NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical Review | Hit Your Stride

Dimensions/Storability

The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical is pretty narrow. It has a typical front-flywheel design and provides a standard elliptical experience. Because it has a front flywheel, this helps to cut down on the overall size compared to rear-flywheel ellipticals. The AirGlide 14i is still a large machine, though.

Its dimensions are 69″ L x 25″ W x 71″ H.

It doesn’t fold up and weighs 244 lbs when it comes in the box, so it isn’t exactly light. We recommend keeping it in the space where you plan on using it and not moving it often. It can be moved, though. There is a rear-mounted metal transport handle built into the rear floor stabilizer so you can lift the back end of the elliptical up to engage the front transport wheels.

It’s heavy and not realistic for some people to move, at least on their own, so keep this in mind.

As far as floor space, you’ll want to factor in the overall dimensions with a few feet surrounding the elliptical to allow the handles and pedals to move freely.

The 14i inclines and declines, so consider your ceiling height and floor space to make sure you can use this elliptical in your home. The highest step when the AirGlide is fully inclined is 26″ tall, with the pedals adjusted to the highest setting. We recommend adding around 30″ to your height to determine the minimum ceiling height you’ll need to use the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Some ellipticals come with touch screens that feature subscription training content. When training at home, this is nice to have for guidance and to help keep you from getting bored. The NordicTrack 14i has a touch screen and the option to stream iFIT.

Here’s what you can expect with an iFIT membership on the AirGlide.

iFIT

iFIT has 17,000 trainer-led workouts and counting. All of the workouts are available in a variety of disciplines and can be streamed directly from fitness equipment like treadmills, exercise bikes, rowers, and ellipticals from brands such as NordicTrack and ProForm.

Being a premium standard elliptical from NordicTrack, the AirGlide 14i has a touch screen and allows access to all of the content and training features that iFIT offers. iFIT is $39 per month for a membership. If you’re a current member, you might want to take advantage of the 1, 2, or 3-year memberships that iFIT offers when buying this elliptical.

The 1-year membership is $396 which comes out to $33 per month. The 2-year membership is $699 which is around $29 per month, and the 3-year membership is $899 which is around $25 per month. So, if you buy a membership ahead of time, you can cut down on the monthly cost.

iFIT features indoor studio classes and outdoor classes that are filmed all over the world.

Each class is led by an instructor. The indoor classes have a camera that points at the instructor. These workouts are modeled after in-person studio fitness classes. There are workouts filmed on ellipticals that you can take whenever you want.

The outdoor workouts follow the instructor as they lead you through all kinds of locations. Since the trainer isn’t on an elliptical outside, there are walking, jogging, running, hiking, HIIT, and even roller-blading, snow-shoeing, and ice-skating workouts that you can take on the NordicTrack AirGlide.

You definitely have a lot of options for workouts on the 14i and the ability to choose from thousands of classes.

You can also create your own workout routes using the Google Map feature. This feature displays a Google Map of the world where you can draw routes. Google Images of the location display on the screen with your workout metrics during the workout. This is a nice option for when you don’t want to follow along with an instructor.

For music, iFIT has a Feed.fm music feature. Preselected playlists of songs split into different genres play in the background of iFIT workouts. Music isn’t integrated into the workouts like it is on other platforms. I would like to see the indoor studio classes incorporate music into them in the future. Keep in mind that you can’t play content from your own device through the speakers.

Overall, iFIT has a lot to offer, and I highly recommend checking out the outdoor classes on the AirGlide 14i Elliptical. They help to make this elliptical more fun to use.

Onboard Workouts

The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i can be used without a subscription to iFIT. There is a free featured iFIT workout available to take and a manual mode. Manual mode is also available to use with iFIT.

Note: Streaming from outside apps, like Netflix, aren’t available on the touch screen. You either have access to the featured iFIT workout and manual mode or iFIT’s entire library of workouts when you subscribe to the membership.

Console

The console features a 14″ touch screen. This is usually around the largest screen size that we see on ellipticals. It’s centered and easy to see. The screen and console overall are positioned a little low though. I’m about 5’1″ and it’s a good height for me, but it is positioned a little bit low for our taller experts who are over 6’0″.

The console and screen don’t pivot to either side or tilt up and down, like NordicTrack’s Commercial Series treadmills. It’s a little hard to see for training off the elliptical with iFIT, but it’s doable. You can also use iFIT on the app on your phone or smart TV for yoga and strength classes.

Adjusting the AirGlide is easy with the adjustment buttons on the moving handlebars.

The resistance adjusts on the right, and the incline adjusts on the left. These buttons are easy to reach and convenient to use. You can also adjust the resistance and incline on the touch screen and on the console. There aren’t quick-adjusting buttons to jump incline and resistance levels, but adjusting by using the touch screen lets you get to specific levels fairly quickly.

The NordicTrack 14i Elliptical also automatically adjusts with iFIT. The Auto-Adjust feature changes the resistance and incline to match the format of the iFIT class. Once you take multiple classes, this feature will remember how you performed in previous workouts and suggest specific resistance levels in future workouts.

The incline and decline adjust to match the terrain of the outdoor workouts. So, if you’re taking a hike up a mountain, the AirGlide 14i will adjust the incline to simulate it.

The speakers are clear to offer a good volume range. You can also pair your Bluetooth headphones to them. Below the speakers is a fan that has multiple airflow settings. It provides a good breeze that hits my neck when I’m using the 14i.

As far as storage, the AirGlide has an oversized cup holder below the console. The cup holder is a bit low, but it holds a standard water bottle or phone. There isn’t a place to put your phone or tablet to stream content from, although you could position the AirGlide 14i in front of a TV if you don’t want to subscribe to iFIT.

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Build Quality

It’s a large machine that’s quiet and made for home use. It provides a standard elliptical workout to target your full body while being friendly on your joints. Although the touch screen and iFIT streaming elevate this elliptical, the overall build quality pairs well with the tech features.

The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i has a functional front-drive design.

To start, the AirGlide 14i has a 300 lb weight limit to handle users up to that weight. This capacity is standard for most NordicTrack equipment. Now, let’s dive into all of the components of the body of this elliptical.

Frame

The steel frame supports the base of the elliptical. Even though it is a narrow design, the steel front and rear floor stabilizers are wide to provide a good base of support. You don’t have to worry about rocking or tipping while using the AirGlide 14i.

There are two feet under each stabilizer on which the elliptical sits.

In our testing, we found the NordicTrack AirGlide to be sturdy and stable to use.

Pedals

The pedals are oversized and padded. They work well with athletic shoes and different-sized shoes. When measured, they are around 16″ long and 9″ wide. The front and inner parts of each pedal have a rim to help keep your feet from sliding off.

The padding is comfortable and textured to help prevent slipping, too.

Along with the comfortable padding, the pedals’ angles are adjustable to help reduce foot numbness, which is a common problem for elliptical trainers since your feet don’t entirely lift off of each pedal through every stroke. The handles under each pedal are where you can adjust the angle of the pedals in three different positions. You can angle them to be more flat or to position your heels up higher than your toes.

I prefer the flatter angle, but it’s nice having different positions to choose from.

Although the stride length says it is adjustable from 17.8″ to 18.5″, it doesn’t adjust like the NordicTrack FS14i FreeStride Trainer. The stride adjusts on its own from when the elliptical is inclined and when it isn’t. Even though it adjusts, it isn’t noticeable while you’re using the elliptical. The difference of less than an inch isn’t noticeable.

This stride length is great for users of most heights.

I’m 5’1″, and it is comfortable for me, as it is for Matt, who is 6’5″. The pedal strides move in a standard elliptical fashion, which is primarily forward and back.

Handles

There are two sets of handles: moving handles that move in conjunction with the pedals and non-moving handles.

The moving handles work your upper body and allow for people of different heights to have spots to grip. I prefer using the lower half of these handles, while our tall team members like the upper half. These handles don’t have multiple grip options to work your muscles differently, though, like most of Sole’s ellipticals. The handles are vertical.

The inner non-moving handles are also vertical. These are positioned well within reach. These handles are designed for targeted lower-body training. You can hold onto them and focus on isolating your lower body while using the 14i Elliptical.

I also like using them for when I get on and off the elliptical. The pedals can be moved even when the machine is turned off so having a non-moving piece, such as these handles, makes mounting and dismounting easier.

Flywheel

The flywheel is at the front of the elliptical, under the console. This design makes the NordicTrack AirGlide a front-drive elliptical machine. The flywheel is pretty heavy at 32 lbs. When it comes to the overall stability and quality of ellipticals, the weight of the flywheel is a contributing factor. Ellipticals with flywheels over 20 lbs tend to be more stable, reliable, and sturdy to use than ones with lighter flywheels.

The AirGlide 14i flywheel is an ideal weight, and it provides a smooth and consistent stroke.

Incline

The incline and decline mechanism is fixed under the pedals, and it raises and lowers them to change the grade. This feature changes your positioning on the elliptical to target your muscles a little differently.

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Something to keep in mind is that the incline and decline feature is a little noisy and slow to adjust. It only makes noise when the elliptical is adjusting the level of incline and decline, though. Otherwise, this elliptical is quiet to use.

Resistance

The adjustable magnetic resistance, which features 26 levels, is practically silent. It is smooth and provides a great range of tension to pedal and move the handles against. The resistance starts out fairly light during the lower levels and gets heavy quickly. The 26 levels provide a good workout—another reason the AirGlide 14i is a valuable home cardio machine.

Warranty

The AirGlide 14i Elliptical comes with NordicTrack’s standard warranty. The frame is backed with a 10-year warranty, parts are covered for two years, and labor is included for one year. It is a good idea to have two people for setup due to the size and weight of this machine.

Should You Buy the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical

The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical is a premium elliptical machine from NordicTrack. It showcases many of the brand’s strengths which include iFIT, thoughtful tech features, and a functional design. The 14″ touch screen makes streaming iFIT interactive with thousands of different workouts to choose from, as well as Auto-Adjust that allows for hands-free training.

In addition to iFIT, the AirGlide 14i provides a comfortable and smooth, low-impact workout. It works your entire body while providing a standard elliptical experience. The pedal length is comfortable for most heights, and the 14i handles people up to 300 lbs. It’s sturdy and mostly quiet, with 26 levels of magnetic resistance, a 15% incline, and a -5% decline range.

We especially recommend it if you’re looking for an elliptical with top-notch training content.

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NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical Q&A / FAQ

Can you stream Netflix on the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical?

Netflix and other 3rd party streaming apps aren’t available to stream from on the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i. iFIT is available to stream with a membership. iFIT includes thousands of trainer-led workout videos to follow along with. Without a membership, you can access manual mode to do your own workouts, as well as a free featured iFIT workout.

Can you pedal backward on a NordicTrack elliptical?

You can pedal backward on the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical.

Are NordicTrack ellipticals good?

NordicTrack offers standard ellipticals and hybrid machines that include touch screens for interactive training features with iFIT. The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is a standard elliptical with a horizontal pedal motion. The NordicTrack FS14i FreeStride Trainer is a 3-in-1 machine that has an adjustable stride to go from horizontal to vertical, depending on how you want to use it.

What is the difference between the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i and the NordicTrack FS14i Freestride Trainer?

Both of these machines are premium models from NordicTrack. The AirGlide 14i is a standard, front-drive elliptical. It provides a typical elliptical workout with moving pedals and handles. The FS14i has moving pedals and handles, but the pedal stride is very adjustable. It is 32″ long at its max, but it can be shortened to mimic a stair-stepper pedal motion while pedaling.

Both machines are large, but the FS14i requires more room in front to accommodate the large movement of the pedals. For a standard elliptical, the AirGlide 14i is fairly compact due to the front-drive design.

Is this NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical review a paid review?

We were not paid to make this NordicTrack AirGlide 14i review. We do have affiliate links that allow us to make commissions from purchases made through those links. This is how we make money while being able to provide unbiased reviews.

Several brands, including NordicTrack, send us their ellipticals to test, which allows us to create these reviews and recommend the best elliptical machines on the market because we’ve used them.

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