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NordicTrack Fs9i vs 2450

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

May 17, 2020 9:00:00 AM

NordicTrack Fs9i vs 2450

This is a comparison between the Nordic FS9i elliptical and the 2450 treadmill. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review Nordictrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill $2299 - $2999

This is a review of the NordicTrack 2450 model which was originally published in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

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Overview Nordictrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill $2299 - $2999

The 2450 Nordictrack treadmill comes with an extra big running surface, cushioning and 300 lbs. capacity. You can run  at a top speed off 12 miles an hour and vary your running from 15% incline down to a 3% decline. This treadmill folds and comes with a 14 inch HD touch screen.  The screen can be tilted to avoid glare depending on the light fall and the size of the user. With all of this, the 2450 is a mid-range option from Nordictrack which can be used commercially or in a spacious home gym. It can be folded up to save space and securely put back for action. The full list of features includes:
 
  • 14” Smart HD Touchscreen
  • 1-Year iFit® Membership Included ($468 Value)**
  • Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
  • Two 3” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
  • Runners Flex™ Cushioning
  • 22” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
  • Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
  • Integrated Tray
  • 0 – 15% Incline
  • 0 – 3% Decline
  • 0 - 12 MPH Speed
  • OneTouch® Controls
  • 4.0 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
  • 2.5” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
  • 300 Lb. User Capacity
  • EKG Grip Pulse
  • SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
  • 50 On-Board Workout Programs
  • 81.2” L x 39.2” W x 69.9” H Footprint
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is a good option out of the Nordictrack portfolio but might be a little too expensive for making a compromise. I am personally not a great fan of the higher prices mid-range options like the 2450. I either want everything and pay for it or save as much money as I can to fit as much fitness equipment in a tight budget. But that is just me. 
 

Pros of the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill

 
The pros of the 2450 are:
 
  • Big surface
  • Good cushioning
  • Interplay with Ifit
  • Strong motor
 
The 2450 is a great option if you have space and money. I personally would say that I would recommend this as a bulk buy option for a commercial gym as the motor is a bit more powerful and durable than other midrange options from Nordictrack. This will bring maintenance down long term without breaking the bank for other 4 CHP models out of the Nordictrack range. 
 

Cons of the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill 

 
The cons of the 2450 treadmill are:
 
  • High price for compromising
  • Relatively small touchscreen for the price 
  • Big treadmill
I get the business idea behind the Nordictrack. Take our meh screen and our meh incline and put a strong motor and frame on it. The 2450 probably was the high end when it came out, but compared to other models I just think the value for money does not add up. If you want a big screen and do not need the full incline range, go for the Nordictrack 2950. If you want the incline but do not want to pay for the screen real estate, go for the Nordictrack X11 incline. If you want the value for money workhorse to go for the 1750. I just think that the 2450 is too much compromise for too much money. In addition, it is still quite big for someone who buys on a budget for their home gym.
 

Alternatives to the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill

 
Alternatives to the NordicTrack 2450 are:
 
 
If you are looking at the 2450 I assume that budget is playing more into your considerations than for clients who look at the 32i and the 22i. If you are looking for an incline treadmill the X11 is the best option to save some money and still get the 40%. It still costs more than the 2450, but at least you have maxed out one feature of relevance to you. INcline treadmills are in my opinion for trail runners who want to be able to train all year round or at any time of the day. Especially if you live too far away from the actual trails you want to run. If you need such a steep incline to maximize your calories burned per minute, there are better and cheaper options than a 40% incline treadmill to achieve this.
 
If your thought process was to get a good value for money option from Nordictrack without thinking too hard, the 1750 is your best bet. You get the midrange feature for everything while not breaking the $2000 barrier. If you are budget conscious, but still want to good stuff, this is the treadmill for you.
 
The true form runner is an alternative treadmill that is self-propelled. Instead of using a motor, it sits on bearing and you propel it like a hamster wheel. This makes it a great treadmill to start and stops or sprints. Most treadmills with an electric motor are not great at this kind of training as quick stops or acceleration usually break your ankles, the machine or catapult you off the belt. The desired outcome depends on your weight and prowess. The closer you are to an NFL athlete's physique, the more likely it is you break the treadmill. The smaller you are, the more likely it becomes that the treadmill turns into your catapult. If you are looking for an alternative treadmill for sprinters or sports athletes, the true form runner is a great alternative. The commercial gym will also not have to pay as much for maintenance and power as you do not have the electrical motor.
 
The Rogue Echo Bike is my personal favorite for calories burned per second. Yes, there is also the Jacobs ladder and the VersaClimber which do more for your coordination in case of the Jacob's ladder and burn more calories per second for the VersaClimber, but they are way more expensive than the Rogue Echo bike. If you wanted a cardio machine simply to burn calories, get the Rogue Echo bike. It is better, faster, cheaper than most options out there for a calorie-burning machine. 
 
 

Overiew and review of the FS9i Free Stride $3799

This is a review of the Nordictrack Fs9i 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 FS9i

 
The FS9i Free stride elliptical is a design that combines a stepper and an elliptical into one machine. The motor of this elliptical has been moved to the center so that you move more freely and have a longer stride for up to 32 inches. It comes with a 10-inch screen and a 20-pound flywheel. The full list of features includes:
 
  • 10” Smart HD Touchscreen
  • Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership**
  • Pivoting Integrated Tablet Holder
  • Auxiliary Music Port
  • Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • SoftTouch™ Upper-Body Grips
  • Oversized Cushioned Pedals
  • Center Drive
  • SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  • 32” Auto-adjustable Stride
  • 20 Lb. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
  • 26 Digital Resistance Levels
  • 10% Power Adjustable Incline
  • OneTouch® Controls
  • iFit Bluetooth® Smart Chest Strap Included
  • Oversized Levelers
  • 375 Lb. User Weight Capacity
  • 38 On-board Workouts
  • Integrated Handle Controls for Ramp and Resistance
  • Transport Wheels
  • Water Bottle Holder
  • 58.3" L x 29.5" W x 73.6" H Footprint
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty
 
This is an innovative design that will keep your running, walking and stepping workouts interesting. Especially if you have the need to be easier on your ankles and knees and want to train with different stride lengths, this is a good machine. Compared to other center ellipticals this machine also has a 10-inch incline.
 

Pros of the FS9i elliptical

 
The pros of the FS9i elliptical are:
 
  • All bells and whistles
  • three for the price of one 
  • Free adjustments
  • Low impact
If you are looking for a center drive elliptical model this is the one with all bells and whistles from Nordictrack. You won't find a center drive elliptical with a longer list of features and all of them brought to the maximum.
 
With this elliptical, you will get two machines for the price of one. As the movement pattern is not fixed on an ellipsis you also get a high-grade stepper with this machine.
 
The free adjustments give your clients or yourself a lot of room to play around. This keeps workouts interesting and also makes it more likely that the stride length fits everyone in the family or your client roster. Front and rear-drive ellipticals have a stride length which can not be changed. This might feel uncomfortable or get boring for some users.
 
As with all ellipticals, a major advantage over treadmills is that you have a lower impact and therefore less stress to the knees and ankles while exercising. This is especially interesting if you or your clients deal a lot with injuries in these areas or have to build-up strength before they can run or walk on a treadmill. 
 

Cons of the FS9i

 
The cons of the FS9i elliptical are: 
 
  • High Price
  • Free moving parts
  • Floating experience 
  • Low-calorie burn
 
As this is one of the high-end machines from Nordictrack you will fork out a respectable sum on acquiring the FS9i. Machines with all bells and whistles have this in common and are designed for this purpose. Keep in mind that for one FS9i you can get four Rogue Echo bikes or a complete rack with plates and a barbell. If money is of no concern and you only want the best, go for the FS9i. Otherwise, you have cheaper options to have the same experience, build an entire gym or run a small cardio class.
 
While the free moving parts enable a great experience and flexibility in the run it also makes this elliptical more prone to error. The more moving parts you have the easier it is to fail. As the flywheel is in the middle it is also harder to design clear footpaths around the FS9i compared to a front or rear-drive elliptical. I see this is a possible challenge when you want to put 5 to 50 of these in a row in a commercial gym. This will leave a lot more risk of someone walking into a machine that is being used than having rear or front-drive ellipticals in a row. This is more a consideration for bulk buys and commercial use, but still should be considered. In addition, the front and rear drive machines are cheaper.
 
The floating experience of the FS9i is not for everyone. Especially if you have balance and spacial awareness issues you might be better off with a front or rear-drive machine.
 

Alternatives to the FS9i

 
Alternatives to the FS9i are:
 
 
The Nordictrack FS10i is a newer model from Nordictrack. When I checked the price was $2999. If you can get this machine at this price I personally think it is the better value for money from Nordictrack while still delivering the same experience as the FS9i. You can spend the $800 you save on a Total Gym to round up your exercise machinery for your home gym. If you buy in bulk you will appreciate an $800 saving on list price per item to invest in a bigger fleet or invest the $8000 saved on a different area in your commercial gym. If you buy in bulk and cash always try to negotiate a discount.
 
The Nordictrack elite 14.9i would be the front-drive alternative elliptical from Nordictrack. It comes with a big TV screen which can be securely fastened to the front. It might also appear to more clients as it is a safer bet and not a novel experience. I think home gym oners are better off with the FS10i while commercial buyers can consider the 14.9i elliptical as a high-end option with nice screens for the masses. No one will think your gym is cheap when you have these, while still not breaking the bank for unnecessary bells and whistles on the elliptical fleet. 
 
The VersaClimber SM would be my personal recommendation for home gym owners with a big wallet who want to maximize their calorie output per minute. If you want to abuse the heck out of your 20 minutes cardio a day and everyone in the house is on that fitness level but does not train at the same time, get a VersaClimber into your home. For commercial use, this is a machine that you can put in the corner for all the lunatics and extreme edge cases of the bulk of your clientele. The money you save from investing in five 14.9i instead of 5 FS9i can be invested in a VersaClimber to make more clients happy on the same budget.
 
The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite for calories burned per second at the lowest cost. The Echo Bike is a low impact on the joints and does not take up a lot of floor space. It comes in at a price of about $700 apiece and is, therefore, miles below the other options outlined. It is a sparse machine with no entertainment options, so if you buy this in bulk, be aware that it will appeal more to the fitter part of the population who want to push themselves and not watch Television while exercising. For a home gym, to me, this is the ultimate option to cover everything at the lowest price. Unless you cant sit on your bum for more than 5 minutes while exercising.
 

Summary for the FS9i

 
The FS9i was cutting edge technology and a new idea at the time of its go to market. Since then I think Nordictrack has managed to drive down production costs in other product lines and came up with FS10i which is better value for money. The FS10i is not available globally yet, but I expect distribution to pick over the years. If you love ellipticals, free choice of stride and stepping in one machine, this is the one to get. If you can take stress to the knee and ankles or want to maximize calorie output per minute, I personally think there are machines out there for you which take less of your hard-earned money.

Topics: Treadmill