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#1 Nordictrack Freestride review

Chris L.
January 12, 2021

The Nordictrack Freestride provides ultra-smooth motions to give you a convenient, low-impact workout. Plus, with dual-motion handlebars, you can exercise your arms just as much as your legs. The power incline and cushioned pedals enhance the experience even more, making for a great fit for practically anyone.

Is the Nordictrack Freestride best for you?

The Nordictrack Freestride is so useful because it's essentially 3 machines in 1. It's an elliptical, treadmill, and stair climber. You can alter the muscle emphasis mid-workout thanks to the simple stride controls. You have all the power and can target different muscle groups each time.

In addition to smooth motions, the Freestride also comes with an abundance of bonuses. It comes with Bluetooth compatibility and built-in speakers. Therefore, you can connect your MP3 player with the elliptical and listen to your playlists directly through the machine. A cup holder, cushioned pedals, and 35 preset programs are just the icing on the cake.

Consider Nordictrack Freestride if...

  • You need low-impact workouts. If you suffer from knee or back problems, then you want a machine that goes easy on all your joints. As an elliptical, this device operates much more smoothly than your average treadmill.
  • You want three machines in one. The Nordictrack Freestride is more than a simple elliptical. You can also adjust the settings to make it a treadmill and stair climber. You can add three machines to your home gym for the price of one.
  • You like variety in your exercises. With 35 built-in programs and 24 resistance levels, there are plenty of ways for you to work up a sweat.

Avoid Nordictrack Freestride if...

  • You want greater resistance. This machine comes with a 20-pound flywheel. It's great for beginners, but experts may desire something more intense.
  • You want a bike. While this machine can do a lot, it's not suitable for people who want to bring a stationary bike into their home.
  • You're on a budget. Considering all the perks this machine comes with, it should come as no surprise to hear it costs a decent amount of cash. Be prepared to spend quite a bit if you want it.

Nordictrack Freestride pros & cons

Pros

  • Bluetooth audio
  • iFit compatibility
  • Moving handlebars
  • Cushioned pedals
  • Power incline

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Lightweight flywheel

Construction and design

  • Pedals: The pedals on this elliptical come with cushioning to help make every stride feel comfortable.
  • Handlebars: The handlebars move to give you a full-body workout, so you exercise your arms as well as your legs.
  • Console: The console boasts a 10-inch HD screen that's great for watching trainer-led workouts from your iFit membership.
  • Built-in Programs: 35 preset programs come with the Nordictrack Freestride that all focus on different aspects of your bodily health.

Key Nordictrack Freestride Specs

Reasons to buy Nordictrack Freestride?

  1. You need the space. The Freestride is smaller than your average treadmill. It's also smaller than most ellipticals, so it's great for people in apartments or smaller houses.
  2. You're heavier. This machine can support weights of up to 375 pounds. Considering many treadmills and bikes only go up to 300 pounds, it's a major benefit for heavier individuals who want to get more exercise.
  3. You like listening to music as you work out. With Bluetooth capability, you can sync your MP3 player directly with the machine. That way you don't have to deal with plugging devices into any ports.

Reasons to avoid Nordictrack Freestride?

  1. You don't need all the bells and whistles. The HD screen is a great plus when combined with all the other features. However, that results in a hefty price tag. If you just want something to run on, then you can find something more affordable.
  2. You don't plan on using iFit. Your purchase comes with a 1-year membership to iFit. If you don't think you'd use it, then it's just going to go to waste.

What real Nordictrack Freestride reviews say

We spent 18 hours scouring the web (reading over 253 customer reviews). Our conclusion? Nordictrack Freestride receives high praise! Our average consolidated user rating sits around a 4.6 - 4.74 (across several hundred reviews). Nordictrack Freestride scored higher, on average, compared to their closest competitors.

What reviewers like

  1. "I love this machine. It’s a great way to stay in shape without having to leave home."
  2. "It was easy to set up and I love the large screen for tracking calories."
  3. "I’m very happy with my purchase. I love all the bells and whistles on this thing."
  4. "It has a nice display screen for tracking calories and the buttons on the handles to control resistance and incline is pretty nifty as well."
  5. "Compared to other full-stride exercise equipment, the price of this one is significantly more affordable and still appears to be quite competent."

What reviewers dislike

  1. "Although the graphical interface has a lot of bells and whistles, I rarely use them and wind up just going into manual mode every time."
  2. "The bad thing about the Freestrider is the hand grips are so large they seem to be designed to irritate you on purpose.
  3. "Handle grips are hard plastic and offer no grip with sweaty hands."
  4. "The iFit App is a little slow, difficult to navigate and clunky."
  5. "Our incline started acting up after one month."

Our verdict

The Nordictrack Freestride is a great investment to anyone wanting to spend the money. The fact you can use it 3 different ways and have a litany of preset programs and resistance levels allows you to never get sick of just working out in a single manner.

It costs more than other machines out there, but many of those don't come with an HD screen and quiet operation. Ultimately, it comes down to how often you plan on using it and what's most important to you. If you have the funds, it's a great addition to any home gym.

Where to buy Nordictrack Freestride

You can find the Nordictrack Freestride on Amazon for a great price! Plus, the site makes it easy to compare other home gym equipment from Nordictrack. Your purchase qualifies for Amazon's fast, free shipping so you can workout in no time.