Best Ellipticals Compared: ProForm vs. NordicTrack
Say you were about to get the best deal of your life on exercise equipment, but the catch is that you only had 10 seconds to decide between multiple models. If you can’t decide, you lose the deal. What would you do? Where would you turn?
While you may not face this scenario in everyday life, the truth is that you’ll still have to make quick, confident decisions when outfitting your home gym. Luckily, that doesn’t mean you have to spend hours doing painstaking research. Just sit down, relax, and check out our Best Ellipticals Compared series.
That’s right: We’re putting top brands head to head so you can choose exercise equipment without all the hassle. Today, ProForm and NordicTrack are in the ring, and they’re ready to battle it out for a place in your home gym.
Let’s find out which elliptical will come out on top!
ProForm Carbon E7
The ProForm Carbon E7 is truly a sight to behold. With two sets of hand grips, a built-in screen, and oversized pedals for maximum comfort during your workout, this machine would make an impressive addition to any home gym. From long-time elliptical fans to total newcomers, the Carbon E7 has something for everyone to fall in love with.
Details And Specs
Here at Elliptical.com, we have a discerning eye when it comes to features. The Carbon E7 wouldn’t have earned a spot in our competition without some seriously next-level details, so let’s take a look at what this elliptical has to offer:
Technology
- 7” Smart HD Touchscreen
- Audio auxiliary port
- Dual 2” speakers
Functionality
- 19” power-adjustable stride
- 325 Lb. user weight capacity
- 24 resistance levels with SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- 0% – 20% incline range
Comfort
- Water bottle holder
- CoolAire™ Workout Fan
- Soft Touch upper-body grips
- Adjustable, oversized, cushioned pedals
iFIT®
If you’re looking for an exercise experience that helps you get the most out of your elliptical, you’ve come to the right place. The ProForm Carbon E7 is fully iFIT-compatible and comes with a three-year Family Membership, so you’ll have access to an ever-expanding library of workouts led by world-renowned trainers and athletes. iFIT sold separately. Here’s a closer look:
- Studio Classes: With an iFIT studio class, you’ll be fully immersed in your workout with other members in an energy-pumping atmosphere while your instructor guides and encourages you during your entire workout.
- Global Destinations: Want to explore breathtaking destinations without leaving your elliptical? With iFIT, you can take your routine to locations like Hawaii, Scotland, Italy, and more without ever leaving home.
- Cross-Training: iFIT includes workouts for multiple equipment types, which means you can experiment with different workout types on different machines.
- HIIT: High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, is your chance to mix up a steady routine. iFIT trainers help you exercise in intervals of high- and low-intensity movement to keep you on your toes and get the most out of every workout you do on your elliptical.
NordicTrack Commercial 14.9
Next up, we have the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9. It has hand grips and pedals that easily rival those offered by the ProForm Carbon E7, and a large touchscreen that is truly a wonder to behold. There’s a reason why we chose the Commercial 14.9 as our second participant: It grabs your attention from the very first glance.
Details And Specs
Not to be outdone by its ProForm competitor, the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 boasts plenty of features and functions that could fit perfectly into your home gym. Here are a few of our favorites:
Technology
- 14” Smart HD Touchscreen
- Bluetooth® audio capabilities
- Google Maps™ workout technology (iFIT membership required)
- Two 2” digitally-amplified speakers
Functionality
- 17.5” – 18.7” auto adjustable stride
- 350 Lb. user weight capacity
- 26 digital resistance levels
- 0% – 20% incline range
Comfort
- Water bottle holder
- AutoBreeze™ workout fan
- Soft Touch upper-body grips
- Oversized cushioned pedals
iFIT
The Commercial 14.9 is fully iFIT-compatible and comes with a free 30-day Family Membership. That means you can expect an elite personal training experience, complete with iFIT coaches who can automatically control your elliptical’s resistance and incline levels to help you get the most out of your machine. Even if you choose to take your elliptical workout to one of many exotic locations, the Commercial 14.9 can match the terrain and make you feel like you’re on a true adventure with every step.
Which Elliptical Wins
With two equally powerful ellipticals in the ring, it’s time to put them head to head. Let’s see which brand is the winner!
Similarities
Before the final clash, let’s take a step back and see what our competitors have in common. Both machines offer:
- Impressive incline range of 0% — 20%
- A water bottle holder
- A convenient workout fan
- A Smart HD touchscreen
- Soft Touch upper-body grips
- 2” digitally-amplified speakers
- Oversized cushioned pedals
- iFIT interactive training compatibility
- Free 30-Day iFIT Trial offer
Differences
It’s finally time to decide which elliptical is best. Let’s take a look at their most important differences:
- Weight Capacity: The ProForm Carbon E7 has a weight capacity of 325 Lbs., whereas the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 offers 350 Lbs.
- Stride: The ProForm Carbon E7 has a 19” stride which is slightly longer than the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9, which extends to 18.7”.
- Resistance: If you want 26 resistance levels, the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 is your new best friend. The ProForm Carbon E7 has 24 resistance levels.
- Technology: With Bluetooth® capabilities and digitally-amplified speakers, the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 has everything you want when it comes to audio — and if you want to design your own workout route somewhere in the world, only the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 offers Google Maps™ technology.
And The Winner Is….
Today, the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical comes out on top!
After comparing and contrasting, we decided the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 would take home the trophy thanks to its robust resistance and technology offerings. It’s the complete package — and with iFIT trainers and workouts right at your fingertips, you’ll be making the most of this machine in no time.
Conclusion
Although NordicTrack won today, you never know what could happen next time our favorite ellipticals go head to head. Until then, check out our Elliptical Buyer’s Guide for more tips, tricks, specs, and stats to consider on exercise equipment for home gyms — and don’t forget to keep an eye out for more of our Best Ellipticals Compared series!
This article is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Elliptical.com assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment. iFIT memberships start at $15/mo. + tax, and auto-renew unless canceled in advance. Cancel at any time. Credit Card required for activation. Internet and WiFi required.
Sources:
https://elliptical.com/category/best-ellipticals/
https://www.proform.com/ellipticals/carbon-e7
https://elliptical.com/proform-carbon-e7-elliptical-review/
https://elliptical.com/ifit-elliptical-support-getting-started-with-ifit/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrnDQ2CYBRg
https://www.nordictrack.com/front-drive-ellipticals/commercial-14.9
https://elliptical.com/ways-to-get-a-great-elliptical-workout/