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The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i’s power ramp adjusts your elliptical settings from -5% to 15% incline. Read our review to learn more about what’s possible on this iFIT-enabled elliptical.
Updated: February 5, 2024
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical combines some of the top training features to give you a great workout. The iFIT training platform, the incline and decline, and the magnetic resistance are the standout features for me. In this review of the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i, I’ll go into detail on those features that I loved and the ones I think could use some improvement. iFIT offers next-level training content that brings the outdoors indoors. The AirGlide 14i is a great option for iFIT subscribers who want a low-impact alternative to treadmill training while still accessing all of their favorite workouts.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical has a steel, black powder-coated frame. Its dimensions are 69 inches long by 25 inches wide and 71 inches tall. The width is relatively compact for an elliptical. The AirGlide 14i’s stride doesn’t need that much room in addition to its footprint. It does not fold up, but the AirGlide 14i can be moved around by lifting it using the rear grab bar. It has two transport wheels on the front stabilizer. The AirGlide 14i weighs about 200 lbs; its shipped weight is 244 lbs. This is heavy enough that I suggest most users find a permanent location if possible for their convenience.
When the AirGlide 14i is inclined to its maximum, the maximum pedal height is about 2 feet. So, you will need 2 feet above your height to accommodate your training on the AirGlide 14i. Typically, the knee is bent at the top of the elliptical motion, which means you don’t need to account for additional room above your head.
A 32-lb flywheel creates a smooth elliptical motion for the AirGlide 14i. This flywheel is an inertia-enhanced flywheel, which means the weight distribution has been manipulated to create a smoother rotation. Typically, these flywheels carry most of their weight around the outer edge. The AirGlide 14i is a front-drive elliptical; the flywheel is located in the front of the machine.
The pedals are cushioned and oversized. They also adjust easily to 3 different positions. You just have to pull the tab at the bottom of the pedal and lift the pin into one of the notches. The pedals are 15 inches long by 7 inches wide. The pedals are about 3 inches apart, but you have plenty of room to spread your feet wider for better knee alignment due to the oversized shape. I did not experience any soreness or numbness while training on the AirGlide 14i thanks to the proper positioning and cushioning of my feet.
NordicTrack reports the stride length as variable from 17.8 inches to 18.5 inches. It is also considered an auto-adjustable stride. I did not feel any difference in the stride length, and I don’t suspect that most users will either. If you need a little more stride variation try using the incline or decline.
There are 26 magnetic resistance levels on the AirGlide 14i. The resistance itself is quieter than friction resistance, but you can hear the magnetic system moving closer and further away from the flywheel, especially if you are making large adjustments to the resistance level. The resistance at the easiest levels is great for endurance efforts or lighter days. The hardest resistance is very challenging and helps you feel the burn in your legs.
When used with iFIT classes, the AirGlide 14i can automatically adjust the resistance for hands-free training. However, you can override the preset or auto-adjusted levels if you need the resistance to be lighter or heavier. If you do not use iFIT, you can control the 26 magnetic resistance levels with the physical buttons or on the screen.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i has an incline/decline range of -5% to 15%. While many ellipticals have incline options, the decline is a less common feature. The incline/decline does not feel easier or harder than level training as it would on a treadmill. Instead, the incline works your quads and glutes more, while the decline targets the hamstrings. This variation is nice for users who want more targeted training and like the immersive quality it adds to the iFIT training platform.
The AirGlide 14i is a smart elliptical with a bright display and a minimalistic console. The AirGlide has all the necessities but lacks a couple of key features that we would have liked to see. Many of the AirGlide 14i’s features are linked to its iFIT training service, which is not required to train with the elliptical but enhances your training experience.
The console is adjustable, slightly tilting up and down. This maneuvering is handy because neither the screen nor the fan tilts independently of the console. The console height is low. I’m only 5’4” and would have liked a higher console, so I anticipate most users will feel the same. However, the AirGlide 14i is pretty nice for petite users, so if you are shorter than me, the geometry (which I’ll get into later) and console height may be suitable.
There are a few buttons on the console and elsewhere on the AirGlide 14i. The handles have resistance and power ramp (incline) controls on the right and left respectively. There are also buttons on the console for making these same adjustments. Then, between these console buttons are the fan buttons. The rest of the settings and controls are on the screen.
As its name suggests, the AirGlide 14i has a 14-inch touchscreen display. To view the screen more comfortably, I needed to tilt the console all the way up. Thus, most users will look down at the screen as it is oriented nearly horizontally while training. The screen quality is clear. It is easy to navigate and reach during training.
The Bluetooth connectivity allows the AirGlide 14i to pair with compatible heart rate monitors and headphones. It is easy to pair your devices, and I had no trouble with my headphones or my Garmin watch connecting. I could also use my headphones' volume controls to adjust the volume of the elliptical.
The speakers are front-facing and easy to hear. You can adjust the volume of the trainer and music separately in iFIT, so you can hear more of one of the other. iFIT classes also have closed captioning if you need an audio alternative.
There is one cup holder on the AirGlide 14i. This is the only storage available on the elliptical. It is angled, which isn’t great if your water bottle happens to leak like mine does. I also wish there was more storage so I didn’t have to choose between having water or precariously placing my phone in it.
The AirGlide 14i has a fan with 3 speeds and an auto setting. When you are using iFIT to train, you can set the fan to auto, which allows it to speed up or slow down according to your training intensity. The fan’s strength is sufficient to cool you off, but it is quite noisy. The fan cannot be angled individually, but the console’s angle can be adjusted.
The AirGlide 14i delivers a challenging workout. There are moving and stationary handles, so you can concentrate on getting a leg workout or training your whole body. The moving handles don’t have as many grip options as other ellipticals, but they are comfortable and roomy. The range of motion should be comfortable for most users. I’m only 5’4”, but I did not feel that I needed to rotate too much to use the moving handles and the pedals.
Your workout pauses when the pedals are stopped or hardly moving. This can be frustrating when you first start a workout, because the workout will pause 2 seconds into the warm-up if you are not already moving. I was also caught off-guard when the resistance increased by a big jump and found my workout paused as a result. I wish there was a way to turn this setting off, because it is an interruption to my workout. It doesn’t improve the safety of the AirGlide.
While you can hold down the buttons on the handles to make large jumps in resistance or incline, it was easier for me to use the onscreen controls. The screen is positioned right in line with the moving handles, so it is easy to interact with during a workout without interrupting your training.
I’ve mentioned a few noisy features of the AirGlide 14i–the fan and the incline adjustment–but this elliptical is otherwise pretty quiet. It was also very stable and did not shift side to side as I trained.
iFIT is a digital fitness app and platform with thousands of training classes. iFIT specializes in outdoor workouts filmed for their indoor equipment. With treadmills, exercise bikes, and rowers, the outdoor equivalent is obvious. For the elliptical, iFIT got a little creative for the elliptical. The elliptical-specific classes are performed on skis, snow shows, ice skates, rollerskates, and sometimes indoors in a studio setting on an elliptical. You can also follow the treadmill workouts on the ellipticals, but the automatic adjustments are not as complimentary of the elliptical.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is best for iFIT subscribers or those who plan to subscribe. iFIT is available for a monthly or yearly subscription and gives the AirGlide 14i many of its best features. The onscreen content is limited to iFIT, so without it, you can only view the featured class or manual training screen. The former requires WiFi to view.
With a family membership, you can create up to five unique profiles. There are classes for your equipment, like the elliptical, but you can also access strength training, yoga, and mindfulness classes. There’s also the Google Maps integration which allows you to create a custom route almost anywhere in the world. With this app, you select your route on a Google Maps page and then train along with the Street View option.
The iFIT platform is a great option for anyone who wants a full workout from home.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i’s smart training features and compact size make it a great home elliptical. The iFIT training platform is required for many of the smart features and all of the training content, so I recommend the 14i for subscribers. The 26 magnetic resistance levels are challenging enough to deliver a powerful workout. The power ramp inclines and declines from -5% to 15%. From the adjustable, cushioned pedals to the sleek moving handles, the AirGlide 14i is comfortable and easy to use.
