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Many ellipticals look quite similar, but they’re not created equal. Quality, function, and ease of use can vary drastically between brands, making it challenging to choose the best option.

If you’re looking to purchase an elliptical trainer for your home gym, the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 is an excellent choice. It’s a high-end, tech-forward elliptical machine, designed to provide a wide array of workout options and resistance levels.

It features adjustable stride length, an adjustable incline ranging from 0-20%, and 26 digital resistance levels, allowing it to be customized for any user who wants a low-impact cardio workout.

Users can join both live and on-demand classes led by world-class trainers. The incline and intensity of your machine automatically adjust during your workout. This is great for those who want to focus on their effort, rather than adjusting resistance and incline every few minutes. You can also manually increase or decrease the incline during your workout.

In this review, I’ll explain all the features of this elliptical, including the good, the bad, and all the things you should consider before purchasing this piece of equipment for your home gym.

Buy the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical ($1,799)

The 14.9 is a front-drive elliptical, meaning the flywheel is in the front of the machine. This allows for more incline, and generally speaking, a more affordable price. (Rear-drive ellipticals tend to be more expensive, and don’t allow you to use as many angles, though they are usually quieter and have a flatter movement, for a more natural feel.) This elliptical also uses NordicTrack’s Silent Magnetic Resistance technology with a 32 pound flywheel for a smooth, silent ride. This technology means that the resistance comes from magnetic forces, so you don’t have any grinding noises or resistance that wears down over time.

The 14.9 also has smart features, like heart rate tracking, Bluetooth connectivity, and the ability to save data for multiple users, plus live classes that are powered by iFit. The smart features and live classes are powered by iFit, which is a paid subscription. You can still use your elliptical manually without iFit, but most of the advertised features are only included with iFit. You’ll receive a 30-day free trial, then you’ll have to choose one of their three payment tiers: a Yearly Family Plan for $396/year, a Monthly Family Plan for $39/month, or a Yearly Individual Plan for $180/year.

The best feature of the NordicTrack 14.9 elliptical is its integration with iFit. Your iFit membership provides studio classes and live sessions, and allows you to virtually work out anywhere, thanks to its Google maps street view integration. You can also use the travel feature, which allows you to choose from a host of locations around the world, where an iFit coach will lead you through a prerecorded virtual workout, followed by a camera. For example, if you choose a workout that takes you to the Iberian peninsula, the camera will follow the trainer as he or she runs down the rocky trail, showing you the views of the coast and sea as if you were actually there, and your incline and resistance will match the trainer.

The 14” HD touch screen displays your chosen class, or a detailed look at your stats if you’re using manual mode. You’ll be able to see your resistance, heart rate, calories burned and incline, and track your stats over time with your saved user account. Up to four users can login to save their workout stats over time, though it’s not clear whether there’s unlimited room to store those stats.

You can also choose full-body iFIT workout programs that take you off the elliptical and target all the major muscle groups.

When you’re away from your elliptical, you can access your iFit subscription on your phone, and take advantage of the thousands of interactive workouts, including walking, running, cycling, hiking, strength training, and yoga classes, all led by personal trainers.

The built-in fan is another nice touch, which provides a breeze during intense workouts without taking up extra space in your home gym.

Buy the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical ($1,799)

According to some reviewers, assembly can be quite challenging. Set aside a decent chunk of time, have someone nearby to help if needed, and read the manual before beginning.

At $1,800, this isn’t the most expensive elliptical on the market, but it’s still a significant investment. You can take advantage of 0% financing, making this more accessible for many users. When you factor in the iFit subscription ($180+ for one year), the costs can add up even more. You can still use your elliptical manually without iFit, but most of the advertised features (like guided classes and outdoor workouts) are only included with iFit.

You’ll receive a 30-day free trial with the purchase of the elliptical and then can continue with one of their three payment tiers: a Yearly Family Plan for $396/year, a Monthly Family Plan for $39/month, or a Yearly Individual Plan for $180/year.

The 14.9 includes built-in heart rate monitoring via handlebar sensors, which it uses to adjust your resistance and keep you in the target heart rate zone. However, handlebar sensors are not the most accurate may skew your workout. You could use a chest strap or other heart rate monitor, though that would be a separate purchase.

Finally, while this elliptical does have a water bottle holder, there’s no built-in phone or tablet holder, as the touchscreen display is completely flat, with no ledges to hold things. If you like to watch TV or movies on your phone while exercising, you’ll need to rig up a stand or clip yourself. (You won’t be able to watch them through the machine’s screen.)

Anyone looking for a versatile, easy to use exercise machine for their home gym will love the NordicTrack 14.9 elliptical. While it doesn’t offer too much in the way of strength training, you’ll still engage your arms, and the thousands of iFit classes supplement the elliptical nicely.

For anyone who’s ever struggled with ankle, knee, hip, or back pain while exercising, the smooth motion allows you to work toward your fitness goals without any pain. You won’t need to guess what you should be doing, either, since you can choose a virtual class that perfectly matches your fitness level.

While treadmills can be jarring on your joints, your arms and feet never leave the elliptical which eliminates some potential for irritation or injury.

Buy the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical ($1,799)

First, anyone on a budget may want to consider something else. At $1,799, it’s one of the more expensive options on the market. If you don’t need the built-in screen and classes, there are cheaper ellipticals that don’t include the digital touchscreen, virtual classes, or Bluetooth integration.

Ellipticals are designed to provide a cardiovascular workout first and foremost, so if you’re a strength athlete, or want something that provides more of a full-body workout, you’ll likely want to choose a different option. And lastly, this elliptical has a 350 pound weight capacity, so some users may be unable to safely use this machine.

We like that you can pair headphones to the machine to listen to a class, which comes in handy if you don’t want to disturb other people in your surroundings. If you’re not following a class, you can pair your smartphone with this machine, and your chosen music will play through a pair of speakers while you work out. Many people don’t like working out with headphones once they start sweating, so having built-in speakers is a nice touch.

The NordicTrack 14.9 allows you to save up to four user profiles, who can access iFit programs on any smartphone device. (iFIT’s family plan allows for four profiles as well.) This allows multiple people in the same household to save their favorite classes, and track their stats and performance metrics over time.

Buy the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical ($1,799)

We really love that iFit allows you to get in a wide variety of workouts, even if you’re not using your elliptical. NordicTrack uploads new workouts every day, and classes range from studio sessions to outdoor adventures. Whether you’re looking to get in a great outdoor hike, or a fat-burning elliptical workout, you’ll find everything you need.

The NordicTrack 14.9 includes a 10-year frame warranty, 2-year parts warranty, and a 1-year labor warranty. Extended warranties are available for purchase, and for a $200 fee, you can have your elliptical professionally assembled.

Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery, though NordicTrack does charge a $250 return fee.

If you’ve decided on an elliptical for your home gym, the Commercial 14.9 is a top-notch choice. This is a mid-range elliptical with some fantastic tech features, and we especially loved the travel features, Google Street View workouts, and the ability to join a live class led by an expert trainer.

While there are cheaper options with fewer bells and whistles, and more expensive options designed for more intensive use, we think that most users will find everything they need in the 14.9. With an adjustable incline, transport wheels to easily move it around once assembled, and tons of classes, it’s a top-notch elliptical.

Thanks to its iFit virtual-programming, NordicTrack often draws comparisons to Peloton, perhaps the most well-known virtual workout machine.

With Peloton, you’re getting a very high-end spin bike (the bike itself starts for $1,195 + $250 shipping, with higher costs for added accessories, such as shoes and weights), and a wide variety of classes that constantly changes. Much like iFit, Peloton workouts include things like strength, yoga, and meditation, so you’ll be able to do more than just spin. Additionally, iFit and Peloton classes include leaderboards, so you can see how you stack up against other users in real-time. A Peloton app membership costs $12.99, while iFit is $39/month.

NordicTrack is slightly cheaper. Plus, being able to virtually explore the world through Google Maps Street Views is a very unique feature, and one we love. Peloton allows you to take virtual rides around the world, but the locations are pre-chosen for you.

The 14” touchscreen and iFit compatibility are what really make the NordicTrack 14.9 stand out from other ellipticals.

Some ellipticals may have different angles that can provide more of a vertical workout, like a stairclimber, but those tend to be specialty machines.

If you love technology and personal training, and don’t mind a monthly subscription, the NordicTrack 14.9 Commercial Elliptical is a solid option. The wide variety of classes makes it less likely that you'll feel bored when working out at home.

There are cheaper ellipticals out there, but for the quality, function, and iFit integration, it’s very hard to find a better choice than the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical.

Buy the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical ($1,799)

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.

Matt is a writer, author, and online fitness coach based out of San Diego, CA.