NordicTrack ACT 7 vs C7.5 elliptical

This is a comparison of the Nordictrack ACT 7 elliptical and C7.5. Learn about pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the NordicTrack C7.5 999

This is a review of the NordicTrack 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 Nordictrack C7.5

The Nordictrack C7.5 elliptical gives you an opportunity to enter the NordicTrack portfolio under 1000. The main features of this elliptical are the 9kg flywheel, 20% incline, and 5-inch backlit display. The full list of features covers:

5" Backlit Display
iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
Integrated Tablet Holder
Two 2” Speakers

Front Drive
18" Power-Adjustable Stride
9kg. Effective Flywheel
0 - 20% Power-Adjustable Incline
22 Digital Resistance Levels
OneTouch® Controls
EKG Pulse Grip Heart Rate Monitor
Max User Weight 125kg

AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
SoftTouch™ Upper-Body Grips
Oversized, Cushioned Pedals

Water Bottle Holder
Front-mounted Transport Wheels
26 Workout Apps
Product Weight 86kg
Boxed Weight 99kg
Product Dimensions - 169L x 63W x 176H cm
Boxed Dimensions - 178L x 37W x 77H cm
Warranty - 5-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty, subject to registration within 28 days of purchase.

The C7.5 is a good and stable machine, especially as it is front-drive.

Pros of the NordicTrack C7.5

The Pros of the C7.5 are:

20% Incline
Compact design

The C7.5 is a compact front-drive elliptical which has a 20% incline. For the money, you are putting on the table this is a solid, professional machine. In the Uk, this is currently probably the best value for money elliptical which Nordictrack has in its portfolio.

Cons of the NordicTrack C7.5

The cons of the C7.5 are:

18" Stride
Set elliptical

The C7.5 comes on a set elliptical and can not move in different directions like the free stride models of NordicTrack. Some people before a set movement patterns, but Free Stride makes other ellipticals a three in one machine including a stepper, elliptical, and treadmill. The stride is also shorter compared to most other Nordictrack ellipticals which come in 22" and 32" stride length.

Alternatives to the NordicTrack C7.5

Alternatives to the C7.5 are:

The Nordictrack C5.5 has a smaller flywheel and no incline. If you want to no incline and ave a little money in your elliptical purchase, this would be the right machine to go for. Still, the C7.5 and C5.5 are so close in price, that you might as well get the bigger flywheel and 20% incline for a little money extra.

The Nordictrack SE5i is a rear-drive elliptical with a 16kg flywheel. It will take up more space than the C7.5. In return, you will get a more solid machine at a lower price tag. The trade-off is that you have to give up more space.

The concept 2 model D is a classic rowing machine that is in use in many gyms all over the world. It is reliable, field-tested, and can be gotten for under 1000 as a new piece of equipment. If you like to row and do not want to stand while you are doing your cardio, this is a good option.

The Rogue Echo Bike is my personal favorite among the cardio machines for a home gym. It compact, affordable and gives you many opportunities to work up to a good burn. Rogue did a great job of producing a competitively priced Airbike to be used for dedicated home warriors. The only downside is that it comes with little to no multimedia accessories.

Summary for the C7.5

The C7.5 from Nordictrack is currently the best value for money option in the UK market from Nordictrack to be used at home. It compact, affordable and does not take up as much space as other ellipticals from Nordictrack. It might not have the most modern display or biggest flywheel, but these are the compromises you have to take for a compact machine at a good price point.

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.