The Nordictrack Commercial 14.9 is NordicTrack’s top-of-the-line elliptical with a 14” touchscreen. The Commercial 14.9 has a 17.5” – 18.7” stride length, 26 levels of digital resistance and inclines to a 20% grade. Ellipticals are a good way to get a low-impact workout that targets all your major muscle groups in your legs, chest, back, and arms. The smooth forward/back motion of the pedals reduces joint impact and the fluid motion of the synchronized handles and pedals reduces strain on the elbows, shoulders, knees, and hips. The Nordictrack 14.9 also has an impressive 350-pound weight capacity, making it a good option for users of all sizes. While it offers an exceptional home workout, Nordictrack has it reasonably priced at under $2000. In this review of the NordicTrack 14.9 Elliptical, I’ll go over how this premium machine performed for us.
Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The NordicTrack 14.9 Elliptical
It is our goal to test out equipment that comes into our studio so that we can create thorough reviews for you at home. We want you to make informed buying decisions and we know that with large equipment like ellipticals, it is next to impossible to try them out before you buy them. In our reviews like this one, you can trust that we’ve put time on the elliptical machine so we can share our experience using it with you.
We also compare a new piece of fitness equipment to comparable models. During our testing of the NordicTrack 14.9 Elliptical, we compared it to the NordicTrack FS14i, and Sole E95 Elliptical, as well as other similar machines like the ProForm HIIT H14.
Our NordicTrack 14.9 Elliptical Review Video
- The 14” touch screen is clear and enabled with iFit to offer thousands of guided workouts.
- The pedals are oversized with an adjustable angle to work for users of various sizes and cushioned to feel comfy, smooth, and stable when wearing any kind of athletic shoe.
- This is a reasonably priced and quiet-to-use elliptical.
- The handles offer total body training and multiple grip options depending on your height.
- The stride length is comfortable for users of a wide variety of heights.
- Tall users might be limited in their pedal range when fully inclined, due to the stationary handles.
- The incline function is a little noisy.
- It is heavy and doesn’t fold up.
Construction:
- Front Drive
- 32 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- 17.5” – 18.7” Auto Adjustable Stride
- 26 Digital Resistance Levels
- 0-20% Incline
- One Touch® Controls
- Commercial Solid Steel Construction
- Oversized Levelers
- Oversized Cushion Pedals
- 350 Lb. User Capacity
- Front-Mounted Transport Wheels
- 67″ L x 29″ W x 69″ H Footprint
- Weight: 210 lbs (In Box)
Console:
- 14” Smart HD Touchscreen
- 30-Day iFit Membership Included
- Bluetooth Audio Capabilities (For Headphones)
- Two 2” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
- Soft Touch™ Upper Body Grips
- Water Bottle Holder
Warranty:
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty
- A quiet elliptical with silent magnetic resistance
- The 14.9 is nearly silent when in use. There is very little noise from the rotation of the pedals regardless of your incline or resistance. This is a great machine to use in a bedroom or other shared space since it won’t disturb those around you.
- An elliptical with both resistance and incline
- Unlike standard ellipticals that allow for fore/aft movement of the pedals but remain on a fixed plane, the 14.9 elliptical will incline 20 levels so you can target different muscle groups and get a full body workout right in your home.
- Something that has integrated content to keep you motivated and engaged
- Nordictrack includes iFit free for the first month when you purchase the 14.9 so you have some time to test and investigate all the classes and content. Professional instructors guide you along both indoor classes and outdoor routes all over the world.
- An updated touchscreen that is now 14”
- One of the biggest obstacles to working out at home is staying motivated and engaged. We all have the best intentions, but too often fatigue and boredom get in the way. With the new 14” touchscreen, you are pulled right into the iFit program so using the 14.9 elliptical is more enjoyable. It is also easier to use and tap the touchscreen icons since they are larger on the enhanced screen.
- Low impact training that can be done at home
- Avoid the gym but retain your fitness! You can stay fit and active in the safety and comfort of your home with quality fitness equipment. The 14.9 is a good option because it offers a well-rounded workout you can do on your schedule.
- Cushioned pedals that glide smoothly with an adjustable stride length
- The combination of the extra-large pedals, extended 17.5” – 18.7” adjustable pedal stride, and 350-pound weight capacity makes the 14.9 a good option for users of all sizes.
- An elliptical priced under $2000
- You don’t need to break the bank to get quality. Nordictrack has priced the 14.9 under $2000 even with the updated touchscreen which makes it a good deal for a full-body machine.
In-depth Review of Nordictrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical
iFit
The Commercial 14.9 elliptical includes a full free month of iFit when you purchase the machine. iFit is constantly being updated and expanded. iFit is a subscription program that can be used to replace your gym membership. iFit also works as a total body workout program.
Of course, on the 14.9 you’ll be able to access elliptical workouts with an iFit membership, but you can also take walking, hiking, running, and even ice skating and cross-country skiing classes on the 14.9. Plus, there are strength training, yoga, and meditation classes available to take on a mat. Biking and rowing classes are available on other iFit-enabled equipment as well.
The classes are filmed indoors and outdoors with over 16,000 to choose from. The indoor classes feature the instructor facing the camera in a professional studio. The outdoor classes follow the instructor as they guide you through various locations and landscapes all over the world. The outdoor classes are our favorites and we love taking hiking classes on the NordicTrack 14.9 Elliptical.
With a subscription to iFit, the 14.9 will automatically adjust when you take a class, too. So, if you’re following a trainer up a mountain, the elliptical will incline to match the landscape. The same goes for indoor classes. When the instructor cues for you to add resistance, the 14.9 will add resistance on its own. You can adjust the elliptical whenever you want to bypass this SmartAdjust feature, too.
When you want to do some exploring on your own, you can create your own routes. The Google Map feature on iFit lets you draw a route in any place on Earth. Google Earth images of the location pop up of the route to be viewed during your workout.
Preprogrammed workouts
You don’t have to have an iFit subscription to use the 14.9 elliptical. There are preloaded workouts on the machine. However, these tend to be simpler and not video-based (except for a promotional workout of the day that shows up temporarily). These are good options for users who don’t want to pay for a subscription.
Manual mode is also available with and without a subscription to iFit. You cannot watch Netflix or access other programming or features beyond iFit on the 14.9 though.
Console
The Commercial 14.9 Elliptical has a 14” touchscreen. For viewing iFit’s classes, this screen is optimal. Any larger, and it would get in the way of the moving handles. The screen has a very limited amount of adjustability. It can be slightly tilted up and down. This helps position the screen for better visibility depending on your height. It doesn’t pivot to either side, so it might be a little challenging to see mat classes from when you’re off the elliptical. We did notice that the screen is positioned pretty low. All of our reviewers could see but we have to look down, especially our taller reviewers. On most fitness equipment, we have to look slightly down to see the screens, but this one is, unfortunately, a little low for our liking.
You’re able to browse iFit, view your workout metrics, change the music station, and adjust the elliptical from the screen. On the screen, you can easily adjust to specific resistance and incline levels. I like these buttons for making quick adjustments. Below the screen are additional buttons for adjusting the fan, speakers, incline level, and resistance.
Large clear speakers at the top of the console project clear sound back toward you. There is also the option of using Bluetooth headphones with the 14.9 elliptical. The 14.9 will sync with Bluetooth headphones. Unfortunately, you can’t play your own music through the speakers.
Below the touchscreen is a fan that is actually pretty powerful. I’m 5’1” and it points at my face. It hits our 6’5” reviewer at his chest. It has multiple settings to control the level of airflow. I really like this fan.
From previous models, the tablet holder has been removed from this console. There really isn’t a lip or ledge to place your tablet on the console. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult/impossible to use your own device for streaming.
My phone or water bottle can fit in it. It is a little low to reach, especially when the 14.9 is fully inclined and for taller users, but it is handy for having your water nearby.
Construction
The NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical is a front-drive elliptical that’s sturdy, heavy, and large. It handles users up to 350 lbs which is a nice weight capacity that means it can handle users up to this size. This also indicates that this is a well-built machine.
Frame
The steel frame is hearty and the 14.9 feels very stable when you are on it. Sometimes ellipticals can rock or shift a little when you use them – mostly because these particular machines have more of an upright design. However, the 14.9 has a steel frame that holds the machine securely on the floor so it doesn’t shift side to side when you pedal hard or fast. The frame has a protective coating to resist dents and rust. There are also rear adjustable leveling feet to help plant it to the floor.
The 14.9 is a larger machine, as most ellipticals are. The total footprint is 67″ Long x 29″ Wide x 69″ High so it takes up a bit of space and doesn’t fold up. It is more compact than the Sole E95 Elliptical, but the size may be a factor for some users. If you have limited space, the length could be an issue. You also need to leave room for the pedals to rotate forward and back as well. The elliptical is quite heavy, but a steel handle on the base of the pedal track allows the elliptical to be lifted and rolled gently. However, we recommend placing the 14.9 where you plan to use it. A flat carpeted or hard floor with a mat underneath is recommended.
Pedals
These pedals are 15” long and 8” wide. There is a contoured ridge around the inside of each pedal, but it is open along the outer perimeter so you can get your foot on and off easier. The 14.9 pedals have a “Pedal Adjust” feature that allows you to angle the pedal up slightly at the heel to reduce foot numbness. This “Pedal Adjust” feature is very handy and easy to adjust using a retractable lever at the base of each pedal. There are three notches for different pedal angles. I personally prefer the middle setting and find it to be the most comfortable for me. Numb toes are a frequent problem with ellipticals due to the position of your foot on the pedal and the fact that your foot doesn’t lift up off the pedal at any point.
The 14.9 pedals also have corrugated foam cushioning which reduces ankle and knee stress common on other ellipticals. Nordictrack calls this the “Body Fit Cushion” since it supports proper posture and increases overall comfort. These pedals will work with any athletic shoe.
The 17.5” – 18.7” adjustable stride length is plenty of length for great low-impact movement. This range of adjustability isn’t as noticeable as in previous models. It is only about an inch of difference. Regardless of this small range, there is room for plenty of kickback and a nice forward stride. The pedal stride is like a typical elliptical and has very limited adjustability compared to the FS14i FreeStride Trainer from NordicTrack which can be used as an elliptical and a stair-stepper. This is great if you’re looking for a standard elliptical, if you want more of a hybrid machine then check out the FS14i.
Since I’m on the shorter side, this stride length feels comfortable and not too long, unlike other ellipticals. For example, the 32” length on the FS14i is too long for me. For taller users, this stride length felt nice and comparable to other ellipticals for our tallest reviewer who is 6’5”. One of the nice things about ellipticals is rather than just moving your feet forward in a straight line, the pedals lift and lower with each step. This further engages both the knee and hip joints but does not cause undue tension in either one. You can pedal backward to target your muscles differently, too.
The step-up height on the 14.9 elliptical is 12” off the floor. This is the height of the lower pedal when it is as low as it will go. When at a full level 20 incline, the lower pedal raises to 19” inches off the floor at the lowest point. Make sure to allow for necessary head clearance when using the 14.9 elliptical at its full incline.
Handles
There are two sets of handles on the 14.9 elliptical: the rotating upright handlebars and a pair of stationary handles that are attached to the machine.
It can be difficult to get on and off an elliptical, since the pedals do not lock into place, so they shift when you stand on them. Having stationary handles to hold onto makes getting on the 14.9 easier (and safer). We recommend holding these handles each time you plan to step on or off since these are attached firmly to the frame and do not move. The stationary bars are set lower so they are also easier to grab from the floor. These are also great for lower-body targeted training.
The rotating handlebars move in line with the pedals and allow for a full-body workout on the 14.9. These bars have multiple hand positions since they are an elongated rectangle at the top and they feature a textured grip so your hands don’t slip. You can place your hands in any number of places to engage the arm, chest, and back muscles. Also, the different hand positions provide different options for users of all sizes. Larger users will appreciate the higher grips while smaller users can grab the lower end of the handlebar.
Again, I’m 5’1” so the lower handles work best for me, while the upper part of the handles work best for our taller reviewers. They remind me of the handles on the ProForm HIIT H14. It is most comfortable for me to use the lower portion of those handles as well. The inclusion of upper body exercise provides a full body workout on the 14.9. The moving handlebars also include adjustment buttons so you can control your resistance and incline without having to remove your hands from the handlebars. These are placed near the top of the handles.
Flywheel
This is a front-drive elliptical so the flywheel is at the front of the machine under the handlebars. This keeps the weight directly under the console which reduces movement.
The flywheel is 32 pounds which also helps keep the machine securely on the floor. The movement between the pedals and handlebars is fluid which is in large part due to the weight of the flywheel.
Incline
The 14.9 elliptical has 20 levels of incline along with 26 levels of digital resistance. The combination of incline and resistance provides plenty of training options while you stay low-impact. Also, when you change the incline, you are able to target different muscle groups for more specified training. Inclining targets the posterior muscle groups that include the glutes, hamstrings, calves, and inner thighs. Bringing the 14.9 to a level plane without incline targets the anterior muscles of the quadriceps, tibialis anterior, and the supportive network of muscles and tendons that encloses the knee. Having different inclines is a great way to target different muscles on different days to vary your workout.
The large range of incline does position users pretty high up on the 14.9. Our tallest reviewer who is 6’5” felt like his knees were going to hit the stationary handles when he had the elliptical fully inclined. This made him a little apprehensive to use the machine at its highest level of incline.
Resistance
The 14.9 uses magnetic resistance that is virtually silent so you can use this machine in a family room or other shared space. Magnetic resistance is created by magnets that oppose the motion of the flywheel. This makes the pedals harder to push and the handles harder to pull. There are no contact points with magnetic resistance, which allows it to be silent regardless of what level of incline you are on. When moving the pedals forward and back, that resistance gets heavy quickly! For most, the 26 levels of resistance will provide plenty of tension to get in a challenging workout.
Performance & Functionality
Since the Nordictrack 14.9 uses silent magnetic resistance, the machine is very quiet when you are using it. The pedals glide and handles are attached in such a way that you can exercise without disturbing those around you. The incline motor makes some noise though. The noise is only heard when the incline is being adjusted. In general, this is a machine you can use in shared spaces. Just take note that the incline function generates sound.
Like most ellipticals, the 14.9 does require a bit of space, so make sure you have enough room before purchasing this machine. The 14.9 does not fold and the pedals extend back behind the flywheel so make sure you have enough space when getting on and off the machine. There are wheels on the front stabilizer and a steel handlebar at the base so it can be lifted and rolled when needed.
Warranty
When purchasing the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical, it comes with a standard 10-year frame warranty, 2-year parts warranty, and 1-year labor warranty. This warranty is pretty consistent with other equipment from NordicTrack. For a smooth set-up, we recommend having at least 2 people assemble the 14.9.
Bottom Line Review: NordicTrack 14.9 Elliptical
The Nordictrack 14.9 Elliptical is an impressive machine. It is quiet, smooth, and comfortable. The corrugated surface of the pedals really helps keep your foot comfortable so you can avoid numb toes during extended workouts. The 20 degrees of incline add variability to any workout and 26 digital resistance levels provide a good challenge. The fluid motion between the handles and pedals makes the 14.9 easy to use. Taller users might need to use caution when using the full incline because of the position of the stationary handles though. We do appreciate the addition of stationary handles because they make it easier to get on and off the machine. The 14.9 has a 350-pound weight capacity so it will support most users. There is a 12” step-up height, which can require users to lift the leg up and place their foot on the pedal to begin, but this isn’t much higher than an inclining treadmill. The iFit content and 14” touchscreen really keep things interesting during your workout and this is a great way to stay motivated. We recommend subscribing to iFit on the 14.9 Elliptical.
The incline motor does make some noise, but overall this is a quiet machine that is appropriate for most home spaces. If you are in the market for a quality elliptical with interactive training features and content, the Nordictrack Commercial 14.9 is a good option. We love that you get all of this for under $2000. People who are looking for the safest, easiest way to work out at home, will find the 14.9 provides impressive full-body training on a comfortable machine.
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