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Nordictrack SE9i vs Assault air runner

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Sep 25, 2020 9:00:00 AM

Nordictrack SE9i vs Assault air runner

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack SE9i elliptical and the Assault air runner. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review of the Assault air runner

The Assault Air runner comes in at $3699. In this article you will learn more about the product itself, its Pros and cons and alternatives you might want to consider. This article has originally been published in the overview "Which conditioning equipment to buy from Rogue".

Overview of the Assault Air runner

 
The assault air runner is stake on the treadmill which is free of an electrical motor and highly portable. The air assault runner will be propelled by your own bodyweight. This means that it will be easier for you to accelerate and break during your workouts to simulate real-life conditions in running. The specifications of the Assault air runner are:
 
  • Product weight 280LB 
  • Color black 
  • Length 69.9”
  • Width 32.8”
  • Height 32.8” 
 
This machine has been endorsed by the CrossFit community and Rogue Fitness. The area for footfall is curved to minimize the impact. This makes it easier for the joints compared to regular treadmills. You will also buy this from a multi-product company which has been around for a while. This is especially important if you are going to buy for commercial use and make heavy use of the service and warranty that comes with the machine. 
 

Pros of the Assault Air runner

 
These are the pros of the Assault air runner compared to other similar products and for endurance needs 
 
  • Lightweight 
  • Price 
  • Company 
  • Innovative 
  • Monitor 
 
Compared to other treadmills and the TrueFrom runner it is lightweight and mobile. The fact that it comes in wheels is especially good for a gym setup where you like to change group setups a lot. You can clearly see that Assault went with the TrueForm runner design and optimized it for CrossFit gyms. 
 
The price is also a big advantage when you compare like for like. There are two main options out there when you want a self-propelled treadmill. The assault air runner has about a $2000 advantage in the TrueForm runner. That is a considerable amount of money when you buy for your home gym or multiple units for a gym outlet. 
 
Assault has been around for roughly 20 years and has solid revenue streams from three different product lines. With this piece of equipment, you are likely to get proper support and background for your needs. TrueForm hasn’t been around that long and their channels are a bit less developed. 
 
Compared to other treadmills and ellipticals the experience with the assault runner for yourself or your client will be more innovative compared to other options. This  Ingram attracts some extra clients as you differentiate from the next gym around the corner. Especially the ones who appreciate quality and might pay a higher price. 
 
The monitor on the Assault air runner is better than the one on the TrueForm runner based on some reports. If you care about the settings on a machine you propel yourself this might be a deciding factor for you. 
 

Cons of the Assault air runner

  • Price 
  • Me too approach 
  • Mechanics 
  • Fewer options
 
Price can also be a con when you compare the outcome rather than like for like. If your main goal is to improve your endurance and lose weight without being specific to running there are options which are a lot more budget friendly. The Rogue echo bike would be one of them which still gives you a kick up the bum without costing as much as an entire home gym. 
 
This is more of an ethical one, but if you support innovation you might want to go for the TrueForm runner. The original idea seems to have come from the first in a well-executed way. Assault just has the experience to copy and mass produce the idea more efficiently and effectively which will probably win the market for self-propelled treadmills. 
 
Based on some reports I have read and seen the air assault runner accelerates in an unnatural way making you way faster than you actually should be. The TrueForm runner seems to be doing a better job correcting your posture and simulating real-world conditions. 
 
With the TrueForm runner, you can also choose between a field turf and running track surface which the Assault air runner does not offer. If you want to make your training even more specific this might swing it against it. 
 

Alternatives to the Assault Air runner

 
These are the alternative to the assault air runner
 
 
The TrueForm runner is the original in the market for self-propelled treadmills. If you want a machine for your football athletes to warm up on before going o the field, this is probably the right choice. Who cares about $1000 to $2000 more a pop if the guys running on these things are paid $100000 a match? If you can afford it or if you don’t buy in bulk, the TrueForm runner might be the choice just to have the best. 
 
The rogue echo bike is the realistic version for the home gym to still get a great workout in. A good air bike workout will gas you out and the design is a little more up to date than for the original assault air bike. 
 
For the price of one air assault bike, you can even add a Rogue RM6 rack to your shopping list in addition to the Rogue echo bike. This leaves you with a full gym excluding barbells and plates. Count another $1000 for that. 
 
If you want to spend some extra money for your home for something that is super effective the Versaclimber H might be for you. You still save $1000 compared to the Assault air runner and have a machine that burns the most calories over time per square feet. The vertical climb at home is the most intense thing you can do for your cardiovascular fitness. 
 

Summary for the Assault air runner

 
The assault air runner is a lower cost option on the idea of self-propelled treadmills. You will buy a piece of equipment from a company with a long tenure which has other products in the market. If you always want the best you probably ought to go for the TrueForm runner. If you want to provide for your gym or use this innovative idea without breaking the bank, go for the TrueForm runner.
 

Further reading

 
 
 
 

Overview and review of the Nordictrack SE9i $1799

This is a review of the Nordictrack SE9i 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 SE9i elliptical

 
The SE9i elliptical is the flagship rear-drive elliptical from Nordictrack. Its main features are a 7-inch touch screen, 18-flywheel, and 10% incline. The full list of features includes: 
 
  • 7” Smart HD Touchscreen
  • Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership**
  • Integrated Tablet Holder
  • 0 - 10° Power Adjustable Incline
  • Auxiliary Music Port
  • Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • Integrated, QuickTouch™ Handle Controls
  • Adjustable, Oversized Cushion Pedals
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
  • Rear Drive
  • 18 Lb. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
  • SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  • 24 Digital Resistance Levels
  • 10% Power Adjustable Incline
  • One Touch® Controls
  • Commercial Solid Steel Construction
  • EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
  • iFit Bluetooth® Smart Chest Strap Included
  • 325 Lb. User Weight Capacity
  • 30 Preset Workout Apps
  • Integrated Handle Controls for Ramp and Resistance
  • Out-of-the-Box Easy Assembly
  • Rear-mounted Transport Wheels
  • Water Bottle Holder
  • Vertical SpaceSaver® Design
  • 78.7" L x 31.9" W x 66.4" H Footprint
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is the fancy version of the two rear-drive Nordictrack ellipticals with a touch screen. If you do not need a touch screen you can go for the SE7i instead.
 

Pros of the SE9i

 
The pros of the SE9i are:
 
  • Price 
  • Touch screen
 
Compared to the rest of the Nordictrack portfolio the SE9i is relatively cheap, even though it is the most expensive rear-drive elliptical in stock.  Compared to the lower cost SE7i it has the advantage of the 7-inch touch screen.
 

Cons of the SE9i elliptical

 
The cons of the Se9i elliptical are:
 
  • 18-pound flywheel
  • Size
  • Price
For buying something rather low tier from a vendor the price is still pretty high. If you want to save money, go all the way and get a machine that has been stripped of most things and focuses on the essentials. Otherwise, go for a different vendor or fitness machine where you can acquire the top tier products for $2000. 
 

Alternatives to the Se9i elliptical

 
The alternatives to the SE9i elliptical are:
 
 
The Nordictrack SE7i saves you an additional $600 by cutting out the touch screen in exchange for a backlit display. This will help you to save further money.
 
The concept 2 rower is a great alternative for someone who wants to go hard but has problems standing for along time. You have two different models you can choose from, the Model E and model D. 
 
The Rogue echo bike at $700 is, in my opinion, one of the strongest contestants for the best home gym workout machine. It is compact, affordable and packs a punch.
 

Summary for the SE9i elliptical

 
All in all, the Se9i is a rear-drive elliptical with a touch screen that has seen its best days. Newer designs have taken over and offer better value for money from Nordictrack. The only thing which would tempt me to go for a rear-drive is the folding option and if I was 20 years older.
 

Topics: Treadmill