NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS7i iFit Enabled

I’ve had this machine for a few months and use it 4 times a week. There is one great thing and one terrible thing about the Freestrider. In my experience, all those bell and whistles I thought were so important before I bought it eventually didn’t get used and don’t seem to matter. It seemed like running to scenery would be the greatest aspect of this machine, but it’s not a smooth video like you’re actually there. It’s just still images which move along in a choppy way and I never felt like I was there, so I began to prefer listening to music or an audiobook. Your head remains still enough to watch TV while you’re on this and it’s quiet enough, but since the built-in screen is so tall in front of you, you’d have to look slightly to the side to watch TV. It’s doable. Also be aware that the machine is pretty tall, so there’s a pretty good step-up to get on. And one last piece of general info, this thing is huge and heavy. If you get the curb side delivery, you better have a friend help you take it inside.The great thing I mentioned is the incline feature, because you can set it on level 5 and it seems to balance the work of your legs so that no one muscle group burns more than any other. If the incline is at zero, your hamstrings start to burn fast like you’re lifting weights, and if you set the incline all the way up to ten, your quads burn in the same way. Since my goal is not to be lifting weights and instead getting cardio, I like the middle setting which seems to balance them and you don’t get as much burn. In that respect it’s like jogging. But, the motion is not exactly like jogging, I’d say it’s close though. You can get used to the motion. You’d also think the extended range helps to engage more muscle groups, but I don’t really know.The bad thing about the Freestrider is the hand grips are so large they seem to be designed to irritate you on purpose. I literally can’t get my thumb and index finger to touch when I’m holding on, and I have average-size man hands. There are also no ridges there or anything else to help your grip, and the shape of the handles are not even round, so with sweaty hands I feel like I can’t hang on unless I place my hands awkwardly on top as if I’m about to pull down a lever. It’s annoying every single time I get on. It’s almost enough to make me not want the machine. The cheapest model (FS5i) looks like it has better, smaller handles, but that model doesn’t come with incline options (not even manual incline).To sum up: the hand grips are terrible on the middle and top tier models, but there’s no denying the workout; you’ll have to have a towel with you for the sweat, even if you’re only on it for 20 minutes. The incline is a must have feature, so I would not buy the cheapest model (FS5i), otherwise you’ll be missing the one thing that is truly great about this machine. If you know of a different machine that has the incline feature and great hand grips, you might want to consider that instead. Myself, I might try to order different grips, then I’d have an awesome machine.

Bought the machine 4 years ago and the machine has broken down three times. I bought the best warranty you could buy. The first two breakdowns were eventually fixed but the last issue occurred March 15th, 2022. After 10 different service calls the machine is still apart. Last tech said it was fixed. Got on it and it started jerking with the change of incline etc. I made the tech come back out and he stated another part had broke. Ordered yet another part. I emailed ICON the warranty company on status of issue. Came back and said they would send the part but since my labor portion had expired during this experience I would have to pay labor. Even though I was told that it is the date of issue that they use. The problem is you have three separate companies as I have dealt with all three. Nordictrack the manufacturer who does not care about the consumer once their “limited warranty” is over after one year. Then you have Ifit who just wants to sell you memberships each year. They say they can help you but in the end you will be stuck dealing with NTS/ICON the extended warranty co. Having very strong experience with ICON..the problem is that the techs are not experts on theses machines. The are general repairmen that come and go. My machine alone has had 6 different repair companies work on. It. I did not go into detail on how long it took to fix machine the first two times. The reason for that is with NTS/Icon who promise the tech companies one thing end up paying out a smaller amount. Every tech that worked on this machine stated ’when it breaks again. Spend the extra money for a higher end commercial machine’. I have asked to help compensated my experience that my IFIT membership get extended since the machine has been down. I was able to get 6 months and told to call back once machine is running agin which maybe never. I would take all the techs advice and buy higher quality from (if possible) a local dealer that has their own service techs. You will be much happier than having to deal with three separate companies that do not communicate with each other. Learn from my experience as it looks like I will be looking for a higher end product in the near future. Chris

Very Nice Product, iFit compatible...