NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial Review
Machine: NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial Elliptical
Overview: Part of NorticTrack’s commercial series, the NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial Elliptical is made of premium materials that make it a long lasting, durable machine. Thanks to quality construction and magnetic resistance it offers a silent, smooth workout. As compared to less expensive NordicTrack elliptical machines it features a long stride ranging from 18” to 22”. The NordicTrack A.C.T. Elliptical features a center drive flywheel design which not only makes the distance between pedals more comfortable than front or rear drive machines, but gives it a significantly smaller footprint. The Nordic Track A.C.T Elliptical uses iFit card technology (not to be confused with iFit Live) that allow you to load up routines designed by a Certified Personal Trainer, automatically adjusting your resistance level. It comes with 20 iFit workouts, focusing on aerobic, weight loss or performance goals. In terms of entertainment the A.C.T. also features built-in speakers and an iPod or MP3 player audio jack.
Features
Price – $1,999 (Sale price $899)
Stride Length – 18” – 22″
Challenging Programs – 20
Resistance Levels – 20
Upper Body – Yes
Heart Rate Monitor - Dual-Grip EKG
Weight Capacity – 250lb
Console Gadgets – Illuminated Grafixx display, iFIT card technology, built-in speakers, iPod/MP3 player ports
Convenience/Extras – CoolAire Workout Fan, Quick Keys
Warranty – Lifetime frame, 1 year of , 1 year services
Lowest Price -
$899
Because it’s a center drive elliptical trainer (meaning it has 2 flywheels on the side of the pedals) the workout position is more upright and comfortable and the distance between the pedals feels more natural. The side flywheels also give the NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial a square footprint, which means it’s stable and doesn’t take up much floor space. In fact it’s only 47” long—perfect for a tight space. On top of great stability and comfort it provides a smooth workout thanks to frictionless magnetic resistance. As compared to cheaper NordicTrack models it features a slightly better stride length—an important feature for tall users. The 20 iFit workouts are a big plus because unless typical workout programs they feature the voice of the personal trainer who designed it.
While NordicTrack categorizes the A.C.T. Commercial Elliptical as a “commercial” machine, to call it gym quality is a bit of an exaggeration. At a weight capacity of 250lbs it’s not as heavy duty as a gym machine, but it’s still pretty solid, especially thanks to its square base. Based on more than one NordicTrack A.C.T review some customers have not been impressed with the speaker quality but since the machine runs silent, even on tough workouts you can hear music just fine. Also, average height women or short men (around 5’5”) may find the fan a bit too high to hit them comfortably.
The NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial Elliptical strength lies in its center flywheel design which makes it stable, compact and comfortable. It also possess one of the better stride length ranges offered by NordictTrack, which is particularly useful to families with varied heights. Between the iPod dock, console speakers and iFit card reader it’s provides as much entertainment as it does a decent workout. The advertised retail price tends to be as exaggerated as its quality, but it’s a good buy on sale under $900.