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NordicTrack C990 treadmill vs SE7i elliptical

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Oct 24, 2020 8:00:00 AM

NordicTrack C990 treadmill vs SE7i elliptical

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack C990 treadmill and the SE7i elliptical including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details

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Overview and review of the Nordictrack SE7i $1299

This is a review of the Nordictrack SE7i 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 SE7i

 
The SE7i rear-drive elliptical is the cheapest rear-drive elliptical from NordicTrack. Its main features are an 18-inch stride, 18-pound flywheel and the foldable design for easy storage. The full list of features includes:
 
  • 5” Backlit Display
  • NordicTrack iFit® Membership Ready
  • Integrated Tablet Holder
  • Auxiliary Music Port
  • Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
  • Adjustable, Oversized Cushion Pedals
  • Rear Drive
  • 18 Lb. Effective Flywheel
  • SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
  • 22 Digital Resistance Levels
  • 10% Power Adjustable Incline
  • Commercial Solid Steel Construction
  • Oversized Levelers
  • 325 Lb. User Weight Capacity
  • EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
  • Vertical SpaceSaver® Design
  • 24 On-Board Workouts
  • Rear-mounted Transport Wheels
  • Water Bottle Holder
  • Out-of-the-Box Easy Assembly
  • 67" H X 32" W X 80" L
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
This machine is best looked for in the used market. If you want to get a new Nordictrack elliptical I would recommend the 12.9i front drive for commercial and the 10.9i for home gym use. 

Pros of the SE7i

  • Price

Cons of the SE7I

  • Small flywheel
  • No-touch screen
  • Size

Alternatives to the SE7I

 
Alternatives to the SE7i are:
 
he concept 2 rower is a good option for anyone who likes a bit more intensity but does not want to stand while exercising. These rowers can also be conveniently stored on a wall hanger to save space when not in use. The main models are the Model E and Model D. Go for the Model E when you are either big and strong (reads NFL player sized) are have problems with going very low. The Model D version is the standard concept 2 model.
 
The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite when it comes to bang for your buck. It has a high-quality machine that can be used professionally and only costs $700. It is space-efficient and intense.  If you are a home gym owner who means business and does not need any fancy stuff, this is the machine to get. 
 

Summary for the SE7i

 
The SE7i is the cheap and cheerful option for the occasional home warrior for the basement or garage.
 

Overview and review of the NordicTrack C990 1599

This is a review of the NordicTrack C990 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 C990

 
The C990 is a part of the outdated treadmill series from Nordictrack which has been replaced by the T series in the States fully whilst still being still in stock in other places of the earth. The main features of this treadmill are the 3 CHP motor, LCD display, and the 12% incline. The full list of features covers:
 
  • Includes 1 Year iFit Membership
  • iFit Integrated
  • Smart BlueTooth (BLE) Chestbelt Compatible
  • 7" HD Touch Screen Display
  • Dual 2-Inch Speakers
  • 3.0 CHP Motor
  • 0 - 12% Incline
  • 0 – 22 km/h Speed
  • 1.9" Roller
  • Onetouch Controls
  • 125kg Max User Weight
  • EKG Handgrips
  • FlexSelect Cushioning
  • 51 x 152 cm Tread Belt
  • Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
  • SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
  • Assembled Dimensions - 201 L x 91 x 153H cm
  • Product Weight 90kg
  • Boxed Weight 101kg
  • Folded Dimensions - 108L x 91W x 180H cm
  • Boxed Dimensions - 209 L x 77W x 35H cm
  • Warranty - Lifetime Frame Warranty, 10-year Motor Warranty, 2-Year Parts & Labour upon warranty registration within 28 days of purchase
This is a solid treadmill to look for int he used market. If you want your own, new treadmill with reliable delivery, this might not be the best choice as the T series is newer and in the same price range.

Pros of the NordicTrack C990

 
The pros of the Nordictrack C990 are:
 
  • 3.0 CHP motor
  • Dual speakers 
The 3.0 chp motor is great for home use, especially if you run a lot and want to put a lot of mileage on this machine. The speakers are also a great addition to this machine, as it was brought to market in a time when good bluetooth earphones were still rather expensive. If you mainly use Bluetooth earphones with your phone, this feature might not be that relevant to you.  
 

Cons of the Nordictrack 990

 
The cons of the Nordictrack 990 are:
 
  • Price
  • Age
The Nordictrack 990 is currently quite pricey for a treadmill that has aged. This might be due to the situation with the Coronavirus in 2020, so you might want to revisit prices at some other stage to get a better picture. 
 

Alternatives to the Nordictrack C990

 
Alternatives to the Nordictrack C990 are:
 
The Nordictrack T7.5 is the more modern alternative to the C990 at almost the same price. If you have the budget and want to go for a treadmill now, go for the T7.5 instead of the C990. If you want to save some money you will have better chances dumpster diving for the C990 than for the T7.5.
 
The Nordictrack FS5i can be an alternative if you want to have an elliptical instead of a treadmill. This model comes with the Nordictrack free stride technology which enabled three different modes of operation. You can use the FS5i as a stepper, treadmill, and elliptical. This comes at the cost of stability for a modern design. This is a good machine if you have to cater to many needs in a limited space, but not if you are a long-distance runner who wants to clock hundreds of miles. 
 
The concept 2 model D is a rower which can be obtained for under 1000. This rower is great when you want to gove your knees and ankles a rest and still get a good workout in. It does not come with a lot of multimedia options but has everything you need to burn some calories. The only downside is that rowers are not great for interval training.
 
The Rogue Echo bike is one of the best machines for use in a home gym. It is compact, affordable and can be used for intense 20-minute cardio workouts covering all bases. If you don't need entertainment and want a solid airbike to kick some butt, this is the machine for you.

Topics: Treadmill