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Horizon Elite T5 treadmill vs Nordictrack C5.5 elliptical

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Mar 26, 2021 4:00:00 PM

Horizon Elite T5 treadmill vs Nordictrack C5.5 elliptical

This is a comparison between the Horizon Elite T5 treadmill and Nordictrack C5.5 elliptical including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article has been originally published in which Horizon treadmill to get.

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Overview and review of the NordicTrack C5.5 elliptical

This is a review of the NordicTrack C5.5 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.

 

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Overview of the Nordictrack C5.5 

 
The C5.5 which has been stripped of most of the bells and whistles and is a simple front-drive elliptical. Its main features are a 7kg flywheel, 18" stride and 5" backlit display. The full list of features reads as follows:
 
  • 5" Backlit Display
  • iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
  • Integrated Tablet Holder
  • Two 2” Speakers
  • Front Drive
  • 18" Manual-Adjustable Stride
  • 7kg. Effective Flywheel
  • 5-Position Manual Adjustable Ramp
  • 20 Digital Resistance Levels
  • EKG Pulse Grip Heart Rate Monitor
  • Max User Weight 125kg
  • SoftTouch™ Upper-Body Grips
  • Water Bottle Holder
  • Oversized, Cushioned Pedals
  • Front-mounted Transport Wheels
  • 20 Workout Apps
  • Product Weight 79kg
  • Boxed Weight 93kg
  • Assembled Dimensions - 169L x 63W x 169H 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.
This is the elliptical to get of you don't want any fancy features and minimize the amount of money you have to table for a Nordictrack elliptical. 

Pros of the NordicTrack C5.5

 
Pros of the C5.5 are:
 
  • Price
The main advantage of the Nordictrack C5.5 is the price. It is currently the cheapest front-drive elliptical from Nordictrack which you can get from them.
 

Cons of the NordicTrack C5.5

 
The cons of the NordicTrack C 5.5 are:
 
  • No touch screen
  • No incline 
  • Short stride
 
The C5.5 has been kept simple on most of its features to keep the cost of manufacturing low. You will get no touch screen or big screen to run your entertainment on. This machine also has no incline functions and the stride is relatively short compared to other elliptical models from NordicTrack with 18". 
 

Alternatives to the NordicTrack C5.5

 
The alternatives to the C5.5 are:
 
The Nordictrack 7.5 is the big brother of the C5.5. With the minimal extra investment, you get a 20% incline and a bigger flywheel. If you are considering a front-drive elliptical I personally think that the C7.5 is the better value for money choice as it is just slightly more expensive with two significant feature upgrades. 
 
The NordicTrack SE3i is the rear-drive version of the C5.5. You will get a bigger flywheel and therefore an elliptical which will last for longer. In return, this machine will take up more space in your home or gym. These are some trade-offs to be considered. 
 
The concept 2 model d is a reliable rowing machine that has been in active service all over the world. If you want to do your cardio while seated and like rowing, this is the machine to get. It will come in at less than 1000, but not have big multimedia options. The onboard computer does everything you need.
 
The Rogue echo bike is the ultimate machine for the home gym. It is compact, cost-efficient, and can still give you a challenging workout. You will not get a lot of multimedia, but the sturdiest airbike around at a price point of around 700.
 

Summary for the Nordictrack C5.5

 
The Nordictrack C5.5 is a front-drive elliptical at the lowest price point which Nordictrack offers for the UK. Personally I would go for the C7.5 instead, as it is so little extra investment for a great upgrade. 
 

Overview and review of the Horizon Elite T5 treadmill

This is an overview of the Horizon Elite T5 treadmill including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article has been originally published in which Horizon treadmill to get. Follow the links for more details.

You can get the most up to date content and ask direct questions on my Instagram Account.

 
 

Overview of the Horizon Elite T5 $1.199

 
The Horizon Elite T5 is the smallest of the Horizon Elite lineup of treadmills which come with an extra sturdy frame. Compared to its two bigger brothers, the T7 and T9, it has considerably less warranty and a smaller belt to run on. In exchange, it hugs the $1000 price tag tightly while the other two models cost $1.599 and $1.999. The list of specifications for the T5 can be seen below:
 
Frame Type: Feather-Light Folding
Running area: 20"x55"
Cushioning: 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning                      
Drive Motor: 2.75 Horsepower
Belt: 1.4mm, Silicone
Deck Thickness: .75
Roller Size: front 2.4" rear 1.8"
Speed range: 0.5 - 12 mph
Incline Range: 0% – 15%
Extras: Built-in Speakers, Energy Saver Mode, Fan, In-reach Resistance Controls, Passport Ready, Tablet Rack, Water Bottle Holder
Weight: 227 lbs
Assembled dimensions: 73" x 35" x 61"
Folded dimensions: 43.3" x 35" x 65"
Max User Weight: 350
Electrical Requirements: 110 - 120V
Home Warranty Frame: Lifetime
Home Warranty Motor: Lifetime
Home Warranty Parts: 3 years
Home Warranty Labor: 1 years
 
The Horizon Elite T5 is a good option when you want a sturdy frame but do not particularly care about the warranty, extra digital features, or the motor. All these compromises bring the price down to a little over $1.000 for a treadmill that can take up to 21.000 miles without a problem.
 

Pros of the Horizon EliteT5

 
The pros of the Horizon Elite T5 are:
 
  • Price
  • Frame
  • Folding mechanism
 
For this price, you are getting a formidable running machine for your home that is convenient to use and to collapse depending on your needs. Most runners at home will not put the treadmill through the same abuse as in a commercial setting and unless you are an elite runner yourself the motor will most likely be more than enough for you. The folding mechanism is easy and you do not have to worry that the treadmill comes crashing down on your kids or they can catch a finger in the mechanics easily.
 

Cons of the Horizon Elite T5

 
The cons of the Horizon Elite T5 are:
 
  • Smaller warranty package compared to other Elite models
  • Limited Entertainment options
  • Smaller belt
  • Smaller motor
 
The Horizon Elite T5 saves you money which comes at a cost for convenience and entertainment. The warranty package has been stripped compared to the Elite models which make it a less attractive buy in a commercial setting or in a home gym where multiple elite runners will throw everything they have at this treadmill. The biggest downside for a machine for $1.000 is the limited multimedia functions. No Bluetooth hurts in these modern days. A smaller belt and motor round off the cutback on features to deliver the low price tag of the Elite T5.
 

Alternatives to the Horizon Elite T5

 
Alternatives to the Horizon Elite T5 are
 
 
The Horizon Elite T9 is the flagship treadmill out of the Horizon lineup. Compared to the T5 it has a bigger belt, a touch screen, and a more powerful motor. This is the option for commercial gyms that want to cater to all types of runners and walkers or for the home gym athlete that does not want to compromise and pay no more than $2.000 for their treadmill. There are other options above $2.000 in the market that basically come with a massive television attached, but not everyone needs that.
 
The Horizon Elite T7 is a good compromise between the T9 and the T5. It has a smaller footprint than the T9 and better warranty options than the T5 while still having the same belt size as the T9. If you are a serious runner who already has a Television in their gym or a commercial buyer who wants to buy in bulk where televisions are already installed in the facilities then this is a good buy. If you want the latest and greatest in entertainment technology you have to give the T7 a pass as it has no Bluetooth.
 
The Nordictrack 1750 is a strong competitor to any treadmill in the below $2000 budget arena. It outperforms the Elite series on the length of the warranty, the strength of the motor, and entertainment functions. You should have a look at this treadmill which is right in the middle of the Nordictrack portfolio. Nordictrack has recently done a facelift of their product line providing models with integrated television and working hard on their Ifit software to catch up to Peloton who are sweeping the market. The only downside to Nordictrack is that there is more negative customer feedback readily available online. This could be done to higher sales numbers or worse product quality compared to Horizon fitness.
 
The Assault air runner is a cheaper model in the area of self-propelled treadmills. These treadmills run on bearings instead of an electric motor. This means you can determine the pace yourself and it makes them superior to traditional treadmills for Interval training and start-stop sprints. The only downside is that these haven't been standardized in production like most of the treadmills you see, so they are usually north of $3.000 in price.
 
The Rogue Echo Bike and the TITAN fan bike are two different air bikes that I highly recommend as an alternative to a treadmill for your home gym. Air bikes are easier to move around, lend themselves better to HIIT training, and take up much less space in your home gym or garage gym. I prefer to run outside and as long as your circumstances allow for it, I would recommend that. On top of that, they are also more affordable at around $700 sticker price.
 

Conclusion for the Horizon Elite T5

 
The Horizon Elite T5 is a good budget option for the serious runner who does not want to waste money on technology and maximize the lifetime of the treadmill. Commercial buyers might want to opt for the T7 instead of they already have entertainment as the warranty is better. If Bluetooth is a must you can go for the T9, but then you are also just at the brink of $2.000 for your treadmill. The Nordictrack 1750 is always worth a look as an alternative.