all ellipticals come with extra features like music compatibility, speakers, workout fans, moving handlebars, heart rate monitoring and plenty of other comforts that you don't typically find for the price.

So there's plenty to like here, and reviews from both users and industry experts have been quite favorable.

NordicTrack Elliptical Cons

The few customers that do complain about their NordicTrack elliptical machine are those that have mechanical issues...but keep in mind this is the case with any brand as there are always going to be a few machines that are "off" for one reason or another.

The company sells tens of thousands of these machines each year, so the likelihood of a bad machine is much greater than it would be for a company that only sells a few hundred.

iFIT Health's customer service isn't the greatest, but the quality of the machines has improved greatly, eliminating much of the need to speak with customer service in the first place.  So in all likelihood this will not be an issue for you at all.

Why Trainers Love NordicTrack Ellipticals

An interesting note – personal trainers and other fitness professionals are great fans of the NordicTrack brand of elliptical machines for the at-home user.

They highly recommend them for the little extras such as a larger display screen and better incline adjustment, and feel that they offer a near-gym quality for a moderate price.

They also love the iFIT technology, which helps keep you on track to reach your fitness goals, an additional motivational tool that really does work.

Most trainers suggest that between a low-end $700 elliptical and a moderate NordicTrack, the NordicTrack is always worth the extra cost, but that going up to true commercial quality isn’t necessary for most people – they feel that NordicTrack elliptical trainers are an excellent choice.

Below you will find in-depth reviews of all of the current models, including specs, info, pricing and more....

NordicTrack Elliptical Model Reviews

Most Popular Models

FreeStride Trainers

NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS10i - A newer model, likely replacing the FS9i with enhancements like Bluetooth audio and design improvements.

NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS14i - The newest elliptical, with a huge 14" touch screen display, wireless heart rate chest strap and decline capability.

Front Drive Series

NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 - The newer base model with a 7" touch screen, iFit technology, 32 workouts and power incline.

NordicTrack Commercial 12.9 - Another new model joining the front-drive lineup, this one has a heavy 30 pound flywheel, power incline and tons of resistance levels.

NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 - the new top-of-the-line front drive elliptical with a 14" touchscreen, loads of workouts, Bluetooth and iFit technology.

Rear Drive Series

NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i Elliptical - New model has a great range of features and its slim line design allows you to store it almost anywhere.

NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i Elliptical - Folds up with the smallest footprint yet and enables the user to go online with a fully web enabled touch screen display.

Recently Discontinued

NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS7i - The mid range model in the front drive series, this one is web enabled with incline, iFit and a lot of great features.

NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS9i - The top end model in the series with incline and decline, plus a 10" web-enabled touch screen and a 32 inch adjustable stride.

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