Before we get into the fine details, I can say with confidence that I found the NordicTrack E 7.0z Elliptical to be a well-made, convenient option for in-home fitness. Considering that running isn’t exactly the best exercise choice for everyone, many may find themselves looking for low-impact options for cardio, and I have no doubts that this elliptical can get the job done.
The NordicTrack E 7.0z can also satisfy those who may have knee problems that had been previously caused by running or those looking to avoid knee issues in the future. However, just because it’s an elliptical, doesn’t mean that it passed our test automatically. Our review was thorough, comprehensive and fair. We focused on things like the design, the features as well as the downsides of the treadmill to see how much more it could do other than just provide an alternative to a treadmill.
Unlike other cardio machines like recumbent bikes or spin bikes, we found that The NordicTrack E 7.0z wasn’t just a machine for exercising the legs either. It offered the user a total body workout due to a ton of really impressive, ergonomic design features. Essentially, when you’re using it, you’ll have to get all of your limbs involved. We found that it could also be adjusted in a variety of ways for some added versatility with respect to the kinds of muscles that it could work.
In general, the interface was easy to use and there were a ton of built-in settings that made us think that the NordicTrack E 7.0z could yield some very intense, effective workouts.
Overview
Layout and Design
The NordicTrack E 7.0z has a robust, heavy-duty feel to it that in no way felt flimsy, cheap or unsafe. It only weighs about 200 pounds and measures in at about 24 inches wide and 67 inches long. Despite it being a little bit on the larger side, you won’t have to worry about moving it around. Built into the base are a pair of wheels that make rolling it across the room easy if you feel like changing its location. However, it’s worth noting that it won’t come pre-assembled.
The NordicTrack E 7.0z will take between 2 and 2.5 hours to fully set up. The instructions were simple, and the assembly was relatively stress-free. That being said, if you’re looking for something that’s ready to go right out of the box, this is not the elliptical for you. We found the assembly to be somewhat justified, especially after we used the elliptical for the first time and saw what it could do.
For many people, the footpad dimensions are a huge factor on an elliptical machine. On the NordicTrack E 7.0z the footpads measure 7 ¾ inches wide and are about 1.5 inches apart. We felt it was a little close for comfort, but the footpads are connected to the flywheel so they do stay on the same path with each stride. There were also handles attached to the flywheel that are designed to incorporate the upper body. The handles themselves do not have grips to measure heart rate, but the console does have two additional grips that can measure pulse.
The console itself was also very well-equipped and easy to figure out. You’ll find a 5 inch backlit display that indicates important data during workouts. You’ll be able to see things like your speed, time, distance, heart rate and total calories burned. Under the screen you’ll also find buttons for things like a map, a training button, competition choices, options to set and track your workout as well as a quick start and stop button.
On the center portion, just about level with the pedals, you’ll also find markers that indicate which muscles groups are being worked at which angle. The markers list thighs, hamstrings and calves. Lastly, you’ll find a cup holder that is large enough to fit a water bottle, as well as a mount for a tablet. We found that tablet mount to be a great little extra at first, but realized it was actually a highly important addition that enables use of one of the elliptical’s key features. If you choose to use the IFit Module you’ll have to do so with a tablet or smartphone, making the mount totally essential.
Features
First and foremost, the NordicTrack E 7.0z is compatible with the IFit Module. You’ll have to purchase the module separately to use this feature, but it uses Google Maps to let you chart a route anywhere in the world. It even has a terrain simulator for an even more realistic experience. You can select the street view on your tablet’s screen and make it feel like you’re working out in just about any city. The IFit Module also allows you to access custom workouts and record progress as you continue to use the E 7.0z. In addition to being IFit Module compatible, this elliptical also comes preloaded with 20 different workouts that were each designed by a personal trainer. Each one is specifically set up to fulfill a specific fitness goal.
There is also an adjustable incline ramp built-in. You can centralize your workout and a specific lower body muscle by adjusting the ramp accordingly. You can target your quads, calves and glutes simply by changing the angle of incline between 0 and 20 degrees. The elliptical will also indicate which muscle group you’re working. All you have to do is check the chart on the flywheel section.
You can also adjust your stride up to 20 inches. This means you can lengthen, shorten or change the shape of your stride to your liking. This was a really excellent addition because it meant that workouts could be customized not only through the console, but could also be manually tailored to each user’s body type. Not only that, but adjusting the stride length also gave users another way target certain specific muscle groups.
The NordicTrack E 7.0z also contains 20 preset resistance levels that you can easily access from the console with the touch of one button. Not all users may want a preset level of resistance, but for those that want to just hop on the elliptical and start working out, having these presets built-in will prove extremely useful. You can also adjust the resistance manually, even if you are in the middle of one of the elliptical’s 20 preset workouts.
Last but not least, the elliptical comes with a built-in sound system called the Intermix Acoustic Sound System. There are a pair of 2 inch speakers that are powerful enough to deliver some quality audio output, but luckily there is still a headphone jack available in case you’re looking for more of a private listening experience while exercising.
The Good And The Bad: Our Full Review
The Price
As a sub-1000 dollar piece of exercise gear, we found that NordicTrack E 7.0z to offer a lot of value at a low price. For $685, you’ll get just about everything you would expect from an elliptical machine. There are enough workouts and ways to customize the elliptical that you could theoretically use it as your primary form of exercise. Considering that a gym membership can sometimes cost more than 50 dollars a month, the E7.0z could pay for itself in less than two years if you ditch your health club and use it instead. Also, it’s the kind of machine that will enhance longevity in the knees and hips, making it even more valuable in the long term.
If you want a good elliptical but don’t want to pay this much, you can find a best rated elliptical under 500 in our comprehensive article.
The Good
The best part about the NordicTrack E7.0z is how versatile it is. It can be adjusted to work a variety of different muscles groups, is loaded with features, workouts and presets, and even gives you the option for a simulated run through just about any city with the IFit Module. The construction was sturdy, robust and felt like it could withstand daily use without breaking down. Furthermore, the added little extras like the heart rate measuring grips, built-in speakers, as well as cup holder added additional levels of convenience that set it apart from other similar machines on the market.
The Bad
We couldn’t find a whole lot that we didn’t like about the NordicTrack E7.0z, but there were a few things we felt could have been improved upon. While it was adjustable, we found that it had limits for larger people. We would have liked for the stride range to be a bit larger than 0 to 20 inches so that the elliptical could be used by those who may have bigger strides or more open gait patterns. We also realized that some of the built-in workouts actually require the IFit Module to work. While the compatibility of the IFit Module was a bonus, we didn’t love the idea that users would be forced to purchase it to unlock all of the features of the elliptical.
Additionally, we found that many of the built-in workouts were extremely difficult. Some expect the user to maintain 60 or more RPM’s, which seemed a little tough. We’re all for a challenge, but for the beginner or novice exerciser, this will likely be too strenuous.
Lastly, we weren’t completely sure how accurate the heart rate monitor was. Even while we held onto the grips, the heart rate monitor would fluctuate pretty drastically. We discovered that we had to keep our hands perfectly still to get an accurate reading and, even then, saw a lot of strange, sudden variations in heart rate data.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we found the NordicTrack E7.0z to be an excellent option for in-home exercise. It was well-constructed, offered lots of options and was at the cutting edge when it came to creating an immersive, full-body workout. At times, we felt that it might be a little too intimidating for the average user, mainly because a lot of the preset workouts were very intense. However, it is highly adjustable and could be set up to accommodate people with varying fitness levels if need be. If you’re looking for something a little simpler that is geared mainly toward fitness newbies, this may not be the elliptical for you. But if you’re looking for a machine that can cater to intermediate to experienced fitness enthusiasts, the NordicTrack E7.0z is definitely worth considering.