Anyone looking for a low-impact way to get a cardio workout in without leaving the house may want to consider the NordicTrack FS10i Freestride. This elliptical is one of the more innovative pieces of cardio equipment out there, with 24 levels of resistance and ten degrees of incline. Technically speaking, the Freestride is a three-in-one since it can act as a stepper, an elliptical, and a treadmill — this is made possible by the adaptive pedals that respond to your movement pattern in a split second. You can stretch out your stride like you’re running on a treadmill, step up and down to mimic a stair master, or glide like you’re on a classic elliptical.
The 10-inch touchscreen monitor is where you’ll find access to over 16,000 iFit classes. There’s a built-in fan that will come in clutch as you begin to sweat and a 32-inch stride length, so even those with Grandaddy Long Legs can stretch out. While the iFit classes are bound to make the time go by faster, you also have a ledge just under the screen that will securely hold a tablet to stream your favorite shows. Because of the adaptive stride length, the optional automatic adjustments during your workout, and the versatile nature of this elliptical, we think the Freestride may be one of the better pieces of cardio equipment you can add to your home gym.
Main Takeaways
- The Freestride is a three-in-one machine that acts like a stepper, elliptical, and treadmill. Just change your motion, and it will adjust accordingly.
- The 10-inch touchscreen monitor provides access to over 16,000 live and on-demand workouts from iFit.
- During trainer-led workouts, you’ll experience automatic adjustments to your resistance level and incline that coincide with your course and your instructor’s directions.
The FS10i features a 10-inch touchscreen monitor, and can serve as a stepper, elliptical, and treadmill by simply changing your natural movement.
NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer Video Review
Our reviews writer, Jake, breaks down everything there is to know about the FS10i in his detailed video review. Follow along, and decide for yourself if this adaptive piece of cardio equipment is a good fit for your fitness goals.
NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer Highlights
While you’re likely familiar with NordicTrack’s treadmills, rowers, exercise bikes, and “normal” ellipticals, you can’t overlook the Freestride. This is one of the more luxurious pieces of cardio equipment we’ve tested, and it’s loaded with features that you’ll surely love. Not everyone shares the same stride length — which can be a problem with a lot of ellipticals — so it’s nice that this machine has a max length of 32 inches to accommodate the majority of athletes. With its three-in-one ability (elliptical, stepper, and treadmill), all you have to do is switch up your movement, and you can reap the benefits that all three of those pieces of equipment provide.
Your purchase includes a 30-day trial of iFit, providing access to over 16,000 different workouts that range from cardio to strength training, yoga, meditation, and even Ted Talks. We all struggle with motivation from time to time, so the integration of these trainer-led workouts is a nice feature that can help you reach your goals. You can even download the iFit companion app to your phone to stream classes that don’t require the Freestride on the go — and the app can track all of your stats.
The 24 levels of resistance and 10 degrees of incline will automatically adjust based on the virtual class you’re taking, but you can always manually adjust the difficulty if you need to. If you don’t want to pay for iFit, there are 35 preloaded workouts, and you can also work out manually, and adjust the resistance and incline to your liking. Since this is a high-tech product, be prepared to spend around $2,000 on it. But to be honest, we think this is a great deal considering the high level of versatility provided.
Who Should Buy the NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer
- Anyone looking for a highly versatile product that adapts to their movement will enjoy the adjustable stride length of the Freestride, and its ability to act as a stepper, elliptical, and treadmill.
- Folks who want an instructor to keep them motivated during their workouts will be thrilled with the iFit workout classes on the monitor here.
- Athletes who are looking for a high-quality product at a reasonable price tag may be surprised that the Freestride will only run you around $2,000. This is about $500 more than a normal elliptical, but this machine can act as three different pieces of equipment.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer
- Anyone working with a tight budget may want to find a cheaper (less high-tech) alternative than the FS10i.
- The Freestride is going to dominate a good amount of space since the frame is big and the stride length is long. So anyone tight on space may not be able to add this to their home gym.
- Weighing in at a hefty 284 pounds, the Freestride might not be ideal for anyone looking for a highly portable product.
Price
The NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer is available for around $2,000 on the NordicTrack website, and a monthly membership to iFit will cost about $39 per month (after your free month is up). However, these prices are subject to change depending on the iFit membership you choose, any extended warranties you add, and whether or not you want white glove assembly. A one-year membership to iFit will run you around $400, the three-year extended warranty is about $180, and the white glove assembly is an additional $200. Because of those variables, the financing price is also going to vary. The good news is that NordicTrack calculates everything for you, and provides a couple of plans for you to choose from.
Since this is one of the most innovative cardio machines out there, we think $2,000 is a bit of a steal. The automatic adjustments, the ability to change the stride length based on your movement, and the access to iFit on the touchscreen monitor make this a top-of-the-line product. But, we also understand that not everyone wants to drop a couple of grand on one piece of cardio equipment. You can always find something cheaper, but we think the potential benefits of the Freestride make it well worth the money.
Overall Build and Quality
The NordicTrack FS10i Freestride features a pretty large build and a steel frame. It’s 74 inches tall, 58.5 inches long, and 29.5 inches wide. The wheels and handle will allow you to move it around your personal space, but it’s certainly not the most portable machine since it weighs 284 pounds. When in use, the Freestride is relatively quiet, so you don’t have to worry about being a nuisance to your roommate or family members. The ten-year warranty on the framework is a nice touch, but you can also add on an extended plan for extra security.
Features
There are plenty of features available with the FS10i Freestride. The 10-inch touchscreen monitor allows you to scroll through all of the available classes from iFit while also tracking your stats during your workouts. If you don’t want to utilize the two two-inch speakers under the monitor to listen to your instructor, you can always pair your headphones via Bluetooth. You also have the option of pairing a heart rate monitor for more accurate measurements of your burned calories, but there are no sensors built into the movable arms.
The automatic incline/resistance adjustments are an extremely helpful tool during virtual training, but you can always manually adjust the level of difficulty if you prefer. The thing that stands out to us the most with the FS10i is that you can adjust your stride, and the machine will alter the movement of the pedals. If you want to use it as a stepper, simply act as if you’re climbing some steps. For a treadmill, stretch your legs out, and it’ll feel more like you’re running, or to use it as an elliptical, you can just stride and glide normally.
Stats Tracking and Metrics
During each workout, you’ll notice a bar on the top of the screen that displays your level of incline, your time spent in the workout and how much time is left, your calories burned, distance, pace, and speed.
Display
The Freestride features a 10-inch touchscreen display that provides an HD picture of your workout. It might be a bummer for some that the camera on top of the display currently doesn’t serve any type of purpose. But who knows, maybe NordicTrack will roll out one-on-one coaching where that camera will come in handy.
Included workouts
The FS10i Freestride features 35 preloaded workouts to go along with your iFit membership. So if you don’t want to pay a membership fee, you certainly don’t have to.
Workout Apps and Subscription Options
The iFit companion app is a great tool. You can stream any workout that doesn’t require you to be on the Freestride from your phone, but you can also check out your stats and track your progress there, as well.
Whenever you’re checking out, you’ll be required to select a payment plan if you wish to utilize iFit after the free month you receive runs out. Once again, you don’t have to do this since there are 35 preloaded workouts, and you can always create your own manual workout. However, we think it’s worth the extra money since you have access to so many other classes. If you want to save some cash long-term, you can sign up for one of the three yearly plans rather than pay $39 per month. The one-year plan is around $400, the two-year plan will cost you about $700, and the three-year plan is around $900.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The NordicTrack FS10i Freestride does not have any heart rate sensors built into the movable arms, but you can always connect an existing monitor via Bluetooth to track your heart rate throughout your ride.
Fans
The Freestride features a fan with four different speeds to keep you cool as you move through your workout.
Speakers
The two two-inch speakers located underneath the monitor provide a solid amount of sound for your workouts.
Water Bottle, Cup Holders, Tablet and Phone Holders
The Freestride features one water bottle holder, and a tray located under the monitor for you to place your smartphone or even a tablet.
Bluetooth and Audio Options
Since not everyone wants to have their trainer come through the speakers at all times, it’s nice that you can pair your Bluetooth headphones with this product. But you can also use the headphone jack if you prefer wired headphones. That’s not all though, if you want to get an accurate reading of your heart rate and burned calories, you can sync your heart rate monitor or fitness tracker. NordicTrack also includes over ten different radio stations loaded with popular music for you to listen to on the machine.
HDMI, USB and Other Inputs
The FS10i does not feature any type of input or output ports, but we didn’t see a real need for them, considering all the built-in features here.
Product Specs
The NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer offers automatic adjustments to the resistance and incline that will take place during your workouts. The oversized pedals are going to be compatible with the majority of athletes, and the adjustable stride length allows you to get the feeling of three products in one.
Equipment Type
This is “technically” an elliptical, but it’s really a three-in-one product. You can go for a run, use it as a stepper, or even use it as an elliptical. The cool thing about it is that you don’t have to do anything special since the pedals will adapt to your movement.
If you want to go for a run, just open up your stride. You can also treat it like a basic elliptical, or step up and down to use it as a stepper. Regardless of how you want to use it, the FS10i will adapt accordingly.
Resistance
The NordicTrack Freestride features 24 levels of magnetic resistance that can be adjusted manually on either side of the monitor or underneath it. But, if you don’t want to mess with that, the machine will make those adjustments for you. For example, we went on a walk through the Balkans, and the Freestride mimicked what we would be experiencing in real life.
Pedals and Arms
The pedals on the Freestride are 16 inches long and six inches wide. They also feature a grippy texture, so you won’t have to worry about your feet sliding around. The pedals are connected to the movable arms, which provides a natural feel.
Feel and Comfort
We found the Freestride to be one of the smoothest operating pieces of cardio equipment we have used. The pedals are 16 inches long and six inches wide, so they’re going to be compatible with the majority of users. The adaptive stride length is a great tool as well. You can use the Freestride as a stepper (a low-impact StairMaster), an elliptical, or even as a treadmill, and all you have to do is switch up your movement to match how you would use each product individually. It might be a little tricky to learn how to utilize all three movement patterns at first, but we caught on fairly quickly.
The 32-inch stride length is longer than most options out there. So if you’re over six feet tall, you’ll be happy knowing that you can really stretch out. But this could be a problem for anyone tight on space since you have to accommodate for that stride length.
Dimensions and Weight
The Freestride is a pretty large piece of equipment. It stands 74 inches tall, 58.5 inches long, and 29.5 inches wide. Plus, it weighs 284 pounds, so moving it around may be a little difficult despite the wheels and handle.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity for the Freestride is 375 pounds, which is above average for cardio equipment.
Portability
A handle and set of wheels on the back of the Freestride will assist you when you need to move it around — but because of the size and weight, it may be best to keep it in one spot.
Electrical Requirements
The FS10i only needs a standard 110v outlet to be powered. Something important worth mentioning is that you should switch the elliptical off and unplug it to best avoid a power surge when it’s not in use.
Noise
The NordicTrack FS10i is one of the quieter pieces of cardio equipment we’ve used. You’ll still notice some sound with the incline adjustments, and of course, when you’re moving, but it most likely won’t be a problem for your roommate, family members, or neighbors.
Warranties
NordicTrack includes a ten-year warranty on the frame of all of their products, with a two-year warranty on parts, and one year on labor. They also allow you to add on an extended warranty plan when checking out.
Places to Buy
You can purchase the FS10i Freestride Trainer directly through the NordicTrack website.
Company Information
NordicTrack is one of the world leaders in producing bikes, rowers, treadmills, ellipticals, and strength equipment. They toss in a free 30-day trial for iFit with your purchase, with recurring payments that will take place afterward. If you’re interested in finding out any additional information, you can call their customer service team at 1-888-308-9616.
Final Word
The NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer is one of the most innovative pieces of cardio equipment on the market. It features automatic adjustments that will take place during your workout, and the stride length can be adjusted in a split second based on your movement pattern. The thousands of iFit classes at your disposal mean you’ll never be bored with your workouts, and the integration of Google Maps™ makes it possible for you to “travel” as you exercise.
This is a fantastic product for anyone looking for a low-impact cardio workout — plus, the FS10i is about as high-tech as cardio equipment comes. The 10-inch touchscreen display provides a crystal clear picture, and you have the ability to pair headphones and a heart rate monitor if you wish. While it may not be the best option for those who are tight on space in their home gym, we think the adaptability and solid build of the Freestride make it worth the $2,000 price tag. Additionally, the 35 preloaded workouts and manual workout mode make it a great option for anyone who doesn’t want to pay for an iFit membership.
FAQs
How much does the NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer cost?
This three-in-one piece of equipment will run you around $2,000. While that might initially seem like a large sum of money for one product, we think the versatility makes it worth it. Not only can it act like a standard elliptical, but by simply changing your stride, you can use it as a stepper or a treadmill. Add on the automatic adjustments to your trainer-led iFit workouts, and we think it’s a pretty sweet deal.
Are there any preloaded workouts on the NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer?
Yes. The Freestride comes with 35 preloaded workouts, so you don’t have to pay for iFit if you don’t want to. Plus, you can always create your own manual workouts.
Do I need to do anything to change the stride length on the NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer?
To change the stride length of the Freestride, all you have to do is change your actual stride. So if you want to adjust your pace to slow down after running, the pedals will mimic your movement pattern.
