NordicTrack C 900 PRO Treadmill Review

  About Fred Waters

"Value Meets Performance"

The NordicTrack C 900 Pro sells at the very competitive $999 price range. NordicTrack has always had one of the  best values at that price. Not only is the C 900 a relatively durable machine, but it also out specs the competition in key components like motor, deck and rollers.

Upgrades from their previous $999 model include longer warranty coverage, improved shock absorption, more programs, steeper incline, an enhanced console and display, and iFit Live compatibilty. This impressive package makes the C 900 PRO the most popular NordicTrack treadmill.

Note: The 2012 NordicTrack C 900 PRO treadmill typically sells for $999 with shipping. A good value. Go to www.NordicTrack.com for the latest deal.*

NordicTrack C 900 Treadmill Features...

3.0 Continuous Duty HP Motor — This is the largest motor you will find at this price range.  It will easily handle the strains of running or the stress of steep incline training.  NordicTrack focuses on building motors that are failsafe with low noise immunity.

20" x 60" Running Surface — This is the longest running surface you will find at $999.  It is an ideal length for the long stride of runners and taller individuals. While running on the treadmill, I found it to be very stable.

2.5" Rollers — These are the largest rollers you will find on a treadmill at this price. The larger the rollers the more surface area for the treadbelt to adhere to. In addition to reducing slippage, large rollers reduce wearing on the belt, motor, and bearings by reducing rotations.

iFit Live — iFit Live was released in 2010 and it has changed the concept of merely running in place. It allows your treadmill and computer to communicate through Wi-Fi. This is how it works: You create a profile and define your fitness goals at iFit.com. Through your Wi-Fi, iFit will download personalized workouts from fitness trainers like Jillian Michaels. These programs control the speed and incline of your treadmill and provide motivational audio coaching.  The workouts are also designed to be progressive in order to attain your fitness goals. Your progress is tracked and available online.

With your iFit.com account, you also get a nutrition and activity tracker, motivating text messages and emails, and workout videos available for download. In addition, through Google Maps you can simulate exercising on trails throughout the world. With the use of a laptop or Smart Phone that you can place on the console, you can define a route on Google Maps, and your treadmill will simulate the terrain by adjusting the incline. Furthermore, you can get a street, map, or satellite view as you run the route. I recently tried this feature, mapping out a route in my neighborhood. It was impressive.

Note: There is an additional cost for this feature, and you need a wireless internet connection.

15% Incline — The NordicTrack A2750 Pro only reached a 12% incline. With the C 900, you can get up to a heart pounding 15% incline.

QuadFlex Shock Absorption Deck — The QuadFlex deck reduces impact and stress to your joints through the enhanced shock absorption.  It consists of a series of rubber grommets encased in a spring. It is designed to absorb the shock of your impact while providing an energy return at the lift-off. They claim the energy return design allows you to work out longer.

32 Installed Workout Programs — We've all heard the term "Variety is the Spice of Life". Well it can also be effective in reaching our fitness goals.  When working out, I continually change the programs in order to break up the monotony of exercising in place. The NordicTrack C 900 has 32 programs — 8 high intensity, 8 speed, 8 incline, or 8 calorie-burn. A generous selection of challenges.

Warranty — They upgraded the warranty on the Smooth C 900 PRO treadmill. You get lifetime on the motor, 3 years parts and 1 year labor coverage.

Console and Display — There was some thought into the design and layout of the console. I hate this phrase, but it is "User Friendly".  It is easy to get into workout programs, and you can change up the speed and incline with one button. You also get a backlit oversized 7" LCD display.

Speakers and MP3 Input — NordicTrack has always offered some of the best speaker systems built into a treadmill console.  It won't have the quality of a Blaupunkt, but it is not bad.

Folding Treadmill — The list the NordicTrack C900 PRO as a folding treadmill. However, at 250 lbs. this is not the kind of treadmill you will want to fold and move regularly. It takes a bit of effort to fold-up and more effort to move about. It should be noted that at 250 lbs. this is a very solid and stable machine.

Wireless Hear Rate Monitoring — You get a wireless heart rate montior chest strap, so you can keep taps of your heart rate without having to hold the grips.

Console Fan — It was interesting to learn from NordicTrack that this is one of their most popular features.  They designed the fan to point directly at your core so you get the best results for cooling down. It also automatically increases the airflow with the speed of the treadmill.

Our Review — NordicTrack C 900 PRO Treadmill

There is a simple reason why NordicTrack's parent company, Icon Fitness, is the largest fitness equipment manufacturer in the world — they offer more for less.  The NordicTrack C 900 treadmill is a perfect example.  It out-specs the competition when it comes to deck size motor, programs, rollers and console features. In addition, you get one of the most innovative concepts in cardio training — iFit Live.

I talk to a lot of fitness equipment companies, and they often are in awe how Icon Fitness can offer so much for so little.  And these companies are scrambling to compete.  There are other treadmills at $999 that are as durable as the NordicTrack C 900 PRO, but none offer as much overall value.

For more details go to www.NordicTrack.com

Consumer Magazine Review

A popular consumer magazine gave the NordicTrack C 900 their highest score for a budget treadmill. It rated an "Excellent" for exercise range, and a "Very Good" for constructions. For a treadmill that ranks in the budget category, that is impressive.

NordicTrack C 900 Treadmill Customer Reviews

The purchase process was painless and efficient. Product came when promised - setup was straightforward with included instructions. I wanted a treadmill to replace the old one. The NordiTrack treadmill is better than expected, feels solid and has a lower impact on my feet and knees - very pleased with my choice.

---

I weigh 230 lbs. and this treadmill doesn't even budge when I run. The shock absorbing deck is excellent for those prone to shin splints, and everyone in my family loves this. I still lift at a gym, but from now on, my cardio will be at home on what absolutely feels like a gym-quality commercial treadmill.