NordicTrack C700 feature image

If you’re after a reasonably priced treadmill from one of the best manufacturers out there, perfect for speed walking at inclines, with iFit compatibility, then the NordicTrack C700 Treadmill may be perfect for you.

We decided to get this promising treadmill in for a full testing and as a result can now bring you our NordicTrack C700 review.

The NordicTrack C700 Treadmill provides brilliant workout technology, on a par with NordicTrack’s pricier options, whilst still allowing you a fair amount of change from a grand. NordicTrack keep the price on the C700 down in part by including no kind of special monitor. Instead, the C700 will allow you to use your tablet or smartphone as a monitor, where you will be able to stream the coveted iFit workouts. You also get 20 preloaded training programmes, a maximum incline of 10% and a maximum speed of 10 mph. Combine these with fantastic built-in speakers for music or podcast streaming, and you have a recipe for steady state success.

Do note, however, that it is very much a walker’s treadmill. A combination of factors makes it unsuitable to anything more than a fast power walk or light jog – not least the top speed of 10 mph, which isn’t too fast, and quite a small belt, which doesn’t allow for much of a large gait. You also only get a limited warranty – a one-year parts warranty, which results in quite limited consumer protection. Though it’s cheap, it may not be the best value for money for everyone and if you prefer something that has more oomph then you might want to check out the pricier NordicTrack FS9i.

However, the integrated workouts, a decent incline and entertainment will make that power walk perfect – you will be able to go for miles without ever leaving your living room, all whilst being able to catch up on your favourite shows.

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NordicTrack C700 Tech Specs

There is a lot of techy goodness to like with the NordicTrack C700 Treadmill.

For starters, it comes with 20 preloaded workouts. These are all designed and put together by fully certified, expert personal trainers. The workouts will automatically adjust the treadmill’s incline by up to its maximum 10%, increasing energy output and endurance demands for both optimum progression and variety for its own sake (it keeps things pretty interesting as you train.) You can also control the motorised incline using the console buttons.

You also get access to unlimited personalised workout downloads with the NordicTrack C700 Treadmill’s iFit subscription. There is a tablet stand integrated into the treadmill’s build, so that you can stream iFit on your tablet or smartphone easily enough whilst keeping everything visible and clear. iFit is not a resource to be underestimated – it offers standard workout downloads, immersive Google Street View workouts, hundreds of high-definition video workouts, virtual treadmill races, alongside a whole host of additional health and fitness perks and benefits.

The NordicTrack C700 Treadmill also has pulse heart rate sensors built into the handlebars, so that you can keep track of how hard you’re working at any point. This is especially helpful for those looking to elicit any kind of after burn effect, which will require keeping into the 85% plus range for a good portion of your workout. This isn’t normally the easiest to achieve walking, but 10 mph on a 10% incline may get many athletes there.

As well as the tablet and smartphone connectivity, the NordicTrack C700 Treadmill also has a built-in set of 2 high-end speakers and an aux music port. This means that the music, shows or podcasts you stream will play in good quality audio.

Though the parts and labour warranty for the whole machine isn’t great, at just one year, the unit’s 2.75 CHP motor is covered by a 25-year warranty. 2.75 CHP is also more than enough to support long power walks for a good amount of time. There is also a lifetime warranty on the frame. All in all, this is actually pretty decent for the price you pay.

However, my favourite aspects of the NordicTrack C700 Treadmill come in the added comfort it can provide. There are two sources of this.

First up, it offers adjustable FlexSelect cushioning. You can choose to keep the cushioning on, which will reduce impact on your joints, or turn it off for a firmer tread, which will feel like you are training on the road. The softer version makes it perfect for those with joint problems, whilst there can still be a fair amount of realism involved for those who need practical carryover in their training.

Secondly, you get a very simple, very effective AutoBreeze fan with the NordicTrack C700. It can make a massive difference to your workouts, especially as you use it inside in the warmer months – any walker or runner will tell you how lovely a fresh breeze is as they push themselves onwards. It keeps pace with your own speed, getting faster as you do. Alternatively, you can adjust it manually.

Finally, the NordicTrack C700 can be easily folded away for storage. The EasyLift Assist design does most of the lifting for you, so you don’t need to worry about hurting your back. It really is an easy machine to live with.

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Using The NordicTrack C700 Treadmill

I mentioned above the two reasons that keep the NordicTrack C700 from being a runner’s machine – the top speed and short track make it untenable for much more than a brisk walk. The top speed is what it is – 10 mph is OK, not great, but you know what you’re buying. I want to talk about the track, however.

The NordicTrack C700 has a fifty-five inch track. This is too short for some trainees (not me, thankfully – I’m only five eight – but if you’re six foot or over, you may struggle.) It is certainly too short for any running gaits, even for me.

The track also isn’t the best quality we have seen. It is single ply and runs over quite small rollers, which gives it a bit of a wobbly tread and means that you will probably need to replace it relatively often.

This lack of quality is surprising in some respects, less so in others.

It is surprising on any NordicTrack product. They are something of a byword for quality a lot of the time. To come across a machine of theirs that is sub-par in this regard is an oddity. However, it is unsurprising for a machine in the C700’s price range. I think I am right in saying that it’s NordicTrack’s cheapest option – if not, then it’s very close. To get something so cheap without any kind of flaw would be amazing, so a cheap-feeling track isn’t such a big deal.

Make of it what you will. I am aware that it is a bit of a fly in the ointment, but personally found it very usable for a decent walk.

The programmes you get with the NordicTrack C700 are of a consistent quality with their other products, however. They are quite obviously designed by a pro and take care to cover all the bases you want, covering four main areas: caloric burn, heart rate, interval training and speed training. They are easy to use and easy to benefit from. Top marks, here.

Then there is the fact that the NordicTrack C700 is enabled for iFit. You need to pay extra for membership, but this is fair enough given the price of the basic machine. You then get access to an almost unlimited array of good-quality classes. You can also download a customised workout every day, choosing from hundreds of videos or charting any route in Google Maps, with a Google Street View simulation. Combine this with the onboard media capabilities, and you’ll find that it is hard to get bored on the NordicTrack C700. Exercise variety and in-flight entertainment are top-notch.

You get all the usual suspects in terms of data feedback: speed, time spent training, calories burned, distance travelled and so forth. This is handy for those, like me, who like to get a bit precise (or nerdy) with their programmes. The heart rate monitor isn’t amazingly accurate, but built-in monitors rarely are, and it is at least consistent and easy to use.

Their FlexSelect cushioning is as good in practice as it is in theory – it remains one of my favourite aspects of the NordicTrack C700, even after heavy use. It will make your workouts incredibly safe and comfortable – crucial with long-term steady state training. In addition, the moulded plastic is firm underfoot, going quite some way to making up for the substandard belt.

All in all, it’s easy to live with, fun to work with, and entertaining to use long term.

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Verdict

I like the NordicTrack C700. It is perfect for walkers, especially for those looking to lose weight and improve their fitness and endurance without taking too much impact into their joints.

If you want something that can help you to maintain a good quality walking routine from the comfort of your own home, with a power incline, a variety of training and media options, and a great degree of comfort, the NordicTrack C700 may well be for you. The built-in speakers and tablet dock mean that you need never get bored as you train, and the fan and shock absorption technology should keep you cool, safe and stress-free.

It doesn’t have the extras that its older brothers in the NordicTrack line boast. Nor is it built to the same quality, nor with the same kind of versatility in mind. However, it is a solid choice for the money, folds away and is user friendly. You will find yourself enjoying both living and working with it, without having to break the bank for the privilege.

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