Horizon fitness Comfort R bike vs Nordictrack C990 treadmill

This is a comparison of the Horizon fitness comfort R recumbent bike and the Nordictrack C990 treadmill including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

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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The C990 is a part of the outdated treadmill series from Nordictrack which has been replaced by the T series in the States fully whilst still being still in stock in other places of the earth.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.

Overview and review of the Horizon fitness Comfort R bike

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

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Overview of the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike $779

The comfort R recumbent bike is the one seated bikes from the Horizon line up. This is a good pick if you definitely need lumbar support when working out because you have a problem standing up for prolonged times. The full specifications of this bike are:

Frame Type: Step-Thru Recumbent

Pedal Type: Self Balancing pedals

Seat Type: Extra Large comfort seat with lumbar support

Seat Adjustment: Horizontal

Lumbar Support: Yes

Resistance System: ECB Magnetic Brake

Flywheel weight: 15.4 lbs / 7kg

Extras: Built-in speakers, Energy saver mode, Reading rack, Water bottle holder

Max user weight: 350

Weight: 99lbs

Assembled dimensions: 47 x 22 x 53

Home Warranty - Frame: Lifetime

Home Warranty - Parts: 1 year

Home Warranty - Labor: 1 year

Pros of the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike

The pros of the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike are:

Sit while you exercise
Sturdy frame
Good warranty

You can sit while you exercise on this bike with your back being supported. While mainly irrelevant when you do not need it it is a blessing when you are injured or just not able to exercise while standing. If you have a clinic or you had a severe injury to your back, hip, or leg, this might be the right machine for recovery. Sometimes it can also be nice just to be a little lazy and watch the television while keeping active.

HOrizon also offers good warranty options compared to their competitors and especially compared to anything you would buy from a no-name reseller on Amazon.

Cons of the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike

The cons of the Horizon comfort R recumbent bike are:

Bulky
Does not burn a lot of calories

This is a very big machine with very little impact. Recumbent bikes mainly cater to convenience while exercising rather than going hard after it. If you are a healthy athlete, especially creating a home gym, this is not really a great option unless you have your elderly parents living with you in the house. Commercial buyers might get two to four of these for beginners who need to lose weight, rehab clients or to cater to a broader audience.

Alternatives to the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike

The Horizon comfort U bike is an upright bike that creates a comfortable ride for the user. If you are still able to cycle without lumbar support but do not want to go too crazy then this is the right bike for you. This bike will take up less space in your home while addressing a smooth ride for you.

The Nordictrack VU19 is the entry-level bike from Nordictrack which would form a good comparison model to the Comfort U from Horizon. If Horizon fitness is low on stock or you want to compare similar competitors, give the VU19 a look in your research.

The concept 2 skierg can also be used for moderate exercise while standing. The biggest plus of this machine is that it does not have a big footprint. You can easily fit it against a wall or into a corner in your home. The noise out if this machine is also very low compared to treadmills.

The Nordictrack VR25 is the direct comparison to the Horizon recumbent bike is it provides lumbar support during the ride. If you want to compare apples and apples, but this also on your research list before making a decision to buy.

Conclusion for the Horizon Comfort R recumbent bike

The Horizon R recumbent bike is a solid option for commercial buyers who want to extend their fleet to accommodate a broader audience. This machine will enable to also address rehab or overweight scenarios better than upright bikes. For most home gym users I personally think it is not a great option as it is bike and hard to store. In those scenarios, you might be better off with a walking treadmill that can be stored under the bed or a total gym.