Nordictrack Elite 10.9i vs 1750

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack 10.9i elliptical and the 1750 treadmill. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review Nordictrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill $1799 - $2299

This is a review of the Nordictrack 1750 model which was originally published under "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

Overview Nordictrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill $1799 - $2299

The Nordictrack 1750 treadmill is the bread and butter machine from Nordictrack. The features are well balanced and you can get it for a solid price which is not outrageous. This would be my recommendation for any weekend warrior or athlete who does not see running as a core discipline, but as a support to bring up their cardiovascular system. It goes up to a capacity of 300 lbs, provides a 3.75 Chp motor and -3 to 15% incline. This has everything you need at a reasonable price, as long as you don't want to go bonkers. The full list of features includes:

10” Smart HD Touchscreen
1-Year iFit® Membership Included ($468 Value)**
Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
Two 3” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
Runners Flex™ Cushioning
22” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
Integrated Tray
0–3% Decline
0-15% Incline
0-12 MPH Speed
OneTouch® Controls
3.75 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
2.5” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
300 Lb. User Capacity
EKG Grip Pulse
SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
78.8” L x 39.2” W x 63” H Footprint
10-Year Frame Warranty
2-Year Parts Warranty
1-Year Labor Warranty

This is the machine to get when you walk in and say "I just want a good treadmill and not be screwed over with stuff I don't need". Enough said about this model, you can not go wrong if you have space and money.

Pros of the Nordictrack 1750 treadmill

Well balanced
Ticks all the boxes
Reasonably priced

The 1750 Nordictrack is a best seller for a reason. It ticks all the boxes for a stable, reliable treadmill at a good price tag without being too fancy.

Cons of the Nordictrack 1750 treadmill

Cons of the 1750 treadmill are:

No massive screen
No massive Incline
No Heart-rate monitor included

If you buy the Volkswagen Golf from Nordictrack you can not expect it to be a Jeep or Ferrari. It does not come with a massive flashy 32inch screen or a challenging 40% incline. To be honest these are features that you do not need for a good treadmill run. Still, this is not the machine to show off with to your friends if you are filthy rich. If that is the game you are playing, get the 32i.

Alternatives to the Nordictrack1750 treadmill

Alternatives to the 1750 treadmill are:

If space is one of your main concerns and you can therefore not fit a 1750 into your home or you want to optimize your gym floor, the T 6.5 might be a better alternative. This treadmill is not as wide and also shorter and therefore saves space in your home.

If your main goal is to burn calories as fast as possible you might want to consider the Rogue Echo bike as an alternative to the Nordictrack 1750. You will save almost $1000 and a lot of space while burning more calories per minute. Especially the Tabata intervals on the Rogue Echo bike will kick your backside.

The true form runner is a different concept of the treadmill which is self-propelled rather than driven by a motor. It is more expensive than the 1750 but better suited for athletes who want to do sprints and practice sudden braking and acceleration on a treadmill.

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.