NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill Review

NordicTrack is a well-known brand in treadmill industry. This brand always provides customers with the best products at every price range. NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill is a typical example. It will give you some excellent features that are not often found in a treadmill under $1000.

NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill Description

Motor

You get a dependable 3.0 CHP DurX commercial motor. It easily pushes you through more intense or longer workouts. The motor uses preventative engineering in order to ensure the safe of the user. It comes with a thermal cut-off switch, high-grade wiring, insulation ratings and a stringent UL certification process. This is more powerful than 2.5 HP motor used on the LifeSpan TR1200i Folding Treadmill, which is also a popular choice among treadmill under $1000. In short, this is the largest motor can be found at this price range.

Speed

This NordicTrack treadmill can accommodate every workout (walk, jog or run) with speeds up to 12 MPH. And user can control these speeds with a "1-Touch" system. In others word, you can instantly decrease the speed of your treadmill when you need to relax or increase it for a challenging workout just with a touch of a button.

Incline

The machine is equipped with an impressively automatic incline with a 0 - 12% range. This incline range can be found on ProForm Power 795 Treadmill or Schwinn 830 Treadmill too. With the C990, you can also adjust the angle of the running deck with a single touch of a button.

Workout surface

While the C 700- the less expensive model in the series only has a 22” x 55” belt. The C 990 has a 60 inch (~153 cm) long and 20 inch (~51 cm) wide surface. This ideal size of workout surface is suitable for even runners or taller users. It incorporates the FlexSelect adjustable cushioning system to offer an excellent comfort. You can also easily find this running surface size on other models at this price range like on Schwinn 870 Treadmill, ProForm Power 995i and ProForm Performance 600C.

Console Display

The console on the NordicTrack C 990 is a combination of the best features of 2 older models in this collection – the C 970 and the C 630. It includes a 7” touch screen which very responsive used to show workout apps and exercise data. On this screen, with an Android browser you can browse the internet too. Although the console on this treadmill only has dual color, it is still very bright, and easy to read. It has a message scrolling area to guide the user on how to get started.

Workout programs

This model offer a wider range of workout programs compared to other models. It includes 32 built-in workouts (not part of iFit) available for all fitness levels. They are designed by a certified personal trainer and divided into 4 groups: 8 high intensity, 8 incline, 8 speed, and 8 calorie-burn. Each workout program can automatically adjust the speed and incline of user’s treadmill during their workout.

iFit Compatibility

This great feature provides users with variety of workouts. It allows user to download new workouts from Jillian Michaels to the treadmill, track the fitness online and customize their fitness program. This includes Google Maps feature that lets user set and experience a real-life route virtually on their treadmill.

Heart rate monitor

Monitoring your heart rate ensures that you are in the right heart rate zone. This unit allows you to monitor your heart rate with Dual CardioGrip™ heart rate monitor sensors built into both handlebars. This model is also compatible with chest straps. However, you have to order chest strap monitor must separately.

Extra features

An added tablet holder, a built-in auto cooling fan, accessory tray and an iPod dock are great extra features that make user’s workouts more comfortable and convenient.

Comfort

With the C990, I can stretch my stride more comfortably when I run on the Nautilus T614 with just 55” long surface. And I don’t have to worry about falling out of the running surface. The spacious running surface is equipped with an adjustable cushioning system indeed gives me very soft and smooth runs. Especially, this adjustable cushioning system isn’t usually found on other models under $1000. You can turn it up for a softer feel or turn it down for a more road-like feel. Happily, the machine is designed with a built-in fan to make me feel cool and more comfortable during my training process. This fan can automatically adjust its speed to match my workout intensity. And iPod compatibility with a friendly sound system (2” integrated speakers) gives me a lot of extra entertainment options to forget fatigues of workouts.

Support

In addition to providing a cushioned stride, FlexSelect cushioning system also acts for joint support. The shock absorbing deck works well for people who are prone to shin splints and dramatically reduces unwanted injuries. I haven't had any knee pain as I've had with other treadmills in the past. And everyone in my family loves this. Plus, an automatic incline up to 12% feature has worked well in supporting me to target specific muscle groups and increase the rate of calories burned. A sturdy frame can support users up to 325 pounds of weight. Moreover, plenty of built-in workout programs as well as new downloaded workouts thanks to iFit feature providing new challenges help keep me motivated to achieve my fitness goals easier.

Convenience

This treadmill is ergonomically designed and very easy to use. Firstly, with the C990, users needn’t to interrupt their workout to change their workout settings because the incline and speed can be safely and easily changed with OneTouch controls during your workout. This is a big advantage for those who are so bored with manual controls on other cheaper models. An added tablet holder is a new feature for 2015. It holds my tablet to allow me to surf the net or watch my favorites shows while walking. The last convenient feature is the SpaceSaver® technology with EasyLift™ assist telescoping shock. It makes the storing and the transporting the machine easier.

Performance

Overall performance of C 990 is quite good but not really good below 2.5 MPH. Anyway, the machine is powerful enough to help me pass my running workouts in comfort. The motor is rigorously tested for matchless performance in noise and vibration. Therefore although it runs very strongly, it is still smooth and quiet even at the highest speeds. The machine is also very stable. I weigh 230 lbs. and it doesn’t even budge when I run. Compared to my old treadmill, this model provides me with more effective workouts with much more amount of calories burned. Training on this machine makes me feel like being on a gym-quality commercial treadmill.

Quality and durability

The C 990 is rated as a relatively durable machine. The motor in this model has a commercial quality featuring dual fans that cool internal components. Additionally, built with high quality the tread belt of this can withstand any type of training. Plus, you don’t need to lubricate the belt on a regular basis because the belt on the C990 is already coated with a high-performance lubricant. In order to help the treadmill to last longer, NordicTrack features 2.5 inch rear rollers. These are one of the largest in this price range and used to reduce tear and wear on the belt, motor, and bearings by reducing rotations. The unit includes a lifetime warranty on motor, deck and frame, 2 years on parts and 1 year on labor. Especially, NordicTrack offers a 30-day money back guarantee on all equipment. However, I expected the C990 to have a better warranty package.

Use

The NordicTrack C 990 has appropriate size and design to support not only for walking, jogging but for light running as well. Overall, this is one of the best machines for home use under $1000. In the terms of weight capacity, I highly recommend it for runners up to 200 pounds and walkers weighing up to 250 pounds for the best results, despite its weight capacity is up to 325 pounds (~147 kg).

Conclusion, with a lot of strong basics like a super-strong 3.0 HP motor, large rollers, high 12% incline and extra-long deck combining with lots of little luxury extras for enhanced comfort the NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill is worth every penny I spent for it. In short, it is definitely a good option for people who need a reliable treadmill at an affordable price.

Compare NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill to other models

Nordictrack C 990

The C990 treadmill is the new under-$1000 treadmill of Nordictrack. It is a replacement for the 2014 Nordictrack 970 model. Therefore, beside similar features like a long track (20″ x 60”), 12 MPH top speed, 32 built-in workout apps, Customizable FlexSelect cushioning, the C990 has some upgrades like a sleeker console, more compact design or wireless heart rate monitoring compatibility. Additionally, according to user’s review, the C990 seems to work better in enhancing the performance of trainees as well as providing quieter, smoother workouts. In short, NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill improves some drawback found on the C970.

Schwinn 870 Treadmill

If you want to consider a cheaper model than the C990 of NordicTrack, Schwinn 870 Treadmill is a good option. The main specs of this model are similar to the C990 including a 3.0 CHP motor offering a speed range from 0 to 12 MPH, a 20-Inch x 60-Inch belt that can be inclined up to 15 degree. This model is also equipped with large 2.5” crowned rollers for quiet and smooth workouts.

However, because of cheaper price, the Schwinn 870 Treadmill doesn’t include some great features like on the C990. For example, the machine only has 26 built-in programs without iFit enabled technology. Especially, it comes with 10 years warranty on the frame and motor while the C990 has a lifetime warranty on these parts. But the better feature I see on this treadmill is that it includes chest strap which you have to buy separately with the C990.

ProForm Power 995i Treadmill

Another model I would like to compare to the C990 is the ProForm Power 995i Treadmill. Both models have the similar price so they have some similar features. The 995i also comes with a 3.0 HP motor that can reach a top speed up to 12 MPH. Its 20" x 60" running area can be inclined up to 15% and is supported by ProShox cushioning system to provide a smooth and comfortable stride. However, this system can’t be adjustable like the FlexSelect cushioning system of the C990. When it comes with extra features, the ProForm Power 995i includes iFit enabled technology, iPod compatible audio, space saving design and cooling fan too. This model can withstand users weighing up to 350 pounds that is higher than weight capacity provided by the C990. But the 995i has less built-in programs than the NordicTrack treadmill.