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NordicTrack ACT 7 vs SE7i elliptical

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Aug 4, 2020 9:00:00 AM

NordicTrack ACT 7 vs SE7i elliptical

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack ACT 7 elliptical and the SE7i including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details

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Overview and review of the Nordictrack SE7i $1299

This is a review of the Nordictrack SE7i 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 SE7i

 
The SE7i rear-drive elliptical is the cheapest rear-drive elliptical from NordicTrack. Its main features are an 18-inch stride, 18-pound flywheel and the foldable design for easy storage. The full list of features includes:
 
  • 5” Backlit Display
  • NordicTrack iFit® Membership Ready
  • Integrated Tablet Holder
  • Auxiliary Music Port
  • Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
  • Adjustable, Oversized Cushion Pedals
  • Rear Drive
  • 18 Lb. Effective Flywheel
  • SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  • 22 Digital Resistance Levels
  • 10% Power Adjustable Incline
  • Commercial Solid Steel Construction
  • Oversized Levelers
  • 325 Lb. User Weight Capacity
  • EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
  • Vertical SpaceSaver® Design
  • 24 On-Board Workouts
  • Rear-mounted Transport Wheels
  • Water Bottle Holder
  • Out-of-the-Box Easy Assembly
  • 67" H X 32" W X 80" L
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
This machine is best looked for in the used market. If you want to get a new Nordictrack elliptical I would recommend the 12.9i front drive for commercial and the 10.9i for home gym use. 

Pros of the SE7i

  • Price

Cons of the SE7I

  • Small flywheel
  • No-touch screen
  • Size

Alternatives to the SE7I

 
Alternatives to the SE7i are:
 
he concept 2 rower is a good option for anyone who likes a bit more intensity but does not want to stand while exercising. These rowers can also be conveniently stored on a wall hanger to save space when not in use. The main models are the Model E and Model D. Go for the Model E when you are either big and strong (reads NFL player sized) are have problems with going very low. The Model D version is the standard concept 2 model.
 
The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite when it comes to bang for your buck. It has a high-quality machine that can be used professionally and only costs $700. It is space-efficient and intense.  If you are a home gym owner who means business and does not need any fancy stuff, this is the machine to get. 
 

Summary for the SE7i

 
The SE7i is the cheap and cheerful option for the occasional home warrior for the basement or garage.
 

Overview and review of the ACT commercial 7 1899

This is a review of the NordicTrack ACT 7 commercial including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article has been originally published in “which NordicTrack treadmill or elliptical to get in the UK”. Follow the links for more details.

 

Overview of the ACT commercial 7

 
The ACT Commercial 7 elliptical is a center drive elliptical which is very compact for home use or having a fleet in a commercial gym. The main features are a 7 inch HD touchscreen, 22" stride, and an integrated tablet holder. The full list of features includes:
 
  • 7" HD Touchscreen Display
  • Includes 1 Years iFit Family Membership
  • iFit Integrated
  • Integrated Tablet Holder
  • IPod Compatible Audio (2 - 2" Speakers)
  • Center Drive
  • 18" – 22" Adjustable Stride
  • 24 Digital Resistance Levels
  • OneTouch® Controls
  • EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
  • Soft Touch™ Upper Body Grips
  • Max User Weight 135kg
  • Adjustable Oversized Cushion Pedals
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • Included Water Bottle Holder
  • Transport Wheels
  • Product Weight 107kg
  • Boxed Weight 125kg
  • Assembled Dimensions - 182L x 81W x 170H cm
  • Boxed Dimensions - 131L x 75W x 64H cm
  • Warranty - 5-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty, subject to registration within 28 days of purchase
The ACT 7 commercial is a good option for anyone who wants an elliptical that does not eat up too much space. It is still a big machine but compared to rear- or front-drive ellipticals it is a lot smaller. 
 

Pros of the ACT 7 commercial

 
The main point that the CT 7 commercial has going for it is that it is a space saver. The center flywheel makes it possible to bring the machine in a little. Compared to the newer elliptical models it is less error-prone as it has not the three in one design which makes the design more stable.
 

Cons of the ACT7 commercial

 
The cons of the ACT 7 commercial are:
 
  • Old model
  • relatively high price
 
The ACT models are relatively old and Nordictrack has renewed and modernized their center flywheel product range with models like the FS7i which use Free stride. Free Stride enables the elliptical to be used as a treadmill, elliptical, and stepper. So if you can get your hand on one of the free stride models that might be money spend better. Just observe when they make their way from the US to the UK, if you can wait for your purchase. 
 

Alternatives to the ACT 7 commercial

 
Alternatives to the ACT 7 commercial are:
 
 
The Nordictrack X7i is a good alternative to the ACT 7 commercial in case you prefer a treadmill rather than an elliptical for your home gym. The X7i provides a treadmill that can go up to a 40%  incline and a 2.75 CHP motor. Best for home gym use. If you are a commercial buyer you might want to look for treadmill motors in the 3 - 4 CHP range to make sure that they will last longer, as they will have to take more miles.
 
The Nordictrack FS5i is an alternative elliptical to the ACT 7 commercial. It will take up more space, but comes in at a lower and provides a longer stride. You will also be able to use the Free stride technology which makes this a three in one machine. If you have space and want an elliptical, this might be the better option than the ACT 7.
 
The TrueForm Runner is a self-propelled treadmill that is targeted at high-performance athletes. This is a great option if you want to do sprints with abrupt starts and stops or very gradual acceleration. Commercial gym owners might be tempted by the savings in electricity, as this machine does not have a motor. The belt rests on bearing which makes it possible to propel it yourself. The TrueForm runner i generally considered one of the best of this kind of treadmills, This is also a reason why it comes in at a high price. 
 
The Assault air runner is a cheaper alternative to the TrueForm runner in the self-propelled treadmill space. While the cost is lower the reviews of this treadmill usually are not as positive as for the TrueForm runner. Main reason being is that the TrueForm runner seems to have a better calibration of the bearing. The Assault air runner tends to make you faster than you actually are which can create a weird experience. 
 
Last but not least I personally like the Rogue Echo bike a lot. Especially for use in a home gym. It is compact, sturdy, and comes in at a reasonable price for what you are getting. It is space-efficient and ideal for doing a 20-minute workout which will burn the maximum of calories. 
 
 

Summary for the ACT 7 commercial

 
The ACT 7 commercial is a great compact elliptical for home use or in tight gym settings. It will also be less prone to error than the other free stride models of Nordictrack based on the design. Overall, the ACT 7 commercial is not a focus design of Nordictrack's, but still available for purchase in the Uk market. 

Topics: Treadmill