If you prefer listening to your favourite motivational music rather than browsing the internet, the console also has a fully integrated sound system, complete with speakers and volume controls.Ī port on the front allows you to connect your iPod or MP3 player, with dual speakers used to prevent the need for headphones. This includes when you’re making changes to the resistance level, choosing a different workout program, or simply turning up the volume on your music. That’s because you’re always in contact with the sensors, ensuring a continuous signal is sent to the console. Having the CardioGrip touch sensors built into the stationary handles is an effective way to monitor your pulse for shorter periods of time, but if you want to ensure you stay within a certain heart rate range, it’s better to take advantage of the chest strap. The NordicTrack SE9i also offers two forms of heart rate monitoring: touch, and telemetry (using a chest strap). Although only minor adjustments, this helps to limit the strain placed on ankle joints and tendons, reducing the risk of injury and recreating the natural ankle flexion that you experience when running outdoors. You can also choose from one of three heel-to-toe angles. One final feature we wanted to mention was the oversized pedals, which offer a wider design to allow for a variety of foot placements. The moveable handles will also recruit a range of upper body muscle groups at all incline levels, including your back, biceps, shoulders, and abs, helping to burn more calories in a shorter space of time. The SE9i elliptical also offers a power adjustable incline to a maximum of 10 degrees, which isn’t as steep as their incline trainers, but still enough to change your stride path to shift the focus onto different muscle groups.Ī steeper incline is best for working your hamstrings and glutes, while a flatter stride will focus more on your calves and quads. This is due to the flatter stride path created by having the flywheel at the back of the machine, which results in a lower impact workout that closely resembles your natural stride ergonomics. Rear drive ellipticals traditionally have a stride that’s 2″-3″ shorter than their front drive counterparts, and this isn’t something that’s unique to NordicTrack. If you’ve already started researching NordicTrack’s front or center drive ellipticals, then the 18″ stride length may seem like a downgrade compared to the 38″ provided by their FreeStride Trainers. The design of the braking system is what creates the smoother transitions between 24 digital resistance levels, with a mid-weight flywheel providing enough resistance to deliver a smooth rotation and natural stride motion at the pedals. To recreate this with the SE9i, NordicTrack have combined their SMR™ braking system with an 18 lb inertia-enhanced flywheel and competitive 18″ stride length. Taking a look at the actual workout experience, you’re going to want to choose an elliptical that can deliver a smooth stride motion that emulates your natural running style. Measuring just 32″ x 28″ we would have to agree, and we haven’t come across any folding elliptical that can be folded into such a compact space. In its folded, upright position, NordicTrack claim that their SpaceSaver design results in the smallest footprint of any home elliptical. The flywheel casing doubles as a stable base for when you lift the machine into its vertical position, which is aided by the width of the rear base stabilizer. With the SpaceSaver collection they’ve taken this a step further. NordicTrack have developed a system called SNAP assembly, which is something we’ve seen before on their Elite ellipticals, and allows you to assemble the machine in just a few minutes once it’s out of the packaging. If you’re short on space but still want to invest in a high quality elliptical for achieving your fitness goals, the SpaceSaver® design of the SE9i is an obvious attraction.

Space saver se9i