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The NordicTrack AirGlide 7i Elliptical review has smart features and a nice incline range to ensure your training is effective.
Updated: January 18, 2024
The NordicTrack AirGlide 7i is a great midrange elliptical. You can upgrade your experience with iFIT’s smart training classes. There are thousands of classes for training on and off the elliptical. The 7i’s touchscreen display and smart features integrate this virtual training experience with the elliptical. Newcomers to exercise and to iFIT will appreciate the AirGlide 7i’s impressive resistance and incline capabilities. In this review of the NordicTrack AirGlide 7i, I’ll give you my expert opinion on this elliptical’s build, features, and areas for improvement.
NordicTrack makes sturdy cardio equipment with steel frames, and we expect the same from the NordicTrack EXP 7i. Some of the ellipticals we have tested from other brands tend to rock side to side, but the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i–the 7i’s premium counterpart–had no such issues. In fact, the 7i appears to be built on the same frame as the 14i!
The AirGlide 7i has a sleek appearance and is mostly black and charcoal. The elliptical has two transport wheels on the front stabilizer and a grab bar on the rear stabilizer. While you can roll the 7i around as needed, most users may prefer to find it a permanent location. The AirGlide 7i does not fold up.
The flywheel weighs 25 lbs. While this flywheel is a bit lighter than the AirGlide 14i’s flywheel, other ellipticals we have tested with 25-lb flywheels have performed very well, such as the Sole E35. If I am able to test the 7i in person, I will update this review to reflect my experience with the machine.
The pedals look the same as those found on the AirGlide 14i. I am a fan of these pedals, because of the cushioning and the adjustability. There are three different angles you can set the pedals to. Many users find that a steeper angle reduces soreness and numbness in their feet while using the elliptical. I have had quite a lot of trouble with elliptical-induced foot pain in the past, but the AirGlide 14i didn’t cause any pain or discomfort whatsoever.
There are stationary and moving handles on the AirGlide 7i. Even as a shorter user, I haven’t had any issue with the range of motion that NordicTrack elliptical handles go through. There is plenty of space on the handles to grip higher or lower on the moving handles.
While NordicTrack states that the stride length is adjustable, I was not able to detect a difference while I was using the 14i. However, most users should be comfortable with the 17.8 to 18.5-inch stride length. The incline also helps shorten the stride if you need something even more compact. I’m 5’4” and was quite comfortable on the 14i which has the same stride length.
The AirGlide 7i has 22 levels of magnetic resistance compared to the 14i’s 26 levels. I cannot say whether this makes the 7i less challenging or less precise. However, the resistance provided should be challenging enough for most users. The resistance is magnetic, which makes it quiet and smooth feeling. The resistance automatically adjusts while you are in iFIT workouts, but it can also be controlled on the screen and with the console buttons.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 7i has an incline range of -5% to 15%. The incline and decline do not add or subtract from the challenge of using the elliptical, but they do change the muscles targeted. The incline works the glutes and quads more while the decline targets your hamstrings. These options are great for exercisers who want a more targeted leg workout. The incline and decline also create a more immersive experience with iFIT.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 7i is best when paired with the iFIT digital fitness platform. This subscription-based service gives you access to many of the smart features to be discussed below. You can use the 7i without a subscription, so if you don’t want to subscribe, don’t worry. In addition to these smart features, the 7i also incorporates other features to ensure your elliptical workout progresses smoothly.
The console on the AirGlide 7i is streamlined. There are enough buttons to cover the necessities: resistance, incline, fan, and volume. The rest of the controls are on the touchscreen display. The console tilts up and down slightly but does not rotate like other NordicTrack screens do.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 7i has a 7-inch touchscreen display. The screen sits a bit lower than I prefer, and it might not be as comfortable for even taller users. The screen size is also rather small. It’s a good pick if you aren’t sure you plan to subscribe to iFIT for the long term, but I prefer a 10-inch screen.
The AirGlide 7i has one cup holder. The cup holder is not fully enclosed, so be cautious if you set your phone here; it could slip out. Unfortunately, the AirGlide 7i does not have a tablet rack or phone holder, so this is your only storage option.
All of the NordicTrack fans that I have tested have been suitably powerful to provide relief during exercise. The fan on the 7i has multiple speeds including an automatic setting. This allows the fan to speed up or slow down according to your training intensity. Angling the console repositions the fan, but the fan does not tilt independently.
The speakers are front-facing, which provides clear audio. They are located at the top of the console. While I have not tested the 7i’s speakers in person, I have tested many, many other NordicTrack cardio machines, including the 14i, and found the volume level and audio clarity to be good. Alternatively, you can use the closed captioning provided on iFIT workouts or the Bluetooth option.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 7i has Bluetooth connectivity. The 7i can connect with your headphones for quiet listening. You can also use the Bluetooth to connect to a heart rate monitor. Most Bluetooth devices should be compatible. You cannot connect to your phone to play audio through the speakers.
This review of the NordicTrack AirGlide 7i Elliptical will be updated if I get to try it out for myself. In the meantime, I can only provide insight into its performance as an avid iFIT user and after having tested the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i extensively. The 7i should perform similarly to the 14i, even though it has a smaller resistance range. If it is the same as the 14i, there is one small hiccup that bugged me about its performance: the auto pause feature. This stops your session when you stop moving the pedals and handles. I often did not have enough time to start the pedals and handles moving at the start of the workout before it paused. The activity will resume after a couple of seconds of movement, but I found it annoying.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 7i should deliver a powerful workout that is good for low-impact and full-body training. Its compact design makes it particularly nice for smaller users, and the stride length should accommodate most exercisers comfortably. I was impressed with the 14i’s ability to handle slow and fast movements, and I expect the same from the 7i.
While the AirGlide 7i does not need iFIT to function, it certainly enhances your training experience. iFIT is known for their outdoor content, and for the elliptical, they got creative. You can virtually train alongside coaches as they ski, snowshoe, hike, skate, and more. The AirGlide 7i can also follow along with any of the content designed for treadmills (walking or running), but the integration isn’t quite as smooth. iFIT workouts provide guidance from top coaches while automatically adjusting the speed and incline to match training cues.
You get more than just elliptical content with iFIT. A membership gives you access to their entire library. There are strength training, yoga, and mindfulness classes. You can also use the cardio workouts for the treadmill, bike, and rower with a single membership. This is very helpful if you have multiple machines in your home gym.
Without iFIT, the AirGlide 7i can be used in manual mode with or without WiFi. There is also a featured iFIT class that you can use with an iFIT account and a WiFi connection. There are no built-in structured workouts outside of the iFIT content.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 7i has an incline range of -5% to 15% and 22 levels of magnetic resistance. It uses these performance specs to create a fun training experience with iFIT. The elliptical can be used without a subscription, but iFIT gives you access to all of the classes and additional smart features. The AirGlide has a 7-inch touchscreen, which is on the smaller side, but it is a good option for users who choose not to subscribe to iFIT. The pedals are adjustable and the handles are roomy, so training on the 7i should be comfortable.
