NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical Cross Trainer Review

NordicTrack is a name that you’ve almost certainly come across if you’ve spent any time at all browsing the internet looking for an elliptical trainer. With a comprehensive catalogue that has an offering for just about every type of person looking for an elliptical trainer, it’s more or less impossible to not come across this manufacturer when browsing for such products. With the range now fully updated and filled to the brim with modern cardio machines featuring streamed video workouts NordicTrack has clearly set its sights on seeing off competitors such as Peleton. We took a detailed look at the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 elliptical trainer to see just what your money buys you at this price point in the current NordicTrack catalogue, here’s what we found…

Assembly definitely requires two people but is actually quite straightforward thanks to a well written and presented user manual. There are a few points where grease needs to be applied which can get a bit messy if you’re not careful, but otherwise getting this rather substantial cross trainer put together is relatively hassle-free, can be done by pretty much anyone as long as they’ve got someone to assist by holding things during the build, and have about an hour of spare time to put it together.

Well before the assembly is completed it’s obvious that the C9.9 is a substantial machine and not a lightweight model. With a footprint of 173cm x 74cm (68” x 29”) and thick gauge steel components, each of which feels heavy in the hand, it’s clear that this elliptical has been designed with heavy use in mind. The size and weight alone tell their own story here. Once assembled and levelled using the leg levellers to ensure it’s sitting flat, that first impression of quality is confirmed. Give this machine a shake and nothing happens, it just sits still. Step up onto it and it’s the same story. This solidity gives a lot of confidence that this machine is a high-quality bit of kit and something more than your average elliptical.

Ergonomically the C9.9 is just as sound as the overall build quality. The footplates can be moved back and forth so that you can get just the right body position when holding the handlebars and making an adjustment here is quick and easy thanks to a quick-release mechanism. This mechanism makes changing the pedal positions for each individual user at the start of each training session a viable proposition and this, in turn, means that the C9.9 lends itself very well to use as a family machine that’s going to see multiple regular users working out several times a week. In addition, the moving handlebars have several grip positions and there’s also the option of the fixed handlebars that provide an additional hold while also giving users the ability to focus on the lower body separately. With a 0-20° motorised power ramp that allows you to change the shape of the ellipse and alter the stride between 18”-19” (45cm-48cm) it’s not only easy to get a good body position, it’s also easy to target a range of different muscle groups. These things all combine to make the C9.9 a model that will be suitable for a very wide range of multiple users of all shapes and sizes. To complete things NordicTrack has fitted an 11kg (24lbs) flywheel to the C9.9 which ensures that the action is smooth and uniform throughout the whole cycle and this, combined with quality rollers and slide rails, means that the experience of working out on this elliptical trainer is very smooth and enjoyable.

The resistance levels, incline levels and workout selection are all controlled via the console which comprises a 7″ full-colour Smart HD touchscreen display that’s slick and responsive enough to make it feel good while also being intuitive enough to make it easy to find the workout you want to perform, a set of physical up and down keys for both resistance and incline, and a set of quick access one-touch keys that allow you to skip directly to the incline/resistance level you want with the single press of a button. Having the physical keys there during a workout makes it easy to control things while breaking a heavy sweat in the middle of a workout, while the touch-screen set-up makes it easy to navigate the menus and find and select the desired workout. For a console with so many functions, it’s been made remarkably simple to use which is impressive.

In keeping with other models in the current range, the workouts themselves are not ‘onboard’ programmes on the C9.9. Instead, there’s a manual mode that lets you jump aboard, press start, and get working (controlling the incline and resistance manually) and after that, all the available workouts are streamed workout videos so a WiFi connection is essential if you’re planning on using the video workouts. There’s a selection of workout videos available without a subscription and while these change and update from time to time, it’s possible to bookmark any you particularly like so that you can easily access them again later. The videos themselves are well put together, engaging, and definitely effective. If you’re a person that struggles with motivation to get on and exercise, these videos are likely to be very helpful in keeping you engaged and motivated. Each video, like a traditional programme, is focused on a particular outcome such as weight loss or cardio improvement and there are more than enough of these to keep most people from getting bored easily. In addition, there’s also a daily updated map-based workout that sees you moving along pre-mapped routes on Google Maps. If all that isn’t enough, the C9.9 is also iFit compatible. iFit subscribers get access to thousands more videos in a library that’s being added to all the time, can race against other iFit users, get access to nutritional information and a whole host of other useful tools. For more information on iFit visit the iFit website here.

Other features include pulse grip sensors and a Bluetooth® Smart wireless receiver for better heart rate reading accuracy (chest belt optional), a workout fan to help keep you cool during a workout, a music port for iPod®/mp3 player, dual 2” Bluetooth® speakers, a water bottle holder and a tablet holder. The C9.9 comes with NordicTrack’s 2 years parts and labour warranty (must be registered within 28 days of purchase)

Best Price

Currently available for £1234.05 from Sweatband.com

To get the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical Cross Trainer for only £1234.05, enter voucher code NT5 on the Sweatband.com basket page!

Review Summary - In Brief

The NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 is a darn good elliptical trainer. It's built very well indeed, has an excellent range of workouts available, is easy to adjust to suit most any user and feels very comfortable. Thanks to its rock-solid construction it feels safe to use and there's no problem with even larger users hitting it hard. All in all, this is an excellent package that is additionally on a promo so it's easy to like and recommend and makes our elliptical of the month in this category.

NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Specifications

  • Flywheel: 11kg (24lbs) effective inertia-enhanced flywheel
  • 18” (45cm) – 19” (48cm) power adjustable stride
  • 22 levels of computer controlled Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR™) + digital OneTouch™ resistance controls
  • 0-20° Adjustable Power Ramp + digital OneTouch™ incline controls
  • 7″ full colour Smart HD touchscreen display
  • Feedback: Calories, distance, pulse, RPM, speed, time, incline, resistance
  • Included workouts: Manual mode, daily updated map workout. Selection of streamed video-based workouts.
  • iFit® Coach Enabled, 30-day Free iFit trial included (Verified payment details required for iFit sign up. Auto-renews at the end of the trial period unless cancelled)
  • iFit workouts: Thousands of on-demand video workouts streamed via iFit (subscription required).
  • All programmes, as well as iFit® Coach require a Wi-Fi based internet connection
  • Heart rate measurement via EKG™ pulse grips + Bluetooth® Smart wireless receiver (chest belt optional)
  • Audio: Compatible music port for iPod®/mp3 player, dual 2” Bluetooth® speakers
  • Extras: AutoBreeze™ workout fan, Water bottle holder, levelling feet, transportation wheels
  • Adjustable oversized cushioned pedals
  • Soft Touch™ upper body grips
  • Dimensions in use (L x W x H): 173cm (68”) x 74cm (29”) x 174cm (68.5”)
  • Product Weight: 98kg (216lbs)
  • Max User Weight: 159kg (350.5lbs)
  • Mains powered
  • Warranty: 10 years frame, 2 years parts, 1 year labour (must register within 28 days of purchase)

NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical Cross Trainer - Console / Display Unit

NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical Cross Trainer - User Reviews

The Pros

  • Excellent ergonomics
  • Easy to adjust and plenty of adjustment available for different size users
  • iFit compatible for additional training options
  • Heavy duty constructions

The Cons

  • Requires an WiFi internet connection to access the workouts
NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical Cross Trainer Reviewer Ratings

Ease Of Installation - 9
Appearance - 9
Smoothness - 9
Comfort - 9
Reliability - 9
Noise - 9
Ease Of Use - 9
Controls - 9
Warranty - 8.5
Value for Money - 9
Best Price

Currently available for £1234.05 from Sweatband.com

To get the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical Cross Trainer for only £1234.05, enter voucher code NT5 on the Sweatband.com basket page!

Also see our Elliptical Cross Trainer Comparison Table

Whilst every effort is made to give you accurate information we cannot guarantee the technical specification. Models change on a regular basis and may differ slightly from the above review. We recommend you contact the retailer if you have a question regarding technical data. Please read our Legal Disclaimer

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