Nordictrack FS14i Freestride Trainer Elliptical – How Does It Rate?
Nordictrack FS14i Freestrider
$2499
Pros
- Adaptable Stride of up to 32 Inches Means a More Comfortable Workout
- Extra Large 14-inch Console Gives a More Immersive Workout
- Incline and Decline for Better Crosstraining Options
- Stream New Studio Workouts To Your Home Every Day
- Run Trails All Over the World with iFit
- Center Drive Design Feels More Comfortable
- In-Handle Resistance and Incline Controls
- More Resistance Levels Than Other Models
Cons
- Adaptable Motion Can Take Some Practice at First
Nordictrack FS14i Review – Highlights:
The new Nordictrack FS14i Freestrider is the top-of-the-line trainer in the series.
It gives you a several benefits over other Freestride ellipticals like decline – as well as incline – and a much larger 14-inch console screen.
The Freestride elliptical itself is a new type of elliptical machine that gives something most crosstrainers don’t have – a completely adjustable stride.
While most ellipticals – even commercial machines – lock you into one set stride, the Nordictrack FS14i Freestrider gives you up a completely adjustable stride of up to 32 inches!
Basically the stride adapts to your body – not the other way around.
This gives you a more comfortable workout that’s better suited to your personal height and leg length. Plus there’s also another benefit.
Because your body is not locked into one set stride, it can’t adapt. You’re always challenging your body – which means you end up burning more calories and getting a more effective workout overall.
With the adaptable stride you can do short up and down strides like a stair climber, longer jogging strides like a standard elliptical or even longer hurdling type strides like a treadmill.
So you can basically use the FS14i crosstrainer as 3-machines-in-1.
What makes it different?
Unlike a standard elliptical design, the Freestride trainer has cushioned pedals that ride on belts rather than traditional rails attached to the crank.
This gives you more of a feeling of floating on air – and also reduces the impact on your joints, which is great for those prone to shin splints, back or knee issues.
Plus you may have noticed that this is a center drive elliptical – with two smaller flywheels on either side of the pedals.
This design has the benefit of placing you more upright on the machine – which again, feels more comfortable for many people. (You’re not leaning forward on the handlebars).
Largest Console of Any Freestride Trainer
The FS14i has an extra large screen – a full 14 inches across. It’s full-color, touch-screen and HD. This makes it easier to read your workout stats.
It also gives you a more immersive workout with the iFit world trails or streaming fitness classes.
You can also tilt the screen to find your best viewing angle. And stay cool during extra-long workouts with the dual-speed console fan.
Explore the World with iFit Coach
iFit Coach is Nordictrack’s online streaming service. You can connect to iFit through the FS14i console and do all sorts of challenging workouts.
You can stream a new workout class to your elliptical every day. Follow your favorite instructor or even take a series of workouts focusing on different things like strength training, fat burning and more.
Want to get out and see the world?
Expand your travel horizons from the comfort of your own home with the guided trail iFit workouts.
Explore the shores of Hawaii or the streets of Paris. Take a walking tour through Florence or enjoy the scenic views from the Swiss Alps.
There are thousands of iFit around-the-globe workouts to choose from.
You can follow different personal trainers who guide you through your workout, giving you motivation and tips along the way.
With iFit, you can also track your workouts over time to show you how far you’ve come (which can be very motivating). You can also use it to set and achieve new goals.
The best part?
As of this writing, if you get the Nordictrack FS14i through the Manufacturer, you can get a Full Family Memberhip to iFit Coach included for a short time. So you can try it out first to see if it’s right for you (You don’t need iFit to use the trainer – it’s an add-on option).
Click To Get iFit Included on the FS14i
Challenge Yourself with Incline – and Decline
Need more of a challenge?
The FS14i Freestride elliptical also comes with up to 10 degrees of power incline. Incline changes the slope of your workout and helps you train different lower body muscles.
Plus, you can also run downhill with up to 10 degrees of decline as well. The Nordictrack FS14i is the only Freestride model that currently comes with decline as well as incline.
You can change both your incline and resistance from the console – or from the controls on the moving arm bars. These in-handle controls are really handy because you don’t have to reach up to the console (and break up your upper body arm workout).
Nordictrack FS14i Review – Any Downsides?
The FS14i Freestrider is a premium machine – coming in at a premium price. If you’re just looking for a standard elliptical for the occasional workout, this machine might be too much.
Also, the motion itself takes a bit of getting used to. You set the stride by how hard and in which direction you push on the pedals. If you’re used to running on a standard elliptical, this feels a bit weird at first until you get used to it.
Is it Right For You?
If you’re looking for the ultimate Freestride Trainer with all the bells and whistles this year, you may want to consider the F14i model. It’s the top model in the series with some features you don’t get on other models – like decline and the much larger console screen.
You can choose your own stride and constantly change things up for a higher calorie burning workout. Plus with the iFit options you’ll never run out of new things to try – explore the world or stream a new workout class to your home.
While it’s not exactly a budget machine – if you want everything a Freestrider can give you, this is a great option.
Where to Buy and Save:
You can buy the Nordictrack Freestrider FS14i directly from the Manufacturer and get Free Shipping here.
You’ll also get the iFit Family membership included and you can see the full machine specs before you buy.
Click For A Special Offer on the FS14i Freestrider
Related:
Nordictrack Freestrider FS10i Review – A Good Buy For You?
The Nordic FreeStride Trainer series is perfect fit for me. I find it a very low-impact form of exercise – easy on my knees. In terms of the performance, mediatek chipset ensures top notch performance. There are around 35 programs built in to use alongside iFit. This is ideal for when your free iFit trial runs out in case you want to cancel your subscription (after a year) while the video workouts too are great additions.