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Nordictrack 14.9i vs X32i

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

May 27, 2020 9:00:00 AM

Nordictrack 14.9i vs X32i

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack 14.9 elliptical and the X32i treadmill. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review NordicTrack Commercial X32i 3999 - $4999

This is a review of NordicTrack X32i which was originally published in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

 

Overview NordicTrack Commercial X32i 3999 - $4999

 
The Nordictrack commercial 32i is the current top of the line treadmill from Nordictrack. It comes with all bells and whistles maxed out and leaves nothing unwanted. Of course with this comes a high price tag which some people might find hard to swallow. The same is the case for the space requirements is this machines doe not fold and is huge. The full list of features includes:
 
 
  • 32” Smart HD Touchscreen
  • 1-Year iFit® Membership Included ($468 Value)**
  • Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
  • Two 3” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • Reflex™ Cushioning
  • 22” x 65” Commercial Tread Belt
  • Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
  • 0 - 40% Incline
  • 0 – 6% Decline
  • 0 - 12 MPH Speed
  • OneTouch® Controls
  • 4.25 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
  • Reinforced Steel Construction
  • 2.5” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
  • iFit Bluetooth® Chest Strap Included
  • 300 Lb. User Capacity
  • 50 On-Board Workout Programs
  • 76.5” L x 40” W x 73” H Footprint
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty
 
If you have the money and space, you can not go wrong with this treadmill. It is top class and beats most of its competitors in terms of comfort, features, and performance. 
 

Pros of the Nordictrack commercial 32i

 
The biggest pros of the Nordic track commercial 32i are:
 
  • Big screen
  • Wide range of inclines/declines
  • Powerful motor
  • Great cushioning
  • High weight capacity
  • Wide belt
 
This ocmbination makes it a great fit for health facilities who want to work with a wide arrange of clients. If you are either a very big athlete or struggle with too much weight, you can get nothing better in terms of cushioning. The screen is massive and with the I fit functionalities which come with this machine you can simulate almost any run you want to prepare for. As long as it is available on Google maps the Nordictrack 32i will simulate the ups and downs. 
 

Cons of the Nordictrack commercial 32i

 
The biggest cons of the Nordic track commercial 32i are:
 
  • Overkill
  • Price 
  • Can not be folded
 
While having the best of everything is nice it is usually hard on resources. If you have $4000 - $5000 to spend on a treadmill, this is good. Do you really need a 40% incline and a 32-inch screen which are the mina price drivers compared to other models? Probably not. Apart from this the space requirements for this treadmill are bigger than almost anything else on the market. If you have to fit it in a small space this is not the one to get. In addition, you have no option fo fold the Nordictrack 32i to gain space.
 

Alternatives to the NordicTrack commercial 32i

 
Alternatives to the Nordictrack 32i are:
 
 
The TrueForm Runner is an alternative to the Nordictrack 32i which plays in the same price range. The True Form runner has no screen or incline and works without a motor. The main concept is that this treadmill runs on bearing. Therefore it is the better fit for fast interval training and sprints with a lot of acceleration. Basketball players, football players, and other team sport/sprint related athletes might get more use to increase performance out of this machine. 
 
The NordicTrack 2950 is the top of the line model which costs $1000 less. You get 15% of incline and a 22-inch screen with about the same bells and whistles otherwise. I still think this is more than enough for running indoors and lets you get 3 instead of 2 treadmills against $10.000. If you want luxury but don't want to go crazy on spending, go with this one. 
 
The Rogue Echo Bike is a very compact low price option at about $700 if you want to keep your knees safe and still get a good workout in. It is robust, easy to store and you can get a whole fleet of them for the price of two X32i. If your gym has not a lot of space or you want to maximize it, this is a solid option. In terms of comfort do not expect too much as this bike does not have any fans and screens or digital gadgets attached to it.
 

Summary for the Nordictrack commercial 32i

 
The NordicTrack 32i is a great option for the very wealthy home gym owner, as you can not get anything better for comfort and performance or a boutique commercial gym. If you only have one treadmill in your facility, this is a good option. the Nordictrack 32i is not a good option for budget gyms which have to maximize the number of machines in their space for peak times or low budget home gym owners. For the price of one 32i you can already outfit an entire home gym. 
 
 
 
 

Overview and review of the Nordictrack Elite 14.9i $2499

This is a review of the Nordictrack Elite 14.9 model. You will learn about the specifics, pros, cons and alternatives of this elliptical to make a decision. This article was originally published in "Which elliptical to get from Nordictrack".
 

Overview of the Elite 14.9i

 
The 14.9i is the flagship front-drive elliptical from Nordictrack. Its main features are a massive 15-inch flat-screen, 32-pound flywheel and up to 20% of incline. This front-drive elliptical leaves nothing to be desired for commercial use. The full list of features includes:
 
  • 7” Smart HD Touchscreen
  • 15” Integrated HDTV
  • 1-Year iFit® Membership Included*
  • Auxiliary Audio Port
  • Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • Bluetooth® Smart Receiver for Heart Rate Strap (not included)
  • EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Sensors
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • Multi-Position Upper-Body Grips
  • Oversized, Adjustable Cushion Pedals
  • Front Drive
  • 32 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
  • SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  • 20” Power-Adjustable Stride
  • 26 Digital Resistance Levels
  • 0-20% Incline
  • One Touch® Controls
  • Commercial Solid Steel Construction
  • Oversized Levelers
  • 375 Lb. User Capacity
  • Front-Mounted Transport Wheels
  • Water Bottle Holder
  • 80.25" L x 36" W x 70" H Footprint
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is the ultimate front-drive machine for commercial use or home gym owners with a lot of space. You will have a hard time breaking this machine.
 

Pros of the 14.9i

 
The pros of the 14.9i are:
 
  • 32-pound flywheel
  • 15-inch TV
  • 20% incline
This machine is built to last. With the 32-pound inch flywheel as a front-drive, you have a predictable line of motion and a sturdy built which will last even in the toughest scenarios. If your gym clocks thousands of miles per machine, this is the one to get. Especially if your clients expect to have a massive screen while doing their exercises. 
 
The 15-inch tv is the crown jewel of this machine. If you want to get the full use out of the Ifit options of Nordictrack, this is the machine to get. You might need fewer instructors in your gym or just enjoy the big screen at home right in front of you to keep motivated. 
 
With up to 20% incline there is no limit to the number of different workouts you can do. Combined with the Ifit run simulations you can go all over the world and simulate any track you want.
 

Cons of the 14.9i

 
The cons of the 14.9i are:
 
  • Price
  • Size
  • Low-calorie burn
  • Limited variety
  • Shorter stride
 
For an elliptical, the 14.9i is quite pricey. You definitely need to ask yourself whether you really need that big screen or not. If you don't you can almost shave off $1000 from your purchase by going with the 12.9i which is the same model, except without the TV: If you are home buyer who does not want to fix a screen to the walls and needs the motivation and convenience of the multimedia station, this is a good option. Commercial buyers who want to make a statement in urban areas might also consider getting a fleet of these machines. If you have no to little competition in your local area, I do not see the reason to spend almost $1000 extra per machine just to get a massive screen. 
 
hile size is good for durability and creating clear lines of movement in a commercial gym, it can be a burden when space is limited. This machine is huge, so make sure that you check your space. Home gym owners might even fill their entire space just with this machine. As it can not be folded it will also be hard to move around. Be mindful when you purchase. 
 
As with all ellipticals, the calorie burn per minute is relatively low compared to treadmills and exercise bikes at similar intensity levels. If you want to maximize the calories burned per minute a VersaClimber or Rogue echo bike are probably better options for you. 
 
Compared to the free stride range from Nordictrack the 14.9i provides only a limited variety of exercises. You can only use it as an elliptical and not as a treadmill and steppers like the FS9i, Fs10i, and FS7i.
 
As the flywheel is in the front of this machine it limits the stride length to 20" compared to the 32" of the free stride machines, If you want to work with different stride lengths and you are a very tall athlete, you might want to look in the upper echelons of the Free stride range, 
 

Alternatives to the Elite 14.9i

 
Alternatives to the Elite 14.9i elliptical are:
 
The NordicTrack FS7i  is the most affordable version of the free stride range of Nordictrack to date. Compared to the 14.9i elliptical you will give up the 15-inch screen and gain the center flywheel with three in one technology. This is a good swap for home gym buyers who do not care about multimedia and have many family members using the gym.
 
The Nordictrack Elite 12.9 is basically the 14.9i without a TV. I think this machine is a great option for a commercial gym that wants to buy in bulk and still impress. Of course, if you are targeting very tech-savvy clients in urban areas with a high monthly subscription fee, the big ass screen might be a way to attract clients. Just make the calculations whether the $1000 more per machine justify themselves in terms of marketing opportunities and brand image. Only consider this if the competition is fierce and no gym in the area has screens on all their ellipticals.
 
The VersaClimber SM model is the commercial-grade machine from VersaClimber. This is the machine to get for anyone who wants to maximize calories per minute output. Home gym buyers might tend to go for the VersaClimber H/HP instead with limited warranties for home use. In the home, this is the right machine if the entire family are hardcore fitness nuts and already run outdoors. For commercial use, I would recommend these if you already have a fleet of ellipticals and want to attract more clients in a "hardcore" endurance corner of your gym.
 
The concept 2 rower is a great option for anyone who does not want to run because of their hips and also does not like bikes. This machine has been around for years and is reliable. You can choose between the model D and Model E which are targeted at different groups. The model E is more recreational while model D is lower to the ground and more for athletes.
 
My personal favorite for the home gym to burn calories fast and cheap is the Rogue Echo bike. It is competitively priced for a professional machine at $700 and minimizes footprint in your gym. It still delivers a hardcore workout and only falls a little short of the VersaClimber in this area.
 

Summary for the 14.9i

 
The 14.9i Nordictrack elliptical is the perfect machine for urban commercial gyms with stiff competition who want to attract tech-savvy clients. Especially if you do not want to run any classes in your gym to save labor costs, this is a good investment with the I fit subscription. Just unload the cost of the subscription per machine to your gym subscription and negotiate a god deal with Nordictrack on the commercial package. Home gym buyers might find this machine to be overkill unless they really want a big screen and can not fix it to a wall in their gym. For commercial gyms with ess competition or home gym owners who want an elliptical at a more reasonable price the 12.9i or 10.9i are better options.