One of the most popular exercise machines on the market is the Nordictrack Audiostrider 990. It has been a top-selling elliptical model for the past several years. Recently, with the addition of some upgraded features, it has been renamed the Spacesaver SE7i . Those enhanced features will be discussed here, and we will provide comparisons to other NordicTrack exercise machines. The Nordictrack Audiostrider 990 consistently ranks as a best buy for consumers. It will be easy to see why after reading our review and comparisons to other elliptical machines and treadmill models that NordicTrack manufactures.
What is the Nordictrack Audiostrider 990?
Image from Amazon
The NordicTrack Audiostrider 990 is a rear-drive elliptical. The motion it provides is closer to an actual walking or jogging motion than other models in its class. It comes with iFit Coach, an application that works with your phone or tablet, plus pre-programmed training workouts. It also comes with several settings to create “power incline,” and multiple levels of resistance to maximize your workout. It folds up for easy storage when not in use.
Product Specs
The Nordictrack Audiostrider 990 has 22 resistance levels and various incline levels up to 8 degrees. It has 24 installed workout programs, and it compatible with the iFit Live program. It has a holder for your phone or tablet. It is a rear-drive machine with a maximum user weight of 325 lbs. This training machine carries a lifetime frame warranty and 1-year parts & labor warranty. It has oversized cushion pedals, a Coolaire fan, and it is foldable, reducing the space it requires by three square feet.
How it Compares
We picked a few other Nordictrack machines in their product line to see how they compare to the Nordictrack Audiostrider 990.
- NordicTrack Spacesaver SE9i Elliptical Trainer
- NordicTrack C 1650 Treadmill
- NordicTrack T 6.5 S Treadmill
Nordictrack Audiostrider 990
[amazon box=”B00DR8IYPK”]
- Ease of Use
- Assembly Time
- Design Quality
- Warranty
The Nordictrack Audiostrider 990 has consistently been praised as easy to use, from its easy-to read-console to its oversized pedals for smooth, comfortable workouts.
The Nordictrack Audiostrider 990 can be assembled in as little as 15 minutes. It has only three steps once you pull it out of the box.
For the price level, the design is top notch. It weighs less than other elliptical machines, but it offers steadiness during workouts, and the heavy flywheel adds to its stability.
The Nordictrack Audiostrider 990 has a 1-year labor and parts warranty and a lifetime frame warranty. This may not be the best protection plan of all those provided on NordicTrack products, but the 990 still boasts an excellent warranty.
Pros
- The power incline gives you a more powerful workout than resistance alone
- Adjustable, oversized pedals provide flexibility and less stress on the hip
- Exercise motion closely resembles natural stride
- Easy assembly, with the unit taking only minutes and three steps to put together
- Folds to save space when not in use
- iFit compatible for more workout programs, plus Google Maps to workout anywhere in the world
Cons
- The iFit live subscription is a costly add-on annually
- Dual-color console instead of a multi-color console
- The heart rate monitor isn’t wireless
- The parts-and-labor warranty could be extended to two years, as for the NordicTrack Spacesaver SE9i, to give consumers more confidence in the workmanship of the machine
- Renaming the machine to the NordicTrack Spacesaver SE7i might confuse some consumers, who may believe it’s a different machine entirely
NordicTrack Spacesaver SE9i Elliptical Trainer
[amazon box=”B072C3QYGV”]
The Nordictrack Spacesaver SE9i has 24 resistance levels and various incline levels up to 10 degrees, which is a slightly higher incline maximum than the Nordictrack Audiostrider 990 provides. It has 30 workout programs and is iFit Live compatible. It has a holder for your phone or tablet. It uses rear-drive technology and accommodates a maximum user weight of 325 lbs. It carries a lifetime frame warranty and two years of coverage for parts & labor. It has a wireless heart monitor and takes up even less space when folded than the Nordictrack Audiostrider 990.
- Ease of Use
- Assembly Time
- Design Quality
- Warranty
Like its Nordictrack Audiostrider 990 cousin, the Spacesaver SE9i is easy to use. The easy-to-read console and oversized pedals give it flexibility that consumers enjoy.
Assembly time for this elliptical is measured in minutes; not hours. Like the Nordictrack Audiostrider 990, it requires just three steps for assembly right out of the box.
This elliptical’s design quality is superb. It weighs less than other ellipticals but is steady and is packed with technology. The heavy flywheel gives this elliptical machine stability for harder workouts, which is impressive given the total weight of the machine and its folding, space-saving design.
The NordicTrack Spacesaver SE9i has the same lifetime frame warranty as comparable models, but a slightly better 2-year labor-and-parts warranty. This is very much like NordicTrack’s other excellent warranties. Standing behind its products has become a hallmark of the brand.
Pros
- The power incline gives you a more powerful workout than mechanical resistance alone
- Adjustable oversized pedals offer flexibility, less stress on the hips
- Motion required closely resembles the natural human stride
- Easy assembly: the unit takes just minutes to put together in three steps
- Folds to save space when not in use
- iFit compatible for more workout programs and use Google Maps to workout anywhere in the world
- Has a multi-color console and a wireless heart monitor
Cons
- Is it more expensive, but offers only slightly better features than the Nordictrack Audiostrider 990
- Using the iFit live application requires a costly annual subscription
- Limited incline compared to other ellipticals in its class
NordicTrack C 1650 Treadmill
[amazon box=”B0193V3D8M”]
The NordicTrack C 1650 is the top treadmill in its C series. It’s a folding treadmill with a 10” web-enabled color touchscreen. It has 34 pre-programmed workouts plus access to iFit Coach. The motor produces 3.5 horsepower and it has a lifetime warranty, as does the frame.This model carries a 5-year warranty on parts and electronic components. It also has a heart rate monitor with a Bluetooth wireless option and an adjustable tablet holder. It has smaller rollers than some machines, which could spell trouble and extra maintenance if you are a strong, aggressive runner. For walkers or light runners, this model could be an excellent choice.
- Ease of Use
- Assembly Time
- Design Quality
- Warranty
Like most NordicTrack equipment, this treadmill is easy to use. The console screen is easy to read, and the unit is Bluetooth-compatible.
Assembly of this treadmill can be time-consuming and burdensome, as opposed to other NordicTrack ellipticals and treadmills that can be assembled quickly and easily.
Parts and electronics are covered by a 2-year warranty, while both the frame and the motor carry a lifetime warranty. NordicTrack is known for having some of the best warranties in the industry, and getting a lifetime warranty on a treadmill motor is an excellent benefit.
The NordicTrack Spacesaver SE9i has the same lifetime frame warranty as comparable models, but a slightly better 2-year labor-and-parts warranty. This is very much like NordicTrack’s other excellent warranties. Standing behind its products has become a hallmark of the brand.
Pros
- Has a long track that measures 20 by 60 inches
- Has an excellent lifetime warranty on the frame and motor
- Has 34 pre-programmed workouts and a 10″ full-color touchscreen
- Foldable treadmill for saving space
- Custom cushioning can be turned on or off for either shock absorption that’s easier on your joints or “feeling the road” for a more realistic outdoor experience
- Has a 3.5 horsepower motor
Cons
- Small rollers mean potentially greater maintenance needs for those who run more often than a few times a week
- Assembly is not easy, and the process can be time-consuming and burdensome
- iFit use requires a costly subscription
- Expensive for a treadmill that isn’t designed for the most intense, heavy-impact running
NordicTrack T 6.5 S Treadmill
[amazon box=”B0193V3DJ6″]
This treadmill by NordicTrack is one of the most affordable models they make. It’s a foldable treadmill with a 2.6 horsepower motor, and the maximum speed provided is 10 mph. It has 20 pre-programmed workouts and a 5” display screen.This exercise machine is compatible with the iFit Coach and has a heart rate monitor, but it does not have any wireless heart rate monitor options. This treadmill comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and 25 years on the motor, plus a 1-year warranty on parts and labor. In some reviews on the web, this treadmill only gets 2 or 3 stars out of the maximum five. Even with its inexpensive price, this machine isn’t a good enough value for us to recommend it strongly to consumers.
- Ease of Use
- Assembly Time
- Design Quality
- Warranty
Consumers report this treadmill is easy to use and similar to other NordicTrack machines.
Like the NordicTrack C 1650, the assembly can be rough and time-consuming.
There is no cooling fan and the unit lacks storage space. The motor is loud when it runs, and there is no wireless heart rate monitor option.
Warranty coverage is perhaps the best feature of this treadmill. The manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty on the frame and a 25-year warranty on the motor.
Pros
- The Flex Select cushion allows you to choose either shock-absorption to go easy on your joints or “feeling the road” for a more realistic outdoor experience
- The price is definitely an attractive feature if you’re looking to save money but still get a treadmill that works for you
- Even though this is an inexpensive treadmill, it still has 20 pre-programmed workouts
- This treadmill folds when not in use to save space
- This treadmill is probably best for people who want a treadmill for walking when the weather is bad outside
Cons
- The motor is loud while its running, which can be annoying to some consumers
- The console doesn’t have much storage space, but it does have two cup holders — an unnecessary feature since this treadmill is not built for intense workouts
- This machine doesn’t have any cooling fans, which a severe inconvenience if you enjoy cool air flowing while you work out
- This machine isn’t built for serious runners at all, but instead is best for people who want to walk
Conclusion
Overall, the Nordicktrack Audiostrider 990 gets a rating of 4.5 on our scale of five stars. For the price, consistently under $1000, it is probably one of the best buys on the market. It may not have all the bells and whistles of the NordicTrack Spacesaver SE9I or their C 1650 Treadmill, but it has enough to keep most people extremely satisfied with the quality of their workouts.
Considering the upgrades on technology offered each year and the easy, natural feel of using the Nordicktrack Audiostrider 990, the quality is unmatched. Unlike other folding elliptical machines, the Nordicktrack Audiostrider 990 has a heavy flywheel and tight construction to keep the machine stable no matter how hard you work out. There are several reasons why this particular elliptical consistently makes the top “Best Buy” and “Top Picks” lists year after year. It is simply the best bang for your buck. When compared to other elliptical exercise machines, it is one of the top models you can purchase.