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Horizon fitness 7.0 AE elliptical vs Nordictrack 2950 treadmill

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Apr 24, 2021 9:00:00 AM

Horizon fitness 7.0 AE elliptical vs Nordictrack 2950 treadmill

This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness 7.0 AE elliptical and the Nordictrack 2950 treadmill including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review Nordictrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill $2999 - $3599

This is a review of the Nordictrack commercial 2950 model which was originally posted in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

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Overview Nordictrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill $2999 - $3599

 
The 2950 is the top-end treadmill from Nordictrack without the big %40 incline option. The main features are the massive 22-inch touchpad and the foldable Running track. The full list of features is:
 
  • 22” Smart HD Touchscreen
  • 1-Year iFit® Membership Included ($468 Value)**
  • Auxiliary Music Port
  • Two 3” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
  • Runners Flex™ Cushioning
  • Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
  • 22” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
  • 4.25 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
  • 0 - 12 MPH Speed
  • 0 - 15% Incline
  • 0 - 3% Decline
  • OneTouch® Controls
  • EKG Grip Pulse
  • 300 Lb. User Weight Capacity
  • 2.5” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
  • SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
  • 40 On-Board Workout Programs
  • Integrated Tray
  • 79.5” L x 39.2” W x 66.6” H Footprint
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty
If you have some surplus money to spend and like the good things in life this is the treadmill for you. The incline options from Nordictrack technically have more bells and whistles if you only want the best, but I think you are more than covered with what the 2950 has to offer with the added bonus that it can be folded up. 

Pros of the Nordictrack 2950 

 
The pros of the 2950 Nordictrack treadmill are: 
 
  • Big screen 
  • Good folding mechanics 
  • Strong motor
  • High capacity and large belt 
 
This machine is a great option for a high-end home gym for which the owner does not want to spare any expenses without paying for unnecessary gimmicks which will be rarely used. If you work with the elderly are anyone that needs a big touch screen you will not be disappointed with the 2950. The same goes for if you need the extra size and cushioning because you are heavy or just like comfort. 
 

Cons of the Nordictrack 2950 

 
The cons of the 2950:
 
  • No Start stops possible 
  • High price 
  • Big footprint 
 
The Nordictrack 2950 is a great option when you have the necessary change in your pocket and space in your home or gym. Otherwise, it is a pretty bad choice. If you have to buy in bulk the price will escalate quite quickly. You also can not do Start-stop sprints that are relevant to many sports. 
 

Alternatives to the Nordic track 2950 

 
Alternatives to the 2950 are 
 
 
The X32i is the ultimate treadmill you can get from Nordictrack. It has a 32-inch touchscreen and goes up to 40% incline. If you want everything and can pay for it go for this model. I personally think that 40% incline is overkill unless you are an extreme Trail runner who wants to be able to train all year round. If you want to burn the maximum calories per minute there are cheaper options than an incline treadmill. 
 
The Nordictrack X22i has the same specs as the X32i. The only difference is that the screen is 22inch and you save $1000 because of that.
 
The true form runner is roughly in the same price range than the 2950. Rather than using an electrical motor, you propel the belt forward yourself. This is a better option when you train high performing athletes who need to do start and stop drills. Especially if you have limited space. It’s still not as good as training outdoors on the pitch, but the true from runner can be used all year round even when the pitch can not be accessed.
 
The Rogue echo bike is a great value for money option if your main goal is to burn as many calories as possible in a short amount of time. It is roughly priced at $700 and therefore for under most cardio equipment you can get for your home gym. In addition, it is also very space-efficient. 
 
The Versaclimber SM is the ultimate machine for getting you to sweat and burn calories in the shortest amount of time. This machine is not for beginners and therefore has a smaller range than the rest of the cardio equipment in this comparison. The big disadvantage against the echo bike is the higher price tag. If you are super fit, rich and value your time above anything else, get this machine to burn the calories fast before you go on set or in the boardroom. If you are a mere mortal with limited finances get the Rogue echo bike to burn calories. 
 

Summary for the 2950 

 
The 2950 treadmill is, in my opinion, the sensible wealthy treadmill for the home gym owner or the elite/boutique sensible option for a commercial gym. Anyone who enters your gym will be impressed and it will not look cheap. In addition, you get a plethora of functionality without going overboard with the 40% incline. For everyone else, more than 3000 is a lot of money to spend on one machine. You can get up to ten squat stands for that and open an Olympic weightlifting gym. Just the plates might eat your budget up, but that is another topic. 
 
 

Overview and review of the Horizon fitness 7.0 AE elliptical

This is an overview of the Horizon fitness AE 7.0 elliptical including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was first published in Which Horizon fitness elliptical to get?

For the most up to date information and asking direct questions you can follow me on Instagram.

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Overview of the 7.0 AE elliptical $999

 
The 7.0 AE elliptical is the best value for money option in the Horizon elliptical lineup. This is mainly due to the most modern console out of all the Horizon ellipticals. The size and layout are more than enough for home gym use. In a commercial setting, you might want to bet on something with a bigger frame and different warranty options. The full specifications are:
 
Frame Type: Six Star Non-folding
Flywheel: 23
Stride Length: 20
Incline Range:20 Levels 0-100%
Resistance Range: Magnetic, 20 levels
Step on height (inches): 10 3/4"
Extras: Built-in Speakers, Fan, Tablet rack, Water bottle holder
Electrical requirements: 120V - 60Hz
Weight: 194lbs
Assembled dimensions: 76" x 24" x 65.5"
Max user weight: 325 lbs.
Warranty - Frame: Lifetime
Warranty - Brake: Lifetime
Warranty - Flywheel: 1 year
Warranty - Parts: 3 year
Warranty - Labor: 1 year
 

Pros of the 7.0 AE elliptical

 
The pros of the 7.0 AE elliptical are:
 
  • Price
  • Compact design
  • Console
 
This is a great elliptical for under $1000 to put into your home. The updates to the console to make it YouTube friendly and more compatible with the devices you already own is a big step forward for Horizon fitness. We hopefully see more of that in their treadmill and bike products to catch up to Peloton in terms of gamification of workouts. This is the Best Buy from Horizon in my opinion if you are looking to get an elliptical for your home.
 

Cons of the 7.0 AE elliptical

 
The cons of the 7.0 AE elliptical are:
 
  • It’s an elliptical
  • Not best for commercial use
 
There is not a lot I can find wrong with the 7.0 AE for an elliptical except ... that it is elliptical. I personally prefer something that can really hit hard for my cardio like an Airbike or even the BlazePod system. Ellipticals are great and easy on you but just not the preferred choice for cardio. But, if you are into a good workout that does not put you at risk of injury, this is it.
 
For commercial use, the 7.0 AE frame might not be the best. Go a bit upmarket for $1500 upwards to get an elliptical that is not foldable and has a bit of weight on it so it can take some of the weirder crowd that comes with running a big commercial gym.
 

Alternatives to the 7.0 AE elliptical

 
Alternatives to the Horizon 7.0 AE elliptical are:
 
 
The Horizon Evolve 3 is bigger than the 7.0 AE and foldable. If you are invested in the idea of a foldable elliptical this is the better choice even though the console is not as up-to-date.
 
The Nordictrack SE7i is currently the low-end option for entering the elliptical market with this brand. This can be an option when you want something fast and Horizon is out of stock.
 
The Rogue Echo Bike is in my opinion the best solution on the market for someone who does not want to pay a leg and an arm and have intense cardio workouts on a small footprint. The Rogue Echo Bike is high quality at an affordable price. It will kick your butt I’m a good way. The copycat lower-cost competitor of the Rogue Echo bike is the TITAN fan bike.
 

Conclusion for the 7.0 AE elliptical

 
If you like Horizon fitness as a brand and want an elliptical for your home, the 7.0 AE is the best choice for bang for your buck as long as you have the space to place it in.

Topics: Cardio, Horizon, Elliptical