NordicTrack ACT commercial elliptical vs 2950 treadmill

This is a comparison of the Nordictrack ACT commercial and 2950. Learn about pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review Nordictrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill $2999 - $3599

This is a review of the Nordictrack commercial 2950 model which was originally posted in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

Overview Nordictrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill $2999 - $3599

The 2950 is the top-end treadmill from Nordictrack without the big %40 incline option. The main features are the massive 22-inch touchpad and the foldable Running track. The full list of features is:

22” Smart HD Touchscreen
1-Year iFit® Membership Included ($468 Value)**
Auxiliary Music Port
Two 3” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
Runners Flex™ Cushioning
Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
22” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
4.25 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
0 - 12 MPH Speed
0 - 15% Incline
0 - 3% Decline
OneTouch® Controls
EKG Grip Pulse
300 Lb. User Weight Capacity
2.5” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
40 On-Board Workout Programs
Integrated Tray
79.5” L x 39.2” W x 66.6” H Footprint
10-Year Frame Warranty
2-Year Parts Warranty
1-Year Labor Warranty

If you have some surplus money to spend and like the good things in life this is the treadmill for you. The incline options from Nordictrack technically have more bells and whistles if you only want the best, but I think you are more than covered with what the 2950 has to offer with the added bonus that it can be folded up.

Pros of the Nordictrack 2950

The pros of the 2950 Nordictrack treadmill are:

Big screen
Good folding mechanics
Strong motor
High capacity and large belt

This machine is a great option for a high-end home gym for which the owner does not want to spare any expenses without paying for unnecessary gimmicks which will be rarely used. If you work with the elderly are anyone that needs a big touch screen you will not be disappointed with the 2950. The same goes for if you need the extra size and cushioning because you are heavy or just like comfort.

Cons of the Nordictrack 2950

The cons of the 2950:

No Start stops possible
High price
Big footprint

The Nordictrack 2950 is a great option when you have the necessary change in your pocket and space in your home or gym. Otherwise, it is a pretty bad choice. If you have to buy in bulk the price will escalate quite quickly. You also can not do Start-stop sprints that are relevant to many sports.

Alternatives to the Nordic track 2950

Alternatives to the 2950 are

The X32i is the ultimate treadmill you can get from Nordictrack. It has a 32-inch touchscreen and goes up to 40% incline. If you want everything and can pay for it go for this model. I personally think that 40% incline is overkill unless you are an extreme Trail runner who wants to be able to train all year round. If you want to burn the maximum calories per minute there are cheaper options than an incline treadmill.

The Nordictrack X22i has the same specs as the X32i. The only difference is that the screen is 22inch and you save $1000 because of that.

The true form runner is roughly in the same price range than the 2950. Rather than using an electrical motor, you propel the belt forward yourself. This is a better option when you train high performing athletes who need to do start and stop drills. Especially if you have limited space. It’s still not as good as training outdoors on the pitch, but the true from runner can be used all year round even when the pitch can not be accessed.

The Rogue echo bike is a great value for money option if your main goal is to burn as many calories as possible in a short amount of time. It is roughly priced at $700 and therefore for under most cardio equipment you can get for your home gym. In addition, it is also very space-efficient.

The Versaclimber SM is the ultimate machine for getting you to sweat and burn calories in the shortest amount of time. This machine is not for beginners and therefore has a smaller range than the rest of the cardio equipment in this comparison. The big disadvantage against the echo bike is the higher price tag. If you are super fit, rich and value your time above anything else, get this machine to burn the calories fast before you go on set or in the boardroom. If you are a mere mortal with limited finances get the Rogue echo bike to burn calories.

Summary for the 2950

The 2950 treadmill is, in my opinion, the sensible wealthy treadmill for the home gym owner or the elite/boutique sensible option for a commercial gym. Anyone who enters your gym will be impressed and it will not look cheap. In addition, you get a plethora of functionality without going overboard with the 40% incline. For everyone else, more than 3000 is a lot of money to spend on one machine. You can get up to ten squat stands for that and open an Olympic weightlifting gym. Just the plates might eat your budget up, but that is another topic.

Overview and review of the NordicTrack ACT commercial 1299

This is a review of the NordicTrack ACT 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 NordicTrack ACT commercial

The ACT commercial is one of the most compact ellipticals which Nordictrack has in its portfolio. Its main features are a 10kg flywheel, 5-inch display, and a 22-inch stride. The full list of features covers:

5" Backlit Display
iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
Integrated Tablet Holder
Auxiliary Music Port
Two 2” Digitally-amplified Speakers

Center Drive
18" – 22" Adjustable Stride
10 KG Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
24 Digital Resistance Levels
OneTouch® Controls
EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
135 Kg User Weight Capacity

Soft Touch™ Upper Body Grips
Adjustable Oversized Cushion Pedals
AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan

Water Bottle Holder
Front-Mounted Transport Wheels
32 On-board Workouts
165cm L x 81cm W x 162cm H Footprint
Warranty - 5-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty, subject to registration within 28 days of purchase

This is the machine to get for small spaces if you want the experience of an elliptical.

Pros of the NordicTrack ACT commercial

The pros of the ACT commercial are:

Compact design

The main and probably only reason to get this machine is because of its compact design. If you desperately want an elliptical and want to fit it in a tight spot, the ACT commercial is the machine for you.

Cons of the NordicTrack ACT commercial

The main cons for the ACT commercial are:

High price for a small elliptical
Age of the model

The ACT commercial is one of the models of Nordictrack which is supported in the Uk but not in the US. This is not a great sign for the future of this model as Nordictrack HQ is situated in the US. If you want an elliptical and have space available you are probably better off to get a model out of the FS series which is available in both countries to protect your investment.

Alternatives to the NordicTrack ACT commercial

You can look at the following alternatives for the ACT commercial:

If you want a compact treadmill instead of an elliptical the S25 with a 3.5 CHP motor might be for you. It comes in at the same price as the ACT and has a powerful motor to put a lot of miles on it. The only downside to the S series is that it is also likely to be discontinued once stocks worldwide have been depleted as the US does not actively sell the model anymore.

If you want an elliptical with an incline and have more space you can go for the C7.5 instead of the ACT commercial. This elliptical provides up to a 20% incline at the same cost of the ACT. The trade-off is that it is heavier and needs more space. By going with the C7.5 you will also move below 1000 for purchasing your cardio machine.

Another option is the Concept 2 model D rower if you do not want to stand while exercising. The concept 2 model d has been around for a long time in different iterations and can be found in most gyms around the world, If you want a reliable rowing machine for your home or commercial gym, this is the one to go for.

My personal favorite is the Rogue echo bike for any kind of home gym scenario. Rogue came up with a solid, compact, and sturdy design for an airbike and put a super competitive price tag on it. It will be hard to find an airbike at the same price which is built like a tank.

Summary for the NordicTrack ACT commercial

The ACT commercial is a great option for limited space scenarios if you are fine with buying something that is not the latest and greatest in the line-up. If you fit that niche, this machine will be hard to beat.