NordicTrack C5.5 elliptical vs T8.5 treadmill

This is a comparison of the Nordictrack C5.5 and T8.5. Learn about pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill $1399 - $1999

This is a review of the Nordictrack 8.5 S model which was originally published in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

Overview NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill $1399 - $1999

The T 8.5 is the small brother of the T 9.5 from Nordictrack. The main difference is an HD touch screen which 10 inches on the 8.5 instead of 14 on the T 9.5. Apart from this, you get a top speed of 12 miles an hour, 12% incline and a foldable treadmill. The full list of specifications for the T 8.5 runs as following:

10” Smart HD Touchscreen
Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership
Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
Dual 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
FlexSelect™ Cushioning
20” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
Integrated Tray
0-12% Incline
0-12 MPH Speed
One Touch® Controls
3.5 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
1.9” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
300 Lb. User Capacity
EKG Grip Pulse
SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
50 On-Board Workout Programs
78.5” L x 35.5” W x 59” H Footprint
10-Year Frame Warranty
2-Year Parts Warranty
1-Year Labor Warranty

This is a treadmill for the smaller budget and a mid-range option at it. I personally do not like the middle of the road solutions and either go alls guns blazing or very low budget. Personally, I think the 1750 is more balanced or go for the T6.5 if you want to save money and space.

Pros of the NordicTrack T 8.5 treadmill

The pros of the 8.5 treadmill are:

Foldable
300 lb capacity
Cushioning

If you want to save money on a treadmill that can take a pounding this is the right choice. You can save space when storing and it takes up to 300 lbs. of weight. All of this makes it a good option for a mid-range home treadmill.

Cons of the NordicTrack T 8.5 treadmill

Cons of the Nordictrack 8.5:

Somewhere in the middle
High price to compromise

As the Nordictrack portfolio has evolved the 1750 is just the better option in terms of value for money in my opinion. With the T 8.5 you compromise on the size of the belt, incline, and screen while still paying a good bit of money. It is a reasonable price for a cardio machine compared to other machines in the market, but I would lean more towards the 1750 to spent my money wisely.

Alternatives to the NordciTrack T 8.5 treadmill

Alternatives to the T 8.5 are:

The Nordictrack 1750 is, in my opinion, the most balances option in the Nordictrack portfolio at a reasonable price. Therefore I think it is the best option for budget-conscious treadmill buyers from Nordic Track. The T 8.5 just sits a bit oddly against this as it has the same sized screen while having less incline and a smaller belt, while the prices are not that far apart.

The Nordictrack 6.5 is the ideal option for people who want to maximize saving money and space when buying a new treadmill from Nordictrack. This model comes in around $1000 and has the smallest footprint of the Nordictrack models. Ideal for walkers or limited spaces.

The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite if you are looking for maximum calories burned per minute. It comes in at only $700, has a small footprint and packs a hefty punch.

If you are looking for a different concept of a treadmill the True form runner is for you. This treadmill is self-propelled and therefore has no motor. The belt rests on bearing and your footstrike accelerates or breaks on the speed. This is the ideal treadmill for runners who want to simulate fast acceleration and deceleration at home.

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.

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.