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NordicTrack ACT vs SE5i commercial elliptical

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Dec 24, 2020 5:00:00 PM

NordicTrack ACT vs SE5i commercial elliptical

This is a comparison of the Nordictrack ACT elliptical and SE5i. Learn about pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

 

Overview and review of the NordicTrack SE5i 899

This is a review of the NordicTrack SE5i 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 SE5i

 
The SE5i is one of the rear-drive ellipticals from Nordictrack available to the UK market. Its main features are a 16kg flywheel, 5-inch backlit display and 34 preset workouts on the machine. The full list of features reads as followed:
 
  • 5” Backlit Display
  • iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
  • Integrated Tablet Holder
  • 16 kg. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
  • SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  • 24 Digital Resistance Levels
  • EKG Grip Pulse
  • 130 kg. User Weight Capacity
  • Oversized Pedals
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
  • 34 Preset Workout Apps
  • Transport Wheels
  • Product Weight 60kg
  • Boxed Weight 72kg
  • Product Dimensions - 158L x 66W x 175H cm
  • Boxed Dimensions - 132L x 51W x 64H cm
  • Warranty - 5-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty, subject to registration within 28 days of purchase.
This is a solid rear-drive elliptical for the home or commercial use.
 

Pros of the NordicTrack SE5i

 
The pros of the SE5i are:
 
  • Big flywheel
  • Sturdy design
 
The SE5i is a sturdy design with a big flywheel which will last for ages. If you want to no-nonsense elliptical that is affordable you will find the right partner in the SE5i for your cardio needs.
 

Cons of the NordicTrack SE5i

 
The cons of the SE5i are:
 
  • Size
  • Older model
  • Display
 
All rear-drive ellipticals have in common that they are quite clunky and therefore take up more space than other cardio options for the home. In a big gym they will also fit fewer units in the same amount of space as others. SE5i is also an older model that Nordictrack does not sell in the US anymore. Always be mindful of this, especially when you purchase for commercial needs, as the service for this product might be discontinued or suffers as active production will be abandoned. 
 

Alternatives to the NordicTrack SE5i

 
Alternatives to the SE5i elliptical are:
 
 
The Nordictrack Se3i is the small brother of the SE5i it still has a rear-drive, but a smaller flywheel. In my opinion, the SE3i only makes sense if you buy it in bulk for commercial purposes to save money. Otherwise, the two models are too close in price to justify taking the smaller flywheel which ultimately means that the elliptical is more likely to break down. 
 
If you want to get a treadmill instead of an elliptical and get the cheapest from Nordictrack in the UK than the C700 is for you. This is the treadmill with the lowest price tag from Nordictrack for the time being. 
 
The concept 2 model D rower is a reliable machine that has been used all over the world. If you want a solid rowing machine for you this is probably the best value for money options you can get. Not a lot of entertainment on this, but the onboard computer is more than enough to track your workouts and provide statistics during your row. 
 
The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite for home gym use. This machine is compact, built like a tank, enables a kick-ass workout and I reasonably priced. This is the best calorie per minute deal you can find without running the risk of buying trash. 
 

Summary for the NordicTrack SE5i elliptical

 
The SE5i elliptical is a solid safe bet for an elliptical to get. It is not too expensive and also does not try to be fancy. In return, it will take up more space than other models and not have the best multimedia options available.
 

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.
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