Nordictrack Freestride Trainer vs Proform HIIT Trainer – Which is Best For You?

February 24, 2021July 13, 2022 FitnessEquipmentGuide 0 Comments comparisons, freestride trainer, proform cardio HIIT trainer

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Trying to compare the Nordictrack Freestride Trainer vs Proform HIIT Trainer?

Wondering how they compare – and which is best for you?

A lot of people today are looking for something more than a traditional elliptical – something that can help you burn more calories in less time. If that’s you then you’ve probably come across both the Nordictrack Freestride Trainer and the Proform HIIT Trainer.

Both help you train more lower body muscle groups (in different ways) so you can burn more calories in less time.

They also both take up less space than a standard crosstrainer – and both offer plenty of entertainment features to make your workouts more productive and enjoyable.

But when you really look at them, these are two very different machines.

Each one has their own unique benefits. So which is the best choice for you?

This post will show you the key differences between the Nordictrack Freestride Trainer vs Proform HIIT Trainer so you can find the best fit for you. Let’s dive in.

Nordictrack Freestride Trainer vs Proform HIIT – Price

As of this writing, the Proform HIIT Trainer is a bit more affordable. There are currently 2 different HIIT models and you can get them starting around $1299 direct from the Manufacturer with Free Shipping here.

The Nordictrack Freestrider runs a bit higher. There are also 2 different models in the series with the first model starting around $1899 with Free Shipping here.

So in terms of price, the Proform HIIT trainer is a bit more affordable. However it also depends on which models you’re comparing.

nordictrack fs14i freestride trainer review — Nordictrack Freestride Trainer

Nordictrack Freestride Trainer vs Proform HIIT Trainer – Motion

The type of motion on these two machines is very different. The Freestride Trainer has a completely adaptable stride.

This means you can use it to run, like a traditional elliptical – or do other types of strides as well. It technically gives you a lot more options for lower body motion. You get up to a 32-inch variable stride, which is amazing.

freestrider best machine — Nordictrack Freestride Trainer

You can choose your own stride within these parameters and do short, stair-stepping strides, longer jogging strides or even longer hurdling strides.

You can also pedal forward or back. This gives you a lot of motion options to choose from. It also guarantees that your body never gets used to one set motion (and decreases your calories burned as it grows more efficient).

So in theory you can burn more calories on a Freestride Trainer (vs a regular elliptical) because you’re always changing up your motion.

However the Proform HIIT Trainer is no slouch either.

It doesn’t give as many running path options as the Freestride trainer. It’s more like a hybrid elliptical with climbing motion instead of a flat running path motion.

It’s kind of like a vertical elliptical. This also helps use more lower body muscle groups (vs a standard elliptical) which in turn will automatically burn more calories than a regular elliptical.

I’ve tried both machines. I think personally that the HIIT Trainer climbing motion is higher vertically than the stair stepping motion on the Freestrider.

So if you want more of a climbing machine than a flat-running path elliptical – then the HIIT Trainer might be a better option.

You can also pedal backwards on the HIIT trainer – but again, the motion is much more set than on a Freestride trainer.

Both machines use upper body moving arm bars as well to help you tone the upper body muscles. – so there isn’t much difference there.

It really comes down to the lower body motion and what you prefer. The Freestride trainer gives you a lot more variety of motion – whereas the HIIT Trainer gives you a higher vertical climbing stride.

Freestride Trainer vs Proform HIIT Trainer – Incline

The Nordictrack Freestride Trainers also gives you another way to crosstrain that you don’t get with the Proform HIIT Trainer – incline.

Incline changes the slope of your elliptical path, helping you to work different sets of muscles and add more challenge to your workout.

The higher-end Freestrider model also gives you decline as well as incline. So this is another way to add crosstraining options to your workout.

Click to Compare All Nordictrack Freestriders

Proform HIIT vs Freestride Trainer – Arm Bars

Both trainers give you moving arm bars so you can work your upper body.

The Proform HIIT trainers however also give you stationary arm bars:

This is a handy way to rest your arms if you get tired during your workout. Just grasp the stationary arm bars.

The Nordictrack Freestriders don’t have stationary arm bars. You can still rest your arms. But to do this you’ll have to either grasp the moving arm bars (without pushing or pulling) or just rest them above the console screen.

Bottom Line?

So which is best for you when comparing the Nordictrack Freestride Trainer vs Proform HIIT elliptical?

Well, both have their benefits.

The Proform HIIT trainer gives you a way to burn more calories with the vertical elliptical motion.

It also gives you stationary bars to rest your arms and tends to have the smallest footprint vs the Freestride Trainer.

The Freestride Trainer gives you a lot more lower body motion options.

You can use it more as a traditional elliptical. Plus you can also do up and down motions (like the Proform HIIT) and even longer running motions (like a treadmill).

It also gives you incline for more crosstraining options. If you have multiple users in your home, it’s also ideal since everyone can choose the elliptical stride that feels right for them.

So it really comes down to what you’re looking for at the end of the day and which motion you prefer.

Want to learn more? Check out the links below for more information on each machine.