NordicTrack CXT 980

Pros: Excellent motion, electric ramp adjustment allows for operation while in motion, and multiple resistance settings.
Cons: May fall apart while you're using it. Poor quality manufacturing, badly broken service organization.

I got my Nordictrack 980 about a year and a half ago. I particularly liked the ease of motion on it, there is no significant jerkiness to the exercise like I had noted on some other models. It has a number of very nice features. The most important ...

Pros: Well designed, economical, iFIT compatible.
Cons: Assembly a bit difficult, ugly weld joints, slight noise in arm assembly.

This is our second Nordic Track elliptical. Two years ago, my wife and I decided to lose some fat and get in better shape. After much research, I chose a Bowflex XTLU for resistance workouts, and for fat burning, cardio/aerobic exercise, the Nordic...

Pros: It works, for a while.
Cons: Poor quality and durability.

I bought the CXT980 from Sears back in 2003. To be honest, I didn't do much research on the product, as I assumed the brand and price tag to mean something in terms of quality and durability. Unfortunately, this was an $800 mistake I learned the hard ...

Pros: affordable, good range of programs, very stable, less noisy
Cons: terrible customer service, some noise and difficult to assemble, heavy to move

We first bought a different brand of elliptical trainer (*see my other reviews) that we were very un ...

Pros: ABSOLUTELY NONE
Cons: SEE PARAGRAPH ABOVE

I bought this piece of junk (can u c where this is going?) a few years back and it started out all great. The machine was great. Quiet and smooth just like the floor model at Sears. Slowly it became squeakier and louder. Finally, it started wobbling ...

Pros: Great Features
Cons: Needed repair when shipped

I have had my NordicTrack CXT980 for about 3 years now. It arrived in a box with a large hole in it with tape over the whole. I supposed that it could have been damaged by a forklift by the size of the hole, and that the damage occurred during shipping. ...

Pros: NONE!!!!!!!!!!
Cons: NONE!!!!!!!!

Elliptical has not worked properly since it was assembled and delivered on 12/23/05. Numerous phone calls were made to the service company (Unique Fitness)the service company which Nordic Track provided to us. They call back, but then they say that they ...

Pros: Quiet Well Constructed Intuitive controls Almost instant Spindown Comfortable Fantastic power incline DirectAC plug
Cons: Would prefer ear clip heart rate sensor to optional chest unit

After several months of research I settled on an expensive elliptical from Smooth products. I really liked Nordic Track but there seemed to be an impression that it was just another cheap brand name of Icon fitness. Well, when the Smooth Fitness unit...

Pros: Good Price, decent electronics package.
Cons: Foot pads too far apart.

I figured that the 799.00 I would spend on an elliptical would be about as much as I'd spend on a gy ...

Pros: It provided a good workout while it lasted.
Cons: cheap parts, noisy

I had been using an old Schwinn stepper unit ($250) for years before one of the pistons started leak ...

Pros: I highly recommend this elliptical. Has terrific options and programs.
Cons: I have had no problems with this machine.

Great machine for any individual who just wants to get some cardio in their busy schedule. Very comfortable. Has attractive options, i.e. calorie counting, customized programs, tracking heartrate, etc. It is not loud and doesn't take up too much room. You can read your magazine or watch TV while working out. It gets the job done, and it is not expensive!

Pros: Fairly size efficient. Reliable and doesn't break. Looks good in the house.
Cons: Can squeak at times.

I've had my Nordictrack Elliptical for about three years at this point and it has yet to fail me. The only problems I've had is that it can get a little squeaky if you don't keep it clean and the like (though it only does with me, and not my wife - might be the extra weight). Otherwise, after all this time, its still 100% functional. I wouldn't recommend if for a 300 pound guy, but for a home piece of equipment around 800 bucks it really is a good product. Pretty well built and very reliable. Plus, it doesn't take up too much room in the house and it looks nice.

Pros: Electrical control of tension and ramp. Wheels on bottom. Upper & Lower Body workout
Cons: Noisy when using machine but easily fixable by oiling the machine.

I did a lot of research before purchasing my NordicTrac. This machine is definitely the best bang for your buck. I work out at the gym regularly and love the Precor ellipticals they have there. However, if you're thinking about buying one of those machines, think again! They cost about $3k and up! That's way out of my budget. The NordicTrac CXT980 has great features that are similar to the Precor machine at the gym. It has a motorized ramp so that you can control which muscles you want to work out. It also has handles that you can hold onto to track your heart rate. The electronic controls are also great because you can automatically adjust the tension and the ramp height. Also, the electronic display gives you a visual of the distance that you've completed (similar to the Precor at the gym). Definitely buy this machine if you want something at home to work out on without spending the big bucks on a Precor. If I had $3k to spare, I'd definitely buy the Precor. However, I'm very happy to spend alot less on my NordicTrac.

Pros: poor quality, wobbly, heavy, noisy
Cons: good customer service, warranty seems to cover the defects

Negatives:
1) Annoying clanging sound at each revolution of the pedals.
2) Had to have the console replaced.
3) Wobbly machine despite its
4) Incredibly heavy weight
5) On the second visit from the technician I was told there was a crooked weld and the machine was pretty much toast.
6) Heart rate monitor doesn't work accurately
7) Very limited programs do not allow you to switch between different measurements (automatically rotates between time/distance/calories, etc)
8) Work out levels do not raise and lower the pitch of the machine automatically.

Positives:
1) Friendly, reasonably quick customer service
2) The replacement parts were covered under warranty
3) The technicians hired to do the warranty work were good.
4) Am told the company will likely replace the machine altogether.

All in all, I wouldn't spend the money on it again. The tech. told me the next model is more stable and he has seen fewer problems on it.

Pros: Low impact workout
Cons: Faulty electronics, not all features work as advertised.

Machine has noises that come & go. I broke an axle on the incline wheel. I am on my second console, which has the same problem (will ignore any input commands & chirps continuously).
The "iFit" cd's & tapes will not automatically adjust the incline, as they advertise, you must do it manually (call them - they will verify)


Update: The main drive axle has broken.The end sheared off. It took Icon Fitness 2 weeks to send parts. Unfortunately the cranks need to be press fitted onto the axle. Scrapped machine, did not feel it worth the expense of a service call, since, in my opinion, this design problem would very likely re-occur. My only recourse as a consumer is to never buy another unit marketed by Icon. Beware they also sell ellipticals under the Pro Form & Reebok names.