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NordicTrack C7.5 vs SE9i elliptical

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Jan 15, 2021 9:00:00 AM

NordicTrack C7.5 vs SE9i elliptical

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack C7.5 elliptical and the SE9i including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details

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Overview and review of the Nordictrack SE9i $1799

This is a review of the Nordictrack SE9i model. You will learn about the specifics, pros, cons, and alternatives of this elliptical to make a decision. This article was originally published in "Which elliptical to get from Nordictrack".
 

Overview of the SE9i elliptical

 
The SE9i elliptical is the flagship rear-drive elliptical from Nordictrack. Its main features are a 7-inch touch screen, 18-flywheel, and 10% incline. The full list of features includes: 
 
  • 7” Smart HD Touchscreen
  • Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership**
  • Integrated Tablet Holder
  • 0 - 10° Power Adjustable Incline
  • Auxiliary Music Port
  • Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • Integrated, QuickTouch™ Handle Controls
  • Adjustable, Oversized Cushion Pedals
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
  • Rear Drive
  • 18 Lb. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
  • SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  • 24 Digital Resistance Levels
  • 10% Power Adjustable Incline
  • One Touch® Controls
  • Commercial Solid Steel Construction
  • EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
  • iFit Bluetooth® Smart Chest Strap Included
  • 325 Lb. User Weight Capacity
  • 30 Preset Workout Apps
  • Integrated Handle Controls for Ramp and Resistance
  • Out-of-the-Box Easy Assembly
  • Rear-mounted Transport Wheels
  • Water Bottle Holder
  • Vertical SpaceSaver® Design
  • 78.7" L x 31.9" W x 66.4" H Footprint
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is the fancy version of the two rear-drive Nordictrack ellipticals with a touch screen. If you do not need a touch screen you can go for the SE7i instead.
 

Pros of the SE9i

 
The pros of the SE9i are:
 
  • Price 
  • Touch screen
 
Compared to the rest of the Nordictrack portfolio the SE9i is relatively cheap, even though it is the most expensive rear-drive elliptical in stock.  Compared to the lower cost SE7i it has the advantage of the 7-inch touch screen.
 

Cons of the SE9i elliptical

 
The cons of the Se9i elliptical are:
 
  • 18-pound flywheel
  • Size
  • Price
For buying something rather low tier from a vendor the price is still pretty high. If you want to save money, go all the way and get a machine that has been stripped of most things and focuses on the essentials. Otherwise, go for a different vendor or fitness machine where you can acquire the top tier products for $2000. 
 

Alternatives to the Se9i elliptical

 
The alternatives to the SE9i elliptical are:
 
 
The Nordictrack SE7i saves you an additional $600 by cutting out the touch screen in exchange for a backlit display. This will help you to save further money.
 
The concept 2 rower is a great alternative for someone who wants to go hard but has problems standing for along time. You have two different models you can choose from, the Model E and model D. 
 
The Rogue echo bike at $700 is, in my opinion, one of the strongest contestants for the best home gym workout machine. It is compact, affordable and packs a punch.
 

Summary for the SE9i elliptical

 
All in all, the Se9i is a rear-drive elliptical with a touch screen that has seen its best days. Newer designs have taken over and offer better value for money from Nordictrack. The only thing which would tempt me to go for a rear-drive is the folding option and if I was 20 years older.
 
 
 

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