NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Review (2024) | BarBend (2024)

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The best ellipticals can deliver ample training intensity, app-integrated touchscreens, and a smooth and comfortable workout experience to those in search of low-impact fitness. We’ll get into the details in this NordicTrack AirGlide 14i review, one of our favorite performers in this space, which remains under $2,000 in a market known for sticker shock.

Our team of certified personal trainers, CrossFit coaches, and fitness fanatics have tried and tested roughly 30 of the most popular ellipticals on the market. We’ve built countless best-of-the-best lists, and the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i often takes the crown as our favorite elliptical. With incline and decline training, 26 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance, and a 14-inch touchscreen integrated with the iFIT training platform, we think this trainer is ideal for athletes in need of a compact, but tech-forward cardio machine. Let’s get into the nitty gritty in our review.

NordicTrack AirGlide 14i

NordicTrack AirGlide 14i

With 26 levels of resistance, incline and decline capabilities, and an adjustable stride length that toggles to your personal preferences, the AirGlide 14i is one of the most tech-savvy and feature-rich ellipticals on the market. Plus, like other NordicTrack machines, this elliptical is compatible with iFIT, unlocking over 17,000 live and on-demand workout programs for a fresh sense of training each time you hop on for a session.

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Main Takeaways

• The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is an upgraded version of the discontinued NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 machine, an old favorite of elliptical enthusiasts.
• The 14-inch HD touchscreen is iFIT-enabled, providing users with access to over 17,000 classes that can be taken on and off the elliptical.
• There’s a -5 to 15 percent incline and 26 digital levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance to help you take your training to new levels.

NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Highlights

The AirGlide 14i is basically an update on NordicTrack’s earlier Commercial 14.9 elliptical, with the addition of -5 percent decline, a larger touchscreen, and an-all black design like a teenager going through that phase where they start calling mom, “Donna.” This metamorphosis lowered the user weight capacity from 350 pounds down to 300 pounds, but also dropped the cost from around $2,000 to $1,799.

While the weight capacity may have dropped, our tester, a certified personal trainer, still found their experience on this cardio machine to be sturdy and stable. “I was busting my butt on this thing, and it didn’t shake or wobble at all,” they said. “You can tell it’s solidly built.” This smooth ride can be partially attributed to the 32-pound flywheel, higher than the industry standard 16- to 20-pound flywheel.

The AirGlide 14i, one of the best compact ellipticals we’ve tested, has a footprint of 12 square feet — a little larger than a full-size baby crib. (1) However, this cardio machine weighs in at 244 pounds, which is on the higher end of the scale when compared to the 150-pound weight of the average elliptical.

Unlike the average elliptical, this thing is head-of-its-class smart, with a 14-inch smart touchscreen that comes iFIT-enabled. iFIT provides over 17,000 classes you can take both on and off this elliptical, with awesome instructors who guide you on trail runs and hikes through scenic locations around the world. “iFIT is some of the best interactive programming out there and really helps prevent boredom,” says Amanda Capritto, our expert reviewer.

The -5 to 15 percent incline and 26 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance can be controlled with iFIT’s SmartAdjust feature, which allows automatic adjustments to your training based on the demands of your workout. What’s more, AutoBreeze controls your workout fan — the harder you work, the more relief it provides.

Training With the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical

Our tester, a certified personal trainer, took a 25-minute “Climbing Pyramids” iFIT workout on the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i to see if this machine could deliver the training intensity and immersive programming they were after. To provide a clear understanding of our testing, we’ve utilized BarBend’s equipment testing methodology, scoring areas like tech capabilities, workout experience, dynamic programming, and durability on a scale of 1 (not great) to 5 (we love it!).

Resistance Levels

This is a front-drive elliptical, meaning the flywheel is housed at the front end of the machine. While the industry standard for flywheels is between 16 and 20 pounds, the AirGlide 14i uses a powerful 32-pound flywheel that kept our tester’s pedal strokes feeling smooth and stable, even as they cycled through multiple levels of resistance.

Our tester swapped between manually adjusting the 26 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance and utilizing iFIT’s SmartAdjust feature to have their resistance controlled automatically. “When I was taking my Pyramid class, the automatic resistance adjustment allowed me to focus on climbing the mountains I saw on screen, rather than constantly fiddling with buttons and changing my resistance,” they said, scoring workout experience a 5 out of 5.

Incline and Decline

The AirGlide also features -5-percent decline and 15-percent incline, with manual or automatic adjustment capabilities. However, our tester was disappointed with the level of noise that accompanied adjustments. “The incline motor is loud when it’s working to adjust — which might be distracting and disturbing for some users. I could definitely hear it over my music,” said our tester.

iFIT

Via the 14-inch HD touchscreen, users can stream iFIT studio classes and programming set in locations around the world. You can run stairs in Italy, take in scenic icy slopes in the Norwegian Ski Endurance Series, or explore the white, sandy beaches of Bora Bora.

What’s more, you’ll also be able to build your own routes to explore using its Google Maps integration. This function utilizes street view images as you work your way across the trail of your choosing. Dynamic programming earned a 5 out of 5 with our tester.

[Related: iFIT Review]

Plus, with iFIT’s SmartAdjust feature, your elliptical adjusts resistance and incline automatically so you feel totally immersed in your training. “I was running up the side of a volcano in Hawaii, and my resistance and incline adjusted automatically, so it really felt like I was right there with my trainer,” said BarBend editorial member and gym owner Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1.

What’s more, when you pair your heart rate monitor with this elliptical, you’ll be able to utilize ActivePulse during your training, which can automatically adjust your resistance and incline to keep you sweating in your desired heart-rate-zone.

Just be prepared to shell out an additional $39 monthly iFIT subscription fee (after a free one-month trial) to be able to access these workout programs and use the touchscreen. Our one gripe here is that you won’t be able to stream other third-party apps from the 14-inch display, so it’s really iFIT or bust.

Technology

In addition to the 14-inch HD touchscreen, ActivePulse technology, SmartAdjust, and everything else that iFIT offers, the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i comes loaded with high-end tech features. On the monitor, you’ll find Bluetooth connectivity capabilities, an AutoBreeze fan that adjusts based on your exertion, and one-touch controls to manually fine-tune your workout intensity.

Comfort and Ergonomics

The AirGlide 14i’s oversized pedals have cushioning and can be adjusted at an angle based on your preference. If you’ve ever experienced foot numbness while using an elliptical, this can help. “The pedals are crazy comfortable, and they come with three different angle adjustments that you can choose depending on what’s the most comfortable for your stride,” said our tester, who scored comfort and ergonomics a 5 out of 5.

The 17.8 to 18.5-inch auto-adjusting stride length allows users the ability to play around with a stride length that works with their body. However, it may be too short for some. Generally, 17 to 18-inch stride lengths are best for shorter users, and stride lengths over 20-inches can suit taller individuals. (2) If you’ve ever been asked, “How’s the weather up there?”, consider perusing our list of the best ellipticals for tall people.

Additionally, while the 14-inch touchscreen can tilt forward and back for a customized view, its placement is low, which can make viewing the screen a pain if you’re tall.

“It’s a little inconvenient that there isn’t a ton of storage on this elliptical,” our tester said. “The water bottle holder is nice and big, but there’s no shelves to stash my phone or a media shelf to hold my tablet if I wanted to stream Netflix.” Conveniences scored a 4.5 out of 5.

What to Consider Before Buying the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical

According to Amanda Capritto, our expert reviewer, “Ellipticals, even the simpler, budget-friendly models, are machines with many components, so potential buyers should be aware of what’s considered standard, better, and best when it comes to elliptical specifications.” We’ve pointed out the noteworthy specs on the AirGlide 14i, but the following areas will help guide you on what to consider before buying an elliptical.

Cost

“You’ll pay a lot of money to get top-tier features on an elliptical, just like you will for any other big piece of cardio equipment,” says Capritto. “While there are plenty of budget-friendly ellipticals available, they won’t check all of the boxes for a lot of people.” Consider how much you’re willing to spend and the features you can’t live without so that you can see what ones fall within your price range.

The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i comes in at $1,799, a price our tester thought was impressive considering the tech capabilities, stability, and durability of this model. Value scored a 4 out of 5 with our team. However, you’ll also want to factor in the monthly $39 subscription fee for iFIT. You don’t have to maintain this subscription, but without it, you won’t be able to do much besides use the elliptical in manual mode.

Available Space

“You’ll be really frustrated if you buy an elliptical that doesn’t fit in your intended space or — if you need to be flexible with your space — isn’t easy to move,” says Capritto. As such, consider how much space you’re willing and able to dedicate to your fitness equipment. When you’re working with limited space, ellipticals that fold up are rare but they do exist. The best folding ellipticals aren’t as high-tech as the AirGlide 14i, but they will save you some space when your workout is over.

The AirGlide 14i is 71 inches tall, 69 inches long, and 25 inches wide, taking up about 12 square feet of floor space. You’ll also want to leave enough space around the machine to ensure you can step on with ease. NordicTrack recommends 2 feet on either side of their ellipticals, 4 feet on the front, and 6 feet at the rear. (2)

Programming

When choosing an elliptical for your home gym, you’ll want a model with programming that suits your needs. Whether you’re looking to tackle HIIT workouts or some LISS cardio sessions, you’ll want to see what built-in or subscription based programming is offered so you get access to the training you want.

The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is equipped with iFIT programming that can unfold on the built-in 14-inch touchscreen. However, this programming will cost you an additional $39 a month. “If you don’t want to pay for a fitness subscription, you may want to look for an elliptical that has built-in workouts,” notes Capritto. You can use this elliptical without iFIT through manual mode, which allows you to manually adjust resistance and incline, but won’t give you any programs you can follow.

You can only view iFIT on this elliptical’s screen, so if you like working out with the best fitness apps that aren’t iFIT, look for profiles with more screen access freedom, such as those from Matrix or Sole.

NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Vs. The Competition

We’ve tested nearly 30 of the top-performing ellipticals on the market. To show you how the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i stacks up against the competition, we’ve gathered up some popular high-end ellipticals ranging in cost from $1,599.99 to $5,199.

One of the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i’s biggest competitors is the ProForm Pro HIIT H14. Both machines feature iFIT-enabled smart HD touchscreens with automatic trainer control to adjust resistance. However, the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 doesn’t have incline features due to its hybrid stepper-elliptical profile, with a vertical step height of 10 inches and a horizontal stride length of 5 inches. When choosing between these two models, it really comes down to the preference of your workout.

If you like the build and resistance capability of the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i, but are looking for an option where you can access more apps via the HD touchscreen, it’s worthwhile to consider the Sole E35 and the Matrix E50 XIR.

The Sole E35 doesn’t offer decline training like the AirGlide 14i — and the touchscreen is slightly smaller at 10.1-inches — but you will have more freedom to view what you’d like on the screen. With options to use pre-loaded third-party apps or mirror your phone’s screen onto the touchscreen, you’ll have options for training and entertainment outside of iFIT content.

The $5,199 Matrix E50 XIR is a mega-splurge at more than double the cost of the AirGlide 14i. However, this cost provides you with a larger touchscreen, a higher weight capacity, and more levels of resistance. You won’t find incline or decline capabilities on this machine, but the touchscreen works more like a tablet, allowing you access to third-party apps and an internet browser.

Places to Buy the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical

You can purchase the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i directly from NordicTrack, or via third-party retailers like Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lowe’s, and Target.

Customer Experience

Our tester ordered this elliptical through NordicTrack and opted for white-glove delivery, so they could save their energy for HIIT workouts on the machine (rather than lugging the 244-pound box inside her home and putting it all together).

“It took the delivery guys more than two hours to put this elliptical together, and they ended up putting some pieces on wrong,” she said, “but I’d still recommend choosing this white-glove service or, at the very least, have an extra pair of hands available to help.” Delivery and setup scored a 3 out of 5.

NordicTrack has two shipping offers:

• Standard Shipping (free for contiguous United States): The elliptical is left in the first covered place at your home, if possible, to avoid weather. However, this team will not make a delivery that requires the use of a single stair. A shipping quote is required for deliveries made to Hawaii and Alaska.
• White-Glove Delivery & Assembly ($299): This elliptical is delivered into any room that you choose, and assembly technicians will then build this equipment for you. Once the elliptical is set up, they’ll haul away the packaging.

Once you’ve placed your order, items typically ship from their warehouse within three to five business days and take between two and three weeks to arrive.

Warranties

The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i comes with a standard warranty package, providing a 10-year frame warranty as well as two years for parts and one-year labor coverage. If you decide to return this elliptical within the 30-day return window because you’ve been charmed by one of the best NordicTrack treadmills, it’ll cost you $250 to ship it back, plus a 10-percent restocking fee. We gave the areas of warranty, financing, and returns a 4.5 out of 5 score.

Company Information

NordicTrack has been in the game for almost 50 years, and is known for making high-quality exercise equipment, from exercise bikes and rowers to treadmills and ellipticals. The company offers a 30-day trial period for their equipment, and if you’re unhappy with your purchase, you can opt to ship it back for a refund (minus the cost of shipping and a restocking fee).

To reach customer service, you can call 1-888-308-9616. When I called, I was placed on a brief hold but spoke to someone within two minutes.

In Conclusion

If you’ve been on the search for the perfect elliptical to up the ante on your home fitness routine, you’ve likely discovered that the market is overflowing with options. For those interested in a high-end elliptical, the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is an impressive cardio machine with 26 levels of resistance, incline and decline options to add intensity to your training, and an immersive 14-inch HD touchscreen that allows you to take your workouts around the globe with iFIT.

If you’re more interested in an elliptical that provides you with the ability to stream TV shows and movies, we’d suggest looking outside of the NordicTrack brand for a machine with an unlocked touchscreen or at least a tablet holder that makes it easy to view content from your own device. However, if you want an iFIT-enabled machine that can help take your training to the next level, we think the AirGlide 14i is worth your attention.

FAQs

References

1. Rae, H. (2024). Mattress Size Chart & Bed Dimensions. U.S. News. https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/sleep/mattress/mattress-sizes
2. Ntrackadmin. (2023, November 21). Best Ellipticals for Home Gyms: 2024 elliptical Buying Guide. NordicTrack Blog. https://www.nordictrack.com/learn/the-best-ellipticals-for-home-gyms/