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Nordictrack X7i treadmill vs FS5i elliptical

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Jan 11, 2021 9:00:00 AM

Nordictrack X7i treadmill vs FS5i elliptical

This is a comparison of the Nordictrack X7i and FS5i. Learn about pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

 

Overview and review of the NordicTrack FS5i 1499

This is a review of the NordicTrack FS5i 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.

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Overview of the NordicTrack FS5i

 
The FS5i is probably the best elliptical from Nordictrack you can currently get for the UK market. It has its flywheel at the center which enables a lot of freedom of movement and a long stride of 32". The main features of this elliptical are its 7kg flywheel, 5-inch backlit display, and 32 workout programs. The full list of features reads as follows:
 
  • 5" Backlit Display
  • iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
  • Integrated Tablet Holder
  • Two 2” Speakers
  • Center Drive
  • 7kg. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
  • 22 Digital Resistance Levels
  • OneTouch® Controls
  • Max User Weight 135kg
  • 32" Auto-Adjustable Stride
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
  • Oversized Cushion Pedals
  • 32 Workout Programmes
  • Transport Wheels
  • Water Bottle Holder
  • Large Boxed Item - This item can only be delivered or delivered and installed to a ground floor room location.
  • Product Weight 105kg
  • Boxed Weight 113kg
  • Assembled Dimensions - 148L x 75W x 187H cm
  • Boxed Dimensions - 157L x 77W x 65H cm
  • Warranty - 5-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty, subject to registration within 28 days of purchase.
This is the right choice in the Uk in most scenarios for an elliptical without breaking the bank, but also not compromising on quality or functionality. 

Pros of the NordicTrack FS5i

 
The pros of the FS5i are:
 
  • Good value for money
  • Relevant product line 
  • 32" stride
This elliptical will provide a lot of options to you at a reasonable price. It is also part of the FS family which is still being produced in the US. This ensures that you will have less trouble getting support or parts for this machine than for the S and C series which has been discontinued in the States. With the 32" stride this machine provides a lot of different workout modes to play around with your stride. If you are very tall, this might be the elliptical for you.
 

Cons of the Nordictrack FS5i

 
The cons of the FS5i are:
 
  • Space requirements
  • More error-prone
  • Not for everyone
As this is one of the machines with the longest stride available for the UK market it also needs more clearance around the machine. For the ellipticals with the flywheel in the center, you have to clear the area in front and in the back of the elliptical. That is not always the most practical option to get a working setup.
 
Compared to the more compact design of treadmills and ellipticals with motors in the back or front, this design is a bit more error-prone. Especially commercial buyers should think twice if they have a lot of use and people using the FS5i
 
The free stride models are also recommended to be tested before you use them. The freedom of movement is not for everyone who are used to classic elliptical setups. 
 

Alternatives to the NordicTrack FS5i

 
Alternatives to the Fs5i are:
 
The ACT commercial can be an alternative for anyone who does not have the space to put the FS5i into their home gym. The ACT is more compact and therefore friendlier in tight spots. You will also save some money compared to the FS5i. The only downside is that the ACT series is discontinued and you will find it harder and harder over time to get parts and support for this particular machine. 
 
If you want a treadmill instead of an elliptical your best choice for the Uk from Nordictrack is the T7.5. The T7.5 is right in the middle of the available Nordictrack portfolio for the UK and has all you need without going overboard on any of the features. The only downside is that you will not get a 40% incline or a massive screen with this treadmill. 
 
The concept 2 model d rower is a great option for smaller options. If you do not want to stand while exercising the concept model d will cover your needs. Don't expect wonders from the screens on this machine, but the tracking capabilities are sound. 
 
My personal favorite for home gym environments is the Rogue Echo bike. It is compact, easy to move, and packs a punch for a great 20-minute cardio workout using interval training. If you want to burn calories, save money, and save space, this is the machine to get. The downside is that this machine is not designed to entertain you and keep you engaged. You have to bring the willpower, the rest will be taken care of.
 

Summary for the FS5i

 
The FS5i is a great machine when you have space and you are tall yourself. It will provide many different workout modes and is probably the best buy for ellipticals in the Uk from Nordictrack to date. 

Overview and review of the NordicTrack X7i 1899

This is a review of the NordicTrack X7i 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 X7i

 
The Nordictrack X7i is a treadmill with 40% incline, a 2.75 CHP motor, and a 7-inch Backlit display. If you have a bit of money to spend on a treadmill from Nordictrack in the UK, I think this is the model to get. The full list of features includes: 
 
  • 7" Backlit Display
  • iFit Bluetooth Compatible - 1 Year Membership Included
  • BLE Chestbelt Compatible
  • Dual 3-Inch Speakers
  • Reflex™ Cushioning
  • Tablet Holder Included
  • 55 x 152 cm Tread Belt
  • Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
  • 2.75 CHP Motor
  • 0 – 40% Incline - 0 – 3% Power Decline
  • 0 – 20 km/h Speed
  • 2.5” Precision-machined and
    Balanced Non-flex Rollers
  • EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
  • 115kg Max User Weight
  • Out-of-the-box Easy Assembly
  • Large Boxed Item - This item can only be delivered or delivered and installed to a ground floor room location.
  • Product Weight 172kg
  • Boxed Weight 182kg
  • Assembled Dimensions - 177L x 100W x 183H cm
  • Boxed Dimensions - 193L x 102W x 82H cm
  • Warranty - Lifetime Frame Warranty, 10-year Motor Warranty, 2-Year Parts & Labour upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase.
The X7i is a good option if you can afford it for a purchase from Nordictrack in the UK as it is part of the more modern product ranges of Nordictrack compared to other models available in the UK line up.
 

Pros of the Nordictrack X7i

 
Pros of the Nordictrack X7i are:
 
  • Good value for money 
  • 40% incline 
The Nordictrack X7i treadmill is a good value for money in the UK line up, especially for home use. You will get the 40% incline at a reasonable price and not leave money on the table as with the S50. Of course, this is only going to make sense, if you are intending to use this feature on a regular basis. Otherwise, you can go for a cheaper model with a lower incline. 
 

Cons of the NordicTrack X7I 

 
The cons of the Nordictrack X7i are:
 
  • Price
  • 40% incline
While it is a great feature to have, especially if you want to burn a lot of calories in a short period of time, the 40% incline is not necessarily a feature you need. This is one of the main drivers of price and makes this comparatively expensive to models which only have a 12 - 15% incline. That is more than enough if you are only running. 
 

Alternatives to the Nordictrack X7i 

 
Alternatives to the Nordictrack X7i are:
 
The Nordictrack T 7.5 is a good alternative to the X7i if you do not need the 40% incline. With this machine, you will get a stronger motor and a 7 inch HD touch screen instead of a backlit display. It is also slightly less costly than the X7i. Unless you can make a really comüelling case on why you need up to 40% of incline, this is the machine to get. Commercial buyers also might want to consider this machine instead as 3 CHP give it a longer lifetime.
 
The Nordictrack FS5i is the elliptical available in the Uk from Nordictrack which is in the same budget range as the X7i. If you want to provide for the entire family and go a bit easier on the joints, this might be the better option for you. This elliptical has the free stride technology which makes it a three in one machine for running, stepping, and as an elliptical. Some people find it hard to get used to keeüing the balance on such a machine and it does burn fewer calories per minute than a regular treadmill.
 
The VersaClimber H/HP is the home use version of the VersaClimber line up. It has been stripped of some commercial warranties to make it more affordable for home use. The VersaClimber is the ultimate machine to maximize the calories burned per minute in your home. It will also eat up a lot less space than a treadmill or elliptical. If you want to work your core and burn a lot of calories, this is the machine to get. The only downside of this machine is that it is not really for beginners. You need a certain degree of fitness to work with this and not turn it into complete frustration. Don't get a VersaClimber as an "I want to get fit" item. It is more suited to "I want to go to beast mode and do not have the time to go on a one hour run each day" bracket. 
 
The Rogue echo bike is the compromise solution between space, budget, and calories burned per minute. I personally think this is the ideal machine for a home gym for many uses at a reasonable price when it comes to cardio. The cons os this machine are that it comes with no fans, multimedia or any other little niceties to make your workout less challenging. It is a compact, sturdy, bike. It does not care to entertain you to keep you motivated. 
 

Summary of the Nordictrack X7i

 
I personally think this is the best buy for a 40% treadmill in the UK line up of Nordictrack. It is also a very good value for money option, as you can definitely go wrong with the outdated S series which is still listed on the Uk website. 

Topics: Treadmill