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NordicTrack C7.5 elliptical vs TrueForm runner

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Jan 19, 2021 9:00:00 AM

NordicTrack C7.5 elliptical vs TrueForm runner

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack C7.5 elliptical and the TrueForm runner including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details

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Overview and review of the TrueForm runner

The TrueForm Runner comes in at $5695 - $6195. In this article you will learn more about the product itself, its Pros and cons and alternatives you might want to consider. This article has originally been published in the overview "Which conditioning equipment to buy from Rogue".

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Overview of the trueform runner

 
The TrueForm runner is the latest and greatest in the treadmill industry. Compared to other treadmills it has the advantage that it is not motorized and propelled by your own weight. In addition, the surface you run on is curved so the impact of your footfall is not as hard as on a flat surface. This dynamic is achieved by a conveyor belt that runs on bearings. Think of the conveyor belt at the airport but moved by your own bodyweight. It has been used at the CrossFit games and has gained popularity since then. The dimensions of the TrueForm runner are: 
 
  • Height 57’’
  • Width 36’’
  • Running surface 54’’ x 17’’ 
  • Weight 325 LB
 
You can choose from two different options, Enduro and Performance. Both options come in at the same price and with the same dimensions. The performance model provides a higher railing. This is especially useful when you have athletes who run very fast on the machine. 
 
Apart from this, you can pay $500 extra to get grass or track and field topping on the running surface. If you use the TrueForm runner to train track and field or football athletes you might want to go with one of these options. 
 

Pros of the TrueForm runner

 
There are several pros to the TrueForm runner 
 
  • Better posture 
  • Easier adjustment of speed 
  • No power supply needed 
  • No programming needed 
  • Less impact 
  • Good resell value 
  • Low maintenance 
 
Based on the setup of the Trueform runner it actively helps your clients and athletes to have better running form. If you strike with the heel the curve of the machine will help to remedy and correct this over time as you push the belt from the front to the back. 
 
With the Trueform runner, you can adjust the speed at any given time yourself without worrying about faceplanting. Doing interval training on motorized treadmills can be really annoying as the acceleration and decelerations come in jumps rather than continuously when you program them in at the start of your workout. If you adjust them while exercising it is almost impossible, especially at high speeds. 
 
If you deploy a whole row of these (10 - 20 machines) you might also be pleased that you do not need to plan for cabling when the gym is built and powering these treadmills all year around. 
 
As mentioned before you can free run on these machines to your hearts contempt. No buttons or panic stops needed. Just slow down and the belt slows down with you. You will not be catapulted into the wall behind you. 
 
The curve will also be helpful to have less strain in the ankles and knees from the impact of the food. This helps you to train longer for harder. 
 
As with most things which are "hip" and high price you usually get a higher resell value out of them than for the lower range options. While this is mostly less important for individual buyers it can be important for a chain that regularly closes off unprofitable subsidiaries and wants to shuffle equipment around. 
 
As there are no motors which can break down you will also have fewer maintenance needs. Although you are probably more likely to need a welder rather than an electrician when this beast breaks. 
 

Cons of the TrueForm runner

 
The cons of the TrueForm runner are in my opinion:
 
  • Hard to do pace training 
  • Not for beginners 
  • Price tag 
  • A big piece of equipment 
  • Poor monitor 
 
When I prepared for my marathons there was one thing I liked about treadmills, you could set an exact pace for some of your long runs. This is actually a strength rather than a weakness of a motorized treadmill. For me, it was handy to plan my splits and hit my target time as the pace I chose was slightly challenging. I would do one of these a week slightly above the planned pace for the marathon and add distance each time. The rest of my training would be outdoors. This raised my confidence to reproduce the exact pace I needed on race day. With the TrueForm Runner, it would have been hard to have that reference, but it would have been better to do Interval runs indoors. 
 
Tell me what you want but this thing is not for beginners. This is designed for people who want to go like cheetahs and could not do it properly on normal treadmills. Fast acceleration and breaking are where this is at home. Not for beginners or someone who is wobbly on their feet because they do rehab or are overweight. A slow motorized treadmill is the better option here. 
 
With $5000 a piece, this is a steep price. If you want to signal to your clients that you are doing well and justify the membership of $300 a month, this is a strategy. For two of these, you can get a 10 pack of concept 2 rowers, skiergs or bikes. 10 x $100 in membership fees from a spinning class is more than 2x $300 with a bigger spread of risk in your income. 
 
Last but not least these are big. If you have a garden or basement gym I would almost consider this no option unless you live in a mansion. If you want to maximize floor space in your commercial gym this is also not the way to go. CrossFit boxes might like this, especially if they are in the middle of a busy city. 
 
The monitor is poor compared to some of the concept 2 options where you have leaderboards implemented to keep yourself motivated. 
 

Alternatives to the TrueForm runner

 
There are the following alternatives to the TrueFrom runner: 
 
 
The assault air runner is one alternative to the TrueFrom runner if you still want a self-propelled treadmill. The assault air runner comes in at a lower price point than the TrueForm runner. The mechanics are also a little different which makes running easier on this one. 
 
The Versa Climber is often referred to as one of the hardest things you can do in endurance on a machine. It simulates climbing a steep wall with a good grip. It comes in at about half the price and takes up less footprint than the TrueForm runner. If you want a good machine for your home to knock you out this is can be a great pick. For a commercial gym, you might not have the uptake as many people just want their treadmills. 
 
The Rogue Echo bike is a solid choice for the home gym that wants to kick your butt. Combined to the Versa Climber and the TrueFrom Runner it comes in at a fraction of the cost. A good air bike workout will still challenge you and is highly recommended. 
 

Summary  for the TrueForm runner

 
This is a well-built piece of equipment which is worth the price if you have the need and space for it. Athletes who know how to pace themselves, have balance and want every workout to be as challenging and adaptable as possible will love this. 
 
For the average gym with average clients it is probably a bit too intimidating and high performance. I do not see overweight stay at home moms or retired manly beer bellies stepping on the TrueForm runner first thing through your gym doors. 

 
 

Overview and review of the NordicTrack C7.5 999

This is a review of the NordicTrack including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article has been originally published in “which NordicTrack treadmill or elliptical to get in the UK”. Follow the links for more details.

Overview of the Nordictrack C7.5 

 
The Nordictrack C7.5 elliptical gives you an opportunity to enter the NordicTrack portfolio under 1000. The main features of this elliptical are the 9kg flywheel, 20% incline, and 5-inch backlit display. The full list of features covers: 
 
  • 5" Backlit Display
  • iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
  • Integrated Tablet Holder
  • Two 2” Speakers
  • Front Drive
  • 18" Power-Adjustable Stride
  • 9kg. Effective Flywheel
  • 0 - 20% Power-Adjustable Incline
  • 22 Digital Resistance Levels
  • OneTouch® Controls
  • EKG Pulse Grip Heart Rate Monitor
  • Max User Weight 125kg
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • SoftTouch™ Upper-Body Grips
  • Oversized, Cushioned Pedals
  • Water Bottle Holder
  • Front-mounted Transport Wheels
  • 26 Workout Apps
  • Product Weight 86kg
  • Boxed Weight 99kg
  • Product Dimensions - 169L x 63W x 176H cm
  • Boxed Dimensions - 178L x 37W x 77H cm
  • Warranty - 5-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty, subject to registration within 28 days of purchase.
The C7.5 is a good and stable machine, especially as it is front-drive.

Pros of the NordicTrack C7.5

 
The Pros of the C7.5 are:
 
  • 20% Incline
  • Compact design 
 
The C7.5 is a compact front-drive elliptical which has a 20% incline. For the money, you are putting on the table this is a solid, professional machine.  In the Uk, this is currently probably the best value for money elliptical which Nordictrack has in its portfolio.
 

Cons of the NordicTrack C7.5 

 
The cons of the C7.5 are:
 
  • 18" Stride 
  • Set elliptical 
 
The C7.5 comes on a set elliptical and can not move in different directions like the free stride models of NordicTrack. Some people before a set movement patterns, but Free Stride makes other ellipticals a three in one machine including a stepper, elliptical, and treadmill. The stride is also shorter compared to most other Nordictrack ellipticals which come in 22" and 32" stride length.
 

Alternatives to the NordicTrack C7.5

 
Alternatives to the C7.5 are:
 
The Nordictrack C5.5 has a smaller flywheel and no incline. If you want to no incline and ave a little money in your elliptical purchase, this would be the right machine to go for. Still, the C7.5 and C5.5 are so close in price, that you might as well get the bigger flywheel and 20% incline for a little money extra.
 
The Nordictrack SE5i is a rear-drive elliptical with a 16kg flywheel. It will take up more space than the C7.5. In return, you will get a more solid machine at a lower price tag. The trade-off is that you have to give up more space. 
 
The concept 2 model D is a classic rowing machine that is in use in many gyms all over the world. It is reliable, field-tested, and can be gotten for under 1000 as a new piece of equipment. If you like to row and do not want to stand while you are doing your cardio, this is a good option.
 
The Rogue Echo Bike is my personal favorite among the cardio machines for a home gym. It compact, affordable and gives you many opportunities to work up to a good burn. Rogue did a great job of producing a competitively priced Airbike to be used for dedicated home warriors. The only downside is that it comes with little to no multimedia accessories. 
 

Summary for the C7.5 

 
The C7.5 from Nordictrack is currently the best value for money option in the UK market from Nordictrack to be used at home. It compact, affordable and does not take up as much space as other ellipticals from Nordictrack. It might not have the most modern display or biggest flywheel, but these are the compromises you have to take for a compact machine at a good price point.

Topics: Treadmill