Elliptical trainers have become some of the most popular workout machines for both health club and home use. The ability to get a full body workout without the impact of running makes this the perfect trainer for weight loss. The Nordic Track elliptical machines are some of the most advanced and they continue to reinvent the concept.

The latest 2010 range of machines features 2 brand new designs. Not only are they incredibly robust, but they have a lot of research behind them and features unique ergonomics and many features you simply won’t find on other brands. The new iFIT technology puts Nordictrack in a whole new league and it’s the perfect solution for anyone who needs a personal trainer, but who cant afford it.

A Nordic Track elliptical can be the perfect solution for complete home fitness. The machines are strong enough to accommodate heavy use, yet some of the models can fold up for easy and compact storage. Every model has something unique to offer and depending on your budget and personal needs, there’s one for you. Below is my pick of the top 7 Nordictrack Ellipticals and why I think they are the best value for money.

It offers 2 settings for stride length with an 18’’ and 20’’ option to accommodate taller users. The machine itself can adjust to an incline of 30 degrees. This is great to vary the intensity of the workout and also to involve different muscles groups in your workout.

It comes programmed with 25 workout routines and although the iFIT is not included as standard, its fully compatible with the NordicTrack iFIT technology. The console has an iPOD dock with a built in cooling fan to keep you cool during heavy workouts.

It comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and 1 year for parts and labor. Although its quite a big machine, I like the fact that it has a storage “mode” that can save you as much as 3 feet.

Main Features:
* 30 Degree Power Intensity Ramp™
* 25 Built in Workouts
* 18-20″ Stride Length

Who Is It For: This is a great entry level elliptical and perfect for a budget under $1000. Its perfect for light commercial use or heavy residential use and it probably ideal for anyone who wants a good quality elliptical trainer at home.
User Rating: 9/10
Price: $999.00

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Pathfinder comes with the new Power Ramp feature that adjusts the incline between 10 and 35 degrees. The ability to adjust the incline greatly improves the versatility of the machine and allows for a greater variety of workouts. Its fully iFIT Interactive compatible with an interactive display, iPOD compatibility and heart rate monitor built into the handles, this machine is well worth its price.

The machine is pretty basic, but it still compares very well with the 990 Pro. The main differences are “under the hood” but the fact that the Pathfinder comes with 15 digital resistance levels and a space saver design means its probably a better solution for home use. It is however, not as stable or as hard working as the more expensive models but still more than adequate for general home use.

Main Features:
* 15°-35° Power Ramp
* Innovative New Shock System
* 18″-20″ Adjustable Stride
* 350 lb. Weight Capacity

Who Is It For: This is the ideal elliptical trainer for people on a budget. It’s the cheapest Nordic Track elliptical, but still has the main features and durability that makes it one of the top brands.
User Rating: 8/10
Price:$999.00

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

As a commercial machine, durability and heavy wear and tear is a main concern and the majority of elliptical trainers in a gym break down regularly because of the flywheel and resistance mechanism. The A.C.T is specifically designed for commercial use and is incredibly robust with its magnetic resistance. As a workout machine its designed to accommodate a wide range of users and exercises with an 18’’ to 22’’ stride length and handle bars (with heart rate sensors) for upper body training.

It comes with 20 iFIT pre-programmed without routines and is fully compatible with iFIT Interactive. For me the overall look of the machine is a bit strange but the improved ergonomics and robustness of the design makes is a great buy for anyone who needs something for heavier use. You can expect to find this machine in many of the smaller boutique gyms and at health spas. It has all the great exercise benefits of a traditional elliptical with the added benefit of withstanding heavy use in a compact machine. The A.C.T Commercial Pro model comes with loads of added extras and a top of the range flywheel mechanism and is considered as one of the most robust machines in the business.

Main Features:
* Adjustable from 18″ to 22″ Strides
* 20 iFIT® Personal Trainer Workouts
* Incredibly Compact 47″ Design
* CoolAire Workout Fan

Who Is It For: This is an inexpensive commercial machine that has great durability flexibility. Its perfect for average commercial use and for multi-user setups.
User Rating: 8/10
Price:$1,999.00

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

All and all it’s a bigger, more powerful machine and definitely more suited to heavier use. It has all the features that the A.C.T Commercial has but it does come with a much higher price tag. What you pay for is improved durability and performance and most of all it comes with a full 2 year warranty on parts (on top of the standard NordicTrack warranty).

The biggest downside is the price, but you pay for quality and this is primarily the reason for the higher price. If you can’t justify it with heavy use, then you are better off going for the cheaper model as it has the same look and feel.

Main Features:
* 18″-20″-22″ Adjustable Stride
* Brand New Heavy Weight Fly Wheel
* 350 lb. Weight Capacity

Who Is It For: This machine is specifically designed for heavy commercial use and I can highly recommend it for health clubs and heavy use with multiple users.
User Rating: 8/10
Price: $1,999.00

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

It comes with cardio handle bars, equipped with a heart rate monitor and an advanced control panel that includes an iPOD docking station, built in speaker system and a directional fan. It comes with 25 pre-programmed workouts and is fully iFIT compatible and has full wireless capability.

The warranty on the FreeStriders are standard, but they are definitely fit for light commercial use. This machines is definitely more than just another elliptical trainer and I really like the ability to target the hamstrings and gluts with the increased motion. All and all it has much better versatility and the 35S is perfect for home use. For heavy commercial use, the bigger model comes with a more robust flywheel design and an increased warranty.

Main Features:
* 35″ User Defined Variable Stride
* Durable Commercial-Built Frame
* iFit Live™ Compatible
* 300-lb. Weight Capacity

Who Is It For: This machine is for someone who wants more than just an elliptical trainer. If you want to do serious lower body workouts, then this is the machine for you.
User Rating: 8/10
Price:$1,699.00

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Buying the right elliptical trainer is primarily about meeting your fitness goals. If you buy a machine that feels uncomfortable you may not use it because the machine itself is the wrong “size” – which is the first thing you need to look for. The stride length is determined by the step pedals and the length you will step while in motion. 17’’ is the bare minimum you need to look for while 22’’ might be too much for some. Nordictrack ellipticals have adjustable stride lengths which is a great feature that allows you to adjust the machine specifically to your individual needs.

At the heart of any elliptical trainer is the resistance mechanism. Cheaper machines use belt friction which is cheap and wears out quickly. Magnetic resistance is much more sophisticated and works either manual, motorized or with a mechanism called the “eddy current break”. The eddy current break is the most advanced system since there are no moving parts and they tend to never “wear out” like motorized mechanism does.

With that in mind, durability and warrantee is a very important consideration. Elliptical trainers take a lot of punishment and with so many moving parts they do tend to break down. The first thing you need to look for is a brand name. Obviously NordicTrack is one of the big names, but Reebok, ProForm and Weslo are also good recognizable brand names. Be sure that you have a warrantee on your machine – at least 1 year for the frame and motor and preferably more.

The last thing you need to consider is the actual functionality of the machine. Eliptical trainers, like treadmills come with display consoles that allows you to use pre-programmed workout routines. Not everybody likes these, but it can be a great way to help you stay motivated and to spice up an otherwise boring workout routine. NordicTrack Elipticals actually have the new iFIT technology which puts workout programs into a whole new category and iPod docking and speaker systems are all nice extras that can make working out a lot more fun.

For home use you should also consider the size of the machine. Unlike treadmills, they can’t really fold up and space saving designs are still pretty limited. They can take up a lot of space and they are heavy to move around, so do keep that in mind and be sure to look at the various space saving designs and compare the actual sizes to before you buy.
.