Nordictrack SE9i vs Run rocket

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack SE9i elliptical and the Run Rocket. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the Run rocket

The Run Rocket comes in at $1999. 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 Run Rocket

The run rocket is a piece of acceleration equipment which especially helps for sprint and acceleration training. This machine will be very useful for

Football players
Rugby players
Soccer players
Tennis players

And any other sport where you have to sprint and change direction often. The Run rocket has adjustable resistance and comes with the following specifications:

Length 37“
Width 28“
Height 40“
Weight 165l
44lb Flywheel

The big difference to many other machines or sleds is that the run rocket provides consistent resistance when you are running forward and does not pull back on you. Sleds have the challenge that they have an uneven resistance and also not truly mimic a running pattern. Bands and straps simulate a real running resistance, but the pullback leaves your athletes exposed to injury risk. The run rocket solves both of these problems for sprinting work.

Pros of the Run Rocket

The pros of the run rocket are:

Sturdy
No pull back
Easy swap

This machine is built like a professional lawnmower. It can be left outside and survives rain and other weather conditions. It’s the ideal companion for the pitch.

The resistance immediately stops when the forward pull ceases. This makes it a good machine for sprint work without breaking any ankles.

With the hook and click system, you can easily swap between athletes to get a good workout in for the entire team. Parachutes are way more complicated to handle.

Cons of the Run rocket

The cons of the run rocket are

Space requirements
Price

To work effectively with the run rocket you need access to a pitch. This machine is a waste of your time and money if it is placed into a tiny gym or back garden. You need the necessary space to do a bit of distance for your sprint work.

Compared to other sprint Resistance options like bands and harnesses the run rocket is ten times the price and also does not include the necessary vests for the entire team. They would come in at an additional $50 to $100 a player depending on what you are getting.

Alternatives to the Run rocket

Resistance bands

Resistance bands of all forms and lengths can be an alternative to the run rocket. While less easy to use and setup they come in at a fraction of the cost.

Summary for the Run rocket

The run rocket is the right option for professional training facilities which focus on speed. If you are lucky enough to be a world class athlete who has a pitch in their own home and to whom $2000 are peanuts tja this is a gijd piece of equipment to get. You can spend a whole lot of more money on things which will do a lot less for your professional development.

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.