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NordicTrack ACT commercial elliptical vs SE3i elliptical

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Dec 19, 2020 5:00:00 PM

NordicTrack ACT commercial elliptical vs SE3i elliptical

This is a comparison of the Nordictrack ACT elliptical and SE3i. Learn about pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review NordicTrack SE 3i 849

This is a review of the NordicTrack SE3i 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 SE3i

 
The SE3i elliptical is the cheapest elliptical from Nordictrack you can buy in the UK market to date. Its main features are 5-inch backlit display, 14kg flywheel, and 32 preset workouts that come with the machine. The full list of features reads as followed:
 
  • 5” Backlit Display
  • iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
  • Integrated Tablet Holder
  • 14 kg. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
  • SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  • 22 Digital Resistance Levels
  • EKG Grip Pulse
  • 125 kg. User Weight Capacity
  • Oversized Pedals
  • SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
  • 32 Preset Workout Apps
  • Transport Wheels
  • Product Weight 54kg
  • Assembled Dimensions - 158L X 66W X 175H cm
  • Boxed Weight 60kg
  • Boxed Dimensions - 64L x 42W x 132H cm
  • Warranty - 5-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty, subject to registration within 28 days of purchase.
This is the least amount of money you can spend on a Nordictrack elliptical in the UK.
 

Pros of the NordicTrack SE3i 

 
The pros of the SE3i are:
 
  • Low price
  • Big flywheel
 
The most attractive feature about the SE3i is the price tag. There is no other NordicTrack elliptical that can beat this. For this price, you are also getting a big flywheel which makes the machine last for longer. If you want a cheap workhorse, or better said, donkey as a cardio machine in your house, this is it.
 

Cons of the NordicTrack Se3i 

 
The cons of the SE3i are:
 
  • Out of date display
  • Space requirements
 
This machine will eat up a lot of space in your home or gym and has an out of date design. NordicTrack has already modernized its fleet over in the US, but this facelift has not come through to the UK yet. 
 

Alternatives to the NordicTrack SE3i

 
This can be alternatives to the SE3i elliptical:
 
 
The Nordictrack SE5i is the big brother of the SE3i. It only costs a little extra and gives you a bigger flywheel. Go for this one if you are not considering to buy in multiples of 10 or even 100. 
 
The concept 2 model D rower is a reliable staple in the fitness industry for decades. If you don't want to stand while doing your cardio and like to row, this is a safe bet which does not break the bank. 
 
The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite when it comes to home gym cardio. This machine is sturdy, affordable, and will make you sweat. The only downside is that it does not come with a lot of multimedia options.
 

Summary for the NordicTrack SE3i

 
While it is the cheapest rear-drive elliptical from Nordictrack for the UK i would still go with the SE5i instead, if I was to buy an elliptical.
 

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.