Nordictrack Elite 10.9i vs T8.5s
This is a comparison between the Nordictrack 10.9i elliptical and the T8.5s treadmill. 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.
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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
- 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
- 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 Elite 10.9i $1299
This is a review of the Nordictrack Elite 10.9i 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 Elite 10.9i
The
elite 10.9i is the low-cost front-drive elliptical from Nordictrack. Its main features are a 20-pound flywheel, 20% incline, and a 7-inch touchscreen. The full list of features includes:
- 7” Smart HD Touchscreen
- 1-Year iFit® Membership Included*
- Auxiliary Audio Port
- Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
- EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Sensors
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
- Soft Touch Upper Body Grips
- Front Drive
- 20 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- 19” Power-Adjustable Stride
- 24 Digital Resistance Levels
- 0-20% Incline
- One Touch® Controls
- Integrated Pivoting Tablet Holder
- Commercial Solid Steel Construction
- Oversized Levelers
- 350 Lb. User Capacity
- Oversized Cushion Pedals
- Front-Mounted Transport Wheels
- Water Bottle Holder
- 69.5" L x 25" W x 71.5" H Footprint
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is the elliptical to get if you want to maximize your savings while still buying an elliptical from Nordictrack.
Pros of the 10.9i
The pros of the
10.9 elliptical are:
- Price
- 7-inch touch screen
The
10.9 elliptical can not be beaten on price in the NordicTrack line-up and still dons a 7-inch touch screen. If you are considering this model the main criteria for purchase will be price, as otherwise, you are possibly looking at other options from Nordictrack.
Cons of the 10.9 elliptical
The cons of the
10.9 elliptical are:
- Front-drive 20-pound flywheel
- Size
- Price
If you are a commercial buyer you probably want to look at the
12.9i instead. It is only a small uptick in price but you get a 30 pound instead of a 20-pound flywheel. As commercial buyers should assume heavier usage and more breakage this minimal uptick in price is a good tradeoff for fewer maintenance cases. I am also quite sure that if you buy 10 plus machines in one go you will get the
12.9i for the price of a
10.9i per piece anyway if you ask for it.
A front-drive elliptical is a big machine. Take this into consideration, especially when you are buying for a home gym. More than $1000 for one machine is still a considerable investment in the private realm. If you are already budget-conscious you might as well get a stationary bike for a lower footprint and price to meet your endurance goals.
Alternatives to the 10.9
Alternatives to the
10.9 elliptical are:
The
12.9i front-drive elliptical is the better option for commercial buyers as it is better value for money. It will not impress any of your clients, but also not look cheap or break the bank. If you want to impress go for the
14.9i instead which has a massive screen included.
The
Nordictrack SE7i is a rear-drive elliptical and can be an alternative for home gym owners who still want a high quality elliptical and save some space. The
SE7i comes in at the same price as the
10.9i but has the advantage that the rear-drive design makes it foldable. This way it can be folded up and stored against a wall when it is not used. This is not relevant for most commercial gym scenarios, but definitely in smaller home gym environments.
The
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 10.9i
The
10.9i is a good option for anyone who loves the idea of an elliptical at home for occasional exercise and has space. For my personal tastes I think you can be more consequent in your thinking for a home gym and push the cost under $1000, but I do not have any medical conditions preventing me from doing that. I am also not a huge fan of ellipticals as I have run three marathons and want a bigger challenge. But that is just for context, I might think very differently in 10 - 20 years time or if I consider everyone in the family for a home gym.