The NordicTrack A.C.T. Elliptical – Rated “Good Buy”

Is the NordicTrack A.C.T. elliptical the machine you’ve been waiting for? Finally, here’s a center-drive elliptical trainer that’s compact and measures about half the “footprint” size of a rear-wheel or front-wheel drive model. But how does it feel?

NordicTrack elliptical reviews are giving it the thumbs up for the comfort features -- such as pedals that are closer together, and the pleasurable stride the user feels while balanced on this very stable machine.

What You Get

At only 47" in length, the NordicTrack A.C.T. elliptical may be your answer to space constraints. The price is right too; it’s a mid-level model ($2999 MSRP and an internet price of $1999) which has a solid ergonomic feel, like something you’d expect to find in a fitness club trainer.

And the games! It’s a fun unit that offers interactive games such as Fat Blocker, Calorie Destroyer, Texas Hold Em and Blackjack on the attractive display console. The rest of the NordicTrack A.C.T’s specs include:

• SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
• 20 iFit® Workout Card Technology
• Game and Train™ Interactive Video Games
• Upper body workout handlebars
• 22" stride
• iPod® compatibility
• 2 premium speakers
• EKG™ Heart Rate Monitor
• 350 lb. user weight capacity
• Warranty –10 year frame, 1 year parts and labor

The Word on the Street

UPDATE:  This is an old review.  Check out the latest ACT elliptical trainer review here.

The super quiet center-drive on the NordicTrack A.C.T. elliptical trainer allows the manufacturer to come up with an extra long 22" stride, one of the longest you’ll find in ellipticals.

Experts also point out that the pedal platforms are placed closer together since they don’t have to attach to opposite sides of a flywheel on the front or the rear. Furthermore, reviewers remark on the stability of the NordicTrack A.C.T.: there’s no side-to-side rocking motion that you experience when riding some elliptical trainers. The upper body workout also feels quite natural and not like your arms are just going along for the ride.

Users are finding that the NordicTrack A.C.T. is one of the smoothest elliptical trainers they’ve ever exercised on. The stride is actually adjustable for users who are shorter in height -- you can bring it down to 18" if that’s more of your comfort level. Once you have the settings just right, dial up one of the iFit® workouts, plug in your mp3 or iPod, and enjoy working out on this machine while listening to tunes through premium speakers.

Our Thoughts

You want a gym-quality elliptical trainer that’s a calorie-burner, and the NordicTrack A.C.T. certainly delivers.

We like these machines that come with the iFIT® journal where you can log all of your workout data (it stores up to ten years), and the iFIT workouts are programmed to announce instructions and control the machine’s resistance automatically.

The price is right and we think you’ll agree that this model offers great value, ergonomics, and quality. We rate the NordicTrack A.C.T. elliptical trainer a good buy.

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