NordicTrack C990 Review

When it comes to a home treadmill, you need a reliable, smooth operation with plenty of track width and lots of workout variety. That is precisely what you get with the NordicTrack C990, with plenty more besides.

The NordicTrack C990 is a very solid choice in the $1000 price range, but we believe the Proform Pro 2000 is a slightly better buy for the price and feature set. In this article we go deep in our investigation of the C990 and compare it to leading competitors to explain this recommendation.

Customer Reviews

The NordicTrack C990 has mixed customer reviews:

  • 4.0 Stars – 132 reviews, Sears
  • 4.1 Stars – 146 reviews, Home Depot
  • 4.1 Stars – 23 reviews, Google

The consensus among users is that it has an excellent running bed and cushioning and the tablet holder and speakers provide great support for on-board entertainment.

Pros

  • 32 Workout Options
  • iFit enabled
  • 7” backlit console screen
  • 3” speakers and music port
  • 60” x 20” running track
  • FlexSelect Cushioning
  • 3.0 CHP Motor
  • Spacesaver design
  • 325-pound capacity

Cons

  • No wireless heartrate monitor
  • Limited warranty

Benefits

32 Workout Programs

The C990 provides you with a total of 32 workout programs on the computer module. These training regimens have been designed by the best personal trainers. Different programs focus on speed, weight loss, endurance and heart rate training.

You also get fifteen incline levels and 12 speeds on this treadmill. As well as the pre-programmed workouts, you can also manually input your own customized program.

32 programs may seem like overkill and perhaps it is. But it does provide you with all the variety and specificity you will ever need.

iFit Enabled

The C990 is completely iFit enabled. Once you subscribe to iFit you can download extra workout programs, track your performance and even have treadmill races with your friends on Facebook. In addition, you can simulate running anywhere on the planet!

Backlit Console Screen

The screen on the C990’s monitor features a generous 7 inch backlit screen that makes for easy viewing from any angle. The monitor provides you with an ongoing display readout of your speed, time, distance, calories and heart rate. You also get to see a quarter mile digital race track which helps you to see the progress that you are making throughout the workout.

This console is not the full color version that you get with more expensive treadmills from NordicTrack. However, it does provide you with all the functionality that you will need to monitor your workout.

Audio Capability

The C990 comes with high quality built-in 3-inch speakers. It also features an Intermix acoustics sound system and a smartphone compatible music port for playing MP3s.

Large Running Track

The running track is the most functional part of any treadmill and this one doesn’t disappoint. It measures a generous 60 inches by 22 inches. This is longer than many competitors and should accommodate even the largest running stride. There is plenty of grip underfoot and you also get an ample mount of cushioning to protect your ankles and heels on every foot strike.

When you order your C990 you are given the option of either a road simulation or a more comfortable track with greater shock deflection.

FlexSelect Cushioning

The FlexSelect Cushioning feature can be turned on or off as you choose. With it in play you will get greatly enhanced protection for your joints as you are running. Turn it off to more accurately simulate the actual conditions that you would encounter on the road.

One Touch Power Incline

At the touch of a button you can adjust the incline on the C990 from 0 to 12 degrees. Running on an incline not only increases the calorie burn, it also allows you to give more focus to the muscles of the glutes, hamstrings and calves as you are working out.

Powerful Motor

The power base of the C990 consists of a 3.0 CHP motor. It operates very quietly, providing all the power output you need to get a great workout challenge every time. 3.0 CHP is equivalent to 3.5 HP on competing models.

The maximum user weight on the NordicTrack C990 is 325 pounds.

Space Saver Design

The NordicTrack C990 has a telescopic design which allows it to be folded when not in use. This makes for a very compact storage unit.

Disadvantages

No Wireless Heart Rate Monitor

The C990 is enabled for wireless heartrate monitoring through Bluetooth. However, unlike other models in their product range, NordicTrack do not provide the purchaser with a wireless heartrate monitor. This has to be purchased separately for about $70.

Limited Warranty

The warranty on the NordicTrack C990 is not very impressive, to say the least. While you do get lifetime warranties on the motor and frame, the parts warranty is only three years, with a year of free labor. Most treadmill retailers will offer five years on parts.

Summary

The NordicTrack C990 provides some solid basics to provide you with a reliable, productive workout. It has a solid motor, a generously sized running track and offers good entertainment features. In terms of its own product line, however, NordicTrack do offer better models that are not that much more expensive.

NordicTrack C990 Competitors

Weslo Cadence G 5.9i Treadmill

The Weslo Cadence G 5.9i Treadmill features a noticeably smaller running surface than the C990 at 50 x 16 inches. This may be a little restrictive for some taller users. At 2.25 HP, the motor on this unit is not as powerful as the one on the NordicTrack machine is.

The Weslo does not feature an integrated screen, but instead has a tablet holder and is meant to be used in conjunction with a tablet. Included as well is one month of membership to iFit. iFit is a workout app that features personalized workouts from world class trainers.

Like the NordicTrac C990 there is built-in Bluetooth capability for this treadmill. However, there is no integration for a heart monitor with Bluetooth. The heart rate monitoring system relies on the far less reliable hand pulse reading through the handle bars.

The Weslo Cadence G 5.9i Treadmill features a damping system called Comfort Cell.  It is very comfortable and can be used for an extended amount of time without too much discomfort in your feet.

This treadmill also comes with built-in speakers, accelerator keys, and toolbar buttons with large icons for easy identification. However, there is no incline function on this machine.

The Weslo Cadence G 5.9i folds up for easy and convenient storage. This machine does not match up to the NordicTracK C990 in terms of functionality. Its running track is considerably smaller, the motor is less powerful and there is no incline.

Nautilus T616

The Nautilus T616 is an extremely impressive compact treadmill that gives the NordicTrack C990 a run for its money in terms of functionality and additional features. It provides you with 26 programmed workouts (compared to 32 on the C990), two backlit screens (the C990 only has one) and Bluetooth connectivity to allow you to transfer your workout data to the Nautilus training app through Nautilus Connect.

The T616 provides you with an MP3 player so you can listen to music as you work out. The running mat is the same generous size as you get with the C990. It also has a 3-speed cooling fan. You get an incline of between 0 and 15 degrees on this treadmill, which is three degrees more than on the C990. That may not sound like much, but it is when you are running up it!

The running mat on this treadmill features the Nautilus Strikezone cushioning system with six hex cell design to provide and enhanced cushioning effect on each foot strike. The large 2.5-inch crown rollers provide an ultra-smooth track glide.

On the downside, some reviewers of the Nautilus T616 have complained about fluctuating consistency on the readouts on the monitor. Especially when it comes to the heart rate reading.

The T616 from Nautilus is an excellent option if you’re after a high spec machine that has the grunt and functionality of a much more expensive offering. Feature for feature it is quite comparable to the NordicTrack C990. However, the Nautilus T616 offers a better guarantee than the C990, which may, in the end, be the deciding factor.

ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill

The ProForm Pro 2000 is an extremely responsive and functional treadmill for the budget conscious buyer. It has a 60 inch by 20 inch running belt, putting it on par with both the NordicTrack C990 and the Nautilus T616. A major feature of this machine is that it changes speeds and inclines incredibly quickly – you can take it straight to 12 mph with just one tap of your finger!

The auto incline takes you up to a gradient of 15 degrees and the maximum speed is 12 miles per hour. Unlike many other machines, you also get a negative three-degree decline to work your calves and quads uniquely.  This machine also comes with a wireless chest strap to allow for the most accurate heart rate monitoring.

The ProForm is fitted with iFit coach technology so you can train with a different workout program every single time you train.

The rollers on this treadmill provide you with 2.5-inch precision balanced non-flex rollers to give you an extremely smooth and natural running experience.

The ProForm Pro2000 is an excellent treadmill that provides you with a powerful motor, large running surface and lots of workout options. It also comes with Bluetooth and a provided chest strap (which you don’t get with any of the other treadmills reviewed on this page).

The Bottom Line

TheNordicTrack C990 is a high spec treadmill that provides you with a wide running track and plenty of power to challenge you. It also comes with a whole lot of built-in workout programs. However, the Nautilus T616 and Proform Pro 2000 offer comparable features, with the Proform including a chest strap for heart rate monitoring. In the end analysis, our preferred machine is the Proform Pro 2000.

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