NordicTrack ACT vs 10.9i elliptical

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack ACT elliptical and the [] including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details

Overview and review of the Nordictrack Elite 10.9i $1299

This is a review of the Nordictrack Elite 10.9i 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 Elite 10.9i

The elite 10.9i is the low-cost front-drive elliptical from Nordictrack. Its main features are a 20-pound flywheel, 20% incline, and a 7-inch touchscreen. The full list of features includes:

7” Smart HD Touchscreen
1-Year iFit® Membership Included*
Auxiliary Audio Port
Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Sensors

AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
Soft Touch Upper Body Grips

Front Drive
20 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
19” Power-Adjustable Stride
24 Digital Resistance Levels
0-20% Incline
One Touch® Controls
Integrated Pivoting Tablet Holder
Commercial Solid Steel Construction
Oversized Levelers
350 Lb. User Capacity
Oversized Cushion Pedals

Front-Mounted Transport Wheels
Water Bottle Holder
69.5" L x 25" W x 71.5" H Footprint
10-Year Frame Warranty
2-Year Parts Warranty
1-Year Labor Warranty

This is the elliptical to get if you want to maximize your savings while still buying an elliptical from Nordictrack.

Pros of the 10.9i

The pros of the 10.9 elliptical are:

Price
7-inch touch screen

The 10.9 elliptical can not be beaten on price in the NordicTrack line-up and still dons a 7-inch touch screen. If you are considering this model the main criteria for purchase will be price, as otherwise, you are possibly looking at other options from Nordictrack.

Cons of the 10.9 elliptical

The cons of the 10.9 elliptical are:

Front-drive 20-pound flywheel
Size
Price

If you are a commercial buyer you probably want to look at the 12.9i instead. It is only a small uptick in price but you get a 30 pound instead of a 20-pound flywheel. As commercial buyers should assume heavier usage and more breakage this minimal uptick in price is a good tradeoff for fewer maintenance cases. I am also quite sure that if you buy 10 plus machines in one go you will get the 12.9i for the price of a 10.9i per piece anyway if you ask for it.

A front-drive elliptical is a big machine. Take this into consideration, especially when you are buying for a home gym. More than $1000 for one machine is still a considerable investment in the private realm. If you are already budget-conscious you might as well get a stationary bike for a lower footprint and price to meet your endurance goals.

Alternatives to the 10.9

Alternatives to the 10.9 elliptical are:

The 12.9i front-drive elliptical is the better option for commercial buyers as it is better value for money. It will not impress any of your clients, but also not look cheap or break the bank. If you want to impress go for the 14.9i instead which has a massive screen included.

The Nordictrack SE7i is a rear-drive elliptical and can be an alternative for home gym owners who still want a high quality elliptical and save some space. The SE7i comes in at the same price as the 10.9i but has the advantage that the rear-drive design makes it foldable. This way it can be folded up and stored against a wall when it is not used. This is not relevant for most commercial gym scenarios, but definitely in smaller home gym environments.

The concept 2 rower is a good option for anyone who likes a bit more intensity but does not want to stand while exercising. These rowers can also be conveniently stored on a wall hanger to save space when not in use. The main models are the Model E and Model D. Go for the Model E when you are either big and strong (reads NFL player sized) are have problems with going very low. The Model D version is the standard concept 2 model.

The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite when it comes to bang for your buck. It has a high-quality machine that can be used professionally and only costs $700. It is space-efficient and intense. If you are a home gym owner who means business and does not need any fancy stuff, this is the machine to get.

Summary for the 10.9i

The 10.9i is a good option for anyone who loves the idea of an elliptical at home for occasional exercise and has space. For my personal tastes I think you can be more consequent in your thinking for a home gym and push the cost under $1000, but I do not have any medical conditions preventing me from doing that. I am also not a huge fan of ellipticals as I have run three marathons and want a bigger challenge. But that is just for context, I might think very differently in 10 - 20 years time or if I consider everyone in the family for a home gym.

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.