Quick Summary
The NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial is a compact center drive elliptical trainer with a commercial steel frame.
For under $1,300 it’s designed to get a whole family started with elliptical training: The stride adjusts from 18″ to 22″ and the resistance is up to 23 pounds.
Read on for pros and cons in the NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial review below.
Our Rating
Rating: 87/100. The NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial is a sturdy elliptical trainer for home use. It’s sized to fit just about any teen or adult, and it has a tablet computer holder to help make exercise sessions more enjoyable. The latest version (updated for the 2014 model year) has a 5″ backlit display that’s enabled to show iFit workout downloads. It can also integrate with your own tablet computer to show high definition iFit video workouts, interactive Google Maps workouts and other iFit features.
When sale priced the A.C.T. Commercial is one of NordicTrack’s best bargains for newcomers to elliptical training, plus it can challenge many intermediate trainees. (The more you weigh, the more you’ll want a higher model number.) In addition to having an iFit-enabled console, this elliptical has 32 training programs grouped into three goal categories.
Here are pros and potential cons to consider about choosing the A.C.T. Commercial.
Pros:
- Small footprint (54″ x 31.5″)
- High weight capacity (350 pounds)
- Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR™)
- 24 resistance levels
- 18″ to 22″ stride settings in quarter-inch increments
- Moving arm bars for a full-body workout
- Quick control (No scrolling to change resistance)
- 32 built-in workouts
- iPod-compatible (Dock and 2″ speakers)
- Heart rate monitor (Touch sensors)
- Water bottle holder
- Three-year parts warranty
Cons:
- No incline
- Sometimes the more advanced A.C.T. Commercial 7 has a similar price
- Customer service could be slow
Alternatives
Advanced athletes with long strides would be better served by NordicTrack’s A.C.T. Commercial 7, the NordicTrack C 12.9 or another higher level model. Sometimes these have low sale prices.
Introduction
The NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial earns enthusiastic reviews from relative newcomers to the world of elliptical training. Sale priced at $1,299 it can be a good buy for a family gym, ready to physically fit just about everyone and offer customized training programs. It operates quietly and doesn’t demand a lot of floor space.
Some key points are a quiet 23-pound resistance system, stride options from 18″ to 22″, and cushioned pedals. Additionally this elliptical is iPod-compatible, can be used with iFit and has 32 preset workout programs.
Workout Programs
The NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial arrives with 32 workout apps. Each was designed by a certified personal trainer to automatically adjust the machine’s resistance to your force. The program categories are calorie, intensity and performance..
For infinite workout variety the A.C.T. Commercial is iFit-enabled. Using the 5″ backlit screen you can get unlimited personal trainer workouts. You can also connect your tablet computer to use iFit’s high definition video workouts, interactive Google Maps™ workouts and other iFit membership benefits.
A.C.T. Commercial Features
The NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial is distinguished from others by its stride choices. With options of 18″ to 22″ in ¼-inch increments, it can comfortable accommodate a wide range of trainees.
The display for workouts is a 5″ screen with backlighting. It can show iFit workouts or built-in workouts and gives the following stats: speed, time, distance, calories and pulse.
Besides getting music motivation through your tablet computer, you can connect your iPod for high fidelity sound. The NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial has an iPod-compatible port and Intermix Acoustics 2.0 speakers.
To help you stay in your target heart rate zone, the A.C.T. Commercial has heart rate sensors on the handlebars.
The flywheel for this trainer weighs 23 pounds. It’s respectable for an entry level elliptical. For more challenging workout sessions (and heavier trainees) other NordicTrack ellipticals are better choices.
Warranty & Guarantee
The NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial elliptical warranty includes:
– Frame: Lifetime
– Parts: 3 Years
– Labor: 1 Year
That’s competitive at the below $1,000 price point. NordicTrack also offers a 30-day money back guarantee.
Conclusion
The NordicTrack A.C.T. Commercial is an ideal fit for many households. It offers a comfortable elliptical path for most trainees and is loaded with training guidance and other extras. Our only hesitation is that sometimes more advanced ellipticals in this series are similarly priced.