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What could be better than a more affordable elliptical? A free elliptical! Continue reading this review of the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical to learn about its inclusion in the NordicTrack+ program and more.
Updated: August 3, 2023
The NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical slims down the large screen of its counterpart, the 14.9, for a more affordable price. It is one of the offerings included in the NordicTrack+ program, which offers one piece of equipment for free with the purchase of a 4-year iFIT subscription. The 9.9 is a great elliptical with 22 levels of silent magnetic resistance and an incline of up to 20%. Most importantly, exercisers will find improved comfort thanks to the cushioned, adjustable pedals.
The NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 elliptical has a steel frame. It has a modest light and dark gray coloring without the flashy blue accents seen on the 14.9 elliptical. The two ellipticals from NordicTrack’s commercial series have similar builds, so without having been on the 9.9, I can only assume that the 9.9 is as sturdy as the 14.9. Surprisingly, the 9.9 weighs 30 lbs more than its pricier counterpart, though NordicTrack only lists each machine’s shipped weight.
The flywheel is 25 lbs. This weight should provide a smooth stride. The typical range seen in ellipticals is 20 to 30 lbs, with anything under 20 lbs considered unstable. The performance will, of course, vary by machine.
The pedals are nearly identical to the 14.9, save for the lack of blue coloration, which is an improvement. The cushioning and adjustability will prevent any tingling, burning, or numbness that typically accompanies elliptical training. The 9.9 has three pedal positions. I prefer the highest setting.
The stride length is 17.5" to 18.7". I find this length comfortable at 5’4”. Other reviewers over 6 feet tall have reported the stride length is comfortable for them, too. I could not feel the difference in stride length on the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9, and I anticipate that will remain true for the 9.9.
The 9.9 does not fold. It has two front transport wheels and a rear grab bar for wheeling around. The weight is 244 lbs, shipped. This is quite heavy, and I would place the overall machine weight near 200 lbs. A fit user should be able to lift and roll it on their own but should use caution.
The 9.9 has 22 levels of digital magnetic resistance. It can be controlled from the buttons or onscreen. The resistance is generated by powerful magnetics resisting the turn of the 25-lb flywheel.
The 9.9 elliptical has a power ramp which the rollers move along beneath the pedals. This ramp can rise to an incline of 20%. In my experience on the 14.9, this elevates you off the ground quite a lot. Users should be mindful of their ceiling clearance, as the 14.9 positioned me approximately 26 inches off the ground.
The NordicTrack 9.9 provides smart features compatible with the iFIT platform. The other features are pared down to the absolute necessity, though I would have liked to see a few more additions to the 9.9. In particular, the machine would benefit from a tablet rack to combat its rather small screen size. Additionally, it lacks storage. With a few improvements, NordicTrack would have an excellent introductory elliptical.
The 9.9 elliptical has an abundance of buttons. Users can quickly jump from one resistance or incline to the next using the OneTouch buttons located along the sides of the console. While there are too many incline and resistance levels to include all of them, the buttons count by increments of 2 up the entire range. There are also buttons for adjusting fan speed and volume level. At the very bottom of the console, there are ^/v and +/- buttons for adjusting the incline and resistance by an increment of 1, respectively.
The NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 elliptical has a 7-inch touchscreen display. This is a small size for viewing iFIT’s spectacular content. We prefer 10” screens or larger for cardio equipment and find that 7-inch screens are undersized for navigation. Exercisers with vision concerns will be better off with a larger screen.
The cup holder is located beneath the console. It is large enough to fit a generously sized water bottle like a Stanley Cup. Like the 14.9, it is hard to reach while the elliptical is fully inclined. The 9.9 elliptical would benefit from more storage, as there is nowhere to place your phone unless you take up the cup holder with it.
Though I have not tested the fan, NordicTrack fans have not let me down in the past. They are typically powerful with AutoBreeze technology, which allows them to match your intensity with their speed.
The speakers are front-facing. They are positioned between the screen and the fan/volume buttons. Like the fan, I have not tested them, but I am used to powerful and effective speakers from NordicTrack.
The NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 elliptical is Bluetooth-enabled. Exercisers can pair a compatible heart rate monitor or headphones to the elliptical for more training possibilities. The connection is fast and simple on iFIT equipment, involving only a few taps of the screen.
I will update this review if I am able to test the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 elliptical in person. My experience on the comparable NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 suggests that the 9.9 would be comfortable and effective. It is unclear whether the 22 resistance levels span the same range as the 14.9 with less precision or if they have reduced strength. Either way, the resistance should be sufficient for most users unless they primarily use the elliptical to train for short, heavy efforts. I spent most of my time on the 14.9 training around levels 10-15.
I would not recommend the 9.9 elliptical for taller users. The 14” touchscreen of the 14.9 was already too low, but the addition of a smaller screen would make the viewing experience uncomfortable. I would prefer a larger screen, but if you mainly use the iFIT features to automatically adjust the resistance and incline settings while getting your entertainment from elsewhere, it would be just fine.
The NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical is a part of the NordicTrack+ Program. To gain a free 9.9 elliptical, shoppers can purchase four years of iFIT. iFIT’s premium content provides outdoor and studio classes led by professional trainers compatible with the elliptical. Studio classes incorporate off-elliptical exercises for a more rounded routine. With a subscription, exercisers can let iFIT provide all of their workout content regardless of what iFIT equipment they own. Content is suitable for running, cycling, rowing, yoga, strength, and more!
Without a subscription, the 9.9 will have a limited amount of onboard content. Elliptical-ers will be restricted to “manual activity” only without WiFi. With WiFi, they can access a few preset programs that play from the manual activity screen or a selection of features iFIT content. The NordicTrack+ program is such a good deal, it is hard to recommend this elliptical without taking advantage of that deal unless it is on sale.
The NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical is an introductory point to the brand’s elliptical lineup. As a part of the NordicTrack Plus Program, it is free with the purchase of four years of iFIT. The premium subscription platform offers thousands of classes from hundreds of trainers that will elevate not only your time spent on the elliptical but your entire workout routine. Perhaps most importantly, the padded and adjustable pedals eliminate one of the worst plagues unto elliptical users everywhere–the dreaded numb feet.
